WORLD DEVELOPMENT INFORMATION DAY –OCTOBER 24.

 WORLD DEVELOPMENT INFORMATION DAY –OCTOBER 24.

 

 United Nations General Assembly decided to institute a World Development Information Day coinciding with United Nations Day on October 24. The General Assembly had the object of drawing the attention of world public opinion each year to development problems and the necessity of strengthening international co-operation to solve them

On May 17, 1972, the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) proposed measures for information dissemination and for the mobilization of public opinion relative to trade and development problems.. World Development Information Day was first held on October 24, 1973, and has been held on this date each year since then.World Development Information Day 2020 Date and Theme: Know History and Significance of the Observance. 

The main aim of this day is to collect information and mobilize public opinion, especially among new generation, in order to draw their attention and create awareness of the problems surrounding development, promoting efforts in the field of international cooperation for growth and development. The information and communications technologies have the potential to provide new solutions to development challenges, particularly in the context of globalization, and can foster economic growth, competitiveness, access to information and knowledge, poverty eradication, and social inclusion that will help to expedite the integration of all countries, especially developing countries, in particular the least developed countries, into the global economy.

The primary goal for improving the dissemination of information and mobilizing public opinion is to create awareness for problems of development. Once the world brings its attention to the issues of development, countries around the world are better equipped to solve such problems. The General Assembly believes information and communication technologies are vital to solving development problems. This is especially true in the context of globalization. New solutions to development challenges have the potential to foster economic growth, increase access to information and knowledge, improve social inclusion, and eradicate poverty.

World leaders launched their Agenda for Sustainable Development. The 17 sustainable development goals include:To end poverty, To end hunger and improve sustainable agriculture, Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being, Ensure inclusive and quality education,Achieve gender equality, Ensure the availability of water and sanitation,Ensure access to affordable energy,Build resilient infrastructure,Reduce inequality,Make all cities inclusive and safe,Ensure sustainable consumption, Combat climate change,Conserve and sustainably use the oceans and marine resourcesProtect and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems,Promote peaceful societies and provide access to justiceStrengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable DevelopmentTo achieve all of these goals, the UN needs to implement improved communication and information dissemination. World leaders hope that improvements in modern technology will also help to achieve these goals.

 

Prof. John Kurakar.