WSIS 2012 Forum
ITU, UNESCO, UNCTAD and UNDP have announced that the WSIS Forum 2012 will be held from 14 to 18 May 2012, in Geneva, Switzerland. The 2012 WSIS Forum will be hosted by ITU and will take place at the Conference Centre of the International Labour Organization (ILO).
This event is planned to build on the annual WSIS May meetings. According to the forum release, its format and thematic focus are the result of an open consultation process with the involvement of all WSIS Stakeholders. Indications are that in addition to onsite participation, remote participation will be allowed. All WSIS stakeholders have been invited – Governments, Private Sector, Civil Society and International Organizations
Information and communication technologies (ICTs) continue to have a major impact on the way we live, interact, communicate and do business. As a major ICT4D advocacy promoter, Jidaw supports such initaitives. ICTs are essential for inclusive growth and sustainable development. The question is no longer WHY but HOW? How will ICT keep hunger at bay in Cross Rivers? How will ICT drive down poverty in Osun? How will ICT create jobs in Kano? How will ICT improve healthcare in Jos? ICT for development is beyond the purchase and delivery of infrastructure.
Jidaw therefore supports the WSIS Forum which “brings together key global players in the field of ICTs to network, discuss and exchange on future ICT developments and applications, as well as to engage in new partnerships”.
According to the release, “The Forum will offer participants a series of high-level panels, a ministerial round table, facilitation meetings, thematic workshops and knowledge exchanges, as well as an exhibition addressing issues that are critical to WSIS implementation and follow-up in multi-stakeholder settings. It also will launch preparations for the Overall Review of the Implementation of the WSIS Outcomes (WSIS+10). The celebration of World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD) will take place during the Forum, on 16 May 2012″.
The 2012 theme for WTISD is “Women and Girls in ICT”. Already Jidaw has programmes planned to celebrate the ideas, strengths and contributions of Women in ICT.
Interested individuals and organizations can also contact the WSIS Team at wsis-info@itu.int
The World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) was developed by the United Nations (UN) as a multi- stakeholder platform for addressing the issues raised in the depolyment of information and communication technologies (ICTs) at the national, regional and international levels for sustainable development. “The goal of WSIS is to achieve a common vision, desire and commitment to build a people-centric, inclusive and development-oriented Information Society where everyone can create, access, utilize and share information”.
WSIS – Turning targets into Action
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