World Telecommunication and Information Society Day, which marks the establishment of ITU in 1865, will be celebrated on 17 May 2016. An opening ceremony at ITU will be followed by keynote addresses and an interactive panel discussion bringing together leading academics, incubators, and entrepreneurs to discuss the significance of ICT entrepreneurship to create social impact.
ICT entrepreneurs and start-ups and small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have a particularly relevant role in ensuring economic growth in a sustainable and inclusive manner. They are involved in the development of innovative ICT-enabled solutions with a unique potential to make a long-lasting impact in global, regional and national economies and as an important source of new jobs, especially for youth, in the current knowledge economy. SMEs make up more than 90 per cent of all businesses worldwide, and represent a 'path out of poverty' for many developing countries.
| What: | World Telecommunication and Information Society Day ceremony |
| When: | 17 May 2016, 11 am – 1 pm |
| Where: | ITU Tower Building, Popov Room |
| Why: | World Telecommunication and Information Society Day marks the establishment of ITU on 17 May 1865. |
| Who: | Speakers and panellists drawn from the start-up and academic community, governments and the private sector |
For more information, please see www.itu.int/en/wtisd/2016/Pages/default.aspx
