A relevant day for the telecommunication industry worldwide!
Do you know the origin of the choice for this date?
The17th of May was the day when the first International Telegraph Convention was signed, with the following creation of the International Telecommunication Union.
However, this specific day has evolved over the years, as at the beginning it was named “World Telecommunication Day”. But since 2006, with the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference in Turkey, this specific day has been “expanded” and named “World Telecommunication and Information Society Day” (WTISD).
The ITU Resolution 68 invited Member States but also the industry of telecom sector to celebrate this day annually by organising national events and programmes focused on one specific issue decided by the Council. This day should also be dedicated to foster debate and exchange of opinions with the different national societies as a whole on the issue raised and finally to produce a report with the main outcomes and topics raised.
Why having a specific day for WTISD?
As explained by the ITU, the objective is to support and foster the benefits and advantages that Internet use and ICTs provide to society and economy worldwide.
The subjects already analysed and debated in the previous years covered Young people and ICTs issues (2007), ICT and disabled people (2008), Child protection in Cyberspace (2009) and ICTs and benefits for cities (2010).
This year the topic chosen is “Better life in rural communities with ICTs”, directly linked to the MDGs (“Millenium Development Goals) established by the United Nations to try to put an end to Poverty worlwide by 2015.
But this is another topic that could be developed in another post in the future!
For the moment, enjoy the WTISD and have a look at the ITU listed initiatives worldwide for today around ICTs in rural areas here!
