The International Telecommunication Union (ITU), in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), has announced the launch of the Accelerating Digital Public Infrastructure with Safeguards training programme. The fully funded online course aims to equip government officials, policymakers, and digital transformation professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to design and implement secure, inclusive, and resilient Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) systems.

The programme is being offered free of charge to selected participants through support from the European Union’s Global Gateway initiative. Registration is currently open and will remain available until late June 2026.

Addressing the Growing Importance of Digital Public Infrastructure

Digital Public Infrastructure has emerged as a key foundation for national digital transformation efforts around the world. Governments increasingly rely on interoperable digital systems, reusable technological components, and open standards to improve public service delivery and accelerate economic development.

The course recognizes that while digital innovation offers significant opportunities, it also introduces challenges related to privacy, security, governance, and citizen protection. As a result, participants will be trained using a “Safeguards-by-Design” framework that places trust, accountability, and inclusion at the centre of digital infrastructure development.

The programme seeks to help participants understand how countries can adopt digital solutions while ensuring strong protections for citizens and institutions.

What Participants Will Learn

The course provides practical knowledge on building and governing Digital Public Infrastructure systems in a secure and sustainable manner.

Key learning areas include:

Digital Public Infrastructure fundamentals
National digital transformation strategies
Digital identification systems
Secure data exchange mechanisms
Data governance frameworks
Privacy and citizen protection safeguards
Institutional and regulatory requirements
Sustainable financing models
Investment mobilization strategies
Consent-based digital architectures

Participants will gain a deeper understanding of how governments can balance innovation with responsible data management and public trust.

Focus on Safeguards and Responsible Digital Transformation

A distinguishing feature of the programme is its emphasis on safeguards throughout the design and implementation process.

The course explores critical issues such as:

Data minimization principles
Privacy protection measures
Citizen consent frameworks
Cybersecurity considerations
Governance and accountability mechanisms
Ethical use of digital technologies

These topics are increasingly important as governments expand digital services and seek to protect citizens from potential risks associated with data misuse and technological vulnerabilities.

Hands-On Learning Through Country Simulations

The programme adopts a practical and collaborative learning approach designed to help participants apply concepts to real-world challenges.

A major component of the course is an intensive capstone project where participants work in teams using country-based simulation exercises.

During the simulations, participants will:

Evaluate digital transformation challenges
Assess policy and implementation trade-offs
Develop Digital Public Infrastructure strategies
Design governance and safeguard frameworks
Create implementation roadmaps
Explore financing and sustainability options

By working through realistic scenarios, participants will strengthen their ability to make informed decisions regarding national digital infrastructure development.

Target Audience

The course is designed for professionals involved in digital transformation initiatives, public administration, and technology policy development.

Potential participants include:

Government officials
Digital transformation specialists
ICT policymakers
Public sector managers
Regulatory authorities
Technology practitioners
Development professionals
Digital governance experts

The programme is particularly relevant for individuals working on national digital identity systems, data governance frameworks, and public digital service delivery.

Flexible Online Learning Experience

The course will be delivered entirely online through instructor-led sessions, making it accessible to participants from around the world.

Programme highlights include:

Online instructor-led format
Intermediate-level curriculum
Global participation opportunities
Expert-led discussions
Collaborative learning environment
Practical case studies
Interactive exercises

The course duration is approximately 12 hours, allowing working professionals to participate while balancing existing responsibilities.

Commitment to Inclusion and Global Participation

ITU Academy emphasizes inclusive participation and encourages applications from professionals across diverse backgrounds and regions.

The programme welcomes participants regardless of:

Race
Ethnicity
Gender
Religion
Age
Economic status

Special encouragement is given to:

Women professionals
Participants from developing countries
Least Developed Countries (LDCs)
Small Island Developing States (SIDS)
Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs)

This inclusive approach reflects broader international efforts to bridge digital divides and strengthen digital capacity globally.

Supporting Future-Ready Digital Governance

As governments increasingly invest in digital transformation initiatives, the need for secure, citizen-centred, and interoperable systems continues to grow. The Accelerating Digital Public Infrastructure with Safeguards course provides a valuable opportunity for professionals to develop practical expertise in designing responsible digital ecosystems.

Through a combination of technical training, policy guidance, governance frameworks, and collaborative simulations, participants will gain the skills needed to support national digital transformation efforts while safeguarding public trust and promoting inclusive development.

The initiative further reinforces the growing international commitment to building digital infrastructure that delivers innovation, economic growth, and social benefits while maintaining strong protections for citizens and institutions.

VISIT OFFICIAL WEBSITE TO APPLY

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Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization offering this opportunity. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications & CVs to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.