Side events are events related to WSIS, held before or in parallel to the Summit outside the Kram Centre. The following is a list of Side events.

World Summit of Cities and Local Authorities and the role Information Society

The Bilbao Summit, 9 - 11 November 2005 organized by the Basque Government with the support of the UNO through the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) aims to establish a process of mobilization, consensus and formulation of the vision and proposals of Local Authorities for plans of action through which they are developing their role as regards the Information Society.

Libraries and the Information Society In Action

The WSIS pre-conference Libraries – the Information Society in Action to be held between the 10- 11 November 2005, in Alexandria is organized by the IFLA, International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions in co-operation with Bibliotheca Alexandrina, supported by several sponsors.  The Pre-Conference will present some of the best practices from libraries around the world in the areas of health, education and training, media literacy, preserving of cultural heritage and disaster preparedness.


Past, present and Future of Research in the Information Society
Past, Present, and Future (PPF) of Research in the Information Society 13-15 November 2005 Tunis, Tunisia, is a satellite event preceding Phase II of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS). The core issues of the conference lie at the intersection of Science and Engineering, Information and Communication Technologies, and Development. 


Promoting Africa Research and Education Networking (PAREN)
PAREN, organised by the Association of African Universities will be convened at Corinthia Khamsa Hotel, in room Sidi Bou Sa�d , Les C�tes De Carthage, Gammarth Tunis, from 14 - 15 November 2005.  PAREN aims to unlock the continent's vast human potential by creating synergy among universities nationally, regionally, and on a continental basis.  The Conference is sponsored by IDRC (Connectivity Africa), OSISA, Partnership for Higher Education in Africa, SIDA and the World Bank Institute.

The role of parliaments in building knowledge-based societies: guaranteeing access to information
The Parliamentary Panel, co-organized by the Inter-Parliamentary Union and the Tunisian Chamber of Deputies, in cooperation with UNESCO, will take place on Thursday 17 November from 15:00 p.m. to 18.30 p.m at the Tunisian Chamber of Deputies.  A panel of parliamentarians and experts will explore the subject from two perspectives: access to the information parliaments need to do their work, and legislation guaranteeing citizens' right of access to information.