Information Society Watch

July 30, 2007, UNESCO

This UNESCO summary reports on the implementation of and follow-up to the outcomes of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), which was held in two phases in Geneva in 1997 and Tunis in 2005. The summary focuses on UNESCO's contributions to WSIS and how it is participating in the emerging field of Internet and Communications Technologies for Development (ICTD). The summary first reviews the outcomes of WSIS for developing new approaches for ICTD and mobilising multistakeholder approaches. It then describes UNESCO's role in the processes, organised around their 4 principles of freedom of expression, universal access, respect for diversity (cultural and linguistic), and quality education for all. The summary also addresses results achieved as UNESCO takes a primary role in facilitation and implementation processes. Finally the summary discusses the challenges UNESCO faces in implementation and internal coordination arrangements.

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