The Government of Trinidad and Tobago and the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU) will be hosting a series of ICT events from the 7th to 11th February 2011 to demonstrate the power and potential of information and communication technologies (ICT) to foster development and transform societies and economies.
The Government of Trinidad and Tobago has incorporated ICT as a significant element of its development strategy for building a strong and competitive Caribbean Country. It recognizes that ICT presents opportunities to strengthen and develop more efficient and productive governance and business systems; define and develop new types of jobs and business; build the capacity of citizens and enhance its global competitiveness.
The Government of Trinidad and Tobago is pleased to host the Caribbean ICT Roadshow which will feature:
- Community Outreach Activities - January 2011
- Ministerial ICT Seminar - 8th and 9th February 2011
- The Caribbean Innovation and Entrepreneurship Workshop - 9th to 11th February 2011
- Caribbean ICT Roadshow - 10th and 11th February 2011
- ENUM Seminar - 10th and 11th February 2011
These activities together represent a unique opportunity to educate all sectors of the national community on the importance of ICT in defining a new developmental path for Trinidad and Tobago. The Roadshow will visit selected communities to discuss the potential of ICT to enhance lives of citizens in the everyday life of communities. The capabilities of mobile phones will be demonstrated and the efficiencies that can be achieved are discussed. Participants have to opportunity to seek answers for ICT-related questions in an informal setting.
The ICT activities will continue with lectures, workshops and demonstrations designed to educate and raise awareness on the potential of ICT in every sphere of activity. There will be a strong emphasis on innovation and entrepreneurship in the use of ICT.
There will be a Youth Forum that takes advantage of the keen affinity of young people to ICT; to educate and promote responsible and beneficial use of ICT and the Internet in particular. The sessions will point to the dangers in cyberspace and will introduce parents and guardians to important issues relating to their children’s interactions in cyberspace.
We trust that the Roadshow’s activities will create a groundswell of interest in ICT and that the citizenry will be encouraged to innovate, wholeheartedly embrace the ICT tools and to work in partnership with the Government to realize its developmental goals.
PROVISIONAL -- 7-FEB-2011 -- ICT Week Programme
Information for Participants
The CTU ICT Week Registration Form
I&E Workshop Registration Form
Hotel Reservation Form - Hilton Trinidad
1. The Caribbean ICT Roadshow
The Caribbean ICT Roadshow initiative has been developed by the CTU to raise awareness within the public sector, the private sector, civil society and academia of the need for innovation in embracing ICT effectively in government, the private sector and civil society for social and economic development. The Roadshow initiative adopts a unique approach, linking the dissemination of information to activities that will reinforce the message and produce tangible benefits for the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago.
The CTU is working collaboratively with the Government of Trinidad and Tobago, partners and other interested organizations and institutions to deliver a Roadshow customized to address Trinidad and Tobago’s developmental issues and to demonstrate the transformative power of ICT innovation.
The theme, Harnessing the Power of Innovation - the engine for ICT-enabled Caribbean development, reflects the objectives the Roadshow aspires to achieve, namely:
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To build awareness among the public sector, the private sector and civil society of the innovative and effective use of ICT;
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To foster innovation in the application of ICT to Caribbean challenges in government, the private sector and civil society; and
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To accelerate the effective use of ICT by governments in order to promote transparency and efficiency in the delivery of public services.
The following Fora will be presented at the Roadshow:
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Policy Makers’ and Regulators’ Forum
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Innovators’ Forum
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Network Operators’ Forum
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ICT Innovators’ Forum
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The Internet Governance Forum
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Hot Seat Discussion Panel
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Youth Forum
2. The Caribbean ICT Innovation and Entrepreneurship Workshop
CTU recognises the leading role that ICT plays across all sectors of our economy and the need for innovation in realising ICT’s potential to transform existing industries, create new ones, enhance the Region’s competitiveness, assist with solutions to environmental problems and enhance social inclusion.
While some national initiatives are taking place, Governments of the region need greater support in creating an environment that is conducive to encouraging and facilitating an innovative spirit and cultivating entrepreneurs. This Innovation and Entrepreneurship Workshop seeks therefore to educate and inspire innovators from the Caribbean region to commercialize their ideas.
Messrs Julian Hall and Mark Lewis from Pure Online Genius and Bravig Ltd respectively, UK entrepreneurs and members of the Caribbean Diaspora, will facilitate an empowering and practical two-day Workshop which will be delivered in two parts:
i) A Framework for Innovation
During the first day our speakers will examine the concepts, thought processes and problem solving techniques that make true innovation possible. Through engaging the audience on real issues and taking into account their personal circumstances, the team will seek to find answers to common problems which entrepreneurs face and walk the audience through simple step-by-step exercises designed to promote ideas which will lead to commercial success.
ii) Becoming an Entrepreneur
Day two will consist of a series of interactive exercises which will encourage the audience to engage and participate in driving their vision forward. They will be encouraged to become constructively critical of their own ideas; to examine new ways of sourcing finances; to learn from the experiences of others in business; to create mutually beneficial strategic partnerships; to identify and acquire the skills they personally lack and to cultivate a determination to move forward.
At the end of the second day, we will summarise their journey, award certificates of progress and guide the candidates through the next steps towards success. Candidates will leave with a personally tailored business development plan and the energy and focus to implement it effectively.
Delegates whose ideas receive favourable review will benefit from additional training, internships, mentorship programmes, guidance, research and business support to enable them to commercialise their ideas and to establish sustainable ICT-businesses.
