As a means of bringing global attention to this year's theme: “Better life in rural communities with ICTs”, ITU presented the annual World Telecommunication and Information Society Award to eminent personalities who have contributed to connecting rural communities to the benefits of ICTs.

• 10:45 Arrival of Guests Opening musical interlude

• 11:00 Arrival of Officials and Laureates

• 11:05 UN Secretary-General’s video message

• 11:10 Screening of ITU film: Rural Connectivity

• 11:25 Address by ITU Secretary-General

• 11:35 Presentation of the Award and speeches by Laureates

• 12:20 Live demo: Digital Inclusion Project in Tanzania

• Webcast archive of the Award presentation ceremony

WTISD 2011 Laureates	Videos
President of Finland Tarja Halonen President of Finland Tarja Halonen is co-chairman of the High-level United Nations Panel on Global Sustainability and has focused on several key issues, from sustainable sourcing to improving access to education and improving maternal health in low-income countries. Finland is one of the premier centres for ICT innovation and productivity, especially in the mobile phone sector. In July 2010, Finland made broadband a legal right for all citizens, which is in line with ITU’s campaign to accelerate broadband connectivity in order to feed both rural communities and urban centres with the means to meet their development goals and aspirations. Statement Biography
Telecommunication innovator Sam Pitroda Mr Sam Pitroda is currently Adviser to the Prime Minister of India on Public Information Infrastructure and Innovations and Chairman of the National Innovation Council of India. He is also widely considered to have been responsible for India’s telecommunications revolution and has been a leading campaigner to help bridge the global digital divide. As technology Adviser to Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in the mid-1980s, Mr Pitroda not only heralded the telecom revolution in India, but also made a strong case for using technology for the benefit and betterment of society through several missions on telecommunications, literacy, dairy, water, immunization, and oilseeds. He has continued to redefine the role technology can play in a society like India by linking it to better delivery of services for the underprivileged in the country. Statement Biography
CEO of Inveneo Kristin Peterson Ms Kristin Peterson is CEO of Inveneo, a non-profit social enterprise that takes computers, Internet access and telephony to rural and underserved communities in the developing world. To help offset connectivity issues and environmental challenges, Inveneo’s solutions incorporate cost-efficient and sustainable features that include ultra-low-power computing, and long-distance wireless connectivity and they partner with local ICT entrepreneurs for in-country deployment. Ms Peterson has led Inveneo’s efforts to deliver education, healthcare, economic development and relief projects in Haiti and in 25 countries throughout Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia with life-impacting ICTs. Statement Biography