World Telecommunication 2022
The World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD) is observed each year on 17th May to increase awareness of the benefits and opportunities that the Internet and other information and communication technologies (ICT) provide to nations, societies, and economies. It also hopes to raise awareness about how to close the digital divide.
- Digital technologies for older persons and healthy ageing is the theme for World Telecommunication and Information Society Day this year.
- On a physical, emotional, and economical level, the topic emphasises the need of employing telecommunications and information communication technologies (ICTs) for the elderly to be healthy, connected, and independent.
- Global population ageing will be a distinguishing demographic trend of the twenty-first century.
- However, cultures are still unable to recognise the benefits that this trend can bring.
- Telecommunications and information and communication technologies (ICTs) can assist construct smarter cities, eliminate age-based discrimination in the workplace, assure older people’s financial inclusion, and support carers.
- WTISD commemorates the first International Telegraph Convention’s signing and the founding of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
- The World Telecommunication Day was established in 1969 to commemorate the founding of the International Telecommunication Union on May 17, 1865.
- The World Summit on the Information Society, however, recommended the United Nations General Assembly to establish May 17 as World Information Society Day in 2005.
- The UN General Assembly decided in March 2006 that WISD would be held every year on May 17th.
- In 2006, the ITU decided to combine the two holidays and name it World Telecommunication and Information Society Day at a Plenipotentiary Conference in Antalya, Turkey.