History, theme, and significance of the 2022 World Telecommunication and Information Society Day
The World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD) is observed on May 17 each year to increase awareness of the benefits and possibilities that the Internet and also other information and communication technologies (ICT) provide to nations, societies, including economies. It also hopes to raise awareness about how to close the digital gap.
History and significance
WTISD commemorates the first International Telegraph Convention’s signing and the founding of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
World Telecommunication Day was established in 1969 to commemorate the founding of the International Telecommunication Union on May 17, 1865.
World Telecommunication Day was commemorated for the very first time in 2005, when the World Summit on the Information Society proposed that the United Nations General Assembly declared May 17 as World Information Society Day (WISD).
The UN General Assembly decided in March 2006 that WISD would be held every year on May 17th.
WTISD 2022 theme
The day is commemorated each year with a different topic, and this year’s is Digital Technologies For Older Persons And Healthy Aging. This year’s theme stresses the use of information technology and its usefulness in remaining physically, emotionally, and financially healthy, connected, & independent.
On a physical, emotional, and economical level, the topic emphasizes the need of employing telecommunications and information communication technologies (ICTs) for the elderly to be healthy, connected, and independent.
Global population aging will be a distinguishing demographic trend of the twenty-first century. However, cultures are still unable to recognize the benefits that this trend can bring. Telecommunications and information and communication technologies (ICTs) can assist the construction of smarter cities, eliminate age-based discrimination in employment, assure older people’s financial inclusion, and support carers.