WSIS

A few hints about the World Summit on Information Society.

1. Why a Summit on Information Society?

- Background and origins of the Summit.

2. First Phase: 10-12 December 2003.

The World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) is held in two phases. The first phase of WSIS took place in Geneva hosted by the Government of Switzerland from 10 to 12 December 2003. The objective of the first phase was to develop and foster a clear statement of political will and take concrete steps to establish the foundations for an Information Society for all, reflecting all the different interests at stake.

At the Geneva Phase of WSIS nearly 50 Heads of state/government and Vice-Presidents, 82 Ministers, and 26 Vice-Ministers and Heads of delegation as well as high-level representatives from international organizations, private sector, and civil society provided political support to the WSIS Declaration of Principles and Plan of Action adopted on 12 December 2003. More than 11,000 participants from 175 countries attended the Summit and related events.

3. Second Phase: Tunis.

- Live webcast here.

- All documents here.

In the picture: Yoshio Utsumi, Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union and Secretary-General (ITU) of the WSIS.