The first World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) took place in Geneva, Switzerland, from 10 to 12 December 2003. In preparation for the Summit, the United Nations Cyberschoolbus and European Schoolnet are jointly organizing a special event for schools from September to December 2003. Through a series of online activities teachers and students will examine the impact of information and communication technologies on human rights. These activities will focus on the universal right to learn and exchange information, as described in articles 19 and 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This is an opportunity for schools to develop partnerships with other schools from different regions of the world. In December, registered schools were able to interact (via video conference or the Internet) with a Head of State attending the World Summit.
http://www.un.org/Pubs/CyberSchoolBus/wsis/about.aspMessage from Tim Berners-Lee
This message was sent today to WSES members - schools all over the World. And we got it :)
Dear young people,
Greetings! I am sending this message to you from the computer I used at CERN to create the World Wide Web. Today, the compputer was moved and set up at a special meeting in Geneva, Switzerland. We're talking about technology (computers and the Internet) and society (laws, and customs, and Governments)
and how they connect.
It is great to be here with Kofi Annan, who leads the United Nations. For me, the UN is the most important organization in the world right now. Laws and customs develop separately in different countries. The UN can help different countries agree about what is legal and what is fair.
The Internet and the Web are being designed by all kinds of people -- including some children -- working together.
The designers form "working groups" and discuss things by email, and telephone conference calls. (See
www.ietf.org and
www.w3.org for details). It is hard work and a lot of fun.
When you are learning about the Web, you may be faster at learning to use computers than your teachers.
But listen to their wisdom about how to behave and what to believe on the Web.
I hope we all can use the Web to realize that other people are just like ourselves, even if they speak different languages, or have different abilities. I believe it is important to preserve our local cultures and languages. We must also share enough understanding planet-wide to bring peace. Have fun, and think about what you are doing.
Tim Berners-Lee
more about Tim Berners-Lee
http://www.time.com/time/time100/scientist/profile/bernerslee.html
