History and significance of World Development Information Day 2022

Observed annually on 24 October, World Development Information Day is celebrated to recognise the importance of disseminating information and further focus on mobilising public opinion. Over the past few years, society has concentrated more on modern information technologies, thus depending mostly on the internet and mobile phones. Keeping this in view, the United Nations (UN) believes that such information and communications technologies also have the potential to provide solutions to various development challenges and can also foster various crucial goals, especially in developing countries.

With that said, as development challenges continue to remain a crucial point of discussion, read further to know in detail about the significance and history of the day.

World Development Information Day: History
It was in 1972 when the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) established the World Development Information Day in order to draw attention of the world toward development problems and also to strengthen international cooperation. Notably, the date also coincides with United Nations Day which also falls on 24 October.

The Assembly, while establishing the date, also observed that World Development Information Day aims to improve the “dissemination of information and the mobilisation of public opinion, particularly among young people”. This would eventually lead to greater awareness about development and promote efforts in the sphere of international cooperation for development.

World Development Information Day: Significance
Amid the growing concern regarding the digital divide in access to information and communication technology among different countries, the UN believes that information and communications technologies can present new opportunities and challenges.

In addition to this, as years move on, the day has been interpreted slightly differently in line with the changing patterns of information technology. The world today is focused on the internet and digital devices, and it is understood that modern technology can be applied to solve problems related to governance, business, health and education.