December 10-12, Geneva,
Switzerland
The World Summit on the
Information Society will be held in two phases. The first phase of WSIS
will take place in Geneva hosted by the Government of Switzerland from
10 to 12 December 2003. The second phase will take place in Tunis hosted
by the Government of Tunisia, from 16 to 18 November 2005. BPW International
through its UN Status has been invited to participate and HKABPW has
two delegates in attendance.
Background
Resolution
73 of the International Telecommunication Union (Minneapolis, 1998)
resolved to instruct the ITU Secretary-General to place the question
of the holding of a World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) on
the agenda of the United Nations Administrative Committee on Coordination
(ACC now the United Nations System Chief Executive Board - CEB) and
to report to the ITU governing body, the Council, on the results of
that consultation. In his report to the 1999 session of the Council
on that consultation, the Secretary- General indicated that the ACC
had reacted positively and that a majority of other organizations and
agencies had expressed interest in being associated with the preparation
and holding of the Summit. It was decided that the Summit would be held
under the high patronage of the UN Secretary-General, with ITU taking
the lead role in preparations.
In 2001, the ITU Council
decided to hold a Summit in two phases with the first phase to be held
from 10 to 12 December 2003, in Geneva, Switzerland and the second from
16 to 18 November 2005 in Tunis, Tunisia.
The global information
society is evolving at breakneck speed. The accelerating convergence
between telecommunications, broadcasting multimedia and information
and communication technologies (ICTs) is driving new products and services,
as well as ways of conducting business and commerce. At the same time,
commercial, social and professional opportunities are exploding as new
markets open to competition and foreign investment and participation.
The modern world is undergoing a fundamental transformation as the industrial
society that marked the 20th century rapidly gives way to the information
society of the 21st century. This dynamic process promises a fundamental
change in all aspects of our lives, including knowledge dissemination,
social interaction, economic and business practices, political engagement,
media, education, health, leisure and entertainment. We are indeed in
the midst of a revolution, perhaps the greatest that humanity has ever
experienced. To benefit the world community, the successful and continued
growth of this new dynamic requires global discussion.
The Opportunity
The World Summit on the
Information Society will provide a unique opportunity for all key stakeholders
to assemble at a high-level gathering and to develop a better understanding
of this revolution and its impact on the international community. It
aims to bring together Heads of State, Executive Heads of United Nations
agencies, industry leaders, non-governmental organizations, media representatives
and civil society in a single high-level event. The roles of the various
partners (Member States, UN specialized agencies, private sector and
civil society) in ensuring smooth coordination of the practical establishment
of the information society around the globe will also be at the heart
of the Summit and its preparation.
Outcome
The anticipated outcome
of the Summit is to develop and foster a clear statement of political
will and a concrete plan of action for achieving the goals of the Information
Society, while fully reflecting all the different interests at stake.
The scope and nature of this ambitious project will require partnerships
with public and private entities, and such partnerships will be actively
sought in the coming months.
http://www.itu.int/wsis/basic/about.html
