UNION LAUNCHES WORLD SUMMIT ON INFORMATION SOCIETY PROJECT PRIZES

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 14 (Bernama) -- The Geneva-based International
Telecommunication Union (ITU) has launched a series of prizes to recognise
excellence in the implementation of the World Summit on the Information Society
(WSIS) outcome.

The announcement comes in response to requests from participants of the WSIS
Forum 2011 held in Geneva in May.

They had called for a mechanism to evaluate and reward individuals,
governments, civil society, local, regional and international agencies, research
institutions and private sector companies for the success of their efforts in
implementing development-oriented strategies that leverage the power of
Information and Communication Technology (ICT).

“The WSIS process is one of the pillars of ITU’s development agenda.

"We are delighted to be able to publicly recognise the excellent work being
carried out by stakeholders around the world in making ICT the motor of social
and economic progress,” said ITU Secretary-General Dr Hamadoun Touré in a
statement Friday.

The 18 prizes will provide international visibility and recognition, with
winners showcased at a special event at the WSIS Forum 2012.

There will also be opportunities for the prize winners to extend their
professional networks to facilitate the creation of new partnerships and
financing opportunities.

Winners will be highlighted in the 2012 edition of the WSIS Stocktaking
Report on Success Stories.

The competition is open to all. Interested parties are invited to nominate a
project by completing the online form at www.wsis.org/stocktaking/prizes.

The cut-off date for submission of project description is Jan 20.

-- BERNAMA