World Development Information Day
World Development Information Day is observed on 24th October annually, to draw the attention of world public opinion to development problems and the need to strengthen international cooperation to solve them for overall growth and development.
As the world attempts to attain the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, the necessity for accurate information and data becomes even more vital. In the face of insufficient resources and competing priorities, governments require data to make decisions about what challenges, interventions, and programs to invest in.
The 17 Sustainable Development Goals are:
- Eliminate Poverty
- Erase Hunger
- Establish Good Health and Well-Being
- Provide Quality Education
- Enforce Gender Equality
- Improve Clean Water and Sanitation
- Grow Affordable and Clean Energy
- Create Decent Work and Economic Growth
- Increase Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
- Reduce Inequality
- Mobilize Sustainable Cities and Communities
- Influence Responsible Consumption and Production
- Organize Climate Action
- Develop Life Below Water
- Advance Life On Land
- Guarantee Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
- Build Partnerships for the Goals
The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), are an urgent call for action by all countries – developed and developing – in a global partnership. Information and communications technologies have the potential to provide new solutions to development challenges, particularly in the context of globalization. To achieve these goals UN needs improved communication and dissemination of information and the mobilization of public opinion, particularly among young people.
History of World Development Information Day
The World Development Information Day was established by the UN General Assembly in 1972, to coincide with the United Nations Day to stress the central role of development in the UN’s work (resolution 3038 (XXVII)). The day was recognized as the date on which the International Development Strategy for the Second Nations Development Decade was adopted in 1970.
“Information and communications technologies have the potential to provide new solutions to development challenges, particularly in the context of globalization, and can foster economic growth, competitiveness, access to information and knowledge, poverty eradication and social inclusion.”— General Assembly Resolution
The first World Development Information Day was first held on October 24, 1973, and has been held on this date each year since then. Today, one could argue that Development Information is widespread; there is plenty of awareness about the plight of less developed countries, and a good deal of international cooperation to address them. Now the focus has shifted – quite rightly – to how best to collaboratively address these problems.
So let’s celebrate the fact that Development Information is widespread, but let’s also not rest until we can assure that access to information to help address development challenges is openly accessible to all.
World Development Information Day help to make people realize that information and communications technologies have the potential to provide new solutions to the developmental challenges of a nation. Happy World Development Information Day.
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