This coming Monday will see the launch of the final week for WSIS Forum 2022, including a panel workshop by IFIP IP3 (International Professional Practice Partnership).

The world’s largest annual gathering of the ‘ICT for development’ community, the WSIS (World Summit for the Information Society) Forum provides a platform for multi-stakeholder cooperation, information exchange and implementation of the WSIS Action Lines to ensure that ICTs remain a key enabler in achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

This year’s theme is “ICTs for Well-Being, Inclusion and Resilience: WSIS Cooperation for Accelerating Progress on the SDGs”.  

Monday 30th May will feature a panel workshop led by IFIP IP3 Chair Moira de Roche on the topic of, “The ‘Monster’ that is threatening global destruction can transform into the world’s saviour. (Mobilising the hi-tech sector to ensure a sustainable world by solving the problems caused by the development and use of modern technologies.)”

The title was based on a White Paper that IP3 published late last year, which offers a practical approach to enabling the 17 SDGs. 

According to the white paper, modern technology is threatening the future and very existence of Planet Earth! The exponential growth of modern technology’s products, which have become ubiquitous and superabundant the world over, is leading to the whirlwind destruction and draining of Nature’s resources while by-products and waste are piling up at an unfathomable rate.

The hi-tech sector is what is driving this exponential growth of modern technology, so it may be said that the hi-tech sector represents the main factor standing behind the damage Earth is suffering, not least of which is climate change, a phenomenon that is threatening the future and survival of all life on earth, not to mention the very existence of Planet Earth itself.

The conception proposed by the White Paper was inspired by the actions of Alfred Nobel, who, about 150 years ago, decided to dedicate the profits he had earned from the product he invented whose goal was to destroy (i.e., TNT) to create an institution to reward individuals who promoted science, culture and peace.  In other words, we believe that the “Monster” that is threatening global destruction can transform into the world’s saviour.

The panel speakers for the WSIS session will include:

  • Eliezer Manor – Shirat Enterprises, International Serial Entrepreneur & Venture Capitalist
  • Robin Raskin – Founder: The Virtual Events Group
  • Stephen Ibaraki – Serial entrepreneur, investor, and futurist
  • Mike Hinchey – IFIP President 
  • Anthony Wong – IFIP President-elect

The IP3 workshop will take place at 14.30-15.30pm local time (Geneva). Please use the link below if you would like to register to attend the session remotely: https://itu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJIvf-CgrjMoEtDYvUeS-dT9CjlVxlHVnHAp

IFIP IP3 has been involved in the WSIS Forum since 2012, presenting workshops and high-level talks at each event to showcase IFIP’s work in support of the SDGs.

Caption: IFIP IP3 Chair, Moira de Roche

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