May 17 is World Telecommunication and Information Society Day

Article from ARRL.org

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) today is marking the 142nd anniversary of its establishment in 1865 as "World Telecommunication and Information Society Day." The ITU says it's dedicated 2007 to making available the benefits of the digital revolution to young people everywhere. ITU Secretary-General Hamadoun Touré said, "The key to achieving the development aspirations of the world's inhabitants lies in investing in the future generation, especially by improving access to communication among today's children and enhancing their capacities."
In his message on World Telecommunication and Information Society Day -- focusing on the 2007 theme "Connecting the Young" -- UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said,

"Young people are among the most prolific and knowledgeable users of ICT [information and communication technology]. I urge policy-makers and industry leaders to put their minds together and to work cooperatively with children and youth to produce suitable technologies, applications and services to facilitate access to information and communication technologies."

The ITU says the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) "recognized the young as the future workforce and the earliest adopters of ICT and called for their empowerment as key contributors to building an inclusive Information Society." Since 1969, May 17 has been celebrated as World Telecommunication Day.