World Development Information Day 2023: Significance, History and Celebration

World Development Information Day is observed every year on October 24 and is celebrated by nations all around the world. The day was established by the General Assembly in 1972 to draw attention of the people all over the globe to development problems and the need to strengthen international cooperation to solve them. October 24 was chosen to coincide with United Nations Day, 24 October, which was also the date of the adoption of the International Development Strategy for the Second United Nations Development Decade in 1970.

World Development Information Day 2023 Date

World Development Information Day 2023 Overview

Significance

Information and communications technologies can present many new opportunities and challenges and help with the development of any nation. However, there is an urgent need to address the major impediments that developing countries face in accessing the new technologies. The United Nations calls upon all stakeholders in this regard to provide adequate resources, enhanced capacity-building and technology transfer to developing countries.

The resources and technologies can be provided on mutually agreed terms. With the objective to unite the world for achieving the goals of development,  World Development Information Day 2023 will be observed on October 24, 2023.

History of World Development Information Day Observation

in order to mobilize public opinion relative to trade and development problems,  the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) proposed measures for information dissemination. These measures were proposed on May 17, 1972 and to be came known as resolution 3038 (XXVII). The resolution that called for the establishment of World Development Information Day was passed at the UN General Assembly on December 19, 1972. The objective behind observation of this day is to to help draw the attention of people worldwide to development problems and to explain to the general public why it is essential to strengthen international cooperation in order to solve these issues.

October 24 was chosen as the day of celebration because the assembly decided that the day should coincide with United Nations Day to stress the central role of development in the UN’s work. Thus the first World Development Information Day was first held on October 24, 1973 and has been held on this date each year since then.

How is World Development Information Day celebrated?

With the aim to improve the dissemination of information and the mobilization of public opinion,  World Development Information Day will be celebrated on October 24, 2023. On this day, the United Nations organizes events and debates on a variety of forums. participation of general public, especially the youths, is in these debates and discussion is highly encouraged. It could lead to greater awareness of the problems of development, thus, promoting efforts in the sphere of international cooperation for development. Every year, a theme is also decided and the celebration of World Development Information Day revolves around that theme. For this year, no theme has been decided yet.

On occasion of this World Development Information Day, learn more about sustainable development and the ways you can help your community grow. Discuss it with the members of your community on how to solve issues regarding development and help community can grow effectively. Spread awareness of this day among people who do not know the significance of the day. Use of social media platform like creating posts, blogs, tweets or hash tags can be very effective in spreading awareness.

FAQs