23 April 2014: Incorporating objectives on an “inclusive knowledge society” in the post-2015 development agenda can contribute to achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on economic prosperity, environmental sustainability, human rights fulfillment and social equity, according to a publication presented by the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) at the Fourth Preparatory Meeting for the Second World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS)+10 Review.

The WSIS, which concluded in 2005, was the first comprehensive global summit to address the impact of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) on development, including their contribution to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and Education for All Goals. The WSIS outcome documents called on the UN General Assembly (UNGA) to undertake a comprehensive review of WSIS outcomes in 2015, which is known as the WSIS+10 review.

The UNESCO publication, titled ‘Building inclusive knowledge societies: a review of UNESCO’s action in implementing the WSIS outcomes,’ underscores the need for urgent action to ensure that everyone has the skills and capabilities to contribute to and participate in inclusive knowledge societies. The publication highlights achievements and remaining gaps on the WSIS+10 Review, and makes recommendations for the future, including on the role of the ICTs in the post-2015 development agenda.

Participants at the Fourth Preparatory Meeting discussed the WSIS+10 implementation statement and vision document, which are expected to be adopted by acclamation at the June 2014 WSIS+10 Review. Participants agreed on the need for a Fifth Preparatory Meeting in May 2014, to finalize consideration of human rights and cybersecurity.

Participants also discussed progress and remaining challenges on 18 Action Lines, including: access to information and knowledge; ICT applications for e-learning and e-science; cultural diversity and identity, linguistic diversity and local content; media; and ethical dimensions of the information society.

The Fourth Preparatory Meeting took place from 14-17 April 2014, at International Telecommunications Union (ITU) headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. UNESCO, ITU, the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) serve as the lead agencies in implementing WSIS outcomes. [UNESCO Press Release] [Publication: Building Inclusive Knowledge Societies: A Review of UNESCO’s Action in Implementing the WSIS Outcomes]