Initiative from Lucerne receives UN prize

The idea of an International Data-Based Systems Agency (IDA) initiated by Prof. Dr. Peter G. Kirchschlaeger has received an award as part of a UN platform. The award recognizes projects that use the potential of information technologies to promote sustainable development.

Tomas Lamanauskas (l.), Deputy Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), hands the prize to Prof. Dr. Peter G. Kirchschlaeger (Photo: ITU)

The "World Summit on the Information Society Prize" (WSIS Prize) was developed by the UN as a global platform to identify and present successful implementations of the so-called WSIS action lines (see box). The idea of an International Data Systems Agency (IDA) initiated by Prof. Dr. Peter G. Kirchschlaeger corresponds to the WSIS principles of inclusivity, sustainability and respect for human rights and was awarded the "Champion Project" prize in the "International and regional cooperation" category (Action Line C11) in a global online vote. The award ceremony took place at the WSIS+20 Forum High-Level Event from May 27-31, 2024 in Geneva.

International Data-Based Systems Agency (IDA)

The concrete proposals for action of an International Data-Based Systems Agency (IDA) and the associated concept of "sustainable and human rights-based data systems" (HRBDS) are the results of a multi-year research project (started at Yale University and completed at the University of Lucerne) by Prof. Dr. Peter G. Kirchschlaeger. The International Data-Based Systems Agency IDA is to be established at the UN as a platform for technical cooperation in the field of digital transformation and data-based systems in order to promote human rights, sustainability, security and the peaceful use of data-based systems and to serve as a global supervisory, regulatory and market authorization authority in the field of digital transformation and data-based systems. IDA follows the model of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) as a UN agency with a regulating influence.

Website of the International Data-Based Systems Agency IDA

World Summit on the Information Society

At the UN World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), which took place in two phases in Geneva (2003) and Tunis (2005), the new challenges and opportunities arising from the modern information society were addressed for the first time in such a framework. With the aim of enabling the most inclusive possible access to and handling of information worldwide, so-called action lines were created in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The annual WSIS Forum (organized by the International Telecommunication Union ITU) serves to bring together various interest groups, form partnerships and exchange findings on achieving the SDGs within the framework of the WSIS action lines.