May 17 to Become World Information Society Day
May 17 to Become World Information Society Day SOURCE: http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ne_1&x=2467777 11/16/2005 (HANA) -- Sub-Committee B of PrepCom-3 of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) concluded it deliberations yesterday with government officials agreeing to set May 17 as World Information Society Day. The initiative is derived from the need to build awareness about the internet and make it a global resource available to the public. The committee reaffirmed the commitment of governments to empower young people as key participants in building an inclusive information society. It also resolved to actively engage youths in innovative information and communication technology (ICT) development programmes. Delegates agreed to strengthen the protection of children from abuse on the internet and defend their rights in the context of ICTs. The Sub-Committees final document, the Tunis Commitment drafted as part of its deliberations, included a section emphasizing that the best interests of the child are a primary consideration. Officials also reaffirmed their commitment to build a people-centred inclusive and development-oriented information society. Discussing mechanisms to finance the development of ICTs, the Sub-Committee highlighted the need for adequate and sustainable investments in ICTs to bridge the digital divide. Delegates urged the international community to promote assistance to poor countries, by meeting the funding needs of the developing world, especially those facing stiff challenges in the development of ICT. The committee agreed that the transfer of technology and capacity building would work effectively over many years. They unanimously agreed on the efficacy of the Digital Solidarity Fund (DSF), established in Geneva, Switzerland, two years ago, as a voluntary mechanism for transforming the digital divide into a digital opportunity for the poor nations. Government ministers and senior officials have for the past three days been attending sessions at the Palexpo Kram in Tunis where the three-day World Summit on the Information Society begins today. Date: 11/16/2005 Location: Tunisia Theme: WSIS Source: HANA
WTO MC6: Whose Trade Organization? When WTO Director-General Pascal Lamy addressed us yesterday at the Inaugural Session of the WTO Sixth Ministerial Conference, he said he was impressed with the outstanding work Hong Kong had done to prepare for the conference. "The facilities, the logistics and most importantly, the hospitality have been quite extraordinary," he said. He noted reaching agreement in the WTO is difficult because it is a bottom-up process. "It takes more time, it is more burdensome and cumbersome, but I am convinced it remains the best way to take decisions that impact directly the lives of billions of people." Difficult as this process may be, he said, "even immensely difficult decisions can be taken in the WTO. What is needed are negotiators that are bold, open-minded and prepared to take some risks." Hong Kong offered to host this conference because the Government recognized that it would become a key staging post to the successful conclusion of the multilateral trade negotiations under the Doha Development Agenda - and it wanted to play its part in the collective effort to realize the round's ambitions. This week we are at a historic juncture, a once-in-a-generation opportunity to alleviate the suffering and pain of poverty and HIV/AIDS for millions of people across the globe. Our actions here; our responses to the challenges confronting our societies will have strong bearing on the very survival and sustainability of mankind. Make Trade Fair! See the Video www.maketradefair.com http://www.wto.org/ Live webcasting: View live and archived webcasting (Internet broadcasting) of the public sessions of the WTO Ministerial Conference from 13 to 18 December 2005. This includes statements from Ministers in the plenary sessions, as well as selected press briefings. In solidarity Connie Constance Georgina Khaendi Walyaro Citron Wood President Oxfam International Youth Parliament (OIYP) Action Partner UNOY Peacebuilders Affiliate Global Youth Coalition on HIV/AIDS East Africa Focal Point XVI International AIDS Conference Scientific Programme Committee Member: Track A National WSIS Subcommittee Youth Representative WSIS Youth Caucus RYNICs (Kenya) National Campaign Coordinator 'youth building a peaceful, equitable and sustainable world' OIYP. --------------------------------- To help you stay safe and secure online, we've developed the all new Yahoo! Security Centre. --------------------------------- To help you stay safe and secure online, we've developed the all new Yahoo! Security Centre.
participants (2)
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constance georgina -
Wainaina Mungai