WSA - The Vision:
Among many issues to be addressed by the United Nations’ first World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), with its two phases in Geneva, December 2003 and Tunis, December 2005, there is also the one of concrete benefits to citizens as users of the new technologies. A content gap is widening where quality contents and applications remain unknown or inaccessible to most citizens.

The World Summit Award (WSA) is a three year global project, held within the framework and in cooperation with the WSIS. It aims to go beyond the general issues of infrastructure development or network access and to recognize, select and promote the world’s best e-content and innovative applications.

The Project:
The WSA involves representatives from numerous countries on each continent and sees the bridging of the digital divide and narrowing the content gap as its overall goal. The overall process consists of the following five phases, which you also can find briefly outlined under 2003/2004/2005 and Milestones:

I. The Worlds Best in e-Content and Creativity:
an expert panel from all United Nations member states;
International Network in 2003 within the framework of the preparatory activities to the WSIS

Selection of best practice examples in high quality content and innovative applications by the leading nationally nominated experts proposed by United Nations member states.

II. World Summit Content Villages and 2003 Showcase Event
Geneva 2003, in the framework of the WSIS

Demonstration and showcasing of the best practice examples in world’s high quality content and innovative applications from up to 191 United Nations member states.

III. The World’s Best Content Road Show
throughout 2004 in Asia, Australia and Oceania, Africa, Europe, North and South America

Six major showcasing events, each in one of the world regions, presenting the world’s best in e-content creation and innovative applications, organized in close cooperation with the World Summit Award key partners on all continents.

IV. World Summit Contest for e-Content and Creativity
2004 – 2005 world-wide

The world-wide contest for e-Content and creativity, is open to all producers and companies without discrimination in terms of language, technological platform or nationality of submitters. Products can be submitted in 8 categories. A special category is dedicated to e-inclusion.

V. World Summit Award GALA and Content Villages
Tunisia 2005, in the framework of the WSIS

A unique global event, announcing and celebrating the World Summit Award Winners, which focuses on excellence and creative achievements and brings to the World Summit ’05 the world’s leading producers and designers of e-contents to meet with leaders of state, civil society and business.

WSA General Info [PDF]

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