ITU Secretary-General Mr Yoshio Utsumi explains why it is urgent to raise awareness of the importance of ICT for developing countries

How is this World Information Society day important within the goal to bridge the digital divide?

World Information Society Day marks a global recognition of an emerging people-centred and development-oriented Information Society that aims to close the chasm separating those who have access to information and knowledge and those who are denied the benefits of the digital revolution. Connecting the unconnected and empowering people to achieve their development goals by harnessing the full potential of information and communication technologies is one of the main objectives endorsed by the World Summit on the Information Society in Tunis. They called upon the United Nations to declare 17 May, which commemorates World Telecommunication Day, as World Information Society Day to raise awareness of the importance of ICT that can bring enormous possibilities to societies and economies.

What would you recommend as the best use of technological and scientific advancement to bridge the digital divide?

To seize the development dividend of technological advances, action must be taken for the creation of knowledge, sharing of information and best practices. Tools must be developed as well as capacity building in order to adapt to the ever changing ICT technologies, and the fostering multi-stakeholder partnerships. Developing countries need to formulate policies to foster an enabling environment conducive to private investment. At the same time, public policies aimed at traditional societal needs must be developed keeping in mind the facilitating role that ICT can play in these fields.

What would be your assessment of the DSF as a global organization to fight the digital divide?

The Digital Solidarity Fund has been welcomed by world leaders at the World Summit on the Information Society (Geneva 2003 – Tunis 2005) and at the 2005 Millennium Summit in New York. It is widely recognized as an innovative financial mechanism of a voluntary nature open to interested stakeholders with the objective of transforming the digital divide into digital opportunities for the developing world. By harnessing local resources and looking at the difficulties afflicting poor and remote communities, the Fund’s work is complementary to that of major financial institutions and multilateral development agencies. Backed by the goodwill of all, it has the potential to develop into a global organization that will help close the digital divide.

President Wade of Senegal and Professor Muhammad Yunus receive the World Information Society Award. What has motivated this choice?

The ITU World Information Society Award is being presented to two towering personalities for their contribution towards building a global Information Society for the benefit of all.

I take pleasure in congratulating His Excellency President Abdulaye Wade of Senegal for his vision and dedication in promoting the digital solidarity agenda that led to the creation of the Digital Solidarity Fund. His proposal, which emphasized the potential of information and communication technologies in achieving development, triggered meaningful dialogue during the WSIS and represents one of the major pillars for building a more inclusive and equitable Information Society.

The Award also goes to another legendary figure, Professor Muhammad Yunus, Managing Director of Grameen Bank. I take this opportunity to congratulate Professor Yunus, who pioneered micro-credit for the rural poor and who has successfully addressed the issues of poverty eradication and development by providing wireless payphone service in the rural areas of Bangladesh run by a new class of women entrepreneurs. Professor Yunus has single-handedly transformed the information and communication landscape in Bangladesh, while this exemplary model is now being emulated in other regions and countries of the world.