- World Information Technology and Services Alliance
The World Information Technology and Services Alliance (WITSA) is a consortium of associations from the
information technology (IT) industry around the world. The group claims that it represents over 90% of the world IT market, and has a stated goal of advancing the growth and development of the IT industry. WITSA was founded in1978 as the World Computing Services Industry Association, and claims that it has since increasingly participated in advocacy in internationalpublic policy that affects the "global information infrastructure". It voices the concerns of the international IT industry in organisations such as theWorld Trade Organization , theOrganisation for Economic Co-operation and Development , and theG8 .World Congress on Information Technology
As the owner and licenser of the WCIT brand, WITSA serves as the oversight organization for the World Congress on Information Technology, the premier industry forum of ICT executives worldwide. The World Congress is unique in its global perspective on ICT issues and its ability to draw users and vendors from around the world. Every two years, world business and government leaders discuss emerging issues, debate hot topics, and address how legal, political, and economic trends affect business opportunities. In addition to prominent ICT industry CEOs, featured speakers include internationally recognized leaders from government and industries such as retail, manufacturing, financial services, communications, health care, transportation, entertainment, and education.
Held every two years, the WCIT is covered by hundreds of local and international media representatives as well as approximately 2,000 senior level private and public sector delegates from around the world!
WCIT Legacy
2010, Amsterdam, The Netherlands [http://www.wcit2008.org 2008, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia] 2006, Austin, Texas, USA 2004, Athens, Greece 2002, Adelaide, Australia 2000, Taipei, Taiwan 1998, Fairfax, Virginia, USA 1996, Bilbao, Spain 1994, Yokohama, Japan 1992, London, England 1990, Washington D.C., USA 1988, Paris, France 1986, Toronto, Canada 1984, Tokyo, Japan 1982, Copenhagen, Denmark 1980, San Francisco, California, USA 1978, Barcelona, Spain
OTHER PROGRAMS AND EVENTS
WITSA Global ICT Excellence Awards
The [http://www.witsa.org/ICT_Awards WITSA Global ICT Excellence Awards] honor exceptional achievements in the application of information technology around the globe. Winners of these prestigious awards have exhibited excellence within one of three categories: Public Sector Excellence, Private Sector Excellence, and Digital Opportunity. In addition, a special Chairman's Award is presented to a nominee selected from the entire pool of candidates from all three awards categories. The award ceremonies are a signature event of the proceedings at the World Congress on Information Technology. In honoring the best users of ICT, the awards enable member companies to showcase their customers' innovation.
Global Public Policy Conference
WITSA's Global Public Policy Conference enhances the international dialogue and global cooperation on key public policy issues including electronic commerce, privacy, education, and ICT in developing countries. The conferences are held every two years, on alternate years from the World Congress on Information Technology. [http://www.gppc2007.com/ GPPC 2007] was held in Cairo, Egypt, on November 4-6, 2007. It will next be held in Bermuda on November 1-3, 2009.
Digital Planet
Produced by WITSA, the biennial [http://www.witsa.org/digitalplanet/2006/WITSADP2006page.doc Digital Planet report] provides current, comprehensive data documenting the size and shape of the ICT marketplace around the globe. The report highlights major trends in global ICT spending while telling the story of global expansion in Internet usage, e-commerce penetration, and use of ICT equipment and services. WITSA publishes this guide to help policymakers, technology developers, and the general public to understand the ICT trends shaping society today. A 2008 edition will be published in conjunction with the [http://www.wcit2008.org 2008 World Congress on IT] in Kuala Lumpur, May 18-22, 2008.
WITSA Public Policy Report
This [http://www.witsa.org/cairo07/WITSA-PPReport07.pdf policy book] , published annually and available on the WITSA website, is a summary of the positions taken by WITSA on global ICT issues. These papers have been used by the industry in its dialogue with governments and multilateral institutions in their decision-making process with regard to important issues of concern to the ICT industry, including e-commerce, information security and privacy, taxation, e-government, and workforce issues.
WITSA Newsletter
WITSA's quarterly [http://www.witsa.org/news/ newsletter] provides timely information on industry activities and policy developments at the global and national levels, including an overview of WITSA member activities, WITSA programs and events. The WITSA newsletter, available on the WITSA website, is announced by e-mail to WITSA members and other subscribers.
IMPACT
ICT Growth and Development
WITSA undertakes partnerships and initiates industry-wide efforts for the overall benefit of the global ICT community and its beneficiaries worldwide. The fruit of these efforts is growing steadily as young ICT organizations develop and join the global ICT community in confronting challenges and seizing opportunities.
Become a WITSA Member
Become part of the only international organization representing the ICT industry in North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, the Middle East and Africa. Membership is open to the private sector association in each country that best represents the overall interests of the ICT industry of that country. For more information on WITSA membership, contact Anders Halvorsen at +1 703 284 5333 or ahalvorsen@witsa.org. See also more information [http://www.witsa.org/about/criteria.htm online] .
Become a WITSA Partner
WITSA's partnership program provides a platform for promoting entities before corporate and governmental decision-makers throughout the global ICT community. WITSA sponsors — whether they are economic development authorities seeking to attract business and investment or businesses in the vertical markets wishing to promote their products and services — can gain visibility in WITSA publications, obtain complimentary registration to key events, and receive prominent recognition at global conferences. See our [http://www.witsa.org/sponsorship/ online posting] for additional details.
External links
* [http://www.witsa.org Official website of the World Information Technology and Services Alliance]
* [http://www.witsa.org/about/index.htm WITSA Overview]
* [http://www.witsa.org/about/members.htm WITSA Members]
* [http://www.witsa.org/about/directors.htm WITSA Directors and Officers]
* [http://www.witsa.org/about/criteria.htm How to become a WITSA member]
* [http://www.witsa.org/ICT_Awards/ WITSA Global ICT Awards]
* [http://www.witsa.org/press/05-04-06_WITSA_AWARDS_rev.doc Winners of the 2006 Global IT Excellence Awards] [http://www.witsa.org/austin06/photos/#3 Photos]
* [http://www.witsa.org/rfp/ Requests for proposals for WITSA events]
* [http://www.witsa.org/papers/index.htm#5 WITSA white papers]
* [http://www.witsa.org/presentations/ WITSA Presentations]
* [http://www.witsa.org/news/index.htm WITSA Newsletter]
* [http://www.wcit2008.org 2008 World Congress on IT] ; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, May 18-22, 2008
* [http://www.eurofound.europa.eu/emcc/content/organisation/tn013o.html?p1=sector&p2=Information_Technology World Information Technology and Services Alliance]
* [http://www.intel.com/healthcare/policy_proposals.htm Intel's Healthcare Policy Proposals Approved at the World Congress on Information Technology]
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