{"id":3991,"date":"2012-05-30T07:48:34","date_gmt":"2012-05-30T12:48:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.ict-pulse.com\/?p=3991"},"modified":"2012-08-31T07:23:46","modified_gmt":"2012-08-31T12:23:46","slug":"improving-the-regions-participation-in-international-ict-discussions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/2012\/05\/improving-the-regions-participation-in-international-ict-discussions\/","title":{"rendered":"Improving the region\u2019s participation in international ICT discussions"},"content":{"rendered":"

Continuing our review of Day 1 of the 10th Ministerial Strategic Seminar, this post summarises some of the \u00a0discussions geared towards increasing the region\u2019s participation in international fora on ICT and the Internet.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Our previous post, CTU Ministerial: key messages and takeaways (Day 1)<\/em><\/strong>, highlighted some of the messages and takeaways from the discussions on the international ICT agenda and what should be the regional imperative. However, the first day of the 10th<\/sup> Ministerial Strategic Seminar, organised by the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU), also continued with a spirited discussion of the where the region is headed and what can be done to change the status quo.<\/p>\n

Amplification of the Caribbean voice<\/h3>\n

Bevil Wooding, Outreach Manager at Packet Clearing House<\/a>, provided a pointed discourse on the implications of the Caribbean\u2019s current position, as it relates to Internet Governance (IG). Firstly, he noted that although Internet-related technology is playing an increasingly critical role in the economic and social development of our countries, the Caribbean is woefully underrepresented in international IG fora. Hence there is a real risk that countries might be unwittingly ceding control of elements of their technological, intellectual and economic security to others.<\/p>\n

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Bevil Wooding, Outreach Manager, Packet Clearing House<\/p><\/div>\n

While there was a recognition that countries might be of the view that there are more pressing national and regional priorities, there might also be a failure to appreciate the gravity of the implications of non-participation as suggested above. However, Mr. Wooding was adamant that the Caribbean must be heard, as we have a stake in the evolution of the Internet and the construct of the global technology landscape. Moreover, we have the human resource to overcome the challenges that exist, along with the technology and capacity to implement the requisite measures. However, what must we be prepared to do?<\/p>\n

Mr. Wooding was of the view that we must articulate a clear set if actionable priorities<\/strong>. These priorities should be based in our native strengths and should be shaped to match a defined vision for development. Thereafter, the following actions were considered critical to begin to develop our individual and collective voice, and to facilitate our involvement in international discussions:<\/p>\n