Why is it an annual event?
THIS day is celebrated every year on May 17 to raise awareness of the possibilities that the use of the Internet and other information and communication technologies (ICT) can bring to societies and economies, ways to bridge the digital divide.
According to website: un.org, World Telecommunication Day has been celebrated annually on May 17, since 1969.
In November 2005, the World Summit on the Information Society called upon the UN General Assembly to declare May 17 as World Information Society Day to focus on the importance of ICT and the wide range of issues related to the Information Society raised by WSIS.
The General Assembly adopted a resolution in March 2006 stipulating that World Information Society Day shall be celebrated every year on May 17.
In November 2006, the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference in Antalya, Turkey, decided to celebrate both events on May 17 as World Telecommunication and Information Society Day.
Member of states and sector members to celebrate the day annually by organising appropriate national programs with a view to;
stimulating reflection and exchanges of ideas on the theme adopted by the Council;
debating the various aspects of the theme with all partners in society; and
formulating a report reflecting national discussions on the issues underlying the theme, to be fed back to ITU and the rest of its membership.
The ageing of the global population will be the defining demographic trend of the 21st century — yet our societies struggle to see the opportunities that this trend can unfold.
Telecommunications and information communication technologies (ICTs) have a role to play in achieving healthier ageing, but also in helping people build smarter cities, combat age-based discrimination at the workplace, ensure financial inclusion of older persons, and support millions of caregivers across the world.
Supporting a life of healthy ageing is also critical for the sustainability of economic and health systems.