World Telecommunication and Information Society Day

World Telecommunication and Information Society Day

World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD) is an annual international event that aims to raise awareness about the potential of information and communication technology (ICT) in improving people's lives and bridging the digital divide. The day is dedicated to understanding the role that telecommunication advancements play in the information society. It also explores ways to increase accessibility to ICT infrastructure, especially for marginalized groups and vulnerable communities.

WTISD has its roots in World Telecommunication Day, which was first celebrated in 1969 to commemorate the founding of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) on May 17, 1865. The event took on its current form in 2005, when the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution to observe the day as World Information Society Day, linking it with the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) held in 2003 and 2005. In 2006, ITU decided to combine World Telecommunication Day and World Information Society Day into the current WTISD, with a focus on both telecommunication advancements and the broader implications for society.

Observed annually on May 17, WTISD aims to promote discussion and dialogue around the potential of ICTs to foster social and economic development. Each year, a specific theme is chosen, highlighting a critical issue in the field of ICT.

Facts about World Telecommunication and Information Society Day

• The theme for World Telecommunication and Information Society Day in 2024 will be Digital Innovation for Sustainable Development. The theme in 2022 was Digital technologies for Older Persons and Healthy Ageing.
• The first ever theme for World Telecommunication and Information Society Day in 1969 was The role and activities of the Union.
• As of 2022, mobile phone penetration in New Zealand is remarkably high, with around 95.2% of the population owning a cell phone.
• New Zealand has a strong internet infrastructure, with approximately 89% of the population having access to the internet in 2021.

In the News and Trending in NZ for World Telecommunication and Information Society Day

Top things to do in NZ for this observance

• Explore the World Telecommunication and Information Society Day's 2021 advocacy toolkit. The toolkit focuses on digital transformation which is about improving people's expereinces and wellbeing.
• Watch a Film to learn more about Telecommunication and Information Society in New Zealand:
  1) This is New Zealand - This 1970 film, while not solely about telecommunication, gives an interesting look at technology and communication in the country at that time. It was initially made for Expo '70 in Osaka, Japan.
  2) Wireless: The Amazing Story Of New Zealand's Early Internet - This is a web series rather than a movie, but offers a rich look into the country's early internet scene.
• Visit the National Cyber Security Centre: As part of the New Zealand government’s goal of improving cyber safety, visiting the National Cyber Security Centre can be enlightening to learn about the advancements in technology security.