World Telecommunication and Information Society Day 2024
Table of Contents
For the development of the telecommunication/ICT sector International Telegraph Convention and International Telecommunication Union (ITU) combinedly work together and the day the signing of the first International Telegraph Convention, the17th May is celebrated as World Telecommunication and Information Society Day. It main purpose is to raise global awareness of social changes brought about by the Internet and new technologies. It also aims to help reduce the digital divide. The 17th May marks the anniversary of the signing of the first International Telegraph Convention and the creation of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
About World Telecommunication and Information Society Day :
The anniversary of the founding of ITU on 17 May 1865, when the first International Telegraph Convention was signed in Paris. It was instituted by the Plenipotentiary Conference in Malaga-Torremolinos in 1973 as Resolution 46. It purpose was to raise global awareness of social changes brought about by the Internet and new technologies. It also aims to help reduce the digital divide.
On November 2005, The World Summit on the Information Society called upon the UN General Assembly to declare 17 May as World Information Society Day. The General Assembly adopted a resolution (A/RES/60/252) in March 2006 to celebrate World Information Society Day on 17 May every year.
Later in 2006, the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference in Antalya, Turkey, decided to combine both celebrations as World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD) .
This Year on 17th May, the ICT advances for transition to smart and sustainable development. World Telecommunication and Information Society Day 2020 theme is “Connect 2030: ICTs for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)”. Connect 2030 shared global vision for the development of the telecommunication/ICT sector. Under its five strategic goals – Growth, Inclusiveness, Sustainability, Innovation and Partnership.
World Telecommunication and Information Society Day Themes:
2007 – “Connecting the young: the opportunities of ICT”
2008 – “Connecting persons with disabilities: ICT opportunities for all”
2009 – “Protecting children in cyberspace”
2010 – “Better city, better life with ICTs”
2011 – “Better Life in Rural Communities with ICTs”
2012 – “Women and Girls in ICT”
2013 – “ICTs and improving road safety”
2014 – “Broadband for Sustainable Development”
2015 – “Telecommunications and ICTs: Drivers of innovation”
2017 – “Big Data for Big Impact”
2018 – “Enabling the positive use of Artificial Intelligence for All”
2019 – “Bridging the standardization gap”
2020 – “Connect 2030: ICTs for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)”