Staff writer Eunice Nisbett
Educating the Dominican people on the power of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to strengthen their participation in a changing global economy is high on Government’s agenda. And so, the Ministry of Information and Telecommunication has taken several steps to develop a vibrant ICT sector in Dominica as well as educate the local population on the many ways in which technology can enhance their socio-economic development.
Working in collaboration with the Caribbean Telecommunication Union (CTU), the Government on Wednesday launched the second annual Caribbean ICT Roadshow at the Public Service Training Center, to raise awareness on effective use of ICT to foster regional development.
The Caribbean ICT Roadshow is the brainchild of Hon. Tillman Thomas, Prime Minister of Grenada and CARICOM Head of Government responsible for Science and Technology. The campaign officially commenced in 2009, and was developed as one of the CTU’s initiatives to educate members of the public and private sector, civil society and academia on the transformative power of ICT innovation.
The Roadshow takes the form of a series of visits to 20 Caribbean islands, collecting ICT market information and establishing on-going activities which will yield benefits to individuals, national communities, governments and the region as a whole.
Honorable Minister for Information, Telecommunication and Constituency Empowerment Ambrose George says the Caribbean ICT Roadshow provides an opportunity to engage the population in discussions on ICT, as it is an integral aspect of economic growth and development.
Hon. Ambrose George, Minister for Information, Telecommunication and Constituency Empowerment
“[The ICT Roadshow] is of critical importance at a time of rapid change in the information age that requires greater emphasis on efficiency, effectiveness, expediency, a technologically savvy workforce, re-engineered functions and processes in order to improve the lives of individuals. The ICT Roadshow grants us a unique opportunity to access our successes, our shortcomings and to examine with key stakeholders and citizens the solutions to the challenges we face not just in the ICT sector, but also as far as economic, social and cultural development is concerned on how we can utilize the ICT to address these challenges. ”
The theme for this year’s ICT Caribbean Roadshow is ‘Harnessing the Power of Innovation-the engine for ICT-enabled development’. It is expected to generate heightened interest in more prevalent usage of the tools and opportunities of ICT, as well as ideas for development of innovation and economic activity.
Secretary General of the Caribbean Telecommunications Union, Bernadette Lewis addressed the media launch via Skype teleconference. She told participants that last year’s ICT Roadshow in Dominica was extremely successful and expects this year’s campaign to have an even greater impact.
The month long Community Outreach Programme scheduled to commence on November 28 will include communities such as Wesley, Marigot, La Plaine, the Kalinago territory, Bense, Castle Bruce and Delices. An Interactive Forum and Exhibition will take place from January 16-18, 2012.
Read more: http://gisnewsdesk.webnode.com/news/ict-roadshow-comes-to-dominica/
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