World Telecommunication and Information Society Day Celebrated Globally

Kathmandu. Today, 'World Telecommunication and Information Society Day' is being celebrated in various countries around the world with various programs.

The purpose of celebrating this day every year on May 17 is to raise awareness about the positive changes that can be brought about in society and economy through the use of 'Internet' and Information and Communication Technology (ICT), and to reduce the digital divide.

'Digital divide' refers to the inequality between people, communities, or regions that have access to Information and Communication Technology (Internet, computers, smartphones, etc.) and those that do not. It is specifically about the availability and unavailability of internet service, skills to use technology, digital education, and opportunities to obtain information. The digital divide is when people in remote villages are deprived of such facilities while people in cities and towns can easily use the internet and online services.

World Telecommunication Day began to be celebrated in 1969. This day is celebrated in memory of the establishment of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the signing of the first International Telegraph Convention in 1865. The ITU Plenipotentiary Conference held in Malaga-Torremolinos, Spain in 1973, officially recognized this day through Resolution No. 46.

Similarly, the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) urged the United Nations General Assembly in 2005 to declare May 17 as 'World Information Society Day'. With the aim of drawing attention to various issues related to the information society and the importance of information technology, the General Assembly passed a resolution in 2006 and decided to celebrate this day every year.

According to the United Nations, the main objective of World Telecommunication and Information Society Day is to spread awareness about the opportunities that can be achieved in society and economy through the use of the Internet and Information and Communication Technology, and to create an environment that connects all citizens to digital access.