The latest WSIS document to be released is the draft of the Proposal of an Orientation Document for the upcoming Preparatory Committee (PrepCom) 2 meeting this year. This meeting will take place in Geneva, Switzerland from 17-28 February.

The document's concepts and concrete actions are still the basic notions proposed to be upheld in the whole system of the World Summit on the Information Society process. These notions include a) regarding information and communication technologies (ICT) as a tool for development and progress, and not as an end in themselves; and b) having an inclusive global information society where all persons, without distinction, are empowered freely to create, receive, share and utilise information and knowledge for their economic, social, cultural and political development.

Enormous benefits can be derived from ICTs as a tool for development. This will require mainstreaming information and knowledge concerns within the broad range of societal goals, with focus on development policy, as well as on sectoral and cross-sectoral policies.

The Summit should promote the adoption of the following principles at all levels (global, regional, national, local/individual), and mobilise support from all relevant stakeholders to attain consensus and solidarity in an open and inclusive global information society:

1. Access to information and free flow of information are fundamental human rights.
2. Information and communication technologies are central to the creation of the global information society and play an important role in fighting poverty and inequality at the global level; to effectively bridge the digital divide, possibilities must be identified and pursued to make digital opportunities available to all and to promote universal access at an affordable cost.
3. Reaping the full benefits of the information society requires an enabling and transparent environment, including policy, legal and regulatory frameworks.
4. In the rapidly changing environment characterising the information society, human resources development is a continuous and fundamental requirement; education and training, the fostering of science, technology and innovation deserves adequate support.
5. Cultural and linguistic diversity are hallmarks of a successful information society; creativity in the creation, processing, dissemination and conservation of local content can best be stimulated and supported through an adequate balance between intellectual property rights and the needs of the users of information.
6. Civil Society, enterprises and entrepreneurship have key roles to play in applying the power of information and knowledge to sustainable economic, social and cultural development.
7. The information society should contribute to a better life for all citizens. One way of doing this is through the use of ICTs in the promotion of democracy, transparency, accountability and good governance.
8. Multi-stakeholder participation in national, regional and global partnerships is a key ingredient in achieving the goals of the information society.
9. Empowerment and inclusion are fundamental characteristics and objectives of the information society. Young people and women, in particular, should be recognised and empowered as driving forces in building such a society. Special focus should also be devoted to disadvantaged and marginalised groups. Connectivity is a critical enabling agent in building a global information society in which all citizens can participate on an equal footing.
10. Confidence and security are essential to the full functioning of the information society. Guarantees must be provided to users of communication and information networks and the media including protection of privacy and confidentiality.

These principles could be further translated into concrete actions. To read on the proposed action lines, click here.

Also, in conjunction with the principles and action lines, examples of possible concrete and comprehensive actions were also drafted. These can be accessed here.

WSIS BACKTRACK: The Preparatory Committees are a necessary part of the preparation process leading to the major phases of the WSIS. These open-ended intergovernmental Preparatory Committees are construed to define the agenda of the Summit, decide on the modalities of the participation of other stakeholders in the Summit, and serve as venues to finalise both the draft declaration and the draft plan of action. In short, the PrepCom is mandated to create an opportunity for all shareholders to discuss all relevant issues and reach a common understanding.

The WSIS PrepCom 1 Meeting took place in Geneva, Switzerland from 01-05 July 2002. Mr. Adama Samassekou, President of the African Academy of Languages and formerly the Minister of Education in Mali, was elected the President of the First PrepCom meeting.

For further information about the results of PrepCom 1, please visit http://www.itu.int/wsis/preparatory/prepcom/prepcom1.html.

For guidelines, updates and other practical information about the upcoming PrepCom 2, please visit: http://www.itu.int/wsis/preparatory/prepcom/prepcom2.html.