CARICOM & ICT4D CARICOM & ICT4D

Heads of Gov’t Recognition ICT sector is important for CARICOM’s economy and the realisation of the CSM&E ICT key enabler for productivity growth ICT facilitate more efficient public services ICT provide tools for solving societal challenges Discourse on ICT has shifted from mainly technological issues to human and development dimensions International imperatives ICT should be viewed as an enabling platform for building an equitable global information society

ICT Positioning –Prime Ministerial responsibility: Grenada – Science and Technology Antigua & Barbuda – Services (incl. Telecommunications) –Reports to the COTED & COHSOD –CARICOM Sect. mandate from Ministers (Oct. 2004)

Challenges / Constraints Infrastructure – electricity, telephony, network connectivity Policy constraints Resource Mobilisation (incl. Funding) Capacity development Social exclusion Diminishing of cultural diversity

CARICOM Policy Documents Georgetown Declaration (universal service, application, content) –Growing CSME (Chapter III) Removal of restrictions Increasing competitiveness Supporting micro-business Encouraging new business applications incl. E- Commerce Charter of Civil Society –Social gender transformation/cohesion/integration –Poverty reduction/wealth creation –Preservation & promotion of culture –Minimising “digital divide” & building capacity –HRD & secure infrastructure

CARICOM ICT Policy Documents CARICOM Connectivity Agenda 2003 ICT for Development Agenda & Platform for Action 2004 eLAC Strategy WSIS Documents 2003 & 2005

Connectivity Agenda 2003: Platform for Action - ROADMAP FOR REGIONAL ACTION –Assessment & Planning –Execution including: –Infrastructure –Utilisation –Content –Legal & regulatory frameworks –Financing/investment –Evaluation including : –Performance indicators –Role of the CARICOM Agencies and CARICOM Secretariat

Regional Plan of Action E- Government and E- Governance E-Commerce Public Education Programme Roles and responsibilities for CARICOM Institutions E - Learning Strengthening capacity of the CARICOM Secretariat ICT for Development Agenda

ICT for Development Agenda Endorsed by Ministers of ICT (October 2004) Six (6) Flagship programmes: – ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 –ICT and Disaster Management –ICT and CSME Trade Facilitation –(ICT enabled) Cultural Entrepreneurship skills development –Participatory e-governance –Wireless access connectivity

ICT for Development Agenda Capture the imagination, hearts and minds of Caribbean people Serve as a platform for promote awareness and achieve concrete benefits Multi-stakeholder approach in the execution of these flagship projects

Other initiatives Reports to the DSG Repositioning CARICOM Sect. programmes (I&C, Sustainable development) In preparation for the inclusion of the DR – over 80 staff members doing Spanish immersion classes Roles & responsibilities of CARICOM Institutions Maximising the membership opportunites (CARICOM, Commwealth)

Key areas for regional effort Affordable Access Policy Development –Telecoms –ICT Internet Management / Governance –Human Resource Development –Trade (incl. issues relating to investments) –Content Management Frameworks –Legal and regulatory framework IPRs (content issues ) Dispute resolution –Investment & Statistical Collaborative partnerships

Key areas for regional effort Funding intitiatives EU UNDP –Japan –Italy Collaborative partnerships & engagements All regions Diaspora “Communities of development” Civil society Private sector

Where do we want to go? Creation a single, regional economic space and market -CSME ICTs strategically integrated into the development Agenda of the Region Efficient Governments with Online Services Enhancement of the region’s competitiveness & its participation in global economic activities Knowledge-based economy focused on extending Internet Connectivity to all CARICOM people Critical mass of highly skilled/trained citizens

How do we advance ? Awareness-raising, public education, data collection and documentation Radically improved institutional arrangements Attitudinal shift of official organisations (policy makers, regulatory bodies, government ministries) Fast-track execution of projects Improve engagement with global ICT community Regular consultation with Caribbean stakeholders

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