‘World Telecommunication Day’ is observed on 17th of May every year. First World Telecommunication Day was celebrated in 1969. World Telecommunication Day has been celebrated marking the founding anniversary of International Telecommunications Union (ITU) which was founded in 1865.

World Telecommunications Day aims to make information and communication more accessible to people residing in remote and rural areas. World Telecommunications Day is celebrated to increase awareness about the positives of communication technology among public. The theme of World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD) 2016 focuses on internet of things.

Innovations from ICT and the implementation of these technologies have pervaded different aspects of our lives. Look everywhere, you can see one way or another how ICT has really facilitated our lives. We need ICTs as a tool, as a catalyser, because for innovation you need information.

Once you gather information, you need to collaborate with others, you need to communicate with others: to interpret the information, to find out what are the opportunities for innovation. And then you need to find and leverage resources, you need to collaborate with other actors in different areas to push the innovation further. Often you need a platform to get all these things going on, and these are all things where ICT is really crucial and can play a wider role.

“In the context of development, I would say the role of ICT should be even more highlighted, because there are certain limitations in developing countries where we need additional tools to go forward with innovation. For example in terms of infrastructure, there are difficulties in reaching the audience or those who are in need of the initiative.” said Shuan Sadre Ghazi.

Yet technology alone is not a panacea for innovation. You always need additional measures on the social and human aspects of innovation. For example, even if you have the best computer software and hardware to enhance teaching at schools in rural areas, if there is not a proper mentor, or a teacher who is trained to utilize those technologies for educating those students, the whole investment will be in vain. We have seen in several cases that despite smart ideas being behind ICT for innovation, the initiative has not delivered on its promises….even if you have the best computer software and hardware to enhance teaching at schools in rural areas, if there is not a… teacher who is trained to utilize those technologies for educating those students, the whole investment will be in vain.

In general ICT is just a tool to enhance innovation. At the end of the day, it deals with humans, so if we do not have the human components well integrated in this whole ecosystem, then we will face problems. It is crucial therefore to understand the context in which we are using or applying our innovations; only then can we make the most of their potential.

[Prepared by Animesh from media sources]

  communicaton, ICT, ITU, World Telecommunication Day, WTISD