Source: http://english.republika.mk/futurecom2015-on-world-telecommunication-and-information-society-day/
The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed May 17 to be The World Telecom Day to commemorate the founding of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) on May 17, 1865. It was instituted by the Plenipotentiary Conference in Malaga-Torremolinos in 1973.
The main objective of the day is to raise global awareness of societal changes brought about by the Internet and new technologies. It also aims to help reduce the digital divide.
In November 2005, the World Summit on the Information Society called upon the UN General Assembly to declare May 17 as World Information Society Day to focus on the importance of ICT and the wide range of issues related to the information society raised by WSIS. The General Assembly adopted a resolution in March 2006 stipulating that World Information Society Day shall be celebrated every year on 17 May.
In November 2006, the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference in Antalya, Turkey, decided to celebrate both events on May 17 as World Telecommunication and Information Society Day. The updated Resolution 68 invites Member States and Sector Members to celebrate the day annually by organizing appropriate national programmes with a view to:
- Stimulating reflection and exchanges of ideas on the theme adopted by the Council
- Debating the various aspects of the theme with all partners in society, and
- Formulating a report reflecting national discussions on the issues underlying the theme, to be fed back to ITU and the rest of its membership.
In 2016, World Telecommunication and Information Society Day focused on the theme: “ICT Entrepreneurship for Social Impact” in accordance with Resolution 68 and as endorsed by ITU Council 2015, to encourage entrepreneurship, startups and Small and medium sized businesses.
Source: https://www.askideas.com/10-best-world-telecommunication-day-2017-pictures/
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.