ICT for Development: Overview
The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has declared Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) as a priority and this is reflected in the objectives identified in the technological resilience pillar of the CARICOM Regional Strategic Plan 2015-2019.
Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) are critical for enhancing the productivity of all sectors of the economy. It is an effective tool that can be used for reducing poverty, extending health services, expanding educational opportunities and generally improving the quality of life of the citizens of the region.
Global ICT actions and activities are articulated in the United Nations World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) plan of action and action Lines. The United Nations actively promotes ICT4D as a powerful tool for economic and social development around the world and has designated two (2) organisations to spearhead the development of the global ICT programme namely, the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
ICT for development (ICT4D) or Digital development, as it is now termed, combines the ICT sector and initiatives with the social, environmental, economic and political objectives to fast-track international, regional and national initiatives.
ICT4D covers numerous areas, including ICT applications, cyber security, e-commerce, e-education, e-government, e-health, open source software, policy development, statistics, youth and e-waste.
ICT Governance in CARICOM
The CARICOM Lead Head of Government with responsibility for Science and Technology (including ICT) in the CARICOM Quasi-Cabinet is the Prime Minister of Grenada.
The Council on Trade and Economic Development (COTED) ICT is a Ministerial Council, which discusses and approves the critical ICT programmes and initiatives for the CARICOM region.
COTED ICT is supported by:
- Senior ICT officials
- ICT Lead Agencies ( Regional and International organisations)
- CARICOM ICT Cluster (regional organisations)
The CARICOM Secretariat , through the ICT4D programme , continues to work with Member States and other regional and international stakeholders and partners in designing, implementing and executing policies, programmes and projects to accelerate the development of this sector. The main thrust for the programme is the implementation of the Single CARICOM ICT Space and the CARICOM Digital Agenda 2025.
Key Digital Transformation Initiatives for 2020-2024 include:
- (Continued) Implementation of the Single ICT Space Workplan
- Resource mobilisation and implementation of the COVID19 Action plan for CARICOM Digital transformation
- Digital Skills & CARICOM Girls in ICT partnership
The ICT4D programme is part of the Directorate of Trade and Economic Integration (TEI). Contact us at ICT4D email