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Este documento PDF lo facilita el Servicio de Biblioteca y Archivos de la Unión Internacional de Telecomunicaciones (UIT) a partir de un archivo electrónico producido oficialmente. ﺟﺮﻯ ﺇﻟﻜﺘﺮﻭﻧﻲ ﻣﻠﻒ ﻣﻦ ﻣﺄﺧﻮﺫﺓ ﻭﻫﻲ ﻭﺍﻟﻤﺤﻔﻮﻇﺎﺕ، ﺍﻟﻤﻜﺘﺒﺔ ﻗﺴﻢ ، (ITU) ﻟﻼﺗﺼﺎﻻﺕ ﺍﻟﺪﻭﻟﻲ ﺍﻻﺗﺤﺎﺩ ﻣﻦ ﻣﻘﺪﻣﺔ PDF ﺑﻨﺴﻖ ﺍﻟﻨﺴﺨﺔ ﻫﺬﻩ .ﺭﺳﻤﻴﺎ ً◌ ﺇﻋﺪﺍﺩﻩ 本PDF版本由国际电信联盟（ITU）图书馆和档案服务室提供。来源为正式出版的电子文件。 Настоящий файл в формате PDF предоставлен библиотечно-архивной службой Международного союза электросвязи (МСЭ) на основе официально созданного электронного файла. © International Telecommunication Union INTERNATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATION UNION No. 4 May 2011 www.itu.int/itunews Enabling Your E-Licensing Strategy Tomorrow‘s Communication Designed Today System Solutions and Expertise for Radio Spectrum Management and Network Planning & Engineering. www.LStelcom.com World Telecommunication and Information Society Day Better life in rural communities with information and communication technologies Dr Hamadoun I. Touré ITU Secretary-General Martin ITU/V. Editorial Information and communication technologies (ICT) are ITU is committed to connecting the world and en- reshaping the way the world communicates, creating suring that the benefi ts of ICT reach the remotest cor- opportunities for a better life through long-term devel- ners as well as the most vulnerable communities. We opment, not least among the most disadvantaged sec- have successfully developed standards for ICT, managed tions of our society. Today, ICT are the powerhouses of vital spectrum and orbital resources, mobilized the nec- the global economy, offering real solutions to the chal- essary technical, human and fi nancial resources, and lenge of generating sustainable economic growth and strengthened emergency response in the aftermath of prosperity. ICT also act as catalysts in accelerating pro- devastating natural disasters. gress towards meeting the United Nations Millennium Now, with more than 5.3 billion mobile subscriptions Development Goals. worldwide, is the moment to deliver content through This year, as we celebrate ITU’s 146th anniversary, enhanced broadband access, establishing information we focus on the world’s rural communities in our quest and communication highways that will feed both rural to connect the remotest regions to the benefi ts of ICT. communities and urban centres with the means to meet In the rural context, ICT and related e-applications en- their development goals. ITU’s leadership role in the hance opportunities to generate income and combat Broadband Commission for Digital Development seeks poverty, hunger, ill-health and illiteracy, and are key to to accelerate the roll-out of this state-of-the-art tech- improving governance and rural services. nology, with the aim of establishing a universally acces- Half the world’s population (close to 3.5 billion sible knowledge-based information society. people) resides in rural districts or remote communi- Let us celebrate World Telecommunication and ties. They are the deprived cousins of the world’s urban Information Society Day this year by focusing on ru- citizens. Among them are as many as 1.4 billion of the ral communities, knowing that by connecting people world’s extremely poor people, who are also among the around the world and harnessing the full potential of least connected to the benefi ts of ICT. We cannot allow ICT, we can all enjoy a more productive, peaceful and this situation to continue. better life. ITU News 4 | 2011 May 2011 1 Laureates of the 2011 ITU Award Connecting communities WSIS Forum 2011 Cover photo: Getty Images/A. Cavalli World Telecommunication and ISSN 1020–4148 Information Society Day www.itu.int/itunews 10 issues per year Copyright: © ITU 2011 Better life in rural communities with information and communication technologies Editor-in-Chief: Patricia Lusweti Art Editor: Christine Vanoli Circulation Assistant: R. Soraya Abino-Quintana Editorial 1 Dr Hamadoun I. Touré, ITU Secretary-General Printed in Geneva by the ITU Printing and Dispatch Division. Material from this publication may be reproduced in full or in part, provided that it is accompanied 4 Message from United Nations Secretary-General by the acknowledgement: ITU News. Ban Ki-moon Disclaimer: Opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not engage ITU. The designations ITU World Telecommunication and employed and presentation of material Information Society Award in this publication, including maps, do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of 5 ITU honours Tarja Halonen, Sam Pitroda and Kristin Peterson ITU concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area, or concerning the delimitations of its frontiers or boundaries. The mention of Meet the laureates specifi c companies or of certain products does not imply that they are endorsed or recommended by ITU in preference 6 Tarja Halonen to others of a similar nature that are not President of the Republic of Finland mentioned. 7 Sam Pitroda Editorial offi ce/Advertising information: Adviser to the Prime Minister Public Information Infrastructure and Innovations Tel.: +41 22 730 5234/6303 Fax: +41 22 730 5935 8 Kristin Peterson E-mail: [email protected] Co-Founder and Chief Executive Offi cer of Inveneo Mailing address: International Telecommunication Union Digital Finland Place des Nations 10 CH–1211 Geneva 20 (Switzerland) Subscriptions: Tel.: +41 22 730 6303 Fax: +41 22 730 5935 E-mail: [email protected] 2 ITU News 4 | 2011 May 2011 Contents Laureates of the 2011 ITU Award Connecting communities WSIS Forum 2011 Connecting communities India’s profi les of progress 17 Common Service Centres Taking mobile banking to the people Inveneo 23 Empowering rural and underserved communities The Haiti Rural Broadband initiative WSIS Stocktaking 32 ICT success stories highlight innovation and sustainability A public–private partnership for sustainable development in Africa The École des Sables 38 WSIS Forum 2011 40 Agenda ICT in the United Arab Emirates 43 Delivering on WSIS goals 48 ITU at a glance WSIS Forum 2011 Leaders converge on Geneva to re-energize the development agenda Mobile miracle continues to transform lives in the world’s least developed countries ITU News 4 | 2011 May 2011 3 World Telecommunication and Information Society Day Message UN Photo/Mark Garten Message from United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Information and communication technologies have schools to information and knowledge on the Internet, transformed the global landscape. They power the bring telemedicine to far-fl ung rural health centres, world economy and have become the great enablers provide accurate weather information to farmers and of modern society, helping people communicate across fi shermen, and supply up-to-date market information to distances and cultural divides, facilitating trade and producers. commerce, and providing access to critical resources The International Telecommunication Union and its such as health care and education. partners continue striving to connect the world. I wel- Recent events around the world, in particular in come these efforts, especially the drive to bring broad- North Africa and the Middle East, have also highlighted band to every community. Broadband telecommuni- the catalytic role that mobile phones and social media cations will make it possible to deliver content to the can play in galvanizing public opinion against repres- remotest rural districts. sion. And in the aftermath of natural disasters that have As we bridge the digital divide, we narrow the struck with greater frequency and force, we have seen chasm that separates those with and without access how these technologies are a vital part of the aid re- to information and knowledge, thereby broadening sponse, establishing lines of communication that can opportunities for a better life. Greater access means save lives, reunite families and help emergency relief earlier achievement of the United Nations Millennium reach people in need. Development Goals. It means less poverty and hunger, The theme of this year’s World Telecommunication and more environmental sustainability. And it translates and Information Society Day, Better life in rural commu- into greater equality and empowerment for women and nities with information and communication technolo- the underprivileged. gies, highlights the need to harness the full potential On this World Telecommunication and Information of these technologies for the benefi t of the world’s Society Day, let us resolve to connect rural communities rural population. Of the developing world’s 1.4 billion and the entire world to the digital revolution as a means extremely poor people, 70 per cent live in rural areas. of achieving our development goals and fostering peace Their lives can be transformed as we connect village and prosperity for all. 4 ITU News 4 | 2011 May 2011 ITU World Telecommunication and Information Society Award Meet the laureates ITU honours Tarja Halonen, Sam Pitroda and Kristin Peterson ITU marked its 146th anniversary and World providing a better life for humanity, particularly in rural Telecommunication and Information Society Day on communities. “As we focus on extending the reach of