Patron Statements
H.E. the Right Honourable Michaelle Jean, Governor General of Canada (2005-2010)
"I am pleased to send my warmest greetings to the recipients of this year's World Summit Award (WSA). Our "wired world" has brought humanity together in unprecedented ways.The creators and architects of information and communication technology have broken through barriers with their ideas and innovations. The creators and producers of e-content demonstrate that imagination is as infinite as the sky, and that sometimes a dream is all it takes to give history an unexpected, unforeseen and wonderful turn. From the inspiring vision of its Youth Award winners to the internationally renowned professionals presented as winners in this book, the World Summit Award serves as a spectacular showcase of talent in this ever expanding field. WSA provides an excellent opportunity for all to discuss issues of common concern, to exchange ideas and explore new concepts. I applaud the organizers of WSA on their success, and I wish all an enlightening and memorable experience.”
Werner Faymann, Federal Chancellor of the Republic of Austria (since 2008)
"I am very proud that a country like Austria was the initiator of the World Summit Award in 2003. Today WSA is the international showcase how content industries can help local and regional economic development and inspire the information society worldwide. The change from the industrial society to a modern, knowledge-based information society is driven by the information and communication technologies (ICT) and their applications and e-content is one of the most important ones. Austria has in coordination with fellow EU member states and the European Commission developed its "e-Inclusion policy". Every citizen should be provided with the necessary "know-how" regarding ICTs and their use for information and communication. We want to minimize the digital divides caused by differences in possibilities of access, education, income, age and gender. The WSA can help create more equity and the e-content industries more economic growth and more jobs, more independence and better chances in life and quite generally enhance solidarity within our societies.”
Koichiro Matsuura, Director-General, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) (1999-2009)
“UNESCO has been supporting the World Summit Award since its launch in 2003. It especially values the efforts of the WSA in promoting the digitalization of cultural documentary heritage and in fostering local content.”
Yoshio Utsumi, Former Secretary-General, International Telecommunication Union (ITU) (1998 - 2006)
“The overall goal of the WSA in bridging the digital divide and narrowing the content gap is a significant initiative that works in parallel with some important objectives of the World Summit on the Information Society and the International Telecommunication Union.”
Kandeh Yumkella, Director General, United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)
“We at UNIDO and other UN agencies will promote World Summit Award a lot, because private sector development and growth is the key to poverty alleviation.”
Adama Samassekou President of the WSIS Preparatory Committee 2003
“My personal vision is that we can together build, through the World Summit on the Information Society, a new global solidarity founded on a better mutual understanding between peoples and nations, of a shared knowledge society for the future. The World Summit Award will help us make this vision a reality by raising awareness of the enormous creative potential of information and communication technologies and by promoting , by its work, a global evolution from an information society to a shared knowledge society.”
Charles Geiger, Executive Secretary of the Organising Committee of the WSIS 03-05
“Bridging the digital divide and building the edifice of a global, development-oriented Information Society is dependent on the quality of information and knowledge that can be made available to all. The World Summit Award, held within the framework of the World Summit on the Information Society, demonstrates the cutting edge in harnessing the vast potential of the digital revolution in the service of humanity. It is my fervent hope that this collaboration with WSA in bringing to the forefront the finest examples of e-content and showcasing best practices from around the world will go a long way in providing comprehensive shape to the vision enunciated in Geneva and pave the road ahead to Tunis and beyond.”
Lynn St. Amour, President and CEO, Internet Society (ISOC)
“We took a close look at the concept that’s behind this initiative and decided to support this project as it is in line with ISOC’s mission of promoting the use of the Internet for the benefit of people everywhere.”
Alfred Gusenbauer, Federal Chancellor of the Republic of Austria (2007-2008)
“I consider the WSA initiative to be highly important because it presents and supports the highest quality in e-Content production in the world and it fits with the priority focus of Austria on the creative use of ICTs for development and the future information society!”.
