World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD) aims to raise awareness of the possibilities offered by digital technology. This global event highlights the societal and economic advantages of technology, particularly the Internet and artificial intelligence. The primary focus is to reduce the digital divide by enabling advanced technology for all, especially for those living in remote areas or disadvantaged communities, thereby promoting digital inclusion.
The genesis of WTISD goes back to 1969 when it was first known as "World Telecommunication Day" to commemorate the establishment of the International Telecommunication Union. In 2005, the World Summit on the Information Society requested the United Nations General Assembly to declare 17 May as the World Information Society Day. Afterward, the two observances were merged as World Telecommunication and Information Society Day. For Americans, this day is particularly significant because it emphasizes the transformation of telecommunications and the profound impact of digital technology on American society.
Across America, WTISD is celebrated with various events and activities reinforcing the role of information technology and its importance in American society. Relevant stakeholders such as telecommunication corporations, tech companies, institutions, and even individuals, engage in symposiums, roundtable discussions, online/offline campaigns, and more. These events encourage conversations around challenges and opportunities in telecommunication, and foster dialogue on prominent issues like digital privacy, cybersecurity, and digital skills upgrading. World Telecommunication and Information Society Day takes place every year on the 17th of May.
Facts about World Telecommunication and Information Society Day
The theme for World Telecommunication and Information Society Day in 2024 will be Digital Innovation for Sustainable Development. The theme in 2022 was Digital technologies for Older Persons and Healthy Ageing.
The first ever theme for World Telecommunication and Information Society Day in 1969 was The role and activities of the Union.
There are 3 main areas within the International Telecommunication Union that provide people with the ability to communicate using technology:
1) Satellites- allow phone calls, television programs, and satellite navigation and online maps
2) Standardization- allows access to the internet
3) Development- provides opportunities to expand access to information and communication technology
Information technology can be a beacon of hope, allowing billions of people around the world to connect. During the COVID-19 pandemic, these connections… are more important than ever UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, 2020
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