Connect the Caribbean Initiative

We no longer talk about the telecommunications industry that was then. Today, we talk about the information communication and technology (ICT) sector.  The convergence of technology, industries, access devises and services have put us squarely in the information age. ICT is regarded as a key vehicle to foster economic development. International development agencies such as the United Nations (UN) are focusing on ICT as a critical component of the overall development agenda.

World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) has clearly articulated the need to promote inclusive information societies in order to bridge “the digital divide”. WSIS has set a target to connect the unconnected by 2015. In an effort to realize this target, the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) have embarked on Connect the World initiative, which is designed to encourage collaboration and coordination among stakeholders as well as showcase ICT developments across the world. Connect the World is built around three building blocks: enabling environment, infrastructure and readiness and applications and services.

In the Caribbean region, Caribbean Association of National Organizations (CANTO) is supporting this initiative through Connect the Caribbean initiative (CTC). CTC is focused on creating partnerships to mobilize the human, financial and technical resources to streamline and accelerate ICT development regionally.

In January 2008, the first stakeholder meeting was held in Suriname.  Representatives from regional organizations such as CARICOM Secretariat, CTU, CITEL, ITU and UWI St Augustine participated in the process to draft a framework document. This framework document speaks to:

•       CTC core principles

•       Key enablers for achieving a Connected Caribbean

•       Institutional framework

•       Benefits of participating

•       Projected outcome

•       Measurement of outcome

The framework document has been shared with stakeholders across the region including several regional and global ICT fora. The feedback has been very encouraging. During CANTO’s 24th Conference & Trade Exhibition in The Bahamas in mid July 2008, the discussions and forging of partnerships will continue with input and commitments from regional governments, operating companies and regional institutions.

CTC will operate as a collaboration of mutually independent peer organisations. To facilitate administration, inter partner communication and information sharing, a web portal is being developed. The portal will also host a database of regional ICT projects. When completed, the database will allow for online searching and updating.  

Through this initiative we have embarked on a computer for schools programme, through the One Laptop per Child (OLPC) project which was launched to coincide with the first stakeholder meeting. This project is the result of a partnership between TELESUR and NORTEL. There are plans to attract other partners and to widen the selection of computers available under the programme. Other countries such as The Bahamas, Belize, the Dutch Antilles and St Vincent and the Grenadines are contemplating similar programmes.

While encouraging partnerships among other agencies and enterprises, CANTO will identify specific areas where it can use it core competencies to make a difference. Some areas that are being actively considered are:

1. E-government - Establishing an E-government best practice forum.
2. E-commerce – Providing training for small to medium size businesses on website development with a focus on use for transactions.
3. ICT Measurement – Develop and maintain a database of regional ICT Indicators.
4. Capacity Building Training Programmes.
5. Cyber Security Awareness Programmes.
6. Support development of ICT related content.

As we move forward CANTO intends to use its position and skills to knit the efforts of the many players, stakeholders and hundreds of ICT related programmes that are taking place all over the region, to ensure that we collectively are equipped with up-to-date and reliable information. In the end our collective efforts will be greater than the sum of the individual efforts. Through our newsletter, you will be hearing much more about this initiative in the coming months.

Regenie Fräser
Secretary General CANTO
67 Picton Street
Newtown - Port of Spain
Trinidad & Tobago - W.I.
Phone: 1 868 622 7448/3770/4781
Fax: 1 868 622 3751
Email: [email protected]
www.canto.org