Agenda

The annual World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Forum is a global multi-stakeholder platform facilitating the implementation of the WSIS Action Lines for advancing sustainable development. The Forum is co-organized by ITU, UNESCO, UNDP and UNCTAD, in close collaboration with all WSIS Action Line co-/facilitators and other UN organizations (UNDESA, FAO, UNEP, WHO, UN Women, WIPO, WFP, ILO, WMO, ITC, UPU, UNODC, UNICEF,UNIDO, UNITAR, UNHCR and UN Regional Commissions). It provides an opportunity for information exchange, knowledge creation and sharing of best practices, while identifying emerging trends and fostering partnerships, taking into account the evolving Information and Knowledge Societies.

In follow up to the outcomes of the UN General Assembly Overall Review of the Implementation of WSIS Outcomes (Res. A/70/125) and with the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (Res. A/70/1), the WSIS Forum is constantly evolving and strengthening the alignment between the WSIS Action Lines and the Sustainable Development Goals. The WSIS Forum will therefore serve as a key forum for discussing the role of ICTs as a means of implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals and targets, with due regard to the global mechanism for follow-up and review of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Description
Sport is a key enabler to achieve the SDGs, this is captured in the UN General Assembly resolution “Sport as an Enabler of Sustainable Development” (Document A/73/L.36), that addresses the  important contribution Sport has on Sustainable Development such as Empowerment of Women and Youth, Refugees, Communities Development, Health, Education, and Social Inclusion.
In addition, Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) are key enablers to achieve all 17 SDGs. ITU as the lead UN Agency on ICTs is making all efforts to ensure that ICTs play an enabling role in achieving the SDGs by 2030. In recent years the role of ICTs in advancing sport development has been very prominent. For the third time during the WSIS Forum 2021, a track will be introduced on sport as an enabler of Sustainable Development, highlighting the aspects of social inclusion of women, sport and innovative technologies.

Sport is one of the most powerful platforms for promoting gender equality and empowering women and girls. Today many organizations have understood the important role that sport can play in building a better world for young women and by taking continuous action to advance gender equality.

Objective
The objective of this thematic workshop is to discuss, share and encourage, within the setting of the WSIS Forum, the realization of gender equality and women’s empowerment—both in sport itself and in the world of technology and ICTs. Sport and ICTs can be great drivers of gender equality, by teaching women and girls the values of teamwork, self-reliance, and resilience. Sport can provide girls with social connections and a refuge from violence in their homes and communities and help them to understand their bodies and build confidence and the ability to speak up.

On the occasion of the 6th of April celebration of International Day of Sport for Development and Peace, this session will show how sport has enormous potential to bring people together from diverse backgrounds to advance peace and development. This panel will focus on how we as a global community can collaborate to maximize the potential of sport and ICTs, especially for young women and girls.

It is essential to feature female champions more prominently, to show girls what women athletes and women role models working in sport can achieve. This requires concerted efforts to work to increase coverage of women in sport, the visibility of women working in sport for development and how ICTs are helping in this effort.

International Girls in ICT Day will be celebrating its 10th Anniversary on 22 April 2021. In this special year, the theme for Girls in ICT Day is ‘Connecting girls, creating brighter futures’, and we are extending our activities beyond a single day, to reflect a year-round commitment to the girls who will help shape the global future.

As the lockdowns and school closures of the COVID-19 pandemic have shown us, the global gender digital has increased. Children, especially girls who are unconnected, are missing crucial learning opportunities related to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

This thematic workshop will also reflect upon ITU’s commitment to support and expand the Girls in ICT program. This year, more than ever before, we must inspire girls to see a brighter future. Through online access, skills education, digital tools training and showcasing role models in sport, we can equip girls and young women with the necessary skills, crucial for their health, education, voice and empowerment.

Outcomes
1.     Celebrate 6th of April International Day of Sport for Development and Peace, by linking sport and gender, as well as highlighting International Girls in ICT Day which will be celebrating its 10th Anniversary on 22 April 2021.
2.     Introduce the WSIS Forum to new stakeholders, as a global multi-stakeholder platform for advancing sustainable development.
3.     Enhance knowledge sharing, dialogue, and encourage partnerships amongst WSIS stakeholders, related to the track on the use of sport and ICTs, highlighting social inclusion for women, youth empowerment and innovative technologies.
4.     Present potential future work related to the Sport and ICT track, under the WSIS process.