Empowering people to cross the Digital Divide

Information and communication technologies have great potential in fighting poverty. Yet, the benefits of ICTs are far from having been harnessed. The availability, use and deployment of ICTs vary considerably between rural and urban areas, according to the income level of people, their level of education, their age and their gender.

This is why, to celebrate this year’s World Telecommunication Day on 17 May 2002, ITU members have selected the theme "ICT for all: empowering people to cross the Digital Divide".

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU), an international organization within the United Nations System where governments and the private sector coordinate global telecom networks and services, is preparing The World Summit on the Information Society. The first phase of the Summit, that will be held from December 10 to 12, 2003, in Geneva (Switzerland), will address the broad range of themes concerning the Information Society and adopt a Declaration of Principles and Action Plan, addressing the whole range of issues related to the Information Society. The second phase of the World Summit will take place in Tunis, in 2005 and. Development themes will be a key focus in this meeting and it will assess progress that has been made and adopt any further Action Plan to be taken.

Date of publication: 30/04/2002

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