Mercy Global Concern - 2002

World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS)

The UN is preparing for the first World Summit on the Information Society, focusing on the role of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in development. It will be held in Geneva, Switzerland, 10 - 12 December 2003, and in Tunis, Tunisia, 2005. The focus will be on the role of information and communication technologies (ICTSs) on development. From 1 - 5 July the first Preparatory Committee meeting for the WSIS was held in Geneva. For information go to: www.itu.int/wsis Preparatory work is in process on the gender dimensions of ICTs and the WSIS, under the coordination of UNIFEM (the UN Development Fund for Women). Go to www.unifem.undp.org

New Email News Service

Interested individuals can now subscribe to receive news updates and alerts by email from the UN Department of Public Information. Selections can be made according to special interests. To subscribe go to: www.un.org/news/dh/latest/subscribe/shtml

Joint Declaration on Ecological Awareness and Responsibility

On 10th June, in the lead up to the World Summit on Sustainable Development, Pope John Paul II and Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople signed a joint Roman Catholic-Eastern Orthodox Joint Declaration on the Environment.

The text of this Declaration can be accessed here