Information technologies and society: The world day of information society

The World Day of Telecommunications and Information Society is celebrated annually on May 17. This day is considered the professional holiday of all programmers, system administrators, Internet providers, web designers, editors of Internet publications and all those who work in the field of IT.

The objective of this international holiday is to increase the level of knowledge regarding the opportunities provided to societies and countries by use of Internet and Information and communication Technologies as well about the ways of bridging the digital divide.

Beginning from 1969 on May 17 has been celebrated the World Day of Telecommunications in honor of foundation of the International Telecommunication Union and signing of the first International Telegraph Convention in 1865. This day was established by the Plenipotentiary conference which took place in Spain in 1973.

The World Day of Telecommunication was drawing attention of the international society to the activity of the International Telecommunication Union as well as to the tasks set for communications on the international level. The International Telecommunication Union has been contributing to communications development around the world from the era of telegraphy to modern communications and information space.

As a token of recognition of efforts applied to telecommunication development in the framework of the summit on information society issues which was held in two stages: in Geneva (2003) and Tunis (2005), was adopted ‘The Tunis program of information society development’ and the Appeal to UNO General Assembly calling for declaration of May 17 the World Day of Information Society.

‘Tunis program for information society development’ should favor the Internet popularization around the world in order to make it a generally available tool of communication. The action has for the objective to favor the annual increase of knowledge regarding the importance of this global instrument, the opportunities provided to all those using Information and Communication Technologies as well as the ways of bridging the digital divide at the international level.

On March 27, 2006 the UNO General Assembly adopted Resolution declaring May 17 the World Day of Information Society.

The General Assembly members resolved to revise the implementation of Geneva and Tunis conventions in 2015.

In November of 2006 at the Plenipotentiary conference of the International Telecommunication Union held in Antalia (Turkey) it was decided that both events (World Day of Telecommunications and World Day of Information Society) would be celebrated the same day – May 17 – as the World Day of Telecommunications and Information Society.

In 2010 the World Day of Telecommunications and Information Society will celebrated in the framework of the World Expo-2010 in Shanghai. Its topic ‘The better the city, the better the life with ICT (Information and Communication Technologies)’ corresponds to the World Expo subject ‘The better the city, the better the life’ which reflects the common desire of the entire humanity to provide in future the higher level of life in the city. The exposition will be open until October 31, 2010. ICT favors the achievement of this goal.