World YWCA Participates in the World Summit on the Information Society
On May 16-20, 2011, the World YWCA participated in the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) forum which was held in Geneva, Switzerland. The WSIS focuses on the speedy expansion of information technology (ICT) and utilisation towards the Millennium Development Goals in crucial areas like the environment, health and education. Hendrica Okondo, World YWCA Global Programme Manager SRHR and HIV and Focal Point for Africa, and Alemtsehay Gebremichael, Programme Associate Communications, attended the Summit. The WSIS provided structured opportunities to network, learn and to participate in multi-stakeholder discussions and consultations.
In a special address made to the WSIS Forum, Ban ki-moon, Secretary General of United Nations, said “ICTs have become essential enablers of socio-economic development. Through e-learning, e-health, e-government, climate monitoring and more, today’s and tomorrow’s technologies will help bring the Millennium Development Goals within reach.”
“The Forum was interesting. I was very interested in the workshop on avoiding e-waste," said Alemtsehay. The rapid mobile technology growth in rural areas and the challenge of moving to environmentally sound life-cycle management of discarding end-of-lives mobile phones was a concerning issue in the workshop. The WSIS Forum also provided the information society with great opportunities to address the key global challenges related to the promotion of sustainable development and the preservation of the environment. ICTs such as satellites, mobile phones or internet, are basic infrastructure that can be used to move the development agenda forward. Many participants voiced their concern on certain environmental issues which need to be addressed, such as making better use of natural resources, recycling and disposing of end-of-life ICT equipment in an environmentally sound manner, and reducing the carbon footprint of multiple industries.
The Forum was attended by 1,150 participants from more than 140 countries. Several high-level representatives, CEOs and civil society leaders contributed towards the programme of the Forum. Remote participation was an integral component of the Forum and over 1,000 stakeholders followed and contributed to the outcomes of the event from all parts of world. The Forum was hosted by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and jointly organised by ITU, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), United Nations Conference on Trade and Development ( UNCTAD) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Read more about WISIS 2011
