World Summit on the Information Society

Definition

The World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) was a major United Nations-sponsored conference that took place in two phases: the first in Geneva in 2003 and the second in Tunis in 2005. The summit aimed to bridge the global digital divide and address the challenges posed by the rapidly evolving information and communication technologies (ICTs) in the context of community, development, and broadcast media.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The WSIS was convened by the United Nations General Assembly to address the growing global inequalities in access to information and communication technologies.
2. The summit resulted in the adoption of the Geneva Declaration of Principles and the Geneva Plan of Action, which outlined a shared vision and concrete steps to build an inclusive and equitable information society.
3. The Tunis phase of the summit focused on internet governance and the establishment of the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) to facilitate a multistakeholder dialogue on internet-related public policy issues.
4. The WSIS process emphasized the importance of community-based initiatives and the role of local communities in the development and deployment of ICTs to address their specific needs and challenges.
5. The summit highlighted the potential of broadcast media, such as radio and television, to play a crucial role in bridging the digital divide and empowering local communities, especially in developing countries.

Review Questions

• Explain how the World Summit on the Information Society addressed the issue of the digital divide.
  • The World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) was convened to address the growing global inequalities in access to information and communication technologies (ICTs), commonly referred to as the 'digital divide'. The summit recognized that the rapid evolution of ICTs had the potential to create new opportunities for economic and social development, but also highlighted the risk of exacerbating existing disparities between and within countries. The WSIS process aimed to develop a shared vision and concrete action plans to build an inclusive and equitable information society, where all individuals and communities could access and utilize ICTs to improve their lives and participate fully in the digital economy.
• Describe the multistakeholder approach adopted by the WSIS and its significance in the context of community, development, and broadcast media.
  • The WSIS process was characterized by a multistakeholder approach, which brought together representatives from government, the private sector, civil society, and the technical community to collaborate on policy development and decision-making processes. This approach was particularly important in the context of community, development, and broadcast media, as it ensured that the diverse needs and perspectives of these stakeholders were taken into account. By fostering a collaborative and inclusive dialogue, the WSIS aimed to empower local communities, support the development of community-based ICT initiatives, and leverage the potential of broadcast media to reach underserved populations and bridge the digital divide.
• Analyze the role of the WSIS in shaping the future of information and communication technologies (ICTs) and their impact on community development and broadcast media.
  • The World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) played a pivotal role in shaping the future of information and communication technologies (ICTs) and their impact on community development and broadcast media. By bringing together a diverse range of stakeholders, the WSIS process helped to establish a shared vision and guiding principles for the development of an inclusive and equitable information society. This included recognizing the crucial role of community-based initiatives in leveraging ICTs to address local needs and challenges, as well as the potential of broadcast media to empower and connect underserved populations. The WSIS also laid the groundwork for ongoing multistakeholder dialogues, such as the Internet Governance Forum, which continue to address the evolving landscape of ICTs and their implications for social, economic, and political development at the local, national, and global levels.

Related terms

Digital Divide: The gap between individuals, households, businesses, and geographic areas at different socioeconomic levels with regard to their opportunities to access information and communication technologies and use the internet for a wide variety of activities.

Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs): The diverse set of technological tools and resources used to communicate, create, disseminate, store, and manage information, including computers, the internet, broadcasting technologies, and telephony.

Multistakeholder Approach: A governance model that brings together representatives from government, the private sector, civil society, and the technical community to collaborate on policy development and decision-making processes.