World Development Information Day 2024: How Science, Technology and Digital Divide Shaping the Countries

October 24 is World Development Information Day, which will celebrate its 51st year in 2024. The day was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 1972 to ensure awareness of major development issues and the need for greater international cooperation to address them. The commemoration coincides with United Nations Day, a time when development occupies a central position in the work of the United Nations.

Target

World Development Information Day has four main objectives:

  1. Development: World Development Information Day refers to a comprehensive agenda to change the status quo, involving economic growth, social transformation and political change – collectively known as development.
  2. Raise awareness: Demonstrate the complexities that each country faces in its development process.
  3. Promoting cooperation: International collaboration finds ways to overcome these problems
  4. Mobilize public opinion: especially citizens and youth to better understand development issues and their solutions.

The day hosts seminars, workshops and educational programs on the Sustainable Development Goals and the use of technology to address these issues.

Science, technology and the digital divide

The role of science and technology

Developing countries should invest in research and development to enhance technological capabilities. The United Nations says this will effectively address local problems and encourage economic development, as these factors provide the basis for strong scientific research policies to meet the specific needs of each country.

Overcoming the digital divide

The digital divide remains a very significant challenge for equitable development. New ICTs offer communities innovative solutions to long-term problems; however, failing infrastructure, resources and education systems constitute some of the disadvantages most developing countries face when trying to harness these technologies.

new trends

In recent years, issues surrounding World Information Day for Development have been devoted to discussions on the different ways in which ICTs can be used as a means to find solutions to issues affecting trade and development, particularly as a result of globalization. The project focuses on how all countries, especially the least developed countries, can integrate into the global economy through better access to technology.

World Development Information Day reminds us that in order to pursue development, we must strengthen international cooperation. Science and technology can be harnessed to achieve sustainable goals and bring development benefits to all members of society while overcoming the digital divide. In this regard, it aims to inspire action through awareness-raising campaigns and work together to achieve an increasingly equitable world.

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