ITU/94-1
1 February 1994
Original: English
The TELECOM  95  FORUM revamped
to reflect today's world of telecommunications
The TELECOM 95 FORUM, to be held in Geneva in conjunction with the TELECOM 95 exhibition from 3 to 11 October 1995 has been drastically re-thought in light of the changes in the policy, economic, regulatory, financial, development and investment aspects of telecommunications that are now intimately entwined with technology. Innovative in concept, form and substance, the FORUM will consist of two summits, one on strategies and one on technology. 
TELECOM 95 will be the 7th in the series of World TELECOM Exhibition and Forum events, organized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) every four years in Geneva, earning the title Telecommunications Olympics. TELECOM 91 attracted over 132,000 exhibition attendees, 850 exhibitors, 1 790 press representatives and 3 630 conference delegates from 142 countries.
Held under the theme "Connect!", the FORUM will include major innovations reflecting the new communications industry which is emerging. Computers, networking and software are already key components of telecommunications and now new important players are competing for position in the broadcast, entertainment and consumer electronics industries.
The Forum aims to open up a true dialogue with all relevant companies and organizations affected by the current information technology revolution. "By establishing a truly open door policy, the FORUM is a unique opportunity to bring all these interest groups together", says Pekka Tarjanne, Secretary-General of the ITU, "It will allow the telecommunications industry to explain what it has to offer, and the users' community to articulate its requirements" thus concretely following up decisions expected to be taken at the World Telecommunication Development Conference next month.
Held under the theme Breaking down barriers towards a global information society, the Strategies Summit will provide the arena for a multicisciplinary debate addressing the needs of ITU constituency as well as the new and convergent nature of the evolving telecommunication environment. The topics will cover the following broad issues: 
	Global markets, regional realities: characterizing the challenge
	Evolving structures: public needs, institutional responsibilities, managing change
	Resourcing for growth: capital formation, human resources
	Telecom futures, telecom risks
	Global challenge; strategies in transition and new agenda for international cooperation
Speakers will be invited by the Secretary-General on the basis of a pre-selection made by a steering committee.
For the first time, the Technology Summit will provide an interactive arena for users, traditional telecommunications companies, computer and consumer electronics giants, broadcast and cable television interests, and entertainment and software companies. Speakers will be selected on the basis of papers submitted following the Call for Papers issued on 24 January last.
The theme of the Technology Summit "Convergence of technologies, services and applications" will explore in three parallel conference tracks, the following issues:
	Communications services for the individual
	Communications services for business
	National, regional and global issues
The Call for Papers for the Technology Summit encourages submissions from all industries involved in or affected by the new telecommunications environment and from governments of all countries be they developing or developed. The deadline for the receipt of abstracts is 15 August 1994. 

For press enquiries, please contact:	For information on submitting abstracts contained in the Call for Papers, please contact: 			

Francine Lambert
Chief, Press and Public Information
International Telecommunication Union
Place de Nations
CH-1211 Geneve 20
Tel: +41 22 730 5969
Telefax: +41 22 730 5939
E-mail:  
X400: s=itumail;a=arcom;p=itu;c=ch
Internet:  itumail@itu.ch	
Lili Rison
Project Manager, TELECOM 95
International Telecommunication Union
Place de Nations
CH-1211 Geneve 20
Telephone: +41 22 730 5244
Telefax: +41 22 730 6444
E-mail:  
X400: s=telecominf;a=arcom;p=itu;c=ch
Internet:  telecominf@itu.ch