The aims of WSIS require UNESCO to operationalize the concept of Knowledge Societies throughout its action in education, sciences, culture and communication. A Task Force on Knowledge Societies (TFKS) was therefore created in 2005 to strengthen intersectoral mechanism to provide adequate and coherent responses to this challenge.

The Task Force is headed by the Director-General of UNESCO and by the Assistant Director-General for Communication and Information. The TFKS aims to: 

• Ensure coherence of UNESCO’s own action to operationalize the concept of building knowledge societies;
• Coordinate the activities of the various programme Sectors involved in the facilitation of the implementation of the six Action Lines in its areas of competence;
• Provide a strategic and consistent focus of UNESCO’s efforts and its added value in relation to new mechanisms emerging with the development of the information society and;
• Advise the Director-General on key issues of relevance to UNESCO with regard to the rapid development of ICTs and their societal, cultural and ethical implications and define adequate institutional response.