The UN World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS)
How
can we use harness technology to serve development goals? What is
common vision for the information society? How can we bridge the
digital divide between the info-rich and the info-poor? These questions
underpin the UN World Summit on the Information Society; the first
global gathering of all stakeholders on issues of technology and
society. This unique two-phase Summit brings together Heads
of State, Executive Heads of the United Nations agencies, non-governmental
organizations, civil society entities, industry leaders and media
representatives to foster a clear statement of political will and
concrete plan of action to shape the future of the global information
society. The World Summit Youth Award is held within the
framework of WSIS to bridge the content gap. Phase I of WSIS culminated
in the Geneva Summit (link “Geneva Summit” to http://www.wsisgeneva2003.org/)
on 10-12 December 2003 with over 11,000 delegates from 176 countries.
The Summit’s most notable achievement was consensus on a Declaration
of Principles and Plan of Action (link “Declaration of Principles
and Plan of Action” to http://www.itu.int/wsis/documents/doc_multi-en-1161|1160.asp).
Phase II is focused on implementation mechanisms for the Plan of
Action as well as working groups on Internet governance and financing
mechanisms to bridge the digital divide. This second phase will
conclude in the Tunis Summit (link “Tunis Summit” to
www.smsi2005.org) from 16-18 November
2005.
How
can we use harness technology to serve development goals? What is
common vision for the information society? How can we bridge the
digital divide between the info-rich and the info-poor? These questions
underpin the UN World Summit on the Information Society; the first
global gathering of all stakeholders on issues of technology and
society. This unique two-phase Summit brings together Heads
of State, Executive Heads of the United Nations agencies, non-governmental
organizations, civil society entities, industry leaders and media
representatives to foster a clear statement of political will and
concrete plan of action to shape the future of the global information
society. The World Summit Youth Award is held within the
framework of WSIS to bridge the content gap. Phase I of WSIS culminated
in the Geneva Summit (link “Geneva Summit” to