{"id":104566,"date":"2017-08-11T08:41:20","date_gmt":"2017-08-11T13:41:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.ict-pulse.com\/?p=104566"},"modified":"2017-08-11T08:41:20","modified_gmt":"2017-08-11T13:41:20","slug":"increasing-caribbeans-presence-internet-governance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/2017\/08\/increasing-caribbeans-presence-internet-governance\/","title":{"rendered":"Increasing the Caribbean\u2019s presence in Internet Governance"},"content":{"rendered":"

Although Internet Governance issues have been actively discussed across the Caribbean region for several years, this has not necessarily translated to the region having a clear presence at global meetings. Here we outline key reasons why, and what might be some of the burning issues to be discussed at the next regional meeting.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

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This month, from 21 to 23 August, the 13th annual Caribbean Internet Governance Forum (CIGF) will be held in Tortola, in the British Virgin Islands. The CIGF always precedes the global Internet Governance Forum (IGF), which this year will be held in December, and so functions not only to foster regional Internet Governance (IG) efforts, but also to build consensus on issues and\/or positions that will be discussed at the global meeting. <\/span><\/p>\n

One of the core principles associated with IG is that of \u2018<\/span>multi-stakeholderism<\/span><\/i>\u2019, that is wide participation in the governance\/decision-making process, not by just governments, but also the business sector, civil society, and even special interest groups. It should thus be no surprise that the theme for this year\u2019s CIGF is <\/span>Building Caribbean Capacity in Internet Governance<\/span><\/i>, in order to widen the pool of voices that are heard and contribute to the regional position. Further, it is crucial that the Caribbean has a stronger presence in the global IG discussions, which is not just limited to IGF, and which Nigel Cassimire, the CIGF coordinator, for event organiser, the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU), recently emphasised:<\/span><\/p>\n

The Caribbean needs to make its mark in the evolution of policies and systems that can enable the digital economy, and for this reason, we need to develop Caribbean expertise in IG…. through the hosting of these events, there has been an increase in Caribbean participation in these Forums and processes around the world.<\/span><\/i><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Source: <\/span>CTU<\/span><\/a>) <\/span><\/p>\n

Multi-stakeholder participation is often a challenge, as many people are not only intimidated by the concept of \u2018Internet Governance\u2019, they also believe that they do not need to participate \u2013 others will do so. However, what is overlooked is that the continued development, and even survival, of the Internet depends on continued cooperation and consensus on issues, as the video clip below highlights. Further, as we, as individuals, become even more dependent on the Internet, our unique needs and challenges, especially as Small Island Developing States and in the Caribbean, should at the very least be tabled, and considered, in global discussions.<\/span><\/p>\n