World Telecommunication and Information Society Day ceremony on 16 May
ITU Award presentation to President Cristina Fernández of Argentina, Sun Yafang and Geena Davis
Geneva, 10 May 2012 – ITU will celebrate World Telecommunication and Information Society Day, which marks the Union’s 147th anniversary this year, by awarding the prestigious World Telecommunication and Information Society Award to three eminent laureates in recognition of their leadership and dedication towards promoting ICTs as a means of connecting people around the world. The theme for 2012 is ‘Women and Girls in ICT’.
The 2012 laureates are:
•H.E. Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, President of Argentina
•Ms Sun Yafang, Chairman of Huawei
•Ms Geena Davis, Hollywood actor; founder of non-profit Institute on Gender in MediaThe Award ceremony will be held at ITU in the morning followed by a high-level dialogue on ‘Women and Girls in ICT’ at ILO Headquarters in the afternoon.
What:
World Telecommunication and Information Society Day
When:
16 May 2012
Where:
World Telecommunication and Information Society Award (2012) ceremony ITU Popov Room, Place des Nations, Geneva (11:00 – 12:15)
High-level Dialogue on ‘Women and Girls in ICT’ (14:00 – 16:00)
International Labour Organization, 4 route des Morillons, CH-1211 Geneva
Why:
World Telecommunication and Information Society Day marks the anniversary of the establishment of ITU in 1865. The theme for 2012 ‘Women and Girls in ICT” aims to create far-reaching opportunities for women and girls by eliminating gender disparities and empowering them to meet their goals and aspirations as decision makers within the ICT sector.
Who:
World Telecommunication and Information Society Award (2012) ceremony:
• H.E. Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, President of Argentina
• Ms Sun Yafang, Chairman of Huawei
• Ms Geena Davis, Founder, Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media
High-level Dialogue on ‘Women and Girls in ICT’
Keynotes:
• Geena Davis, Founder, Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media
Moderator: TV anchor Nisha Pillai
For more information, see www.itu.int/wtisd/index.html or contact: Sanjay Acharya
Chief, Media Relations and Public Information, ITU
+41 22 730 5046
+41 79 249 4861
sanjay.acharya@itu.int
YouTube: High-res broadcast quality video available on demand
About ITU
ITU is the leading United Nations agency for information and communication technology. For over 145 years, ITU has coordinated the shared global use of the radio spectrum, promoted international cooperation in assigning satellite orbits, worked to improve communication infrastructure in the developing world, and established the worldwide standards that foster seamless interconnection of a vast range of communications systems. From broadband networks to new-generation wireless technologies, aeronautical and maritime navigation, radio astronomy, satellite-based meteorology and converging fixed-mobile phone, Internet and broadcasting technologies, ITU is committed to connecting the world.
