Mili semlani
Career History
I am a digital content manager and communications specialist. I graduated with a Masters in International Journalism from Hong Kong Baptist University in 2014. I have spent the last four years reporting in and about the region with work assignments in India, Hong Kong, Indonesia, and Singapore. Since graduation, I have worked with digital and print publications and managed tasks including news reporting, academic writing, social media, graphic design, communication design, PR, and web content management.
My voluntary experience with Internet and Communication Technology (ICT) and IG policy space started as a Netmission Ambassador in 2013 where I was part of the pilot team to introduce youth participation at ICANN and other IG forums. Since 2014 my involvement has grown as a devoted volunteer and fellow at regional forums, ISOC chapter (Mumbai), yIGF, APrIGF (Member of MSG and Co-chair of Program Committee), IGF, and YCIG (Youth Coalition on Internet Governance).
In my current role as a Consultant, I am working on two output papers in conjunction with the volunteer teams of Best Practice Forum for Gender and Access and Connecting and Enabling the Next Billion- Phase III (CENB)– intersessional activities of the Internet Governance Forum. I work with established lawyers, academic and technical experts in this domain to synthesize their views for their relevant publications. Combining my skills as a journalist and content producer with my passion for public policy and interest in technology issues; it has proved to be an enriching experience. It also gave me the ability to engage with various stakeholders of the multistakeholder process through the course of drafting the output papers, conducting respective sessions at IGF 2017 and working with volunteers of the Best Practice Forum (BPF) hailing from diverse stakeholder groups.
As a media professional, I could instantly notice the lack of effective media and communication (especially with respect to IG policies at international and regional levels) both to and from the masses, thus diluting the virtues of openness and inclusivity that the Internet ecosystem aims to thrive on. Living in emerging cities in Asia has also exposed my understanding to a greater level of public needs and mentalities at the grassroots level, thus enhancing my communication skills. I want to progress my career towards social issues, development and public policy with the help of digital media and journalism skills I have gained to bridge this gap in the Internet ecosystem.
I am keen to develop my participation in the spheres of youth at ICT, women in IG and media development in IG.