{"id":3989,"date":"2012-05-30T07:19:37","date_gmt":"2012-05-30T12:19:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.ict-pulse.com\/?p=3989"},"modified":"2012-08-31T07:24:14","modified_gmt":"2012-08-31T12:24:14","slug":"ctu-ministerial-key-messages-and-takeaways-day-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/2012\/05\/ctu-ministerial-key-messages-and-takeaways-day-1\/","title":{"rendered":"CTU Ministerial: key messages and takeaways (Day 1)"},"content":{"rendered":"

A summary of some of the talks given on day 1 of the 10th<\/sup> Ministerial Strategic Seminar, on 29 May 2012.<\/em><\/p>\n

The Caribbean, and specifically the countries that comprise the Caribbean Community (CARICOM)<\/a> are unique. Twenty (20) sovereign countries have come together to establish regional organisations to address common issues. One of those organisations is the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU)<\/a>, which was established in 1989, and has been charged by CARICOM with coordinating ICT-related policy matters across the region.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Consistent with that responsibility, yesterday, 29 May, was the first of two days for the 10th<\/sup> Ministerial Strategic Seminar organised by the CTU under the theme, \u201cThe International ICT Agenda: Partnering for Regional Action\u201d<\/em>. Over 75 persons were in attendance, which included Caribbean Ministers with responsibility for telecoms and\/or ICT, public and private sector technocrats; telecoms companies; and sponsors.<\/p>\n

The discussions on this first day seemed to be designed around the need for improved regionalism and support in order for the Caribbean to develop coherent positions on a broad range of ICT issues. Ten key sessions were scheduled through which that message was enforced, which made for a jam-packed session. Nevertheless, they generated some useful and thought provoking dialogue, which hopefully will lead to a revisit and recommitment by Member Countries of their efforts and approach towards ICT\/Internet development in the region. This post, the first of two, highlights some of the main presentations and discussions points of the day.<\/p>\n

What might the regional ICT Agenda comprise?<\/h3>\n

A considerable portion of the day was spent emphasising some of the key issues and important organisations with which the region should be aiming to developing stronger ties. It was continually stressed that we should be participating in those discussions, as there are a number of matters that will have a direct impact on national and regional development in the Caribbean of which we are not aware. The paragraphs below summarises some of the discussion points from those talks.<\/p>\n