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World Summit on the Information Society
Preparatory Committee #3 – 15-26 September
Draft Declaration and Action Plan to be focus of negotiation
Geneva, 8 September 2003 – The dramatic development of information and communication technologies (ICTs) has revolutionized the way people work, interact and conduct their daily lives. It has transformed the global economy and heralded a new and dynamic information society. However, it has also created a world of information 'haves' and 'have
nots'.
The third meeting of the Preparatory Committee for the first phase of the World Summit on the Information Society will continue work on a draft Declaration of Principles and Action Plan in order to harness the power of ICTs as a tool for development and to create an information society that benefits all of humanity. The draft Declaration and Action plan will be submitted for the approval of Heads of State attending the Summit. The documents are available
here.
Information society issues under discussion during the preparatory process and at the Summit include: global cyber-security, Spam, universal and affordable access to ICTs, open source software, as well as ICT applications for e-health, e-learning, e-business, e-employment, e-environment and e-government.
Global targets for the action plan to be considered include:
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All villages to be connected by 2010, with a community access
point by 2015.
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90 %of the world's population to be within wireless coverage by
2010 and 100% by 2015.
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All universities to be connected by 2005, secondary schools by
2010 and primary schools by 2015.
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All public libraries to be connected by 2006
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All hospitals to be connected by 2005, and health centres by 2010.
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All central governments departments to have a website and email
address by 2005 and all local governments departments by 2010.
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All of the world's population to have access to domestic radio
services by 2010 and domestic TV services by 2015.
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The necessary technical conditions should be in place by 2010 to
permit all world languages to be present and used on the Internet.
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World Summit on the Information Society –
Preparatory Committee #3
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When:
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15 September – 26 September 2003
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Where:
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Geneva International Conference Centre (CICG),
15, rue de Varembé
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Who:
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1500 delegates from Member States,
Intergovernmental Organizations, Civil Society, Private Sector and Media
are expected
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Information on Media Accreditation is available here.
For more information on WSIS consult www.itu.int/wsis
About WSIS
The World Summit on the
Information Society provides a unique opportunity for all key stakeholders to
develop a common vision and understanding and to address the whole range of
relevant issues related to the Information Society.
It aims to bring
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 and to
promote the urgently needed access of all countries to information, knowledge
and communication technologies for development.
The Summit has been
endorsed by the UN General Assembly and will take place under the high patronage
of Kofi Annan, UN Secretary-General, with the International Telecommunication
Union taking the lead role in its preparation.
The Summit will be held in two phases: Geneva (10-12 December
2003) and Tunisia (16-18 November 2005)
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