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Get ready to celebrate the advancements and impact of technology on World Information Society Day on May 17! This day was first celebrated in 2006, when the United Nations General Assembly designated it as a way to raise awareness about the importance of information and communication technologies in our daily lives. From social media and smartphones to artificial intelligence and virtual reality, technology has greatly shaped the way we live, work, and communicate with each other. So let's take a moment to appreciate how far we've come and all the possibilities that lie ahead thanks to technology!
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2006</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>UN Declaration</div><div class='timeline-text'>The United Nations General Assembly declared May 17 as World Information Society Day to appreciate the advancements in technology and their impacts on society.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2007</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>First Celebration</div><div class='timeline-text'>The first World Information Society Day was celebrated, aiming to bridge the digital divide and build an inclusive information society.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2010</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Focus on Cybersecurity</div><div class='timeline-text'>This year's theme focused on digital security as new threats emerged with the rapid expansion of the internet and digital technologies.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2015</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Emphasis on Sustainable Development</div><div class='timeline-text'>World Information Society Day highlighted the role of ICTs in sustainable development, in agreement with UN Sustainable Development Goals.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2020</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Tech Response to Pandemic</div><div class='timeline-text'>Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the day recognized the critical role of digital technologies in keeping societies connected and functioning.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Attend a digital literacy workshop</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>On World Information Society Day, dedicated to promoting the importance of information and communication technologies, take advantage of a digital literacy workshop to learn new skills and improve your knowledge of the digital world.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Share reliable information on social media</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Spread awareness about World Information Society Day by sharing reliable information and resources on social media. Use hashtags like #InformationSocietyDay and #DigitalLiteracy to join the conversation and promote the importance of access to information for all.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Host a panel discussion on digital rights</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Gather experts in the field of digital rights and have a panel discussion on the importance of protecting and promoting access to information in today's society. Encourage audience participation and engagement to spread awareness about this important issue.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Organize a community clean-up event</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Promote the responsible use of technology and the importance of reducing e-waste by organizing a community clean-up event. Encourage participants to properly dispose of their old electronics and educate them on the dangers of improper e-waste disposal.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Create and share an informative infographic</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Use your creativity to design an infographic that highlights the impact of information and communication technologies on society. Share it on social media and with your community to spread awareness and celebrate World Information Society Day.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It promotes digital literacy and access to information</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>World Information Society Day aims to bridge the digital divide and promote digital inclusivity for all. By recognizing this day, we are acknowledging the importance of having access to information and being skilled in using technology.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It raises awareness about emerging technologies</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>This day serves as a platform for discussing and showcasing new and emerging technologies that can improve our lives and society as a whole. It encourages innovation and progress in the field of information and communication technology.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It recognizes the role of information in sustainable development</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Information plays a crucial role in achieving sustainable development goals such as reducing poverty, promoting education, and improving healthcare. By celebrating World Information Society Day, we are highlighting the importance of using information and technology for global progress and well-being.</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>World Information Society Day is Recognized by UNESCO</h3><p class='facts-content'>UNESCO, the United Nations body for Education, Science, and Culture, plays a significant role in advocating for World Information Society Day, emphasizing its belief in the importance of information and communication technologies in development.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>The Internet User Population Has Been Continuously Growing</h3><p class='facts-content'>As technology advances, internet usage has been steadily increasing. As of 2021, more than half of the global population actively uses the internet, a trend that aligns with World Information Society Day's mission to increase access to information.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>IoT Devices are Redefining Society</h3><p class='facts-content'>The world of IoT, or the Internet of Things, is expanding, with projections that by 2025 there will be over 75 billion Internet-connected devices globally. This theme relates directly to World Information Society Day as it reflects how interconnected society is becoming through technology.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>World Information Society Day Themes Vary Each Year</h3><p class='facts-content'>Each year, the United Nations ITU decides on a different theme for World Information Society Day to focus on specific aspects of the information society. Themes from past years have ranged from "Building the Information Society: A Global Challenge in the New Millennium" to "Enabling the positive use of Artificial Intelligence for All".</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Digital Divides Still Exist Despite Technological Progress</h3><p class='facts-content'>Though technology is advancing quickly, digital divides – disparities in access to ICT tools and services – still exist. World Information Society Day is a reminder to work towards digital inclusivity and ensure everyone benefits from technological progress.</p></div></div>
World Information Society Day is celebrated on May 17 every year. In 2024 World Information Society Day will occur on a Friday.
2023
May 17
Wednesday
2024
May 17
Friday
2025
May 17
Saturday
2026
May 17
Sunday
2027
May 17
Monday
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