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ITU World Telecommunication Day
TELECOMMUNICATIONS
AND
HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE
17 May 1997
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) was founded in 1865, and as such is the oldest inter-governmental organization. In 1947, it became a specialized agency of the United Nations and currently has a membership of 187 countries. It is the international organization responsible for the regulation and planning of telecommunications worldwide, and, within the United Nations system, for the promotion of and contribution to the development of telecommunications and related infrastructures.
Each year, the ITU celebrates World Telecommunication Day, which commemorates the founding of the organization in Paris in 1865. Held for the first time in 1969 as a result of a resolution of the ITU Administrative Council, the event was institutionalized by the Malaga-Torremolinos Plenipotentiary Conference in 1973. World Telecommunication Day was established to increase awareness of the vital role of telecommunications in the welfare of humanity, foster interest in telecommunications in educational establishments, disseminate information on issues and the leading role of the Union in international telecommunications, strengthen the Union by increasing membership, and support the main strategic objectives of the Union.
The event is marked by a public campaign aimed at highlighting the role of telecommunications in relation to a specific aspect of social or economic concern. This year, the theme of World Telecommunication Day is Telecommunications and Humanitarian Assistance. The ITU has contacted a number of organizations and agencies working in the field of humanitarian aid, with a view to mounting a joint effort to promote and publicize the importance of telecommunications in both emergency relief operations and in providing early warning to improve disaster preparedness. It is hoped that, by participating in the event, all organizations can benefit from the publicity generated about their activities.
The celebration of World Telecommunication Day is largely a national event, organized by administrations in each country in a way appropriate to their own needs, culture and environment. The ITU headquarters in Geneva prepares a range of audio-visual and written materials, which are distributed to each of its Members on request to assist them in celebrating the event. Administrations are encouraged to take the initiative in preparing their own events, using the material provided by the ITU as a basis.
In Geneva, it is proposed to mark this year's event with an Open Door Day comprising a display of telecommunications equipment and hands-on demonstration of the use of radio links to contact field staff in remote areas. In addition, it is planned to have a drawing competition for school children on the theme 'Telecommunications and Humanitarian Assistance' and to exhibit some of these drawings at the Open Day.
Any projects which your own organization may like to undertake at a national level with a view to promoting the event, or any assistance you may be able to offer the telecommunications administration in your country, would be most gratefully welcomed. Contact details for administrations in most countries can be found on this site under Contacts.