BUILDING THE INFORMATION SOCIETY WSIS Connection Bridging the
BUILDING THE INFORMATION SOCIETY WSIS Connection: Bridging the Digital Gap between the Developing Countries and the Information Society Youlia Lozanova Strategy & Policy Unit, ITU
BUILDING THE INFORMATION SOCIETY Outline • Digital divide • WSIS vision for the Information Society • WSIS makes a difference • WSIS implementation phase: bridging the gap
BUILDING THE INFORMATION SOCIETY Digital divide • • Lack of ICT infrastructure Limited accessibility Unaffordable services Inefficient use of ICTs But also: • Low economic efficiency and welfare • Divide in terms of educational, professional and lifestyle opportunities …
BUILDING THE INFORMATION SOCIETY Social exclusion…
BUILDING THE INFORMATION SOCIETY Gender divide…
BUILDING THE INFORMATION SOCIETY Age divide…
BUILDING THE INFORMATION SOCIETY Information Society: common vision We, the representatives of the peoples of the world [. . . ] declare our common desire and commitment to build a people-centred, inclusive and development-oriented Information Society, where everyone can create, access, utilize and share information and knowledge, enabling individuals, communities and peoples to achieve their full potential in promoting their sustainable development and improving their quality of life. . . Para 1, Geneva Declaration of Principles
BUILDING THE INFORMATION SOCIETY WSIS: catalyst of positive change for the developing countries “We are fully committed to turning [this] digital divide into a digital opportunity for all, particularly to those who risk to be left behind and being further marginalised. ” Para 10, Declaration of Principles
BUILDING THE INFORMATION SOCIETY Where do we stand now • 1998: proposal to hold WSIS • 2003: Geneva Phase of WSIS • 2005: Tunis Phase of WSIS • 2005 – 2015: WSIS Implementation Phase • 2015: target date for the MDGs
BUILDING THE INFORMATION SOCIETY WSIS Goals : achievable by 2015? • Connect the unconnected – All villages (800'000) – All schools and universities – All hospitals – All governments & public administrations – others. . .
BUILDING THE INFORMATION SOCIETY WSIS Goals : achievable by 2015? • Create enabling environment and build capacities for effective and efficient use of the whole spectrum of ICTs – ICT training – E-learning – Multi-lingualism on Internet – Support to content creation – Networking opportunities over the Internet
BUILDING THE INFORMATION SOCIETY Digital divide is shrinking
BUILDING THE INFORMATION SOCIETY Mobile revolution
BUILDING THE INFORMATION SOCIETY Assess to Internet widens globally Growth of the key enablers of the Information Society, in mln, 1998 -2005
BUILDING THE INFORMATION SOCIETY But…
BUILDING THE INFORMATION SOCIETY The newer the technology, the less even the global distribution
BUILDING THE INFORMATION SOCIETY Why was WSIS successful? • Succeeded to set up clear objectives • To apply a pluralistic transparent and inclusive approach: multi-stakeholder app. • To identify vital mechanisms and procedures able to ensure a successful implementation phase • To identify lead UN agencies to facilitate the implementation on the international level
BUILDING THE INFORMATION SOCIETY The Digital Opportunity today Map from the World Information Society Report 2006
BUILDING THE INFORMATION SOCIETY The challenge ICT use in Africa and Europe, based on the Digital Opportunity Index (www. itu. int/wisr)
BUILDING THE INFORMATION SOCIETY The Challenge? …
BUILDING THE INFORMATION SOCIETY The way ahead • Issues to consider: • • Multi-stakeholder process Facilitation on int. level Internet Governance Financing of ICTs for Development
BUILDING THE INFORMATION SOCIETY Thank you! youlia. lozanova@itu. int
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