ITU/93-3
2 March 1993
ORIGINAL: English

World Telecommunication Day 17 May 1993

Telecommunications and Human development

Celebrated annually on 17 May, the Day commemorates the founding of the 
Union(1) in 1865, under the name "International Telegraph Union", by the 
plenipotentiary representatives of 20 States signatories of the International 
Telegraph Convention - the first intergovernmental treaty for the regulation of 
international telegraphy.

The theme of the 25th World Day, "Telecommunications and Human 
Development", is defined as being the role which telecommunications play in 
humanitarian action, the promotion of human rights, the universal availability 
of medical care, access to education, employment, environmental protection 
and economic development.

The World Day is celebrated in various ways at the national level; symposia 
involving users, the industry and policy-makers, televised discussions, radio 
programmes, press articles or open days are organized to take stock of 
telecommunication development in the perspective of the theme as well as to 
stimulate reflection and the exchange of ideas. Information on specific 
programmes of activities may be obtained from the national 
telecommunications administrations of ITU's 176 Member countries. 

This year's World Telecommunication Day should therefore be regarded as 
an opportunity for illustrating the role of telecommunications in fulfilling 
human needs from an national and international point of view.

To highlight the theme and help organizers and the media, supporting 
material can be obtained using the enclosed order form. It consists of the 
message by the ITU Secretary-General, colour posters, colour slides selected 
to help illustrate the topic chosen for the Day and films proposed for showing 
on the occasion of World Telecommunication Day. 

In addition, broadcasters can obtain, at no cost, a 60' audio cassette which 
includes sound tracks/effects and transcribed radio interviews. The non-
edited material is made to suit each broadcaster's needs and minimize 
production time. A 6' video cassette illustrating the message of the Secretary-
General is also available for TV stations. 

As far as the films listed in annex are concerned, a separate official request 
must be addressed to the ITU Film Library at the following address. 

ITU Film Library
International Telecommunication Union
Place des Nations
CH-1211 GENEVE 20
Telephone: +41 22 730 5248	Telex: 421000 uit ch
Telefax: + 41 22 730 5326	Teletex: 228 46815100=uit

Footnote

(1)	The ITU is an intergovernmental organization, within which the public and 
private sectors cooperate for the development of telecommunications and the 
harmonization of national telecommunication policies. The ITU adopts 
international regulations and treaties governing all terrestrial and space uses 
of the frequency spectrum as well as the use of the geostationary-satellite 
orbit, within which countries adopt their national legislation; it develops 
standards to ensure the interconnection of telecommunication systems on a 
worldwide scale regardless of the type of technology used; it also fosters the 
development of telecommunications in developing countries.