Calendar of thematic months
Each month in 2015 we will focus on a different ICT-related theme. ITU Membership may wish to associate their activities to themes of particular interest. Each month will come with a full suite of communications tools and activities including a mix of personal testimonies, blogs, press releases, infographics, webinars, podcasts, videos etc. For detailed information related to each month, please, contact us by e-mail at: itu150@itu.int
January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December
January: ICT Drivers of Innovation
ITU launched the ITU 150 campaign with a blog written by Secretary-General Mr Houlin Zhao, highlighting some of the exciting events planned throughout the year. We began the year of celebrations by formally inaugurating ITU’s newly elected management team. We also co-organized a special session of the Broadband Commission during the World Economic Forum in Davos, using the high profile platform to promote innovative finance and investment models for the rollout of global broadband.
ITU 150 celebrations began around the world, including Egypt, India, Nigeria and Ukraine.
Follow the celebrations and join the conversation with the hashtag #ITU150.
February: Youth and Innovation
‘Youth and Innovation’ is the theme for February. On Safer Internet Day on 10 February, we will distribute information about our Child Online Protection (COP) programme, understanding children’s online security to be a prerequisite to innovation.
Supported by organizations such as UNESCO, BBC, RTS, EBU and UN Radio, we will broadcast a 24-hour worldwide programme from Geneva on World Radio Day, 13 February, exploring new innovations and trends in radio and the future of broadcasting with an emphasis on youth. We will also host the EBU RadioHack, a hands-on event for software developers, integrators and engineers to learn how to set up new services, learn about existing open tools and contribute to developments. Information about the event programme and how to listen can be found here. ICT Discovery will also host an Expo in honour of Guglielmo Marconi for his pioneering work in radio.
We begin our monthly storytelling campaign in February, kicking off with Ms Fatoumata Kebe, one of the winners of the 2014 ITU Telecom Young Innovators Competition. Her project, CONNECTED ECO, won judges over for its innovative use of mobile and Internet of Things (IoT) technology to help farmers in the developing world irrigate and plant crops more effectively.
Competitions, campaigns and conferences for ITU 150 launch in Spain, Lebanon and Pakistan.
Follow the celebrations and join the conversation with the hashtag #ITU150.
March: Innovation and Intelligent Transport Systems
In March, the theme ‘Innovation and Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS)’ will be highlighted at the Geneva International Motor Show, where ITU, in association with the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), will host a Symposium on the Future Networked Car. The event will take a special look at Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) and bring together representatives of the automotive and ICT industries, governments and their regulators, motor sport and international automobile associations to analyse the status and integration of ICTs in vehicles. The symposium is free of charge and open to all – you can register here to secure your place.
Spain will launch two competitions, the first a national primary school competition ‘tell us how you see the Internet’, asking students to produce drawings, poems and stories. The second is a mobile phone photo contest on the theme ‘technology in our life’. Contact ushere to tell us how you are planning to celebrate ITU 150 and how ITU Standards have impacted you.
Follow the celebrations and join the conversation with the hashtag #ITU150.
April: Girls and Women and Innovation
April’s theme is ‘Girls and Women and Innovation’. On 23 April, we will celebrate Girls in ICT Day. This year, we expect a record number of girls and young women to attend our exciting workshops, talks and demonstrations held at ITU Headquarters in Geneva. Many countries around the world will host national Girls in ICT Day events. You can send your blogs, photos and videos about your Girls in ICT Day celebrations to itu150@itu.int. You can find information about how to set up your own event or join us in Geneva as a speaker, workshop leader or sponsor here.
May: ICT Drivers of Innovation
‘ICT Drivers of Innovation’ is the theme for this historic month. ITU’s governing Council will meet 12-22 May and the meeting will coincide with World Telecommunication and Information Society Day on 17 May. The ITU 150 Commemorative Event will bring participants from all over the world representing governments, private sector, academia, UN agencies, various international organizations, and other stakeholders. ITU Members are invited to submit candidates for a special ITU 150 Award, which recognize eminent individuals from government, ICT industry, academia and civil society that have demonstrated an extraordinary contribution to improving the lives of the world’s citizens through ICT Innovations. The award will be presented on 17 May together with a full range of activities including a multimedia smart show and high-level speeches. Activities are planned to take place in Algeria, Bangladesh, Belarus, India, Moldova, Namibia, the Netherlands, Pakistan, Spain, Togolese Republic, Ukraine, and Vanuatu.
The WSIS Forum, 25-29 May, will mark the tenth anniversary of the World Summit on the Information Society. ICT Discovery will also host a Youth Expo on the Internet of Things (IoT).
Follow the celebrations and join the conversation with the hashtag #ITU150.
June: Innovation and the Digital Dividend
June’s theme is ‘Innovation and the Digital Dividend’. We will host a series of special webinars to discuss the benefits of the so-called Digital Dividend and new innovation opportunities for communications resulting from the switchover from analogue to digital broadcasting. Global Symposium for Regulators 2015 (GSR-15) will be held in Gabon and focus on ‘Mind the Digital Gap – regulatory incentives to achieve digital opportunities’. The second annual GEM-TECH Awards will be hosted by UN Women at the Beijing+20 event, giving special recognition to outstanding performers and role models in gender equality and mainstreaming in the area of ICTs.
Ukraine will host an International Meteorological Seminar dedicated to ITU’s 150th anniversary celebrations. How will you celebrate ITU’s 150th anniversary in June? Tell us at itu150@itu.int.
Follow the celebrations and join the conversation with the hashtag #ITU150.
July: Accessibility and Innovation
This month’s theme is ‘Accessibility and Innovation’. Throughout July we will specifically address the issue of ICT accessibility for the 1 billion people who live with some kind of disability worldwide culminating on World Population Day on 11 July. A series of written and visual content including blogs and webinars will highlight the importance of including persons with special needs in ICT through accessible technology. How will you celebrate ITU’s 150th anniversary in July? Tell us at itu150@itu.int.
Follow the celebrations and join the conversation with the hashtag #ITU150.
August: Innovation to Bridge the Digital Divide
World Humanitarian Day on 19 August will showcase ITU’s work to connect the next 1.5 billion and provide a backdrop for August’s theme, ‘Innovation to Bridge the Digital Divide’. Jordan will issue special commemorate stamps to celebrate ITU’s 150th anniversary. How will you celebrate ITU’s 150th anniversary in August? Tell us at itu150@itu.int.
Follow the celebrations and join the conversation with the hashtag #ITU150.
September: Navigation and Innovation
‘Navigation and Innovation’ is the theme in September. We will focus on ITU’s work in navigation and safety at sea and in the air, including our work in radar and satellite navigation as well as flight tracking in real time. On 24 September, ITU will mark World Maritime Day to showcase ITU’s Radiocommunication Sector’s contributions to the world of international shipping. We would love to hear what you are doing for World Maritime Day and how ITU’s work in the field of navigation helps you.
Follow the celebrations and join the conversation with the hashtag #ITU150.
October: Big Data and Innovation
‘Big Data and Innovation’ is the theme for October, exploring new areas such as digital financial services, mobile money, and cloud computing for flight data monitoring. On 13 October, International Disaster Risk Reduction Day, the focus will be on emergency telecommunications and how big data contributes to disaster risk reduction. On 24 October, ITU will join the international community in celebrating the 70th Anniversary of the founding of the United Nations and explore the role of Big Data as a contributory factor in achieving sustainable development.
ITU Telecom World, a global platform for high-level debate, networking, innovation-showcasing and knowledge-sharing across the ICT community, will be held in Budapest, Hungary from 12-15 October. The first challenge for the Telecom Young Innovators Competition will be launched in mid-February. The Radiocommunication Assembly which is responsible for the structure, programme and approval of radiocommunication studies, will convene in Geneva from 26-30 October.
The Ukraine will present an e-learning course dedicated to online safety. What will you be doing to celebrate ITU’s 150th anniversary in October? Tell us at itu150@itu.int.
Follow the celebrations and join the conversation with the hashtag #ITU150.
November: ITU as a platform for Innovation
‘ITU as a platform for Innovation’ is the theme for November. The ITU World Radiocommunication Conference, one of the most important events on the ITU calendar and a key contributor to enabling innovation, will be held 2-27 November. The Conference will review and revise the Radio Regulations, the international treaty governing the use of radio-frequency spectrum and satellite orbits to ensure reliable radio services are available everywhere and at any time enabling people to live and travel safely while enjoying high performance radiocommunications. A video expert series will also be released in November to highlight ITU’s technical achievements and innovations. On World Television Day on 21 November, ITU will explore how ICTs drive innovation in broadcasting.
Follow the celebrations and join the conversation with the hashtag #ITU150.
December: Future Innovation
To mark the end of a year of anniversary celebrations and events, December will focus on ‘Future Innovation’, placing a special emphasis on broadband and the important outcomes of WRC-15, looking at how WRC drives innovation and lays the foundations for future innovation. The 7th ITU Kaleidoscope academic conference “Trust in the Information Society” will take place in Barcelona, Spain, 9 – 11 December, hosted by the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. The World Telecommunication/ICT Indicators Symposium (WTIS) will take place in December will review the level of ICT development worldwide, and the progress made during the year.
This month, all of the stories from the ITU150 storytelling campaign will be turned into a coherent narrative, reflecting on the theme ‘Telecommunications and ICTs: Drivers of Innovation’.
Follow the celebrations and join the conversation with the hashtag #ITU150.