Theresa Pardo recently participated at the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) in Geneva, Switzerland. WSIS is a “is a unique two-phase United Nations (UN) summit that was initiated in order to create an evolving multi-stakeholder platform aimed at addressing the issues raised by information and communication technologies (ICTs) through a structured and inclusive approach at the national, regional and international levels.”

WSIS Forum 2011, was held from May 16-20, 2011 and provided structured opportunities for all participants to network, learn and to participate in multi-stakeholder discussions and consultations on WSIS implementation.

“This multi-stakeholder event is testament to the WSIS vision of collaborative action to bridge the digital divide,” said Mr. Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General, United Nations, in his special address to the WSIS Forum 2011. “ICTs have become essential enablers of socio-economic development. Through e-learning, e-health, e-government, climate monitoring and more, today’s and tomorrow’s technologies will help bring the Millennium Development Goals within reach.”

“WSIS is an important forum for countries throughout the world to come together and collaboratively contribute to achieving the potential of ICTs to reach internationally-agreed upon development goals,” said Theresa Pardo, director, CTG. “CTG is honored to be a part of this effort to make meaningful improvements in the lives of people every where.”

Pardo was actively engaged with UN organizers to help develop the agenda for one of the thematic sessions and participated in several sessions. She was the moderator of the plenary session of the full day thematic session Greater Government Transparency and Citizen Engagement to Promote Effectiveness and Accountability in Public Service Delivery. As part of this session, Pardo was also on the panel Strategies for ubiquitous, inclusive, equitable and efficient public service delivery, where she shared lessons learned from CTG’s project, Creating a Framework for Shared Services: An examination of smart cities services strategies. Pardo also be presented at the closing ceremony.

A full overview of WSIS and WSIS Forum 2011 can be found at: http://groups.itu.int/wsis-forum2011/Home.aspx.