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World Summit on the Information Society
Geneva 2003 - Tunis 2005

Document WSIS-03/GENEVA/DOC/4-E
12 December 2003
Original: English

Declaration of Principles

Building the Information Society: a global challenge in the new
Millennium

A. Our Common Vision of the Information Society

1. We, the representatives of the peoples of the world, assembled
in Geneva from 10-12 December 2003 for the first phase of the
World Summit on the Information Society, declare our common desire
and commitment to build a people-centred, inclusive and
development-oriented Information Society, where everyone can
create, access, utilize and share information and knowledge,
enabling individuals, communities and peoples to achieve their
full potential in promoting their sustainable development and
improving their quality of life, premised on the purposes and
principles of the Charter of the United Nations and respecting
fully and upholding the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

2. Our challenge is to harness the potential of information and
communication technology to promote the development goals of the
Millennium Declaration, namely the eradication of extreme poverty
and hunger; achievement of universal primary education; promotion
of gender equality and empowerment of women; reduction of child
mortality; improvement of maternal health; to combat HIV/AIDS,
malaria and other diseases; ensuring environmental sustainability;
and development of global partnerships for development for the
attainment of a more peaceful, just and prosperous world. We also
reiterate our commitment to the achievement of sustainable
development and agreed development goals, as contained in the
Johannesburg Declaration and Plan of Implementation and the
Monterrey Consensus, and other outcomes of relevant United Nations
Summits.

3. We reaffirm the universality, indivisibility, interdependence
and interrelation of all human rights and fundamental freedoms,
including the right to development, as enshrined in the Vienna
Declaration. We also reaffirm that democracy, sustainable
development, and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms
as well as good governance at all levels are interdependent and
mutually reinforcing. We further resolve to strengthen respect for
the rule of law in international as in national affairs.

4. We reaffirm, as an essential foundation of the Information
Society, and as outlined in Article 19 of the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights, that everyone has the right to
freedom of opinion and expression; that this right includes
freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive
and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless
of frontiers. Communication is a fundamental social process, a
basic human need and the foundation of all social organization. It
is central to the Information Society. Everyone, everywhere should
have the opportunity to participate and no one should be excluded
from the benefits the Information Society offers.

5. We further reaffirm our commitment to the provisions of Article
29 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, that everyone has
duties to the community in which alone the free and full
development of their personality is possible, and that, in the
exercise of their rights and freedoms, everyone shall be subject
only to such limitations as are determined by law solely for the
purpose of securing due recognition and respect for the rights and
freedoms of others and of meeting the just requirements of
morality, public order and the general welfare in a democratic
society. These rights and freedoms may in no case be exercised
contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations. In
this way, we shall promote an Information Society where human
dignity is respected.

6. In keeping with the spirit of this declaration, we rededicate
ourselves to upholding the principle of the sovereign equality of
all States.

7. We recognize that science has a central role in the development
of the Information Society. Many of the building blocks of the
Information Society are the result of scientific and technical
advances made possible by the sharing of research results.

8. We recognize that education, knowledge, information and
communication are at the core of human progress, endeavour and
well-being. Further, Information and Communication Technologies
(ICTs) have an immense impact on virtually all aspects of our
lives. The rapid progress of these technologies opens completely
new opportunities to attain higher levels of development. The
capacity of these technologies to reduce many traditional
obstacles, especially those of time and distance, for the first
time in history makes it possible to use the potential of these
technologies for the benefit of millions of people in all corners
of the world.

9. We are aware that ICTs should be regarded as tools and not as
an end in themselves. Under favourable conditions, these
technologies can be a powerful instrument, increasing
productivity, generating economic growth, job creation and
employability and improving the quality of life of all. They can
also promote dialogue among people, nations and civilizations.

10. We are also fully aware that the benefits of the information
technology revolution are today unevenly distributed between the
developed and developing countries and within societies. We are
fully committed to turning this digital divide into a digital
opportunity for all, particularly for those who risk being left
behind and being further marginalized.

11. We are committed to realizing our common vision of the
Information Society for ourselves and for future generations. We
recognize that young people are the future workforce and leading
creators and earliest adopters of ICTs. They must therefore be
empowered as learners, developers, contributors, entrepreneurs and
decision-makers. We must focus especially on young people who have
not yet been able to benefit fully from the opportunities provided
by ICTs. We are also committed to ensuring that the development of
ICT applications and operation of services respects the rights of
children as well as their protection and well-being.

12. We affirm that development of ICTs provides enormous
opportunities for women, who should be an integral part of, and
key actors, in the Information Society. We are committed to
ensuring that the Information Society enables women's empowerment
and their full participation on the basis on equality in all
spheres of society and in all decision-making processes. To this
end, we should mainstream a gender equality perspective and use
ICTs as a tool to that end.

13. In building the Information Society, we shall pay particular
attention to the special needs of marginalized and vulnerable
groups of society, including migrants, internally displaced
persons and refugees, unemployed and underprivileged people,
minorities and nomadic people. We shall also recognize the special
needs of older persons and persons with disabilities.

14. We are resolute to empower the poor, particularly those
living in remote, rural and marginalized urban areas, to access
information and to use ICTs as a tool to support their efforts to
lift themselves out of poverty.

15. In the evolution of the Information Society, particular
attention must be given to the special situation of indigenous
peoples, as well as to the preservation of their heritage and
their cultural legacy.

16. We continue to pay special attention to the particular needs
of people of developing countries, countries with economies in
transition, Least Developed Countries, Small Island Developing
States, Landlocked Developing Countries, Highly Indebted Poor
Countries, countries and territories under occupation, countries
recovering from conflict and countries and regions with special
needs as well as to conditions that pose severe threats to
development, such as natural disasters.

17. We recognize that building an inclusive Information Society
requires new forms of solidarity, partnership and cooperation
among governments and other stakeholders, i.e. the private sector,
civil society and international organizations. Realizing that the
ambitious goal of this Declaration-bridging the digital divide and
ensuring harmonious, fair and equitable development for all-will
require strong commitment by all stakeholders, we call for digital
solidarity, both at national and international levels.

18. Nothing in this Declaration shall be construed as impairing,
contradicting, restricting or derogating from the provisions of
the Charter of the United Nations and the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights, any other international instrument or national laws
adopted in furtherance of these instruments.

B. An Information Society for All: Key Principles

19. We are resolute in our quest to ensure that everyone can
benefit from the opportunities that ICTs can offer. We agree that
to meet these challenges, all stakeholders should work together
to: improve access to information and communication infrastructure
and technologies as well as to information and knowledge; build
capacity; increase confidence and security in the use of ICTs;
create an enabling environment at all levels; develop and widen
ICT applications; foster and respect cultural diversity; recognize
the role of the media; address the ethical dimensions of the
Information Society; and encourage international and regional
cooperation. We agree that these are the key principles for
building an inclusive Information Society.

1) The role of governments and all stakeholders in the promotion
of ICTs for development

20. Governments, as well as private sector, civil society and the
United Nations and other international organizations have an
important role and responsibility in the development of the
Information Society and, as appropriate, in decision-making
processes. Building a people-centred Information Society is a
joint effort which requires cooperation and partnership among all
stakeholders.

2) Information and communication infrastructure: an essential
foundation for an inclusive information society

21. Connectivity is a central enabling agent in building the
Information Society. Universal, ubiquitous, equitable and
affordable access to ICT infrastructure and services, constitutes
one of the challenges of the Information Society and should be an
objective of all stakeholders involved in building it.
Connectivity also involves access to energy and postal services,
which should be assured in conformity with the domestic
legislation of each country.

22. A well-developed information and communication network
infrastructure and applications, adapted to regional, national and
local conditions, easily-accessible and affordable, and making
greater use of broadband and other innovative technologies where
possible, can accelerate the social and economic progress of
countries, and the well-being of all individuals, communities and
peoples.

23. Policies that create a favourable climate for stability,
predictability and fair competition at all levels should be
developed and implemented in a manner that not only attracts more
private investment for ICT infrastructure development but also
enables universal service obligations to be met in areas where
traditional market conditions fail to work. In disadvantaged
areas, the establishment of ICT public access points in places
such as post offices, schools, libraries and archives, can provide
effective means for ensuring universal access to the
infrastructure and services of the Information Society.

3) Access to information and knowledge

24. The ability for all to access and contribute information,
ideas and knowledge is essential in an inclusive Information
Society.

25. The sharing and strengthening of global knowledge for
development can be enhanced by removing barriers to equitable
access to information for economic, social, political, health,
cultural, educational, and scientific activities and by
facilitating access to public domain information, including by
universal design and the use of assistive technologies.

26. A rich public domain is an essential element for the growth of
the Information Society, creating multiple benefits such as an
educated public, new jobs, innovation, business opportunities, and
the advancement of sciences. Information in the public domain
should be easily accessible to support the Information Society,
and protected from misappropriation. Public institutions such as
libraries and archives, museums, cultural collections and other
community-based access points should be strengthened so as to
promote the preservation of documentary records and free and
equitable access to information.

27. Access to information and knowledge can be promoted by
increasing awareness among all stakeholders of the possibilities
offered by different software models, including proprietary, open-
source and free software, in order to increase competition, access
by users, diversity of choice, and to enable all users to develop
solutions which best meet their requirements. Affordable access to
software should be considered as an important component of a truly
inclusive Information Society.

28. We strive to promote universal access with equal opportunities
for all to scientific knowledge and the creation and dissemination
of scientific and technical information, including open access
initiatives for scientific publishing.

4) Capacity building

29. Each person should have the opportunity to acquire the
necessary skills and knowledge in order to understand, participate
actively in, and benefit fully from, the Information Society and
the knowledge economy. Literacy and universal primary education
are key factors for building a fully inclusive information
society, paying particular attention to the special needs of girls
and women. Given the wide range of ICT and information specialists
required at all levels, building institutional capacity deserves
special attention.

30. The use of ICTs in all stages of education, training and
human resource development should be promoted, taking into account
the special needs of persons with disabilities and disadvantaged
and vulnerable groups.

31. Continuous and adult education, re-training, life-long
learning, distance-learning and other special services, such as
telemedicine, can make an essential contribution to employability
and help people benefit from the new opportunities offered by ICTs
for traditional jobs, self-employment and new professions.
Awareness and literacy in ICTs are an essential foundation in this
regard.

32. Content creators, publishers, and producers, as well as
teachers, trainers, archivists, librarians and learners, should
play an active role in promoting the Information Society,
particularly in the Least Developed Countries.

33. To achieve a sustainable development of the Information
Society, national capability in ICT research and development
should be enhanced. Furthermore, partnerships, in particular
between and among developed and developing countries, including
countries with economies in transition, in research and
development, technology transfer, manufacturing and utilization of
ICT products and services are crucial for promoting capacity
building and global participation in the Information Society. The
manufacture of ICTs presents a significant opportunity for
creation of wealth.

34. The attainment of our shared aspirations, in particular for
developing countries and countries with economies in transition,
to become fully-fledged members of the Information Society, and
their positive integration into the knowledge economy, depends
largely on increased capacity building in the areas of education,
technology know-how and access to information, which are major
factors in determining development and competitiveness.

5) Building confidence and security in the use of ICTs

35. Strengthening the trust framework, including information
security and network security, authentication, privacy and
consumer protection, is a prerequisite for the development of the
Information Society and for building confidence among users of
ICTs. A global culture of cyber-security needs to be promoted,
developed and implemented in cooperation with all stakeholders and
international expert bodies. These efforts should be supported by
increased international cooperation. Within this global culture of
cyber-security, it is important to enhance security and to ensure
the protection of data and privacy, while enhancing access and
trade. In addition, it must take into account the level of social
and economic development of each country and respect the
development-oriented aspects of the Information Society.

36. While recognizing the principles of universal and non-
discriminatory access to ICTs for all nations, we support the
activities of the United Nations to prevent the potential use of
ICTs for purposes that are inconsistent with the objectives of
maintaining international stability and security, and may
adversely affect the integrity of the infrastructure within
States, to the detriment of their security. It is necessary to
prevent the use of information resources and technologies for
criminal and terrorist purposes, while respecting human rights.

37. Spam is a significant and growing problem for users, networks
and the Internet as a whole. Spam and cyber-security should be
dealt with at appropriate national and international levels.

6) Enabling environment

38. An enabling environment at national and international levels
is essential for the Information Society. ICTs should be used as
an important tool for good governance.

39. The rule of law, accompanied by a supportive, transparent,
pro-competitive, technologically neutral and predictable policy
and regulatory framework reflecting national realities, is
essential for building a people-centred Information Society.
Governments should intervene, as appropriate, to correct market
failures, to maintain fair competition, to attract investment, to
enhance the development of the ICT infrastructure and
applications, to maximize economic and social benefits, and to
serve national priorities.

40. A dynamic and enabling international environment, supportive
of foreign direct investment, transfer of technology, and
international cooperation, particularly in the areas of finance,
debt and trade, as well as full and effective participation of
developing countries in global decision-making, are vital
complements to national development efforts related to ICTs.
Improving global affordable connectivity would contribute
significantly to the effectiveness of these development efforts.

41. ICTs are an important enabler of growth through efficiency
gains and increased productivity, in particular by small and
medium sized enterprises (SMEs). In this regard, the development
of the Information Society is important for broadly-based economic
growth in both developed and developing economies. ICT-supported
productivity gains and applied innovations across economic sectors
should be fostered. Equitable distribution of the benefits
contributes to poverty eradication and social d