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                                                      **Document                                                                  
                                                      WSIS/PC-3/DT/1(Rev.2 B                                                      
                                                      )-E**                                                                       

                                                      26 September 2003                                                           

                                                      **Original: English**                                                       

  **\[Draft Declaration of Principles**                                                                                           

                                                                                                                                  
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\[NOTE: the whole text of this Draft Declaration is in square brackets\]

***A\[B\]. Our Common Vision of the Information Society***

1.  \[**We, the representatives of the peoples of the world**, assembled
    in Geneva from 10-12 December 2003 for the first phase of the World
    Summit on the Information Society, declare our common desire and
    commitment to build a people-centred, inclusive Information Society
    where everyone can create, access, utilize and share information and
    knowledge, enabling individuals, communities and people\[s\] to
    achieve their full potential and improve their quality of life in a
    sustainable manner\]. **We also reaffirm** our commitment to a
    development oriented Information Society, geared to the eradication
    of poverty and hunger, and the achievement of a balanced and
    comprehensive social and economic development for all.

***B\[A\]. Building the Information Society: a new global challenge in
the new Millennium***

2.  **Our challenge** is to harness the potential of the information
    technology to promote the goals of the Millennium Declaration for
    the attainment of \[development for all in\] a more peaceful, just
    and prosperous world.

    \[**We envisage** this information Society premised on the
    principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations and the
    Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and characterized by
    universal access to and use of information for the creation,
    accumulation and dissemination of knowledge. Nothing in this
    declaration shall be construed as impairing, contradicting,
    restricting or derogating the provisions of the Charter of the
    United Nations and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, any
    other international instrument or national laws.\]

3.  **We reaffirm** the universality, indivisibility, interdependence
    and interrelation of all human rights and fundamental freedoms,
    \[OPTION A: including the right to development\] and their ties to
    the principles of a democratic society, good governance, the rule of
    law at national and international level and sustainable development,
    \[*upholding the sovereign equality of all States*\]. \[OPTION B: We
    are committed to making the right of development a reality for
    everyone and freeing the entire human race from want.\] \[The
    international community must treat human rights globally in a fair
    and equal manner, on the same footing, and with the same emphasis.
    While the significance of national and regional particularities and
    various historical, cultural and religious backgrounds must be borne
    in mind, it is the duty of States, regardless of their political,
    economic and cultural systems, to promote and protect all human
    rights and fundamental freedoms.\]

    \[Our challenge is to harness the potential of the information
    technology to promote the eradication of extreme poverty and hunger;
    achievement of universal primary education; promotion of gender
    equality and empowerment of women; reduction of child mortality;
    improvement maternal health; to combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other
    diseases; the ensuring of environmental sustainability; and in
    development of a global partnership for development for the
    attainment of a more peaceful just and prosperous world.\]

    **\[3bis** The information society based on ethics, moral values and
    human rights and should be an environment where dignity of humankind
    is comprehensively respected and fostered. The widest possible
    protection and assistance shall be accorded to the family which is
    the natural and most fundamental unit of our society. The
    information society creates an environment where all national
    sovereignties, religious, cultural, social and linguistic interest,
    without any discrimination are respected and protected.\]

4.  \[Communication is a fundamental social process, a basic human need
    and the foundation of all social organization. It is central to the
    information society. Everyone, everywhere should have the
    opportunity to participate and no one should be excluded from the
    benefits the information society offers. \[Freedom of expression and
    freedom of opinion, the right to seek, receive and impart
    information and ideas regardless of frontiers \[as enshrined in
    Article 19 \[and 29\] of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights\]
    are the necessary premise of the information society.\]\]

5.  

6.  **We recognize** that education, knowledge, information and
    communication are at the core of human progress, endeavour and
    well-being. Further, Information and Communication Technologies
    (ICTs) have an immense impact on virtually all aspects of our lives.
    The capacity of ICTs to reduce the impact of many traditional
    obstacles, especially those of time and distance, make it possible
    for the first time in history for the vast potential of these
    technologies to be used by and for the benefit of millions of people
    in all corners of the world.

    \[**6bis We recognize also that** optimizing their potential of ICTs
    to develop and promote people to people dialogue \[within and\]
    among nations and civilizations, to increase productivity, to
    generate economic growth, and to improve the quality of
    life---particularly for the majority of the peoples of the world who
    risk being left behind and further marginalized---is a serious
    challenge for all of us. We reiterate our commitment to the
    achievement of sustainable development and of UN agreed development
    goals, as contained in the Millennium Declaration, Johannesburg
    Declaration and Plan of Implementation and the Monterrey consensus,
    and other outcomes of relevant UN Summits.

    We are aware that technology alone cannot solve any political and
    social problems. ICTs should therefore be regarded as a tool and not
    an end in themselves.\]

7.  **We recognize** that building an inclusive information society
    requires new forms of solidarity, partnership and cooperation of all
    of us---governments, the private sector and civil society and
    international organizations---individually and collectively.
    \[Volunteers, as an expression of solidarity in action, in both
    south and North, provide a vast and important resource to bring
    about an inclusive information society.\]

    We are committed to realising our common vision of the information
    society for ourselves and for future generations.

8.  **We recognize** **also** that young people are the future workforce
    and leading creators and earliest adopters of ICTs. They must
    therefore be empowered as learners, developers, contributors,
    entrepreneurs, decision-makers. We must focus especially on young
    people who have not yet been able to benefit fully from the
    opportunities provided by ICTs. We are also committed to creating
    conditions that provide for the development of ICT applications and
    services that take into account \[the right, the well-being,
    protection, and harmonious development of children.\]

9.  **We affirm** that development of ICTs provides enormous
    opportunities for women, who should be an integral part of and
    should be key actors in the information society. We are committed
    within the information society to enable women's empowerment and
    their full participation on the basis of equality in all spheres of
    society and decision-making processes, and to ensuring that they are
    portrayed fairly and respectfully.

    **9bis** In building the information society**,** particular
    attention should be paid to marginalized and vulnerable groups of
    society, including migrants and refugees, unemployed and
    under-privileged people, the elderly, the person with disabilities,
    minorities, and those living in remote and rural areas.

10. **\[We shall continue** to pay special attention to the particular
    needs of developing countries, countries with economies in
    transition, Least Developed Countries, Small Island Developing
    States, landlocked developing countries, and to conditions that pose
    severe threats to development, which include natural disasters, high
    indebtedness, foreign occupation and post-conflict situations.
    Viable solutions need to be found in order for these countries to
    participate fully in the information society. In addition,
    particular attention must be given to the special situation of
    indigenous peoples, and to the promotion and protection of their
    human rights and fundamental freedoms.**\]**

11. **Realizing** that the ambitious vision of this Declaration --
    bridging the Digital Divide and \[ensure\] harmonious, fair and
    equitable development -- will require a strong commitment by all
    stakeholders, we, call for digital solidarity, both at the national
    and international levels. Sustained efforts for universal access and
    capacity building for the use of ICTs are essential in building the
    Information Society.

***C. An information Society for all: key principles***

12. **We are encouraged** by the rapid pace of development of
    ICTs---unprecedented in history---which allows for the development
    of applications that can make it possible that no one is left behind
    and that those who were left marginalised in previous development
    cycles can have a real opportunity to attain higher levels of
    development without having to follow the traditional path nor its
    time requirements.

13. **We are resolute** in our quest to ensure that everyone can benefit
    from the opportunities that ICTs can offer. We agree that to meet
    these challenges, all stakeholders have to work together to increase
    access to information and communication infrastructure and
    technologies, as well as to information and knowledge, build
    capacity and trust, increase confidence and security in the use of
    ICTs, create an enabling environment at all levels, develop and
    widen ICT applications, foster and respect cultural diversity,
    \[promote media development\], address the ethical dimension of the
    information society, and encourage international and regional
    cooperation. We agree that these are the key principles for building
    an inclusive information society.

**1)\[3)\] The role of all stakeholders in the promotion of ICTs for
development**

14. Governments, as well as private sector, civil society organizations
    and UN and other international organizations \[and the media\], have
    an important role and responsibility in the development of the
    Information Society and, as appropriate, in decision-making
    processes. The Internet is a global facility available to the
    public, and its governance should constitute a core issue of the
    Information Society agenda. Building a people-centred Information
    Society is a joint effort which requires cooperation and partnership
    among all stakeholders.

**2) Information and communication infrastructure: an essential
foundation for an inclusive information society**

15. Connectivity is a central enabling agent in building the Information
    Society. Universal, ubiquitous, equitable and affordable access to
    ICT infrastructure and services, including access to energy, and
    postal services, constitutes one of the challenges of the
    Information Society and should be an objective of all stakeholders
    involved in building it, \[in conformity with the domestic
    legislation of each country.\]

16. A well-developed information and communication network
    infrastructure and applications, adapted to regional, national and
    local conditions, easily-accessible and affordable, and making
    greater use of broadband and other innovative technologies where
    possible, can accelerate the social and economic progress of
    countries, and the well-being of all citizens and communities and
    people.

17. Policies that create a favourable climate for stability,
    predictability and fair competition at all levels should be
    developed and implemented in a manner that not only attracts more
    private investment for ICT infrastructure development but also
    enables public service obligations to be met in areas where
    traditional market conditions fail to work. In disadvantaged areas
    the establishment of ICTs public access points in post offices,
    schools and other entities, can provide effective means for ensuring
    universal access.

18. Monitoring and evaluating, with appropriate indicators \[under the
    auspices of ITU and other relevant organisations\], taking into
    account different level of developments, is essential to measuring
    the progress in bridging the digital divide, internationally agreed
    development goals, including those contained in the Millennium
    Declaration, and to assessing the effectiveness of investment and
    international cooperation efforts in building the information
    society.

**3)\[2)\] Access to information and knowledge**

19. Freedom of expression and freedom of opinion, the right to seek,
    receive and impart information and ideas regardless of frontiers
    \[as enshrined in Article 19 \[and 29\] of the Universal Declaration
    of Human Rights\] are the necessary premise of the information
    society. In building such an information society, the ability for
    all to access and contribute their information, ideas and knowledge
    is essential.

20. The sharing and strengthening of global knowledge for development
    can be enhanced by removing barriers to equitable access to
    information for economic, social, political, health, cultural,
    educational, and scientific activities and by facilitating access to
    public domain information.

21. A rich public domain is an essential element for the growth of the
    Information Society, creating multiple benefits such as an educated
    public, new jobs, innovation, business opportunities, and the
    advancement of sciences. Information in the public domain should be
    easily accessible to support the Information Society, and protected
    from misappropriation. Public institutions such as libraries and
    archives, museums, cultural collections and other community-based
    access points should be strengthened so as to promote the
    preservation of documentary records and free and equitable access to
    information.

22. \[The growth of an information society should be encouraged through
    the adoption of open source strategies for software applications as
    they contribute to increase access and enhance diversity for
    software users. Multiple software models exist which promotes the
    principle of technology neutrality, these include open source, free
    and proprietary software, and are valuable model that supports more
    affordable access to ICTs.\]

23. Scientists, universities, academic, research and other institutions
    have a central role in the development of the information society.
    Many of the building blocks of the Information Society are the
    result of scientific and technical advances made possible by the
    sharing of research results. We encourage promoting universal and
    equitable access to scientific knowledge and the creation and
    dissemination of scientific and technical information.

**4) Capacity building**

24. Everyone should have the opportunity to acquire the necessary skills
    and knowledge in order to understand, participate actively in, and
    benefit fully from, the Information Society and the knowledge
    economy. Literacy and universal primary education are key factors
    for building a fully inclusive information society, paying
    particular attention to the special needs of girls and women. Given
    the wide range of ICT and information specialists required at all
    level, building the institutional capacity to plan, develop, guide,
    monitor, collect, organize, store and share information and
    knowledge deserves special attention.

25. The use of ICTs in all stages of education, training and human
    resource development should be promoted taking into account the
    special needs of person with disabilities and disadvantaged and
    vulnerable groups. Content creators, publishers, and producers, as
    well as teachers, trainers, archivists, librarians and learners,
    should play an active role in promoting the Information Society,
    particularly in the Least Developed Countries.

26. Continuous and adult education, re-training, life-long learning, and
    other special measures are fundamental to benefit from the new
    opportunities offered by ICTs for traditional jobs, self-employment
    and new professions.

    26bis Partnerships between developed and developing countries in
    research, manufacturing and marketing of ICTs product and services
    are crucial for promoting capacity building and global participation
    in the information society. The manufacture of ICTs presents a
    significant opportunity for creation of wealth.\[*technology
    transfer*\]

    26ter The attainment of the shared aspirations of developing
    countries to become fully-fledged members of the Information
    Society, and their positive integration into the knowledge-economy,
    depends largely on capacity building in the areas of education,
    technology, know-how and information, which are major factors in
    determining development and competitiveness.

**5) Building confidence, trust and security in the use of ICTs**

27. Strengthening the trust framework including \[network and
    information security\] authentication, privacy and consumer
    protection, is a prerequisite for the development of the Information
    Society and for building confidence among users of ICTs. A global
    culture of cyber-security needs to be promoted, developed and
    implemented in co-operation with all stakeholders and international
    expert bodies. These efforts should be supported by increased
    international co-operation. Within this global culture of
    cyber-security, it is important to enhance security and to ensure
    the protection of data and privacy, \[as well as to avoid the
    creation of barriers to access and trade\]. In addition, it must
    take into account the level of social and economic development of
    each country and respect the development-oriented aspects of the
    Information Society.

28. While recognizing the principles of universal and non-discriminatory
    access to ICTs for all nations, and recalling the relevant
    resolution of the UNGA, ICTs can potentially be used for purposes
    that are inconsistent with the objectives of maintaining
    international stability and security, and may adversely affect the
    integrity of the infrastructure within States, to the detriment of
    their security \[in both civil and military fields\]. It is
    necessary to prevent the use of information resources and
    technologies for criminal and terrorist purposes \[, consistent with
    the need to preserve the free flow of information\] \[in accordance
    with the legal system of each country\].\]

29. Spam and cyber-security should be dealt with at appropriate national
    and international levels.

**6) Enabling environment**[^1]

30. \[The rule of law, accompanied by transparent and predictable
    regulation, including, self-regulation, that takes into account
    national realities, is essential for building confidence, trust and
    security in the Information Society. A clear regulatory framework
    should assure the users empowerment and the full respect of the
    rights of individuals and communities and especially the rights of
    children.\]

31. \[Governments need to foster a supportive, transparent,
    pro-competitive, based on the principle of technological neutrality
    and predictable policy, legal and regulatory framework, intervening,
    as appropriate, to correct market failures, in order to maintain
    fair competition, enhance the development of the ICT services,
    infrastructure and applications, and to maximize economic and social
    benefits. \[Access by countries to the benefits of the digital
    revolution requires adherence to the universally accepted principles
    of non-discrimination within the framework of negotiations for this
    access based on a spirit of justice and equity.\]\]

32. The Information Society must support \[an enabling international
    economic environment conducive to\] \[good governance,\] democracy,
    transparency, efficiency and accountability. Strengthening relations
    with citizens is an essential investment in policy-making and ICTs
    should be used as an important tool for good governance and more
    accessible government.

33. Intellectual property protection is essential to encourage the
    innovation and creativity in the Information Society. However,
    striking a fair balance between protection of intellectual property,
    one the one hand, and its use, and knowledge sharing, on the other,
    is essential to the Information Society. This balance is reflected
    by protection and flexibilities included in existing Intellectual
    Property agreements which should be maintained. Facilitating
    meaningful participation by all in intellectual property issues
    through awareness, capacity building and development of legal
    framework is a fundamental part of an inclusive Information Society.

34. Sustainable development can best be advanced in the Information
    Society when ICT-related efforts and programmes are fully integrated
    in national and regional development strategies. ICT-driven
    productivity gains contribute to poverty eradication and sustainable
    development.

35. Standardization is one of the essential building blocks of the
    Information Society. There should be particular emphasis on the
    development of international standards. The development and use of
    open, interoperable, non-discriminatory and demand-driven standards
    that take into account needs of users and consumers, \[and are based
    on the principle of technological neutrality,\] is a basic element
    in the development of ICTs and more affordable access to them,
    particularly in developing countries.

36. The radio frequency spectrum should be managed in the public
    interest and in accordance with principle of legality, with full
    observance of national laws and regulation as well as relevant
    international agreements.

37. \[We commit ourselves to taking steps with a view to the avoidance
    of and refrain from any unilateral measure not in accordance with
    international law and the Charter of the United Nations that impedes
    the full achievement of economic and social development by the
    population of the affected countries, that hinder the well-being of
    their population, including the benefit from the Information
    Society.\]

38. Recognizing that ICTs are progressively changing our way of working,
    the creation of a secure, safe and healthy working environment,
    appropriate to the utilisation of ICTs, respecting core labour
    standards, is fundamental.

39. The Internet has evolved into a global facility available to the
    public and its governance should constitute a core issue of the
    Information Society agenda. The international management of the
    Internet should be multilateral, transparent and democratic, with
    the full involvement of governments, the private sector, civil
    society and international organizations. It should ensure an
    equitable distribution of resources, facilitate access for all and
    ensure a stable and secure functioning of the Internet, taking into
    account multilingualism.

40. The management of the Internet encompasses both technical and policy
    issues. The private sector has had and will continue to have an
    important role in the development of the Internet \[at the technical
    level\].

    \[Alternative 40. The management of the Internet encompasses both
    technical and public policy issues. The private sector has had an
    important role in the development of the Internet. The private
    sector should continue to play an important role at the technical
    and commercial levels.\]

41. Policy authority for Internet-related public policy issues should be
    the sovereign right of countries.

42. \[Internet issues of an international nature related to public
    policies should be coordinated

    Alternatives:

*a)* between governments and other interested parties.

*b)* through/by appropriate intergovernmental organizations under the UN
framework.

*c)* as appropriate on an intergovernmental basis.

*d)* through/by appropriate international organizations.

*e)* through appropriate and mutually agreed international
organizations.\]\]

7\) ICT-Applications: benefits in all aspects of life.

43. \[The usage and deployment of ICTs should seek to create benefits in
    all aspects of our daily life including government operations,
    health care, education and training, employment, management of
    natural resources, disaster prevention, business and culture,
    agriculture, and for alleviating poverty. ICTs should also
    contribute to sustainable production and consumption patterns,
    through improved efficiency in the use of resources and production,
    also, they can and should reduce traditional barriers, thus
    providing an exceptional opportunity for all to access local and
    global markets in a more equitable manner.. Applications should be
    user-friendly, accessible to all, affordable, adapted to local needs
    languages and cultures, and support socio-economic and sustainable
    development of local communities.\]

8\) \[Cultural identity and diversity, linguistic diversity and local
content\]

44. \[In building the Information Society it is important to recall that
    culture takes diverse forms across time and space and that this
    diversity is embodied in the uniqueness and plurality of identities
    of the groups and societies making up humankind. The defence of
    cultural diversity is an ethical imperative, inseparable from
    respect for human dignity. The Information Society should be founded
    on and stimulate respect for cultural and linguistic diversity,
    value systems, traditions and beliefs and foster dialogue among
    cultures and civilisations.\]

45. The creation, dissemination and preservation of content in diverse
    languages and formats must be accorded high priority in building an
    inclusive Information Society, paying particular attention to the
    diversity of supply of creative work and due recognition of the
    rights of authors and artists. It is essential to promote the
    production of and accessibility to all content---educational,
    scientific, cultural or recreational---in diverse languages and
    formats. The development of local content suited to domestic or
    regional needs will encourage social and economic development and
    will stimulate participation of all stakeholders, including people
    living in rural, remote and marginal areas.

46. The preservation of cultural heritage is a crucial component of
    identity and self --understanding of individuals that links a
    community to its past. The information society should harness and
    preserve cultural heritage for the future by all appropriate
    methods, including digitization.

9\) Media \[development\]

47. The existence of \[independent pluralistic and free\] media \[in
    accordance with the legal system of each country and\] based on the
    Universal Declaration of Human Rights \[particularly on Articles 19
    and 29\] is crucial to any conception of the Information Society.
    \[Individuals and media should have access to available
    information\]/\[Freedom of access to and use of information for the
    creation, accumulation and dissemination of knowledge are important
    principles of the Information Society.\] \[Pluralism of information
    and diversity of media ownership should be encouraged\]. Traditional
    media in all its forms will continue to have an important role in
    the Information Society and ICTs should play a supportive role in
    this regard. \[Formulation of professional and ethical standards in
    journalism is the responsibility of media professionals.\]

10\) Ethical dimensions of the Information Society

48. \[A. The Information Society should \[in accordance with the UN
    Declaration of Human Rights,\] \[respect peace and\] uphold \[the
    values of freedom of thought, conscience, and religion, as well as
    other\] fundamental values such as \[peace,\] freedom, equality,
    solidarity, tolerance, respect for nature and shared responsibility.
    \[Of particular interest for the Information Society are truth,
    trust, honesty, justice, human dignity, \[transparency and
    accountability\].\] \[Truth, trust, honesty, justice, human dignity,
    and respect for \[the diversity of\] moral, social, and religious
    values of all societies are equally important in the Information
    Society.\]

    B. \[All actors in the Information Society should seek to promote
    the common good, protect privacy, and to prevent abusive uses of
    ICTs\[, such as \[criminal conduct based on\] acts of racial
    discrimination, xenophobia, \[pornography/obscenity\] and
    paedophilia\]. The freedom of use of ICTs should respect human
    rights and fundamental freedoms of others, including personal
    privacy, freedom of thought, conscience and religion. \[These values
    are particularly relevant when commercial activities are conducted
    through networks\].

    *OR* B. \[All actors in the Information Society should seek to
    prevent abusive uses of ICTs such as racism, discrimination,
    xenophobia, paedophilia and other harmful content.

    C. \[The freedom of use of ICTs should respect human rights and
    fundamental freedoms of others, including personal privacy, freedom
    of thought, conscience and religion.\]

    D. \[The Information Society \[should/shall\] \[take fully into
    account the requirements of ethics and morality and\]
    \[should/shall\] accord the widest possible protection and
    assistance to the family, which is the natural and fundamental group
    unit of society.\]\]

11\) International and regional cooperation

49. We aim at making full use of the opportunities offered by
    information and communication technologies, notably to assist
    effectively in the implementation of the internationally agreed
    development goals, including those contained in the Millennium
    Declaration. In order to build an inclusive global Information
    Society, we will rely on international cooperation in seeking
    concrete \[approaches\] \[mechanisms\], including financial and
    technical assistance, to bridge the digital divide. This will
    involve cooperation among states and other stakeholders, including
    international financial and other organizations. We therefore invite
    all stakeholders \[to join in\] \[to commit to\] the "Digital
    Solidarity Agenda", \[the section of\] the Action Plan, that
    identifies concrete actions we plan to undertake and the targets we
    set ourselves in order to meet these goals.

    49bis \[Assist developing countries and countries with economies in
    transition in narrowing the digital divide, creating digital
    opportunities and harnessing the potential of information and
    communication technologies for development through technology
    transfer on mutually agreed terms and the provision of financial and
    technical support and, in this context, support the World Summit on
    the Information Society.\]

50. We commit ourselves to strengthening cooperation to seek common
    responses to the challenges and to the implementation of the Plan of
    Action \[to be henceforth referred to as the "Digital Solidarity
    Agenda"\] which will realize the vision of an inclusive Information
    Society based on the key principles incorporated in this Declaration

    \]

[^1]: Note: The coordinator of the working group on enabling
    environment, noting that the whole draft declaration is in square
    brackets did not indicate areas for further discussion in this text.
    However, he noted that some delegations needed further consultation,
    especially with regard to paragraphs 33 and 37 provided here.