09 December 2003

Room A, Geneva Palexpo

ITU High-Level Dialogue

The WSIS global challenge: making the information society a reality for all

Introduction: Main objective of the High-Level dialogue

The ITU High-Level Dialogue is designed to offer an international forum for discussion for Summit participants, outside the institutional process of the Summit itself, to address some of the major issues at stake. The dialogue will debate all facets of the Information Society and of the digital divide: political and societal aspects as well as policy, development, and technology matters (the main pillars of ITU's mandate). The High-Level Dialogue is meant to facilitate multi-disciplinary collaboration and international cooperation among governments, businesses and the civil society in addressing an important global question for the benefit of all.

Opening Session 9h00 - 9h30:
HELPING PEOPLE COMMUNICATE

Opening Address:
Mr. Guy Olivier SEGOND, Special WSIS Ambassador (to be confirmed)

Session 1 (9h45 - 11h00)

Special Keynote Speaker: H.E. Dr Ivy MATSEPE-CASABURRI, Minister, Ministry of Communications (South Africa)
(to be confirmed)

OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL: BRIDGING THE DIGITAL GAP

An important gap in the development of ICTs exists not only between the North and the South, developed and developing countries, but also affects rural and low-density populations, the elderly, low-income and low-education populations, etc. In this sense, the digital divide has an impact on each and every country. Furthermore, rapid innovation in information and communication technologies has raised the stakes between information "haves" and "have nots". Identifying technological, regulatory and market issues is key to finding a solution.

Speakers:

1. Mr. Jean-Marie BLANCHARD, Business Development Director for Africa, Middle East and Indian Continent, Alcatel (France)
     

2. Ms MARCELLE Gillian, Principal Consultant, Technology for Development TfDev Bureau Member of UN ICT Task Force
    

3. Mr. Ekwo SPIO-GARBRAH Chief Executive Officer, CTO (United Kingdom)
     

4. Dr. Neville S. ARACHCHIGE DON President, International Research Foundation for Development (IRFD)

Session 2 (11h15 - 12h30)

Special Keynote Speaker: H.E. Mr. Nazif Ahmed MAHMOUD, Minister of Communications and Information Technology
(Arab Republic of Egypt)

TOWARDS A MOBILE INFORMATION SOCIETY

The new possibilities offered by information and communication technologies (ICTs) for innovative applications and new modes of interaction are bringing about different notions of time and space, widening access to telecommunication services and empowering individuals and communities, in both developed and developing countries. The phenomenal popularity of mobile and wireless communication tools, and the advent of always-on Internet services, have brought about visions of "anywhere anytime" access, which raises a number of important policy issues. Most importantly, how can individual users be encouraged to use ICTs effectively and safely (e.g. managing the use of Internet by children and the protection of privacy)? How can wireless communication be used to widen access for underserved areas? What are the some of the priorities for policy-makers in a society characterized by a 'ubiquitous' ICTs environment?

Moderator:
Dr. Reza JAFARI, Chairman & CEO, The Omega Partner (USA)

Speakers:

1. Mr. Eduardo Fernandes BOSCO, Vice President, UMTS – Siemens (Germany)
     

2. Mr. Valery TIMOFEEV, Director, BR (ITU)
     

3. Dr. Norman LEWIS, Technology Research Director, Wanadoo SA (United Kingdom)
     

4. Dr. Robert HORTON, Acting Chair, Australian Communications Authoriy (Australia)
     

5. Mr. Ahmed TOUMI, Director General & Chief Executive Officer, International Telecommunications Satellite Organization (ITSO)
     

6. Mrs. Françoise RIVIÈRE, Assistant Director-General, UNESCO

Session 3 (14h00 - 15h15)

Special Keynote Speaker: H.E. Mr. Orlando JORGE MERA, Minister of Telecommunications (Dominican Republic) 

SHAPING THE FUTURE WITH ICTs

Information and communication technologies are increasingly becoming an essential part of the daily lives of many around the world, enabling improved access to information and knowledge, facilitating interactivity and contributing to the shaping of a new global information society. This is made possible by the spread of new technologies, the adoption of standards which allow interoperability and facilitate the spread of new technologies, the development of appropriate and safe infrastructure and services, accessible to all, and, overall, effective coordination and cooperation - at national, regional and international levels - among all stakeholders.

Moderator:
Mr.Izumi AIZU, Executive Research Fellow, Center for Global Communications, International University of Japan

Speakers:

1. Mr. Houlin ZHAO, Director, TSB (ITU)
     

2. Dr. Srinivasan RAMANI, Research Director, HEWLETT- PACKARD India Lab (India)
     

3. Mr. STERN Daniel, Project Director, U-Connect (Uganda)
     

4. Ms. Deborah HULREY, Author, "Pole Star: Human Rights in the Information Society"
     

5. Professor Shuichi H IWATA, President, CODATA (Japan)
     

6. Mr. George ALEXANDROV, Chairman, Communications Regulation Commission (CRC) (Bulgaria)

Session 4 (15h30 - 16h45)

Special Keynote Speaker: H.E. Mr. El Hadj Omar BONGO ONDIMBA, President (Gabon)

THE ROLE OF ALL STAKEHOLDERS IN THE INFORMATION SOCIETY: COOPERATION AND PARTNERSHIP
AS THE NEW KEY WORDS FOR THE FUTURE?

The development of the information society is not just a matter for governments, but should also involve all interested stakeholders, such as international organizations, private sector and civil society, which are driving forces for the progress of new communication technologies and services, influencing policy-making and contributing in shaping future societies. Cooperation - among actors, within and among countries - is therefore essential to build a better future (through ICTs) for all.

Moderator:
Mr. Anthony S.K. WONG, Commissioner of Innovation and Technology Commission, Hong Kong

Speakers:

1. Ambassador David A. GROSS, US Coordinator, Department of State, ICIP (USA)

2. Ms Ben Soltane Karima BOUNEMRA, Director, Development Information Services Division, Economic Commission for Africa (ECA)

3. Mr. Noah SAMARA, Chairman & CEO, Worldspace Corp

4. Mr. Hamadoun TOURÉ, Director, BDT (ITU)

Youth Speaker:

Mr. Nick MORAITIS, Strategy and Partnership Coordinator, TakingITGlobal (Canada)

Closing Session: 17h00-17h15 ITU
High-Level Dialogue Closing

Right of Answer:

YOUTH FORUM DECLARATION:

Ms Paula MUSUVA Paula, Computer Science, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) (Kenya)

Mr. Sjoerd NIKKELEN, Telecom Business, Delft University of Technology, Faculty of Information Technology and Systems (Netherlands)

DIALOGUE CONCLUSIONS:

Mr. Marc FURRER, Director General, OFCOM, WSIS State Minister (Switzerland) (to be confirmed)

Mr. Roberto BLOIS, Deputy Secretary-General, International Telecommunication Union (ITU)

Rapporteur: Ms. Dominique BOURNE, Manager (ITU)