The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is an important global forum whose remit includes issues as diverse as development, satellite orbits and management of the electromagnetic spectrum.
Some of these issues are technical and relatively uncontroversial. Others, however, have significant human rights implications – and the positions the ITU takes on them could carry risks for people’s privacy, freedom of expression, and other rights.
At Global Partners Digital, we believe that discussions and policymaking processes should be as open, inclusive and transparent as possible. As part of our mission, we work to support the engagement of civil society organisations in the work of international organisations such as the ITU.
The purpose of this info hub is to bring together a wide range of materials, tools and other resources to support civil society engagement in the ITU. On the hub – which we’ll be adding to between now and the 2018 Plenipotentiary – you’ll find:
- A blog series setting out information about the ITU, how it works, the issues being discussed and their impact on human rights, and how to engage;
- A calendar highlighting key dates and events at (and around) the ITU;
- A series of ITU explainers, which serve as accessible introductions to some of the technical subjects that are being discussed at the ITU; and
- Useful links to other relevant websites and information sources.
We’ll be updating this page regularly, but if you’d also like to receive email alerts and updates on key developments, activities and opportunities around the ITU, sign up to our ITU mailing list. Just email Richard (richard@gp-digital.org) using the subject line ‘ITU mailing list’, and we’ll add you. Richard can also respond to any other questions you might have about about our work with the ITU, or suggestions of events to add to the calendar.
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LATEST UPDATES
GPD has participated in a consultation by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU)’s Council Working Group on Internet-Related Public Policy Issues’ (CWG-Internet) on harnessing new and emerging telecommunications/ICTs for sustainable development. Read our response here. [07/02/2020]
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Third entry in Regional Perspectives at the ITU series published, covering the American regional grouping, CITEL.
New ITU explainer published on spectrum management.
[1/11/18]
The first entry in a new blog series, Regional Perspectives on the ITU, has been published, looking at the European grouping. Read it here.
[11/09/18]
New ITU explainer on Cybersecurity published
[10/08/18]
New interactive ITU Events Calendar published and new Useful links added.
[03/08/18]
Fourth entry in our Spotlight on the ITU blog series publsihed, focusing on the Plenipot. Read it here.
[27/03/18]
New ITU explainer added on Internet of Things
[13/02/2017]
Joint civil society statement published, offering advice to those who want to participate in the upcoming Plenipot. Read it here.
[02/02/2018]
New ITU Explainer added on Development, and new useful links added [12/12/2017]
Spotlight on the ITU #3 added
[13/11/2017]
ITU info hub and mailing list launched
[10/10/2017]