Overview

The Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU) and the United States Telecommunications Training Institute (USTTI) have come together to deliver an insightful dialogue of public, private and civil society leaders that explores the major business and policy issues shaping the ICT development agenda for securing and advancing the Caribbean’s interest in the changing digital economy.

Bringing together Caribbean Government Ministers and senior officials responsible for ICT and international stakeholders from each area of the information and communication technology industry, the event will develop a roadmap to provide guidance to Caribbean leaders in utilising ICT for development and regional integration. The event would build on the outcomes of the 6th Caribbean Ministerial Strategic Seminar, reinforcing the case for regional collective action and will also:

• Present an overview of emerging technologies
• Discuss technological implications for policy and regulatory frameworks
• Explain the Innovation ecosystem in ICT for development
• Consider strategies for collective regional action and functional integration

This Seminar will create a platform for Caribbean governments and ICT stakeholders from the Caribbean and the United States to engage in meaningful dialogue on the potential role of ICT in Caribbean transformation. It presents a unique opportunity for translating ideas into meaningful action for Caribbean advance and integration.

Date and Venue

The Seminar is scheduled to take place from 29^th to 31^st March, 2010 in Washington D.C.

Target Audience

The Seminar has been designed to foster debate and promote understanding of ICT development issues and ensure audience participation and networking. Because it will address the specific concerns of senior government officials responsible for ICT development, the following categories of stakeholders will derive the most benefit from the Seminar.

• Government Telecommunications and ICT Ministers
• Permanent Secretaries
• ICT Technocrats and Advisors
• Senior Public Sector Policy Makers
• Senior Regulators

Registration Form

Registration form - 7th Ministerial Strategic ICT Seminar

Overview of the Organisers

Caribbean Telecommunications Union

The Caribbean Telecommunications Union was established in 1989 by the Heads of CARICOM Governments to rationalise the telecommunications policy framework for the region. The Union was given the mandate to coordinate and harmonise approaches to telecommunications development and to promote awareness of telecommunication technologies in the region.

With members drawn from regional governments and the private sector, the CTU now plays a pivotal role in the development of the Caribbean’s information and communications technologies (ICT) industry. Its focus is on policy formulation, capacity building and representation of the region at various telecommunications fora. The CTU’s mission is essentially “…to optimise returns from ICT resources for the benefit of stakeholders.”

The Ministerial Strategic Seminars are a significant element for the fulfillment of the CTU’s mandate in building awareness of ICT and developing policies and best practices for fostering ICT development and functional Caribbean integration.

USTTI

The United States Telecommunications Training Institute (USTTI) is a non-profit public-private partnership between senior federal officials and leaders of the U.S. information and communication technology (ICT) and broadcast industries. The goal of this collaborative effort is to share the United States' technological and managerial advances with qualified women and men who regulate and maintain ICT infrastructures throughout the developing world. The USTTI's comprehensive array of intensive tuition-free training courses are made possible by the support of federal and private board members, as well as hundreds of volunteer trainers across the United States.

Programme Structure

29^th March

30^th March

31^st March