Under the patronage of the Dean of the College of Education, Assistant Professor Dr. Ahmed Roudhan Salman, the Psychological Counseling and Educational Guidance Unit at the College, represented by the Head of the Unit, Professor Dr. Thanaa Bahaa Al-Din Abdullah, organized a cultural awareness activity with the participation of Noor Al-Huda Zaher, the College Website Officer, in the presence of a number of the College’s academic and administrative staff.
During the activity, a presentation was delivered on the “World Telecommunication and Information Society Day,” which is observed annually on May 17. The world celebrates this occasion as it combines two historic events:
First: the establishment of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in Paris in 1865, commemorating the signing of the first International Telegraph Convention in Paris.
Second: the adoption of the World Summit on the Information Society in 2005, when the United Nations decided to merge it with the “World Information Society Day.” The organization is now known as the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the oldest specialized agency of the United Nations.
The purpose of this day is both simple and significant: to remind us that access to communication and information is a fundamental human right, just like water and air.
Every year, the International Telecommunication Union selects a different slogan, such as:
“Accelerating Digital Innovation”
“Empowering Communities Through Technology”
“Bridging the Digital Divide”
This year’s slogan is:
“Connecting the Entire World Through Fair and Secure Technology.”
Communications technology has transformed our daily lives, and three major technologies have particularly changed the world over the past 30 years:
Mobile phones and the Internet, enabling us to communicate with people across the globe within seconds.
Social media networks, while also warning against the dangers of excessive use and addiction.
Distance learning and telemedicine, through which people continued learning and receiving medical care from their homes during the pandemic.
Despite the remarkable technological progress, the world still faces several challenges, most notably the “Digital Divide”:
Access Gap: Around 2.6 billion people worldwide still do not have Internet access.
Skills Gap: Many people own smartphones but lack the knowledge to use them safely and effectively.
Security Gap: Cyber threats, bullying, fraud, and data breaches remain major concerns.
For this reason, this day is dedicated to raising awareness about digital safety and information literacy.
Your Role in the Information Society
You are not merely a user of communication technologies; you are a digital citizen and an essential part of the information society. The future of this society depends on:
Your awareness: Do not spread rumors, engage in bullying, or violate others’ privacy.
Your learning: Continue developing your digital skills, as technology evolves rapidly.
Your participation: Use technology for positive purposes such as online volunteering, supporting beneficial campaigns, and spreading knowledge.
In conclusion, communication is merely a tool, like a knife; it can be used to cut bread to feed the hungry or to harm someone. The choice is yours.
Finally:
“The best among you are those who learn knowledge and teach it.”
Today, the best among us are those who use technology to serve humanity rather than harm others.
This activity also aligns with the Fourth Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 4): Quality Education.