The WSIS Prizes, recognizing innovative technological approaches to support sustainable development, were announced on 28 May 2024. Among the projects honored was the "University Diploma on Internet Governance and Regulations."

This free, six-month program is offered by the South School on Internet Governance (SSIG) in partnership with universities in Argentina and Brazil. It provides comprehensive training through online pre-training, a hybrid intensive course, and virtual research. All materials and activities are available in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, and the program can be completed entirely virtually, with an optional hybrid phase for face-to-face interaction.

Since its inception in 2022, 70 fellows from over a dozen countries have successfully completed the diploma. Learn more: https://gobernanzainternet.org/

The WSIS Prizes recently recognized NationalConnect (Boithok) from Bangladesh for its innovative contribution to sustainable development. Developed by the BNDA Team of BCC, this homegrown platform offers secure, cost-effective video conferencing solutions. It proved crucial for government, universities, and citizens during the COVID-19 pandemic, addressing the digital divide with features like secure national data storage and free subscriptions for educational institutions.

Since January 2021, NationalConnect has facilitated over 2500 meetings and 5,000+ hours, significantly advancing Bangladesh's "Smart Bangladesh" vision. By prioritizing customization and local needs, it fosters digital inclusion and operational efficiency. Learn more: https://vc.bcc.gov.bd/

Smartpur, Nokia’s flagship CSR initiative, exemplifies innovative technological approaches to sustainable development, aligning with the goals recognized by the WSIS Prizes. Partnering with Save the Children India and Digital Empowerment Foundation, Smartpur establishes digital village ecosystems in remote Indian communities.

The project empowers local entrepreneurs to provide essential services—spanning livelihood, health, education, financial inclusion, and governance—via Smartpur centers. Beneficiaries access digital tools for training, telemedicine, banking, and government schemes. Launched in 2017, Smartpur has expanded from 10 to 350 centers across 10 states, reaching over one million beneficiaries with significant social impact. Learn more at smartpur.in/the-project/.

The WSIS Prizes, recognizing innovative tech for sustainable development, were announced May 28, 2024, in Geneva. Projects from 18 countries received top honors for bridging the digital divide and fostering digital inclusion, advancing UN Sustainable Development Goals. Indonesia's JaWAra Internet Sehat was a notable winner.

This project empowers young activists as local champions for bottom-up digital literacy education. Using cultural methods and online tools (e.g., a WhatsApp ChatBot https://s.id/kakinat), they teach combating hoaxes and digital security. From 2021-2022, 160 champions educated over 270,000 people across Indonesia. More details and resources are at https://jawara.internetsehat.id/.

The WSIS Prizes, recognizing innovative technological approaches for sustainable development, were announced on 28 May 2024 in Geneva. Projects from 18 countries received top honors for bridging the digital divide and driving socio-economic progress, showcasing vital contributions to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Among these innovations is GeoTanaman, a cutting-edge web and mobile system for Malaysia's food crops. Launched in 2022, it acquires, manages, and analyzes geospatial data to create a comprehensive National Crop Inventory. This system empowers farmers with real-time information for planning, market analysis, and business opportunities, enhancing income and reducing reliance on imports. Learn more: GeoTanaman Project

The WSIS Prizes, recognizing innovative technological approaches for sustainable development, were announced on May 28, 2024, at the WSIS+20 Forum in Geneva. Projects from 18 countries received top honors for bridging the digital divide, fostering digital inclusion, and driving global socio-economic progress.

ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin highlighted these awards as demonstrating the innovation needed to advance UN Sustainable Development Goals. Among the recognized efforts is Bayanat (XBRL), an open international standard for digital business reporting. It facilitates the timely exchange of accurate financial and non-financial data between economic entities, ensuring reliable information for stakeholders through integrated systems and analytical tools.

The WSIS Prizes, recognizing innovative technology for sustainable development, were announced on May 28, 2024, in Geneva. Projects from 18 countries received top honors for bridging the digital divide and driving socio-economic progress, showcasing global efforts to advance UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Among these innovations is the E-Waste+ application, developed by AIS under the "Thais say no to E-Waste" project. This solution tackles e-waste management in Thailand, addressing traditional pain points like lack of transparency and high costs. By leveraging blockchain, E-Waste+ allows users to track their e-waste from disposal to recycling, fostering accountability and offering a more cost-effective, widely accessible system. Project website

The WSIS Prizes, announced May 28, 2024, recognized innovative technological approaches supporting sustainable development and bridging the digital divide. Projects from 18 countries received top honors for fostering digital inclusion and socio-economic progress.

Among these efforts, the Tanzania Digital Inclusion Project (TADIP) addresses internet poverty in Tanzania, where suspected telecom collusion leads to unaffordable access. TADIP utilizes a "strength in numbers" cooperative model, enabling communities to share broadband infrastructure and data costs. This approach aims to provide affordable, meaningful internet to 4 million citizens, offer digital skills to 1.5 million youth and women, engage 100,000 girls in STEM, and establish 200 community innovation hubs.

Its core mission is cost-sharing, not profit, to ensure widespread, affordable internet access. Learn more about TADIP on LinkedIn.

The WSIS Prizes, announced May 28, 2024, in Geneva, recognized innovative technological approaches from 18 countries supporting sustainable development. ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin highlighted these solutions as vital for advancing UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and bridging the digital divide.

Digitalization is crucial for the cultural heritage sector to engage citizens, yet traditional education often lacks inclusive, learner-centric approaches vital for accessibility and achieving SDGs. The Erasmus+ "Young ArcHers" project addresses this by empowering educators to create inclusive, accessible digital storytelling using cultural heritage. It helps diverse students discover and protect local heritage through technology. Learn more at youngarchers.eu.

The WSIS Prizes, recognizing innovative technological approaches for sustainable development, were announced on 28 May 2024 at the WSIS+20 Forum in Geneva. Projects from 18 countries received top honors for bridging the digital divide, fostering digital inclusion, and driving socio-economic progress.

Among the winners was "The Interactive Tool of Policies, Terms and Conditions Applicable in the Use of Digital Platforms." This tool provides users with transparent information on how 45 major digital platforms collect, treat, and allow management of personal data, categorized for clarity. It empowers users to understand permissions granted when using various services.

Learn more about the project: https://plataformasdigitales.ift.org.mx/public/categoria/14/aplicaciones-de-citas

The "Check Me" mobile application, a recent WSIS Prize winner, addresses breast cancer by increasing awareness, promoting early detection through self-checks, and providing affordable access to specialists. This innovative platform offers educational content, self-check guidance, and connections to medical experts, empowering women to prioritize their breast health.

Leveraging technology, Check Me aims to demystify breast cancer and break down barriers to timely medical assistance. Its comprehensive approach facilitates early diagnosis and treatment, significantly reducing mortality rates and improving quality of life. The project creates a lasting social impact by empowering women and enhancing breast cancer outcomes.

Learn more at checkmeapp.io.

Pine rocklands, an endangered South Florida ecosystem, shelter protected species like Key deer and Florida bonneted bats. Facing threats from urban development and sea-level rise, their survival is vital. Learn more and help save this habitat at saveourpinerocklands.org.

The Center for Biological Diversity, a Tucson-based nonprofit, believes human welfare is linked to nature's diversity. We work to secure a future for all species through science, law, and media, protecting the lands, waters, and climate they need.

Find us online at biologicaldiversity.org for more information, to take action, or connect on social media. Email inquiries to center@biologicaldiversity.org.

ITU unveiled the visual identity for its 160th Anniversary commemorations, which will take place throughout 2025.

Marking its evolution from the telegraph to virtual worlds, ITU continues to connect the globe, advancing technology for all.

New and emerging AI technologies are profoundly impacting workplaces and skill requirements across all industries. This session brings together diverse stakeholders to address these challenges, exploring which economic sectors and skills will be most influenced, concrete AI examples shaping future jobs, and effective policy measures governments should adopt.

The discussion will be moderated by Mr. Alfie Hamid (Head of Global Strategic Partnerships, Cisco NetAcad). Panelists include Mr. Stijn Broecke (Senior Economist, OECD), Ms. Salma Karim (Head of Human Capital & Innovation, Digital Development Agency, Morocco), Dr. Ashok Jashapara (Professor, University of London), and Ms. Mariam Al Ali (Business Development Manager, Amazon Web Services).

Green and digital transitions are interconnected and mutually reinforcing, crucial for a just future. Digital technologies aid environmental management, while sustainability guides digital solutions. These transitions will create new jobs, offset some losses, and demand new skills for all.

This session will explore the essential effects of these transitions on jobs and skills, identifying required skills (digital and beyond) to mitigate climate change impacts. It will also highlight policy measures and good practices for skills development.

Moderated by Anne Shannon Baxter (GSMA), panelists include Olga Strietska-Ilina (International Labour Organization), Nanko Madu (AfriLabs), Dr. Mindel Van de Laar (United Nations University – MERIT and Maastricht University), and Robert Marinkovic (International Organisation of Employers).

Young entrepreneurs will present groundbreaking digital products and services designed to enhance digital skills in developing countries, showcasing innovative solutions that bridge the digital divide. This session empowers communities, addresses digital challenges, and offers insights into these young leaders' tangible impact.

Topics include innovators' roles, case studies on digital skill enhancement, and strategies for scaling projects in resource-limited settings. A Q&A will cover partnerships, funding, and future initiatives.

Moderated by Ms. Amani Alkhiami (Global Compact Network, Saudi Arabia), the panel features Ms. Aashna Taneja (Labhya, India), Mr. Segun Ogunwale (Bridgia), Ms. Rahaf Abu Mayyaleh (IBTKRGO, Jordan), and Ms. Lella Violet Halloum (IBM Z).

Digital transformation is primarily driven by industry, with private companies leading innovation and technology adoption. This creates a high demand for a digitally skilled workforce across all economic sectors.

This session will feature industry representatives discussing essential skills for fostering digital transformation, identifying growth sectors, and sharing how companies adapt through effective skilling and talent acquisition. These insights will help policymakers and training institutions align digital skills programs with market needs. The panel includes: Moderator Fahd Batayneh (ICANN), and Panelists Sonya Janahi (Chamber of Commerce), Naria Santa Lucia (Microsoft Philanthropies), Ahmed Riad Rashad (Huawei), and Wissam Kadi (SAP).

The increasing use of digital technologies globally raises concerns about their impact on employment and skills. While automation replaces certain tasks, it also creates new jobs demanding updated skills, requiring millions to reskill or upskill.

This session will address how digital transformation impacts jobs and skills development, exploring core challenges, opportunities, and innovative strategies to enhance global workforce capabilities. It will highlight best practices for fostering digital skills, considering youth, women, and aging workers.

Moderated by Mr. Juan Iván Martín Lataix (International Labour Organization), the panel features experts from Stanford University, Mexico, Gabon, and Kenya, offering diverse perspectives on digital skills for the future of work.

The Green Digital Action initiative unites global partners to advance climate action through digital innovation.

It achieves this by driving industry commitments, promoting innovative digital solutions, and strengthening global frameworks for monitoring and reporting. These efforts lay the foundation for a sustainable digital future for all.

Learn more