By Cyber Era NG Special Correspondent

The International Telecommunications Union(ITU) has announced the theme for this year’s World Telecommunication & Information Society Day(WTISD) taking place on May 22, 2022.

It is: “Digital technologies for Older Persons and Healthy Ageing”.

WTISD has been celebrated annually every May 17 since 1969 to mark the founding of ITU and the signing of the first International Telegraph Convention in 1865.

The ageing of the global population will be the defining demographic trend of the 21st century—yet our societies struggle to see the opportunities that this trend can unfold. Telecommunications and information communication technologies (ICTs) have a role to play in achieving healthier ageing, but also in helping people build smarter cities, combat age-based discrimination at the workplace, ensure financial inclusion of older persons, and support millions of caregivers across the world.

WTISD 2022 will allow ITU membership, partners and other stakeholders to raise awareness about the important role of telecommunications/ICTs in supporting people to stay healthy, connected and independent, physically, emotionally and financially – to a life of healthy ageing – and as critical for the sustainability of economic and health systems.

As part of ITU’s efforts towards the UN Decade of Healthy Ageing and the theme of WTISD 2022, “Digital technologies for Older Persons and Healthy Ageing”, ITU invites you to actively participate in commemorating, contributing, and innovating throughout the year with national, regional, and international initiatives to accelerate digital technologies for older persons and healthy ageing.