Caribbean Internet Forum 2008
The 6th Annual Caribbean Internet Forum will be held in Trinidad from 29-31 October at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Port of Spain. The Main theme of the event is Mobile Internet for Development.
Dr. Kim Mallalieu (University of the West Indies and DIRSI member), will chair two sessions, Caribbean Innovations for the Mobile Internet, and Next Generation Policy and Regulation. Dr. Hopeton S. Dunn (Director, TPM Programme, Mona School of Business and DIRSI member), during the latter session will present, Next Generation Policy and Regulation: Key Challenges.
LIRNE.NET founder and advisor, Professor W.H. Melody, will present the conference keynote address.
Click here to go to the CIF 2008 website.
Caribbean Internet Forum 2008
Over three days, speakers and exhibitors will address the Forum’s broad sub-themes of:
(a) Innovations for the Mobile Internet - According to the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), the number of mobile cellular subscribers within the Caribbean is exceptionally high - 134% in Antigua & Barbuda, 94% in Jamaica, 76% in Trinidad and Tobago, and 86% in St. Vincent. The forum will explore the opportunities offered by mobile technologies in promoting the development of innovative, locally-appropriate applications.
(b) Community wireless access/Capacity building - Community Wireless Networks are designed to promote the broader use of technology by residents, facilitate greater networking among community organizations and businesses, promote enhanced personal development, and enable access to improved job opportunities. The forum will explore the implementation of community wireless networks in the Caribbean, including the implementation of community technology centres that are designed to enhance the technology and academic skills of community residents, and promote equal access to learning resources such as computers/Internet.
(c) Enabling Environment - The forum will explore various aspects of the enabling environment for the Mobile Internet in the Caribbean. These will include various technical, policy, regulatory, governance and administration sub-themes. Specific objectives are to increase regional awareness as well as to garner contributions from regional and international organisations in developing strategic approaches to the many dimensions of the Mobile Internet for Development. Among such factors, CIF 2008 will facilitate continued regional discourse on Internet Governance, the central theme of CIF 2006.
This year’s Caribbean Internet Forum follows on the heels of a successful 2007 Forum in St. Lucia which saw full participation by regional institutions such as the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU), the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat, the Eastern Caribbean Telecommunications Authority (ECTEL), as well as the Jamaica Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR).
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