World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS)

The World Summit on the Information Society - WSIS is an UN summit held in 2003 and 2005. The Summit provided a forum in which multiple stakeholders including international organizations, governments, the private sector and civil society could discuss the opportunities of the new information and communication environment, and also address challenges such as the inequality in access to information and communication that is called the ‘digital divide’.

Priorities discussed at WSIS included the need for investment in infrastructure, the role of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in development, the relationship between these ICTs, human rights and culture, and the new challenges posed by ICTs and the Internet for international governance. It established targets for ICT deployment to run alongside other internationally agreed development goals, and a frame of reference for continued work by international agencies and governments.

Всемирная встреча на высшем уровне по вопросам информационного общества (ВВУИО)

Всемирная встреча на высшем уровне по вопросам информационного общества - WSIS является саммит ООН провела в 2003 и 2005 годах Саммит предоставил форум, в котором множество заинтересованных сторон, включая международных организаций, правительств, частного сектора и гражданского общества могли бы обсудить возможности новой информации и коммуникации охрана окружающей среды, а также решать такие проблемы, как неравенство в доступе к информации и коммуникации, которая называется «цифровой разрыв».

Приоритеты, обсуждаемые на WSIS включали необходимость инвестиций в инфраструктуру, роль информационных и коммуникационных технологий (ИКТ) в процессе развития, взаимосвязь между этими ИКТ, прав человека и культуры, а также новых проблем, связанных с ИКТ и Интернета для международного управления. Он установил цели для внедрения ИКТ для работы наряду с другими согласованными на международном уровне целей в области развития, а также систему отсчета для продолжения работы международных учреждений и правительств.

UNESCO's Knowledge Societies concept

UNESCO's Knowledge Societies concept - By Knowledge Societies, UNESCO means societies in which people have the capabilities not just to acquire information but also to transform it into knowledge and understanding, which empowers them to enhance their livelihoods and contribute to the social and economic development of their societies.

The concept of Knowledge Societies was developed throughout the WSIS process (World Summit on the Information Society). Whereas Information Society is linked to the idea of “technological innovations”, UNESCO’s position was that the growth of network and ICT applications would not capture the full potential of ICTs for development.

It is rooted in the framework of human rights established by the Universal Declaration of 1948 and its implementing Covenants, and in the need for all to have the opportunity to access information and to express ideas and interests in an open and inclusive environment that fosters and benefits from diversity of opinion.

WSIS (World Summit on the Information Society)

UNESCO and Internet governance

UNESCO acknowledges the potential of the Internet for fostering sustainable human development and building more democratic societies, and also for enhancing the free flow of information and ideas throughout the world.

The Organization has consistently stressed that the mechanisms of Internet governance should be based on the principles of openness, privacy and diversity, encompassing universal access, interoperability, freedom of expression and measures to resist any attempt to censor content.

It should also respect cultural and linguistic diversity, which were echoed as well in the “Recommendation concerning the Promotion and Use of Multilingualism and Universal Access to Cyberspace”.

All of these elements appeared essential for UNESCO to fulfill its mandate and mission entrusted by Member States.

UNESCO's contributions to the Internet Governance Forum (IGF)

World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS)