The Internet is critical to jobs, sharing new ideas, building friendships, and opening up a world of opportunities.
But with half of the world’s population still not connected, it’s now more urgent than ever to send the reminder that if we are going to build a digital future that benefits everyone, everywhere we’ll need new ways of working, new ways of thinking, and new policies support it all.
To make that happen, we’ll need your help.
The World Telecommunication Development Conference is a key time to remind the world of this. Join the world leaders in Buenos Aires this week and send the message that together we can shape tomorrow and build a digital future that includes everyone, everywhere.
What is WTDC?
The World Telecommunication Development Conference is a conference hosted by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) every four years that sets the development agenda for the ITU Telecommunication Development Sector (ITU-D). WTDC-17 is happening from 9-20 October 2017 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Why does WTDC matter?
WTDC provides a forum for discussion on some of telecommunication/ICT trends and development issues such as the cost of International Internet connectivity, digital inclusion, affordable broadband access, and emergency telecommunications.
Here’s how you can take part
Many parts of WTDC will be live-streamed so people around the world can take part. You can watch it here
Discussions will include :
- Promoting Digital Inclusion
- Capacity Building
- Assistance for Developing Countries
- Access to ICTs, Services and Applications
- Emergency Services and Communications
- Cybersecurity
- Emerging Trends/Technologies: Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things, etc.
What do we want to advance?
- Alternative Solutions for Internet Access (Community Networks, Policy Framework for Enabling Internet Access, Multistakeholder Approach)
- Trusted Environment for the Internet’s Future Growth (Collaborative Security; Trust Framework, AIIS, Encryption, Kathy’s Speeches on Trust, Spam ToolKit)
- Multistakeholder Partnerships for Internet Development (Multistakeholder Approach)
- Respect for the diversity of roles (Internet Ecosystem)
- Resources: Local Content, IPv6 Adoption, IXPs, Internet Interconnection, Open Internet Standards, Internet Invariants, The Challenge of Spam, SIDs, LLCDs, SDGs
- Stories:
Regional documents
- Internet Society Contribution to CITEL P.CC1, April 2017
- Community Networks: Regulatory issues and gaps – Experiences from India, October 2017
What else can you do?
- Join us on social media using the #ShapeTomorrow hashtag and send the message that we need to build a digital future that benefits everyone, everywhere.
- Share our report, Paths to a Digital Future, so key decision makers will know the challenges we face when it comes building a digital future and what we can all do about it.
- Join us and become a member.
Image credit: Luis Argerich via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)
