Caricom perspective, no 72, june 2004 by Caribbean Community (CARICOM)

The Caribbean Community workinq t'o impr"rt

!!inyr!;i"of

trfe for the VeoVte

Editor: Volderine G. Hacketl

Production Team: Rose Blenman, Jennifer

Britton, Huntley

Medley,

Serome Chandisingh, Joy Wilson, Gloria Whitney

Thanks to: Nancy McGuire (OPM, Grenada) Maurice Merchant (OPM, Antigua and Barbuda) Sandra Richards (UNIFEM) Angela Skeete (CARICAD)

Design and Layout

Skeete/A.Jones

Illustrations: A. Jones pp.

15,18,27,43,71,73

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- the upper part being

of light blue representing the sky and the lower part of a dark blue representing the Caribbean

Sea. The yellow circle in the centre of

the

Standard represents the sun.

The interlocking

lfl

in black is the logo of

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green around the sun represents the vegetation

with due credit given to the publication CARICOM PERSPECTI!'E is published once a

It is is-

sued free of charge to readers in the Community.

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CANCOM Perspective - July 2004

.o.pon.nt of

tl.,'r"rrt t..l tL.

C"",[!"an [ommunitq Lo increase its relevance to tf,. peoples "f tLu

e*iLlurn

year and reports on the work, achievements and problems of the Caribbean Community.

ct cr.iLical

t|,. n.*

of the Region Articles may be reproduced in part or wholly,

a.)

Lo impi"ove

tf,.i" li,r., in meaninglul wa9s

CONTENTS Foreword H.E. Edwin W. Carrington, Secretary General, CARICOM

Changing of the Guard:lnterview with I,1

Hon. Baldwin Spencer, Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda

E-Government, E-Business - for all Bermudians

Nigel Hickson

.] .,t =

ICT Challenges and Opportunities - for Community Development in the Caribbean t5

Stewart Marshall

@Cricket World Cup 2007 - New departures for Caribbean ICTs and Development

GillianMarcelle Integrating the Management of Copyright in the Digital Age

Allison Demas

Media, Entertainment and ICTs - a powerful blank canvas

Joseanne Leonard

People First: Interview with Amb. Lolita Applewhaite, Deputy Secretary General, CARICOM

Health - a factor in Caribbean Development

James Hospedales

Country Profile of Grenada

Message- Dr. the Hon. Keith Mitchell, Prime Minister of Grenada

Links to the Future - Higher Education

Rose Blenman

Creating a new Cadre of Agricultural Entrepreneurs

Ena Harvey

ICT - enabling Sustainable Forest Management in Suriname

Henk Ramnandanlal & Winston Ramautarsing

Liberalising Telecommunications - Contributions to Economic Developmental

Objectives&CARlcoMcitizens

Donald Connor

Organisations:

ICT and Caribbean Export Development Agency - Jose Liranzo Gender and ICTs - Challenges & Opportunities - UNIFEM Caribbean Office CARICAD forges

ahead

with its E-government programme - Angela Skeete

ICT & Disaster Management - Terry Ally

66 68 69

July 2004 - CARICOM Perspective

H.E. Mr. Edwin W. Carrington

Secretary-General,

CaribbeanCommunity

formation and Communications Technology

(ICT) -

a critical component of the new thrust by

the Caribbean Community to increase its relevance

to the peoples of the Caribbean and to improve their lives in meaningful ways - is sometimes discussed in abstract terms; far removed, it seems,

from the everyday realities of our people.

The message by Prime Minister Dr. the Hon. Keith

Mitchell, who has portfolio responsibility for Science and Technology within CARICOM, sets out the context in which the Community is pursuing its ICT agenda, as a catalyst for development and for enhancing the quality of life in the Region, particularly in the areas of education, health, poverty reduction, the delivery

This issue of CARICOM Perspective is timely,

of public information and governance.

not only because it turns the spotlight on a matter

of the Community by the Georgetown Declaration of July 2002, but more so, for the refreshingly

straightforward way in which it explores the many

brought centre-stage in the policy deliberations

magazinehighlights the resolve of Heads

facets

of ICT and firmly anchors them in the everyday realities of Caribbean economic and

Government that there must be functional connectivity to transform our regional economy, and underscores their recognition of ICT as a

social life.

critical tool in evolving trade arrangements,

CARICOM Perspective - Jul1,

)1194

well

in the emerging institutions of the Community.

The CARICOM Agenda for ICT is therefore being advanced at the level of the Member States as well

With the objective of the Community's ICT Agenda being to promote and sustain social and economic development, there is, not surprisingly, a direct relationship to enhancing the quality and

collectively as a Community. It is being pursued not only through sound ICT policies that will propel the Single Market and Economy, but also within hemispheric and global trading arrangements; as well as through the reform of legal and

ment and the building of knowledge and economic

regulatory systems, intellectual property protec-

competitive capacity through ICT development

tion, E-readiness assessments and the liberalisa-

and application.

relevance, while significantly reducing the cost,

education. This publication is significant in its exploration of diversity creation, skills enhance-

tion of telecommunications. The newest Head of Govemment in the Community, the Hon. Baldwin Spencer, Prime Ministerof Antigua and Barbuda makes his debut in this issue

of CARICOM

Perspective, not only from the

standpoint of his position as Outgoing Chairman of CARICOM, but also with emphasis on his

responsibility for Services within the CARICOM Quasi Cabinet. Readers are also introduced to the

illian Marcelle's piece on

Caribbean

cricket is not only scholarly; it is also timely. It succinctly capiures the important correlation between technology and Caribbean social life on

the one hand, and the capacity for economic transformation on the other. It is compulsory reading for policy makerso administrators and just

new Deputy General Secretary of CARICOM, Ambassador Lolita Applewaite, through her useful and informative discussion on ICT

about anyone connected with the Region's

application in the Region.

Other articles, including those on the Liberalised Telecommunications Sector, Gender and ICTs,

staging ofCricket World Cup 2007!

Health and ICTs, E-commerce, ICT in Disaster Preparedness and New Agriculture and Sustainfcourseo there is hardly any other arena

able Forest Management, provide food for

in which ICT has more dramatically and directly

altered the course

everyday

life for

the

thought and useful points of departure. This issue of CARICOM Perspective is indeed an important

the

contribution to understanding the role of ICT in

Caribbean man, woman and child, than

culture. The distinctive flavour of Caribbean social and economic development. Caribbean music is now buttressed and given Read, be enlightened and enjoy! added value by revolutions in digital recording, the use of computers and Internet connection.

sphere

Allison Demas and Joseanne Leonard raise issues

central

to the

benefits flowing from

these

developments. same time, the mass media have made quantum leaps through the use of ICT and have

At the

world: giving immediacy to events in far away places with strange-sounding names and bridging the time

profoundly changed how we

see the

and space divide that previously

separated

cultures and peoples. Julr'2001 - CARICOM PersPec'tive

Alter nanl't'eur.s

political y.ilderttes.s, Trade Unionist/Politic'ian Buldwin Sltentet. itr the

hetante Prime Mitrister

Burbuda

o.f

Antigua und

the c'ountt1"s General Elet,tiotts

held on 23 Marc'h 2001.

AnAgenda for Change "A

Trade Unionist bv heart".

Hon. Baldwin Spencer considers as paramount, his work to relieve the burden of the poor, and in his words is the "Chief Servant of the peoplc of Antigua and Barbuda".

lover i\tt irttcrr icn ri ith of sports and the I)rintc N4inistcr o1' development of ,\ntrgLra and BarbLrcla. A

"devout

culture"

the

l'hc Horr. Minister -.llllrlu L irr Spcrrccr' has held managerial positionsin

I have been in the trade union rnovement

for over a quarter of

century and it is there, rny love for, and invollement in, politics r.vas nurlured. I

Prirle

bclieve that the only way for persons to

two of the most

develop themselves and to improvc their economic circuntstance is to be provided with employrnent and to be

successful entities in this tleld: the Empire

treated fairly according to the laws of

Football Club and the Halcvon Steel Orchestra.

the land. In my lit'ctirne

Perspective spoke

number

have seen

r.vorkers who have been disadvantagcd

the Prirne Minister on a

and this has propelled nre into making

my t'ight for the working class, a

issues.

lif'elong task. Through trade unionisn.r and politics I believe that I can eff-ect

:.., iir iii l1l ", ;t i:ai!:! ,t ;ti; itl : :tt :.';: .:' ,,:'i'i ' irrr,, ri,,. -'

C.lRICOM Per.spct/ive - Julv 2001

irl .tt:j;';j

the necessary changes to the econontic landscape for

the people.

The main Jbc'tts of your platJbrm vrrts "An Agendu.for Chctnge". ,,ls you con n ente your

stex'ardshilt o.l'the affairs

qf your countrJ;,

whot tlo !,otr see as the major clrallenges, speciJically, as ):ou trJ'to eJlbct tlris "ehange" and generalll,. in your

first term

as Prime

survival of the Region and its peoples. With globalisation staring us in the face, creating a stronger link between

the islands is no longer an option. I believe that the organs for closer union

do exist; be it through the

OECS

Economic Union or the wider CARICOM

fuIirtister?

Union. We

possess

the

exPertise,

It is my view that the leadership models of the past in Antigua and Barbuda need to be reconfigured, the workings

goodwill, compassion, commitment,

of government more people-oriented with greater involvement from the people whom we serve and, more importantly, operating a transparent

benefits. We however need as

government. MY govemment's Plans and programmes for the new Antigua

civil or government.

common sense and courage to achieve workable solutions as a unit for all our governments to support and make use

of the various institutions within

the

Region that are available to us; be they

and Barbuda are wide, varied and

The CARICOM Quasi Cubinet was initiuted in

divergent from the practices ofthe past

2000 as a mechanism by p1r|r1, each Prime

administration. Change is the only option available. Since taking office, the greatest challenges have been to

L'Iitrister is assigned lead responsibilitv Jbr a speciJic asped of the Community's

overcome the hurdles of an economy in

S ervices (i nc lu d in

shambles, a virtually empty treasury and a colossail debt burden. MY

telecomnrurticatiotrs)' How rlo 1'ps see the role

government is however committed to

tt'ork. Your coutttty, has been ussigned the portfulio.fbr g i nJbrm ati o rt

tec h n o I ogy an

of'ICT in the Region's development? And hox' tlo you see your role in advuncing this process?

delivering on our pledges and to do

to bring relief to the most

You became Chairman of CARICOfuI ut u time

when it could he said that democracv was neyer so lhreatened in this (Region) bv the

siluatiorr in Haiti, This.fact, compounded hy the threut.from ctrtels engaged in narcotics lrafjicking the scourge of HIV'/AIDS, amot,g others, indeed present ,nsn!' tlifJiculties. W'hat do you see us the

ICT is having a tremendous impact in the development of the Region. As you

vulnerable in our society.

possihilities.fbr this Region,

are aware, most CARICOM governments are placing priority on infusing ICT into the operations of government

create

a more

Productive and

efficient government - e-government, e-Health, e-Tourism and e-Education are examples ofthese initiatives.

My govemment believes that ICT

has

the ability to provide timely information

emd whert must he done lo realise them?

to us as decision makers, thus improv-

The peoples of the Caribbean have often presented ourselves as strong spirited and readY to combat the challenges that confront us daily, be they external or internal. The possibili-

ties are limitless in ensuring

the

ing the quality of our decisions. ICT is

also creating an open transparent channel for information sharing and collaboration between the politicians,

civil servants, the business community, and our residents as well as those of July 2004 - CANCOM PersPective

regional group

our policy of

development of a software engineering

that it will increase the involvement

industry with local Software Services Groups in each Member State which

provide statistical, analytical, and per-

operates in synchrony with respect to

sonal feedback as we chart the course

capacity building, education, standards, and product development. The

people-inclusion in decision-making, because we believe

of residents in national issues and will Coat of

Ams

forward towards prosperous times.

Antigua and Barbuda The Pineapole on the top

the Heraldic helmet

repre-

.tents the famous

sweet

Antiguct Black Pinapple.

The Red Hibiscus flowers represent the many rypes plants found in Antigua.

The Sugar Mill and sugar cane (lefr of shield represents the historical sugar cane industry which once was Antigua's main industry. The Shield with the sun and

regional and global partners. CARICOM

tify them to the members of

colonial wildlife that inhab-

ited

Antigua.

The Scroll at rhe botrom of the Coat of Arms reads with

Antigua's National Molo: "Each Endeavouring, All

the

collaboration network. Members of the

opportunity for collaboration to develop a positive living and business environ-

collaboration network may chose either to respond to the business opportunity

ment.

individually, or as a team composed

engineers from different Member States.

As the Member State responsible for services, Antigua and Barbuda sees itselfas the facilitator for ICT collabora-

The Yucca Plant lrighr of

software services industry and when opportunities become available, iden-

can use this increased efficiency and

tion and information sharing between

shield with flowers)was once the old emblem of Antigua. The Deer reDresentt thc nrP

would ensure that each local group

regional services group will market the

& blue bands

sea and beathes of Antigua.

coordinate the

Additionally, the collaboration channel will remove distance from being a barrier to working relationships with

symbolises the beautiful sun,

wavy white

will

our Member States. This falls within

the Member States, and as manager

regional criteria, standards, best practices, and priorities. CARICOM Member States are at different levels

readiness

of ICT

a unit that will be able to effectively respond to the business opportunity. The unit may disband after the obligations of the business opportunity are fulfilled or, it may continue to exist moving on to other opportunities.

and ICT

information and resource sharing between Member States

Each engineer would add value and

create

will create a solid foundation for

increased productivity and effi ciency.

Achieving"

ll'hich o/ the emerS;ing

issues in trutle

telecommunit,otiorrs sen,ic,r,s tlo 1ou vien' os inrportunt.for tha Region? Hov, should the

Csrihheun negotiating pttsition,t he in.fitrmeil'l Antigua and Barbuda will advance ICT in

the Region by being the facilitator for

Trade in telecommunications services

information sharing. We will ensure that the collaboration channels are opened

is a fundamental platform for the development of many other sectors.

and that they remain so.

To us, the most important issue should be that of costs, and of fair intercon-

The

collaboration network to maximise the

coordination

of activities between will be used and that ensure that scarce valu-

Member States channel

will

nection rights for new entrants. We hope to bring the costs of telecommuni-

cations down for all, but we should do

able resources are shared and that there is synergy and cooperation

this on a cooperative basis. This is

toward ourcommon ICT goals.

negotiating positions on telecommuni-

important for developing CARICOM cations

A practical example ofthe collaboration

network

is the establishment of

regional Software Services Group. The CARICOM Perspective - July 2004

services.

These positions

should be informed based on consulta-

tion with all parties involved,

ing;

includ-

telecommunications providers,

regulators, and govemments,

tariuns (ACCP)?. h'rom -your perspective, to

what extent has the anticiputed progress and e.vpected out(lonte {'the ACCP been realised?

ensure that the positions are symmetric

across the Region or at least the sub region.

llorld

The aims and objectives of the ACCP have not been realised. This mechanism has tremendous Potential to

C'up Crit'ket 2007 profides the Regiorr

with a good opportunity to "jumpstart" its serrit'es industry, particularly in the areas o.f

enhance the entire integration process

('omn,crce and e-tourism. How can the Region

of CARICOM. Since its inception, the

(a) rrtoxitnise on the opportunities and (b) mohilise os a "Region" to take eulvuntage

body has had only three meetings, the last of which was in 2000, and with

oJ'

poor attendance. It is my

the opportuttities providetl?

firm belief

that opposition parties and

leaders

The world cup cricket 2007 provides the

have an integral role to play within the

Region with a good opportunitY to 'Jumpstart" its services industry by advertising its capability. The Region

decision-making process of CARICOM as they are representatives of certain

can work together to provide e-tourism

for countries to make concerted efforts

and e-commerce solutions by creating a

sections

of the society. There

ensure

that theY are

is aneed

ProPerlY

at meetings and that issues It is my governseriously. are taken

will

provide visitors with information and other services, includ-

represented

ing information on

ment's intention to promote this issue at the highest level so that the ACCP

portal that

accommodation,

travel, transportation, events, tours, and even government services like departure tax, etc. The portal could include websites from all World Cup

functions to its highest potential. Any parting words Jbr our resders?

participating Member States. E-commerce can be infused into the portal by

believe that we have

important institution

allowing visitors the opportunity to purchase services directly from the

a suPremelY

in the form of

CARICOM to make the entire Region

become one unit. We have the expertise within the Region and,

websites.

moreso, at the Secretariat to move the

The Region must create an operational framework with clear lines of opera-

integration process forward. Unfortunately, the process has been found to

tional responsibilities, to maximise on

be lagging.

e-tourism and e-commerce opportunities. Capacity-building and education

I wish to urge mY fellow

Heads to make more vigorous efforts in

the

propelling the processes that will

framework. Local businesses must be

cement the integration process' before others passionate about the matter'

must be an imPortant Part

aware of the opportunities and how we can, as a Region, move with synergy to

find other means of moving forward together. I must commend the Staff of the Secretariat for their dedication to

maximisethem.

the efforts of integration and for going the extra mile in making sometimes

You have been itr the political wilderness, stt to speck. Jbr 27 .4 s s e m b

1'st", vhat

are

yottr

Iy o f- C a r ib b e a n C o wn

viery's

on the

u rt i rsn P ar I i a m e n

diffi cult tasks achievable. July 2004 - CARICOM PersPective

National Flag Antigua and Barbuda The seven point Golden Sun symbolises the dawn of a new era.

Red symbolises ldeblood of slave forefathers and dynamism of the people. Blue represents hope. Black symbolises the soil and

African heritage. Gold. Blue and lYhite:

Anti'

gua and Barbuda's tourist attractions: sun, sea and sand.

The "V" formed by the red horders represents: "Victory

at last "

E - GovERNMENT E - BUSTNESS for all Bermudians Nigel Hickson

$I /\

!, A

-J

4 A

J l4 p*l ""!f

Introduction

uch has been written' even more spoken, about how ICT will change the way all citizens live, work, be educated and entertained in the future. Some of this has clearly been hype (and, as such, tended to damage the credibility

technology), but some of the predictions are now taking effect. There might not have been the technological revolution that some predicted; but there has clearly been a gradual evolution that is affecting us all. Bermuda has not been immune to these forces of change and has, I believe, taken them in its stride. The following paragraphs attempt to explain, how we have tried to harness initiatives in E-Business and E-Government for the benefit of all Bermudians.

CANCOM Perspective - July 2004

E - Business and all

that

Tn 1999, soon alter the Progressive I aubou, Party was elected to Govemment for the first time, Renee Webb, appointed Minister for Telecommunica-

This enhances Bermuda's as a business jurisdiction;

standards.

to adhere. It covered issues such as data protection and consumer protection, insisting, inter-alia, that all providers must have a specific person to handle

degree ofreliance on the online business

complaints, and an arbitration system in

conducted here, thanks to a well thought

place for disputes. This strongly sug-

out regulatory framework".

tions after the election, became only the

gested an early recognition that consum-

second Minister in the world to take on,

ers and citizens should be empowered to

in 2000, a specific e-commerce portfolio.

Bermuda was. therefore. in a position lo

benefit through e-business, rather than simply be used as a revenue source for

respond quickly as electronic transac-

the business community.

standing

counterparts worldwide can place a high

Closer

to home, and again with the

citizen and consumer

in mind,

the

availability of trusted certificates in the Bermuda marketplace has made it easier

for

tions became an increasingly important force globally. The European Union (EU)

Government and businesses, to introduce online services in which the user can trust. Along with forthcoming

tion and Development (OECD) countries

was

further plank in Bermuda's base of e-commerce legislation put in place by the Certification

data protection legislation, good infor-

were beginning to focus on e-business

Service Provider Regulations in January

mation security is becoming a prerequi-

and, with the dotcom revolution as a backdrop, an early priority for Bermuda

2002. The associated voluntary certifica-

site of trust in the information age. It is

was to give legal certainty to electronic

promote public confidence in the valid-

and Organisation for Economic Coopera-

blueprint was written

ity, integrity and reliability of conducting

setting out the Bermuda government's e-

transactions electronically using accred-

clear that we will not succeed in diminishing the digital divide, unless both Government and the business community provide services in which

commerce legal policy direction and,

ited certificates

people can trust and have confidence.

transactions.

tion

scheme

engineered

help

after considerable consultation with industry leaders, legislation was drafted

The

that ensured electronic communications,

contracts and documents would

burriers to t'ompanies entering into electronic

com,rrerce; and v'ith its introdauion Bermuda joined

legally admissible. The Electronic Transactions Act

Elettronic Transsclious Act (ETA) removed

the rsnks al the leading nxtions in the co-djfcaliory of..

(ETA) removed barriers to

the luw of the internet.

companies entering into electronic com-

merce; and with its introduction Bermuda joined the ranks of the leading

independently authorised CSPs. The scheme is open to both

Moving forrvard

the intemet. However, while following international norms where these were

Bermuda-based and foreign CSPs and is designed with international initiatives in

{t is fair to say that Bermuda. I in common with a number ofjurisdic-

applicable, the Bermuda approach was to

mind, especially in relation to the EU

tions, went through a certain degree of

refine existing statutes, thus creating a flexible, technologically neutral regime

market which requires certain standards

soul searching and re-assessment fol-

to be met by

suitable for international business and

electronic signature certifi cates.

nations in the codification of the law of

issued

those bodies issuing

probably

lowing the decline of the dotcoms during 2001 and the overall contraction in the

telecommunications

ordinary consumers alike.

sector. lt

was

First to be accredited under the scheme

becoming clear that the survivors in the

was

business

that defined in more detail, the standards

QuoVadis. Stephen Davidson, QuoVadis' Vice President of Marketing and Product Develop-

that e-commerce service providers (such

ment says, "The CSP regulations are

were the entities that we neither wanted

on-line

means to ensure that providers of digital

banks) to which they would be expected

identifi cation services meet international

nor even wanted to come to Bermuda (because of our relatively high infra-

The Electronic Transactions Act was swiftly followed by a Code of Conduct

as ISPs, payment processors and

Bermuda-based

CSP

consumer (B2C)

space

(pornography, gaming and cheap financial services - and this was before Viagra)

July 2004 - CARICOM Persqective I I

structure, regulation and hosting costs).

Bermuda to the outside world. Common

region in Internet penetration (now at

forward as a destination of choice for

well as research, informs us that the type of Fortune 500 players we are courting (in terms of hosting or managed service provision) would not

inward investment, while not compromis-

be impressed with

ing our standing as a sophisticated and mature international business jurisdic-

not fully connected. e-business savvy or

of residential properties), a stable political infrastructure with low crime rates; legislation designed to support ethical businesses while avoiding an influx of less desirable sectors such as gambling and pomography; and an

where the Government was not online.

innovative and competitive telecommu-

tion.

nications infrastructure.

fundamental re-appraisal thus took place on what e-business really meant to Bermuda, and how we might move

sense, as

jurisdiction that was

Discussions took place with all

That is why recommendations in the

stakeholders in Bermuda, particularly in

Paper to develop a laptop programme for

the Electronic Commerce Advisory Board

all public schoolchildren in Middle and

(ECAB), the statutory public and private sector vehicle for determining overall e-

Senior Schools (already underway) are

business strategy. The Board agreed on

just as important as those dealing with improving the already advanced tel-

the following vision that has determined

ecommunications network.

74oh

Where we are o where are we on these lofty goals

we have set ourselves? Has the legislative initiatives and all the enthusi-

asm

our future overall approach:

in the Green Paper made any difference to the use of e-

Bermuda, through its provision ofe-

business by the ordinary Bermu-

business services and transactions,

dian? Has the deployment of ICT in the schools helped our children obtain better jobs or

will become

leadingjurisdiction.for

sophisticated and secure e-business. Bermuda will exploit this leadership

made school leavers more em-

at the.foreft"ont of the global digital

ployable? And has the efforts

ec'onomy to enhance the quality of life

the Government to

ofall her people.

the use of the lntemet improved

encourage

the lives of those people who find it difficult to travel or even

rfhis vision helped in the overall I formulation ofthe E-Business Green

work? Well, the answer must be

Paper ("The Second Wave") which was

that the jury is still out. Yes, we

published in May 2003 and which sets

have seen Internet penetration

out the overall strategy for e-business development in Bermuda, with over 90 recommendations on issues such as Telecommunications, Data Protection,

rise from 630/o in 2001 to

74o/o

today, and yes we have

seen

internet enabled PCs deployed in

every classroom, and yes we

Consumer Protection, Education, E Busi-

have made Government available

ness Marketing and E Government. The

to the public (as outlined below);

but it will take sometime before we can really declare that our efforts

important factor being, in the context

this article, is that the recommendations

deal as much with hamessing the advantages of e-business within Bermuda as they do with attracting ebusiness players to Bermuda. The Green

its size indicates that \l/hilst V Y Bermuda cannot compete for

have made a significant difference to the

space-hungry businesses like call cen-

Bermuda.

business programme in place in Bermuda

tres, there are other attributes (apart from those already mentioned) that make Bermuda ideal for sophisticated ecommerce - a location less than two

is a key

hours from East coast USA; leader in its

implicitly recognises that having advanced and sophisticated e-

Paper

component

marketing

CARICOM Perspec'tive - July 2004

economic and social development of

In as much as a particular policy

course ofaction by Government does not

expect plaudits, occasional independent approval for such action is valued.

Report from the World Economic

Recently we introduced Copyright Leg-

Our starting point for this initiative was

Forum - the "Global Information Technology Report 2003-4" - an annual

islation, along European lines, giving enhanced protection to content provid-

May 2001 when the Government took the important step of establishing a project

publication examining how countries use

ers and those operating databases. We

team to look at the whole issue of E-

are also

and communication technologies to

further their e-business and e-Government goals, and a critical publication (for example criticizing some countries for

in the process of

developing

Data Protection Legislation. The latter proposes giving general protection to

Government. This was

ordinary

project team. Borrowing from a success-

ful UK model of appointing

teams

the personal information of Bermudians

officials and private sector representa-

neglecting E Government), placed Ber-

and also to personal data ofthose outside

tives to look at complex and broad policy

muda at lst in the world for TV

Bermuda stored here; thus facilitating enhanced security for those businesses

issues, the Cabinet Office

penetration

( 108

TVs per I 00 people) and

in Bermuda

chose E-Government for the first project

lOth in the world for Personal Computers

operating in the country.

hope the

of the newly formed Central Policy Unit.

(49 per I 00 people). This year, the Report

legislation to be compatible with the EU directive and will enable business to

The decision was a wise one, for in the

receive personal data freely from the recently expanded European Union.

produced a major Report for Cabinet.

which also looks at ICT development in specific regions placed Bermuda at the

top out of all Latin American

and

tion, land-line telephones (86 per

E-Government

100

people) and Personal Computers (PCs).

/Ane of the most significant developLrl-.nt, for the Government of

These figures speak for themselves, but

Bermuda in 2004 is the unveiling of the

for Bermuda they only tell half the story,

country's E-Government Portal. This has marked the first and therefore (in many

because apart

from the

Television

penetration (which might have different

ways) the most important steP

) they all

radical E-Goverrunent programme which,

show the progress we have made to

over a period of a few short years, will see all the information and transactional

messages for us as a country become truly "e-ready".

services There is, however, no room for compla-

of the Bermuda Govemment

Government required. It was not, as the team explained, primarily a technical challenge, but a cultural and political

Govemment; involvement from Government employees and support from the IT and business community. Fortunately, the Government was up to the challenge

and Ministers endorsed the Report's conclusions and recommendations which,

available online.

Hoseshoe Bay, Bermuda

when the figures were published! "We

knowwe still have workto do, especially

respect

of the

provision

E-

Government services to citizens and in ensuring all ofour children have access

to first class IT facilities in

the

classroom. We will, therefore, continue to move forward and imProve on our performance".

Development is also continuing to ensure that Bermuda has the best -i

possible policy and legislative environ-

ment for businesses oPerating and hosting their e-business operations.

challenge that would involve long-term commitment and funding from

one.

cency, as the Hon. Renee Webb, noted

little over six months, the team

The thrust of the team's recommendations was the step change that real E-

Caribbean countries for personal Internet Access (46% ofpopulation), TV penetra-

space of

r! t.

a a

a. rr3 t' .'"

t-,,-

t - *l t

*t,

it.li

ga*

*-'**

inter-alia, includedthe formation ofan E-

allows Government

Government Unit and the establishment

support and service.

a high level of

We are fortunate that our size, system

Government, and vision, have enabled

of an E-Government Portal.

will serve as a Bermuda, potential

us to establish a Portal that

The E-Government Portal project was

all in

But what real difference will the Portal

focus for

make to the dealings that all citizens and

businesses investing here and visitors.

initiated in November 2002 when a project team was established within Government with the E-Commerce Department as the sponsor. Following initial (and rapid) research on best practice elsewhere (particularly in the

both existing and new online applications being migrated onto the Portal.

I s noted above, the Porral is. in ,( \many ways, only the first step in a

UK and the US)

for Proposals

From payroll tax, through boat licenses

was posted in January 2003. Read by IT

somewhat radical E- Government programme. A valid question is where and

vendors and technology providers both

to scooter tax renewal, the Portal will become the focal point for online

how this programme helps in the social

in Bermuda andwiderafield, this posting

dealings with Government. Whether it is

and economic development of Bermuda.

attracted I 7 responses;

TCD that does scooter licenses, or the issues

Is it - simply a way of reducing the head count of government - or will it really

work permits, the important point is that the citizen (both young and old) will be able to obtain these services through the

help the ordinary man in the street? As noted above in relation to e-business, it is, unfortunately, too early to tell. But

ofvendors was agreed upon. There then followed an in-depth selection process

Portal.

after which two consortia, Microsoft

ooking further ro the future, rhe cititenand business could start to develop a daily relationship with rhe Portal. Simply accessing the site will provide information on the weather,

the latter is the clear intention. If it improves the delivery of Government services, quickens the processing of

a Request

record for an IT

Government project. Following

public

forum for all interested vendors (another first for Bermuda) and an initial screening process by the project team, a short-list

Consulting and Plumtree with SBI were

selected

for final assessment.

This

process took place in June 2003 with the

winner, Plumtree, an international portal vendor, and SBI, a leading Bermudian IT

company, being announced in July.

businesses

will have, in the future with

Check the Portal out on www.gov.bm

Government? Although the first Phase is

restricted

advice, this

Department

online information and will be rapidly followed by

of Immigration that

T ll

news that affect us, when payments are due on any permits or licenses, where

Conclusion

licenses, company incorporations, work permit applications and other forms, and saves public expenditure in the medium

term, we can conclude it is indeed contributing to economic as well as social development.

our planning application for an extension

terms

of economic empowerment in |n r Rermuda

it is worth noting

here, the

importance the Project Team afforded the need for a solution which benefitted local businesses, and by implication, local Bermudians. What we did not want (and fortunately did not have in the final

selection) was a situation where an international company simply imple-

is and even whether our loan application

at the bank has been approved. The possibilities are endless.

Finally, why is this so significant for Bermuda from an international perspec-

tive? It is because we believe we are the first offshore country that would have coordinated all Ministries and Depart-

mented a solution from abroad without using local resources or, more impor-

countries because of their size, or the

tantly, transferring any knowledge or experience. The chosen solution of an

natureof their political or governmental organization, have only a proportion of

international software vendor working directly with a leading local IT company,

their information on their Portal; or have established several different Portals for

both ensures knowledge transfer and

different parts or layers of Government.

CANCOM Perspective - Juty 2004

ments onto the same single Portal. Most

Nigel Hicl<son is E-Commerce Consultant, of Tourism, Telecommunications

Ministry

snd E-Commerce,

Bermuda

ICT is an increasingly powerful tool for parlici-

pating in gbbal markels; promoting politic'al

Lll

accountabilily: intproving the deliverl' ol basic

1r.-F:rj$' Sr ''€F

services; und enhan<ing

local

development

opportunities. But tt'ilhout

,/7

innovative ICT polit'ies, manlt people

counlries

developing

especially the

poor - will be leli behind (UNDP Barbados, 2003).

StewartMarshall

ICT in Communit-l'' DeveloPment

Participation in the Information Societv

TJrom

the huge volume of written material, there can be no

doubt that advances in ICT have huge and unprecedented implications for society at large. However, the uneven adoption

of ICT

across the world

great cause

for concem to

the huge potential of ICT to assist communities to in r"use their overall well-being through community l) development, there are relatively few examples of sustained

T\espite

community networks

built around ICT when compared to

international collaborative bodies whose efforls are related to global inequity (UNDP, 2001; DOTforce,2001). Many govern-

commercial applications, even in the developed countries where the technology has been increasingly available for up to 20 years. Early

ments and global agencies have recognised the growing issues

work in the field has had mixed success (O'Neal, 2001)' and whilst the lack of external funding for equipment can be a barrier to

associated

with inequitable ICT

access and have provided

funded programmes aimed at addressing specific needs within nation states. There is, however, growing evidence that many

success, provision in

itselfis no

guarantee ofsuccessful adoption

of these programmes have failed to deliver on their desired aims and that the societal and community-based disadvantages

in community (Harris, 2001; Byrne and Wood-Harper' 2000). Researchers report a wide range of potential success factors and impediments (see for example, Gurstein, 2000; Pigg' 1999;

resulting from uneven societal adoption of ICT are growing

Rosenbaum and Gregson, 1998; Schuler,1996: Taylor et al' 2003)'

(Castells, 2000). There is now increased understanding that the

Bu| from

provision of ICT access, either high or low capacity' through govemment and private sector efforts, by itself, is insufficient to address these issues. In direct recognition ofthis, the United

Nations (UN) through the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) committed to sponsor two World Summits on the Information Society (WSIS)r in Geneva in December 2003, and Tunis in 2005.

the current

work in community informatics systems (CIS)

an emerging discipline that investigates the use of ICT in community development - there are some common elements beginning to emerge. Pre-eminent amongst these is that collaborative partnerships, social nefwork strategies and the

building of social capital at the local level are key issues for the successful adoption

of ICT for development (Shearman, 1999;

HorriganandWilsoq 2001 ; Hanis, 200 I ; TaylorandManhall' 20M)' July 2004 - CARICOM PersPective l s

Detailed below are three successful examples

ICT in community development (for others

of very poor road and telecommunications infra-

see

structure. The district of Bario comprises a small

Marshall et al ,2003 ,2004) from which we can draw lessons and parallels for the Caribbean situation.

highlands of Sarawak. Only about 1000 people out

group

of People First Network, Solomon lslands

rFh. People First Network (PFnet)ii is a UNDPI established ICT project, which aims at

the

in the

approximately 5000 Kelabit remain

highlands, the rest having moved away in pursuit

of jobs and education. The e-Bario Projectiii is coordinated by Universiti Malaysia Sarawak

(UNIMAS) and financially supported by the

facilitating rural communications and information

Demonstrator Application Grant Scheme (DAGS)

and Canada's International Development Re-

Islands, particularly with respect to rural develop-

search Centre (IDRC). The project connected the

Rural Development Volunteers Asso-

remote Kelabit communities

flows across all communities in the Solomon ment and peace building. PFnet is a project of the

Solomon ldondi People

Fr#

ciation and is affiliated with the Rural Development Division of the Minis-

fkd Nefwo*

try of Provincial Government and Rural Development. In October 2001, the PFnet

-t -'*

Internet gateway base station was

'--:

established and the country's first

village to the Internet, not only to provide

means

for the villagers to

communicate with their relatives and others outside Bario, but also to identify opportunities for such communities to develop socially, culturally and economically from

the deployment of the technologies" (Bala et al,

2004,p.ll6). One of the important findings by the researchers was that:

rural community email facility

Since the information solutions span education, health, commerce, agricule

stab I i s h e d several community-run

ture and culture as well as communications, there is no single agency that

rural email stations, with over 25 planned nationally. PFnet also runs the Internet Caf6 in Honiara.

carries responsibility or authority for community development by means of

PFnet enables remote locations on islands across

ICTs. Instectd, a range of agencies

thousands of square kilometres to have access to

needs to be mobilized and coordinated

Intemet emails using a simple computer, short-

for full

wave radio, and solar power (Leeming et al, 2003).

community (Bala et al, 2004, p.124).

benefits

to flow to

the

It facilitates rural development and peace-related information flows among all social groups, and the exchange

of information between

communities

and development prograrnrnes, NGOs, government offices, the media, businesses and other stakeholders. The project is also establishing a distance learning facility in one of Solomon Islands' rural Community High Schools in partner-

COIN Internet Academy, Rockhampton,

Ausfralia

'p ockhampton is an Australian regional city I\with a population of 65,000, which has been the traditional service and administrative centre for a large sparsely populated part ofeueensland.

ship with the University of South pacific (USp)

Centre ofHoniara.

education, income, and people in the 26-55 year age bracket, when compared to both State and

E-Bario, Sararvak, 1\{alal'sia

National averages (ABS,2000; CeSS,2000). It has

has comparatively lower levels

correspondingly higher proportions Sarawak is Malaysia's largest state and abo ut 600/o

of its two million people live in rural areas with

CARICOM Perspective - July 2004

formal

people

over 55 years of age. Despite the city being both the home base for a vibrant regional University

it being a substantial base for regional public service (Central Queensland University) and

administration, home connection to the Internet was approximately 34%, which was 20 points below that ofcapital cities and substantially below

create a site for vibrant online communities

that

extends and supporls the development needs of their geo-physical counterparts.

Collaborative Partnerships in the Caribbean

that of rural areas in Australia.

In order to overcome what was seen as a major obstacle

for Rockhampton to participate in

the

rl-the successful examples of CIS initiatives I ourlined above all relied on collaborations between government,

civil society and

private

tIN in

information society, the University proposed an

sector - the three sectors recognised by the

action research project to: provide computer and Internet access and

its adoption of the General Assembly Resolution 56/183 to play meaningful roles in the WSIS summits. In addressing the call for new forms of

training to members of community goups

partnerships to initiate and deliver CIS activities,

participation;

Day (2001) outlines a tripartite approach which

measure changes in attitude and behaviour

ment in individuals and the various comm-

involves the private, public and community sectors in a participative manner that requires a directional shift from the dominant techno-

unity groups as a result ofthe project;

economic model that presently exists (Shearman,

assist community groups develop an inte-

of an 'inside out' collaborative methodology. By using such an approach in the Caribbean, we

as a means to increase social

to the use of ICT for community develop-

grated approach to the use of ICT for

communify development.

1999). Success ofthis approach rests on the use

ssential to the approach was the recognition

that the development of local communities cannot be shaped by economics

that the effort must be collaborative with the

alone as this is only one element of the human

community in neither'top down' nor 'bottom up'

condition which requires communication and

acknowledge

J] I-l

approaches, but

in a combination

described as

'inside out' (Nyden, 2001) that recognises the needs for existing structures to extend their resources to address integrated community needs

in equal partnerships. The project commenced in mid-1999, as a joint venture between the

participation with others as part

of the social

fabric. This approach also recognises the rich creativity that exists in local Caribbean communities and that this creativity can be harnessed to benefit

the delivery of a CIS approach, which in turn empowers the community.

University and the Rockhampton City Council, in recognition that useful approaches to addressing the digital divide require such partnerships. The COIN Internet Academy was opened in mid-2001 with two proj ect managers, administration support,

two post-graduate researchers, a ten-seat training facility and a nine-seat telecentre (Taylor and Marshall, 2002). At the end ofJune 2003, the COIN Intemet Academy had 109 community groups with 95 I people registered as members for a wide range

programmes including "train the trainer" programmes to provide for wider diffusion. The University, Rockhampton City Council and the various groups are nowcollaborating to progressively

Professor Stetsart Marshall

the

Director ol the Distance Education Ccntre at the Universit.v of the Indie,s (UWI) Cave

Hill

l4lest

Julv 2004 - CARICOM PersPective

Sinc'e the

inlbrma-

tion solutiotts

span

cdrtcution, heolth, c(,t tttlerce,

agriculture und culture as well us co m nr u

nicati o tts,

there is uo

single ogency

thal carries responsihilitJ, or sutltoriry) Jbr

communitdevelopment by ntcans ofICTs.

WoRLD Cup

@ CRTcKET \trt

zooT

I)t,1tttr'ltrrat litr Ctrihht'utt IC'[ u t tl Dar<, I ctprtta n t.l r

Gillion Morcelle

not move forward. The hosting of the ICC Cricket

World Cup in 2007 presents a unique and timely opportunity for the Region to do just that and to also integrate an e-vision with broader developmental objectives.

s anV West Indian cricket fan can testify, there is much more to cricket than a sporting event. The sport, and the fate of the

I ,( \

Windies' team represent and signify so much about Caribbean personality and capability. Why

not then use the 2007 Cricket World Cup as a platform for the Region to push its engagement with the technological frontier to another level?

The Caribbean Region is blessed with a

salubrious climate, abundant natural resources, and a young vibrant population. However,

majority of Caribbean citizens, including the Region consisting of small, open (island) Tn. I those who are not resident in the Region, economies has also been perennially buffeted by

know that Brian Charles Lara regained his world

record on a hot sunny Easter Monday afternoon in mid April,2004. The Region experienced collective

the winds of changes in far away lands. During the

early colonial era, European wars often led to the change of colonial master, language, culture and

pride and elation as we basked in this great institutions in our islands. In the recent era. that achievement. Unfortunately, that same sense of vulnerability may have changed its form but has collective ownership that Caribbean people not necessarily reduced in intensity. We still associate with Windies cricket is not present in grapple with ensuring that our economies and

many other endeavours.

societies can cope with and benefit from increased

In developing a vision and strategy for information and communication technology(lCT), the region needs to capture the same hold on the imagination and passion that cricket does. Without it, the ICT and development agenda will

CARICOM Perspective

July 2004

mobility of capital, goods and information. There are countless examples from many countries

that have used ICTs to produce significant developmental impacts in health, education, govemance, public administration, environmental

management and the like. However,

careful study

Secondll', by linking ICT to a social and public

of all these examples and the growing body of good, it will demonstrate that indicators shows that certain critical elements are necessary if the ICT programmes are to succeed.

ost importantly, the societies that have

these technologies

ofan elite but can be used to improve quality of life. The ICT programme can provide an opportunity for govemments to play a are not the plaything

leadership role in spearheading a large-scale ICT and

gained maximum benefit from lCTs have

development initiative and to reap all the associated

recognised that these are disruptive technologies

extemalities of leaming by doing. This can have

which require corresponding changes at

the

positive spin-offs for e-government programmes and

organisational and institutional level. We can, in

other initiatives which might otherwise be bogged

the Caribbean, use the preparation process

for

down by relative lack ofexperience.

the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2007 as a giant canyas on which we paint a model of how small

Thirdly, producing ICT applications for

countries can benefit from technolory.

Caribbean hosted ICC Cricket World Cup can

provide a platform for locally relevant research and

Taking this approach

will

also assist in demon-

strating why ICTs are relevant even in the light

other seemingly more pressing development challenges. I am certain ifcricket and technology can be closely coupled, Caribbean people

will appreciate

the World Cup as more than a spectacular sporting

will

view that ICTs are just another complicated technology. Not only does it make sense to have an e-vision and strategy for the ICC Cricket World Cup from a event and

reassess their

developmental perspective, it is necessary in bread and butter terms. If the sporting event is to

technological effort.

It is much more likely that

will have an understanding of specific contexts and constraints of Windies cricket, our venues and

The 2007 Cricket World Cup cun be turned into u

logistical requirements. We should make best use

living

home grown technologists and planners

of this home grown talent and provide

mecha-

nisms for interface with the globe, including with the Caribbean Diaspora.

Tairrallv. it has been shown that national ICT and

H I

development initiatives work best when there

be run efficiently and to deliver annuity income

is a strong effective champion who is willing to invest political capital in these efforts. His or her

streams, ICTs must be used effectively. By thinking creatively, 2007 canprovide a watershed

role goes beyond planning, and includes stimulating debate and inspiring action at the national

in pushing the Region's skill development, aware-

level. We have in Brian Lara, a sports personality whose genius is recognised around the world. As

ness and appreciation

ofICT to another level.

brand, his marketability extends well beyond the

In order for this new departwe to bear fruit, strategic

physical size of the entire Caribbean region. Can

thinking and creative leadership are required. There

we imagine the effect of having the Windies cricket

are many benefits to taking this approach and the

team and Brian Lara in particular, associated with an

opportunities should not be frittered away.

e-vision for the Caribbean region?

Firstly', by tying ICTs into the achievement of

e-vision and strategl'lbr the ICC Cricket

tangible concrete objective such as the successful

\\'orld Cup

hosting of the ICC Cricket World Cup, decision makers are likely to fire up the imagination ofa much

To deliver on the scale and level of quality

stakeholders. Cricket fans and "techies" may be able to find a common language and through this dialogue, design applications

required by the ICC, the Caribbean must have world-class ticket allocation and distribution

which have wider value beyond the 2007 event.

event and logistic management.

wider group

systems; schedule management; tourism; and

All of these

July 2004 - CARICOM PersPective l9

experimental laboratorJ, tlrat provides un opportunity to develop Caribbean approuches that combine our innate creativirs; with the required efJiciency.

processes are information and communication

intensive. In order to ensure that we produce

Conclusion

memorable and profitable Cricket World Cup in

Countries around the world vary in their abilities to

2007. the Region must engage its managerial capacity in the ICT arena as well as ensure

benefit from changes

excellence on the cricket pitch.

widen the base of involvement in the information

-ln" 2007 Cricket World Cup can be turned into I a living experimental laboratory that provides an opportunity to develop Caribbean approaches

in the global economic

system. Those nations that have taken action to

technology revolution have transformed the nafure of that revolution. Based on years of research, analysis and engagement on the ground,

I have suggested a specific proposal that will take Caribbean ICT and development efforts beyond

that combine our innate creativity with the required efficiency. We can use this as an the boundary. I urge the responsible decision

to mobilise financial and

opportunity to develop information services that

makers

can be sold on global markets and to forge linkages between technical education, research and training institutions and the real world. I

resources and to use this opportunity to accelerate

would suggest that with the utmost urgency, the appropriate regional and national institutions

the

Cricket World Cup.

following areas:

t r

the pace at which our region becomes an active participant in the Information Revolution.

2007 the Windies cricket team can be Getting there will require taking all the necessary steps on and off the field. As we marshall resources for the sporting aspect of the World Cup, we can also use this opportunity to move our development agenda forward by

should be mandated to prepare action plans to articulate an e-vision and strategy for the ICC

This vision and strategy should cover

intellectual

Tn I victorious.

Logrstics management and venue scheduling

integrating an e-vision and strategy. We need to take these urgent actions in order to demonstrate

Distributed information management and

our commitment to meet the legitimate expectations

collaboration tools for the World Cup

Caribbean people.

managementteams

r r . ' '

E-corunerce forglobal ticket sales E-commerce formerchandising E-tourismforintegratedtour/ticketpackages Integrated media and outreach prograrnme Television broadcasting and web-streaming

The criteria that should be used in selecting and implementing projects are:

(i) the projects should increase the efficiency of planning and logistics management by an order of magnitude;

(iD

projects should deliver significant annuity

income streams; and

(iiD the selected projects should

provide

opportunities for local content developers, systems designers and project managers

engage on

design and implementation on a large-scale and inter-operable system.

CARICOM PerspectiNe - July 2004

Dr. Gillian M. Marcelle. an

international consultant x'ith several vears experience in lhe

ICT policy arena, is Principal Consultant, Technology Jbr Development (TJDev), Visiting Fellow, Science and Technology Policy -SPRL), University of Susser (UK), and serves as a Bureau member on the UNICT Task Force email : gmarc'elle@worldonline.co.zo

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fARICOM Mernber States consume more \r*-' intellectual property than they produce. As the world embraces the knowledge economy and major industrialised countries reap the economic benefits

of trade in

Even "oil rich" Trinidad and Tobago, arguably the

most industrialised CARICOM country, uses technology which has been invented by fbreign innovators and patented by multinational compa-

products and services

nies. It is not surprising that the largest nurnbers

emanating from innovative and creative machina-

of patents are registered in the US closely followed

tions ofthe human intellect, CARICOM territories

by Japan, as the technology of these countrics

are faced with socio-economic problems of poor

health systems, irrelevant education, rising

dominates the world. In the field oftradernarks, the world's leading brands "Coca-Cola", "M icrosoft",

unemployment and spiralling violent crimes. The protection of patents, trademarks, copyright and related rights (collectively referred to as intellec-

"Disney" are owned by US companies. What of the Caribbean brands? Only a few have any international appeal such as "Bacardi", "Red

tual properly rights) are yet to be adequately dealt

Stripe", "Blue Mountain". Most of the trademarks

with. Legislative measures over the past few years

registered in CARICOM Member States are owned

have largely been knee jerk responses to in bilateral

by foreign companies.

pressures brought to bear by the US

trade agreements and by the new trading regime

*T-he field ol copyright and

related rights

5. slightly difl'erent. Copyright arises autornati(WTO). Such actions on the parts of government cally and under the Berne Convention (to which suggest a failure to truly appreciate the nexus rnost CARICOM countries are signatories) there is between econon.ric deleloprnent and a systerr.r no requirernent fbr registration. Consequently, it which fosters the cor.nrnercial exploitation of is difficult to obtain ernpirical evidence of the nunrber of copyrights in the Region. However, intel lectual properly rights. under the aegis of the World Trade Organisation

Jul.v 2004 -

CARICOM Perspective 2l

given that copyright protects independently created artistic, literary, musical and dramatic works, it is fairly

SADC - the frrst copyright collecting society was formed by a group of French playwrights who

property (i.e. patents and trademarks) the Region

realised the practical diffrculties ofbeing able to monitor for themselves, the performances of their

abounds with creative talent. Nevertheless, there

dramatic works in France and the rest of the world,

of copyright

and the collection of royalties for the performance

music that CARICOM countries are net exporters of royalties. There is a trade imbalance in that the

of their plays. The next major development was

foreign music, in comparison with the remittances to the Region of royalties for the use of copyright

world and one of the largest with 43,686 members as at 3l December 2002. Similar developments occurred during the early twentieth century such as the formation of The Performing fught Society

easy to discem that in comparison

is empirical evidence in the

with industrial

case

SACEM, which today Region exports much more royalties in respect of remains the oldest music rights collective in the

music in foreign countries.' The same is true with respect to other copyright protected materials such as literary works (books, poems), artistic works

(paintings, sculptirre, works of "mas", photographs)

dramatic works (theatrical productions, dance etc) and audio-visual works (frlms, videos, television programmes). In spite ofthe Region's rich cultural heritage, ethnic diversity and creative talent, the

reality

is that our consumption of

creative

products originating particularly from industrialised foreign lands exceeds our home-grown, and

the

establishment

Ltd. (PRS) in the UK and the American Society of Composers Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) in

the USA. What these collecting societies do, is acquire rights from their members - creators and publishers of copyright music and from international affiliated societies - licence the public performance, broadcasting and communication to the public ofmusical works (which are some ofthe

exclusive rights

of copyright

holders), collect

contributes to the inequitable trade in copyright royalties between countries in our Region and

licence fees from music users and distribute royalties to their members and members of

industrialised foreign countries.

affiliated societies.

It is difficult, if not impossible, for individual NTo*ithstanding the fact that creators to monitor the uses

of their work.

For I \

CARICOM

tvtemUer States gained political independ-

instance,theBBCusesalmost60,000musicitems ence during the 1960s and 1970s, they were every week. On the other hand, users of creative dependent (and still are in varying degrees) on the

difficult to seek out the collective management societies of their colonisproper right holder every time they use one, ers. In this regard, the following comment is especially if this work, a film for instance, consists instructive: of the work of different authors of different "In mony Jitrmer British c'olonies local embrl'creative disciplines. onic societies were starteel b1' the LIK perlorming The solution that individual creators have found rights socieryn with a prime aim ol' collecting to bridge the gap between themselves and the ret'ertue Jbr LtK *orks. rtot .fbr establishing a users of their works, has been to unite and to loca! or internationul narket for domestit' manage their rights collectively. They created ('r"eatiot s in the new indepe ndent nalitttr."2

works would find

collective management societies. Collective N'lanagemen t

The Copyright Organisation of Trinidad

established in the Region, commencing operations in January 1985, and evolved from an agency of the PRS in Trinidad and Tobago. COTT

-Fhe genesis of the collective management of I copyright dates back to the 1800', when 22

CANCOM Perspective - July 2004

and

Tobago (COTT) was the first collecting society to

represents writers and publishers of music. Rights

of performers and producers of sound recordings in their performances and phonograms respectively (known as related or neighbouring rights)

were represented by the Barbados Agency for Musical Culture Inc. (BAMCI), the predecessorto the existing Caribbean Related Rights Agency Inc.

tion of physical products, can be overcome in the online environment - creators and investors in creativity now have an avenue for making their works known to so many people across the globe. However, the ready availability of creative works does not guarantee protection or revenue flows to

(CARRA). National societies representing writers and publishers of music, all evolving from PRS agencies were established at the end ofthe 1990s -

In the online environment the

management

the Jamaica Association of Composers, Authors

rights has taken on a new dimension. Copyright protected works are now digitized, compressed,

and Publishers Ltd. (JACAP), the Copyright

uploaded, downloaded, copied and distributed on

Society

Composers, Authors and Publishers

(COSCAP)

Barbados and

the

Hewanorra

Musical Society (HMS) in Saint Lucia. Jamaica took the lead in the field of reprographic rights with the establishment of the Jamaican Copyright Licensing Agency (JAMCOPY) in 1998 with

the Internet to any place in the world. Many collective management organisations have risen to the challenge posed by the Internet by developing systems for online delivery of data relating to the licensing of works and content, the

uses and the collection and assistance from the then Copyright Unit of distribution ofroyalties for various categories of Jamaica (CANCOPY) (a governmental agency) works within the digital environment. These digital and the Intemational Federation of Reprographic

Rights Organisations.

monitoring

information systems, which depend on the development and use of unique numbering systems and codes that are embedded in digital carriers such as

[n 1997, CARICOM Ministers with responsibility I for Intellectual Properfy mandated the World

CDs and films, allow works, the rights holders, the

Intellectual Properfy Organisation (WIPO) to assess the feasibility ofa regional approach to the

and provide other relevant information.l

digital carriers themselves to be properly identified

collective management of copyright and related

ver the past ten years the International

rights. A regional committee comprising government representatives from Trinidad and Tobago,

Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers (CISAC) has been developing its own

Jamaica, Barbados and Saint Lucia and representa-

programme

tives of COTT, JACAP, COSCAP andHMS ledto

property rights: the Common Information Systems

the formation of Caribbean Copyright Link (CCL)

(CIS). The aim of CIS is to create a world-wide digital rights management system based on

in2000.

in the field of online intellectual

standardised identification of creative works and

Opportunities and Challenges The convergence of information communication technologies, media and content has made it even more imperative that the Region derives much

needed hard currency from the commercial exploitation of its cultural products and services. How is this to be achieved? The World Wide Web

offers opportunities to Caribbean creators and their representatives. Copyright protected works, now digitised Problems related to poor distribu-

linked networks

information between the

CISAC societies. By enabling CISAC's members to optimise their day-to-day administration and information exchanges, the CIS plan has beneficial results such as economies of scale with respect to automated transactions, quicker and more accurate royalty distribution between CISAC societies

at present and, hopefully, between all players in the future. In the end, CIS will enable CISAC's member societies to become efficient players in the

information society, feeling confident about July 2004 - CAMCOM PersPective 23

making available their repertoire online. Some of

time, fully compliant with CIS. This system should

the tools of CIS give each member of a collecting

be patented, branded and copyright protected in

society a unique identification number known

the name of CCL, and the rights licensed to other

(interested party) and each musical

small states or even developing countries where similar fledging collectives exist. However, the

an IP

copyright work is assigned an Intemational Standard Musical Work Code (ISWC) code reality is that the development of such a system (digital identification number). The databases of requires significant investment. Such investment CISAC member societies which contain important

is unlikely to attract private sector funding and the

will be linked through a groups of databases which will

only likely source is grant or loan funding from international agencies with the concomitant

data on members' works

network

facilitate the distribution of royalties.a

conditions.

CCL has been granted status of an ISWC agency

CL has the potential to provide a valuable service in the field of music and other creative arts in the CARICOM Region. By providing the technological tools to enable CCL member societies to manage their rights, the system will reward Caribbean creators for their work. The creators in tum will be more inclined to

which means that CCL is authorised by CISAC to assign ISWC codes to all works of Caribbean

songwriters and music publishers entered into CCL's database by the CCL member societies. It is

envisaged that the ISWC codes will enable collecting societies worldwide to identifu the musical works of Caribbean songwriters and

develop and apply their talents in an environment

composers thereby ensuring that they are paid the

that provides an efficient system for

royalties due to them from foreign performances

management of rights and distribution of royalties.

and record sales.

Ifthis goal

is achieved it

the

will encourage creators in

the Region to contribute to the development of the

A ,( \

u result of an agreement between WIPO

cultural sector, attract foreign investment and,

and the Spanish collecting society SGAE,

generally, enable people all over the world to make

programme developed by SGAE for Latin America.

the most of a broad array of Caribbean works. Together, these factors should have a favorable

The reality of CCL's experience to date is that its

impact on national economies in the Region

has been one of the recipients

of SGS - computer

member societies have moved from dependency on PRS to dependency on SGAE's programmers.

Apart from the language barrier, the fact is that SGS was developed for the collecting societies in Central and South America. The server is based in

Madrid, the developers

of the software

are

employed by SGAE, which retains all rights in the

software that cannot be modified

adapted.

Instead of reducing costs, the problems with the software means that royalty distribution process remains a manual intensive exercise which has led

to increased expenditure on human resources. What is needed at this stage is the development

a software programme by Caribbean computer to the needs of fledging

@Allison Demas

Organisation

programmers specific

CANCOM Perspective - July 2004

is an Attorney-at-Law and the

Chief Executive Officer of the of Trinidad and

Tobago ("COTT").

Daretoimagine

Back to reality

Imagine tuning in to a Caribbean media network

In agreeing at short notice to make a contribution to this publication, I had to consider how best to

and not the BBC or CNN to see breaking news as

Caribbean

reflect on this complex but very important topic, recognising that industrial policy on the media and

music, sports, history, arts, entertainment, educa-

music sectors in particular is almost non-existent

tion, lifestyle, cuisine, talk shows and documenta24/7r.

or has little or no institutional support where it does exist. Further it would be true (though not

Imagine on-line Caribbean music companies like Apple's iTunes and CDBaby.com! Imagine

popular) to say that the Caribbean music sector is in the intensive care unit with our local media as

Caribbean copyright collection societies like HMS, JACAP, or COTT raking in the hundreds of millions (USD)

the proverbial pall bearers waiting to carry the

happens in our backyards! Imagine six or eight or

ten regional channels showcasing

ries for local and international atdiences

royalties earned by successful Caribbean artists

t;;*==â&#x201A;Ź

past and present rather

ftterta,rne,rt

than

US and UK societies like

ASCAP, BMI and

ad /cTs Por"of'l 8/u/

PRS! Imagine local telecom op-

erators/entrepreneurs introducing new consumer applications like ring

tones, video, gaming and music to generate traffic and revenues! Imagine young software developers in 'creative parks' across the region unleashing their ingenuity to create video games, feature films, websites, publications, music

and customised tourism heritage

products!

Imagine the archives of our museums, libraries and

media houses filled with digitised images and

Joseonne Leonord

ailing but stubborn

patient with its

sixty odd years of calypso.ska,reggaeand

-1 newer musical forms to be \ buried in a mass creative grave -

along with

of Caribbean writers, historians,

recordings of Caribbean Heritage instead of being owned by the BBC or Smithsonian! Imagine

the memory

technology parks filled with Caribbean youth nurtured by a revolutionary education system for employment in the sunrise industries of the digital

ominous?

world! Imagine multimedia centres in schools and

endangered.

communities across the length and breadth of this Caribbean ensuring no one is left behind in this

While this contribution cannot address the myriad

informationage!

issues/challenges

and heroeslheroines from all walks

oflife. Sounds

should, because Caribbean artists,

creators and producers are an endangered species. In fact, Caribbean civilisation itself is

we face in developing

our

July 2004 - CANCOM PersPective 25

creative industries like media and entertainment in

we fail to heed this technological wake up call, our

this new technological age, it can certainly make

region runs the risk

'philosophical' statement about where we are, the reality of our condition and what the future holds for us if we do not make a fundamental shift in our

thinking, mindful that there are opportunities

of being relegated

telecolonial status. What

brewing?

well as threats. There can be no doubt that the Digital Super liner carrying the world's most powerful nations with their vested business interests, large resources and intellectual and technological muscle has charted a course to conquer (control) the new global frontier. The favoured destination of this power-

creative industries will increase to US$ 1.3 trillion

ful elite is a place called

in 2005 (from $831 billion in 2000), an annual

'globalisation', a modern day 'virtual' Shangri-la where fibre optics,

compound growth rate ofover 7 per cent. The core

wireless networks, internet hubs and the information superhighways fi lled

"creative industries" include the recording industry; music and theatre production; the motion picture industry; music publishing; book, joumal

with content generated largely by

and newspaper publishing; the computer software

transnational media and music conglomerates.

industry; photography; commercial art; and the radio, television and cable broadcasting industries. Creativity is deeply embedded in a country's

So what are the opportunities presented for the Caribbean enter-

cultural context. As such it is a ubiquitous asset, present in all countries, and its effective nurturing

tainment industry and what threats are posed by this digital revolution

and use can provide new opportunities for developing countries to "leap-frog" into new areas of wealth creation. consistent with wider

technologies

yet unveiled,

power

where free trade and access can easily conflict with the collective

In June 2004, LINCTAD Xl convened a one day High Level Panel as part of it's Conference on

'Creative Industries and Development' with a parallel stream of meetings and workshops on ICT's. A pre-conference document from UNCTAD stated that "the estimated global market value of

industries or areas of activities that make up the

trends in the global economy.'

dominance of a few global conglom-

Will we dare to dream and innovate? Will we dare to take our place in this brave new world? These are erates?

questions for which we must seek answers NOW,

will take to believe in

because they strike at the heart of what it

for us to

succeed .....our ability

ourselves and do what is in our best interests.

The UNCTAD document went on to

state

"building dynamic competitiveness in the creative industries in developing countries necessarily entails the strengthening of domestic producers

and supply capacities as the basis for more effective integration into global markets. This in

tum requires building local capacity among the

world and the tools of competition are becoming more and more efficient. If we don't go, we lose; if

artists and entrepreneurs who are employed directly and indirectly in creative industries. The experiences of countries that have successfully nurtured their domestic cultural industries attest

we go in not properly prepared, we lose, therefore

to the fact that these sectors can contribute to

We must acknowledge that we're in a competitive

we must go in to win. Education, training and new

skill-intensive, high-value-added activities that

enterprise policies that place Caribbean creativity

generate rich upstream and downstream linkages

and innovation at the centre of our development thrust are long overdue or too slow in coming. If

with ancillary sectors throughout the economy, including information and communication tech-

CAMCOM Perspective - July 2004

nologies (ICT) and design capacities." (ref:

creators in those markets have done so as a means

on Creative Industries and

of going directly to potential consumers and fans

Concept Paper

in local and overseas markets. As has been the

Development, LINCTAD, 2004)

trend globally, the Caribbean music industry is the

At the WTO, there has been an on-going spirited debate about demands in current rounds of

cultural industry that has led the way in adopting new technology for production, performance and

international trade agreements about the status of cultural products. Also within recent times, the

though is very limited by a number of factors that

debate about global information flows has come

include the lack of an enabling environment to

manufacturing. Distribution using the internet

up at UNESCO and has led to a proposed facilitate affordable access to and use of the Convention on Cultural Diversity (CCD) that internet as well as e-commerce settlement systems. would seek to allow each country to protect its Yet without policy and fiscal support, the public service media, local content requirements, local ownership rules, and other public interest

Caribbean Music industry continues to innovate while adding value to the region's tourism sector.

media and cultural policies from being undermined

by the World Trade Organisation (WTO) or by regional and bilateral trade agreements. In some quarters this proposed Convention is being

On the media front it is a somewhat different story.

of the most important reforms of the

largely North American network programming entrenching the consumption for foreign cultural

viewed

as one

global media governance system ever. Of key importance as well is the draft WIPO Broadcast/ Cablecast/Webcast Treaty, because of how it

will

Regional broadcasters with their stranglehold on the media market place peddle a steady diet of

and information products while contributing to the

economic success of US cultural exports. In most

of Information globally. The instances, they have held firm to their 'marketare: to what extent are we aware of place' concept that favours foreign content over that

change Ownership

big questions

these developments, what is our participation in

these deliberations and what positions are we formulating as a region? The state of play - are we going to 'wing' it or

train for the game?

of local producers and have mounted tremendous resistance to empirical data that show how

quotas for local content have contributed significantly to the growth of the creative sectors in the developed world.

We know without a doubt that E-commerce and the associated Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Industries are changing and

What is evident too is that regional policy

growing at breathtaking speed, radically trans-

includes broadcasters, cable operators, satellite providers, community television and radio, independent media makers, media centres, public

forming production, consumption and communications. What this reinforces is that we have to play 'ketch up' and very quickly analyse the

makers are not yet paying enough attention to the future of the public information infrasffucture that

computer networks and public library users. The

economic, cultural and technological pros and cons of the spread of digital technology as alternative systems of distribution for our cultural

regulators have looked more and more at opening up

goods and services. While for example, the global

of new media outlets, Caribbean artists can't

'the marketplace' by granting telecom and broadcast licenses. The cruel irony is that despite the explosion get

airtime for their music, creative programmers and

music conglomerates have not been keen to embrace the competition of the internet as filmmakers can't get jobs and very large sections of the evidenced by the popularity and success of Caribbean civil society remain excluded from Napster and others, many small and independent

mainstream media and information landscape. July 2004 - CARICOM PersPective 27

In other

areas, discussions

around Culture and Trade are

to creale sustainable development and generate wealth for present and future generations.

still not on the front burner of

regional bodies, re-

think tanks and policy making vealing a lack of understand-

We must now have the courage and collective will to arrest this trend and get back in the driver's seat. For our creative

ing in both

the public and private sectors

industries to be among the drivers

about the

potent i a I industries economic

affordable broadband

have

ofcreative

new

growth poles. We do not monised positions at the

Level on Audio-Visual,

of the new

Caribbean

economy, we have to do a number of things. We have to develop communications infrastructure capable of delivering

to allow local internet hubs,

web

har-

casters and other creators at the industrial and community

CARICOM

level to reach local and global audiences; we have to legislate

Broadcast,

nications

media policy to support local content as well as provide subsidies and support for the production of local content; we need support for our copyright bodies and stronger intellectual property regimes to combat piracy and protect

development in the region has not been uniform and a significant number of Caribbean citizens do not have affordable telecommunica-

intellectual property; we need to encourage the growth of our entrepreneurs by providing creative financing (invest-

tions services particularly those located in rural and remote communities. All this, while we speak of implementing a Caribbean Single Market and Economy to prosper the region and face the

ment) and tax incentives; we need our best industry professionals to educate our policy makers and creators

and

ICT

policies

and other related support

measures.

Added to this, telecommu-

Entertainment

challenges of the global information age.

Our future is now

about the global industry and advise on the best business models for marketing our products; we need support for a massive and sustained drive to interest youths in schools and communities in digital training - music, video, multimedia

and information technology. We have a lot of work to do. One can only hope that maybe, just maybe, we

will move beyond talk to action. The Caribbean already has an excellent track record of producing cultural goods, like music, that have been and continue to be exploited by the industrialised north. The sad fact is that very

The bottom line is, that unless our cultural workers, entertainment business entrepreneurs and professionals

little

across the region are given the tools and skills to compete in

of the revenues generated by artists from Bob Marley to Eddy Grant to Shaggy and Beenie Man have been returned to the countries of

the digital economy, unless we create an environment so that our stars are encouraged to remain in the region, then we may

origin in the region. In most instances, the creators have their copyrights registered in collection societies in the USA or Europe, thus their earnings are used communities

to further

develop the creative these countries and give added value to their

as well retire hurt, and resign ourselves to the fact that our voices past, present and future will be muted by the mere click a

mouse. This is the time to act. . ..OUR FUTURE IS NOW!

economies. On the other hand, the creators and entrepreneurs who do

stay at home are the victims of massive piracy, weak intellectual property regimes and an environment that does not facilitate investment.

This flight of our intellectual property is simply the 2lst century example of a fundamental flaw in our nations' development models, whereby we continue to allow our raw materials and resources (in this case music) to flow into a value chain where the benefits are captured and exploited by intemational players who manufacture, market and sell in the global market place. yet again, we're going down the road of giving away a resource, our creative capital, that has the potential

CARICOM Perspective - Jutt'2004

Joseanne Leonard has been involved in the

development of the region's media and nrusic sectors .for almost two decades

... people are the sine qua non of development We need to involve them not only as beneJiciaries, but also as participants.

Agenda. TheCARICOMICT Connectivity Agenda and Plat-

LolitoApplewhoite

form for Action was adopted by the Conference of Heads of Government held in Jamaica in July 2003. Heads also agreed to the establishment

a Regional

in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) continue to add value to information and its use, to reconfigure trade and reshape economies, and affect directly or

activities of which would fall

under the purview

of, and access to, technology have greatly impacted on world perspectives and consequently, on how the Caribbean Region transacts its business, and pursues its

an insight into this issue and spoke with

readers

CARICOM Deputy Secretary-General, Ambassador Lolita Applewhaite who has been tasked with coordinating and advancing the issues on the Agenda. Ambassador Applewhaite, in explaining what the Agenda was about,

developmental objectives. There is no question about the

emphasised its developmental nature, the use

role of ICTs in sustaining the mission of regional integration,

the role of partnerships

ICTs and

its achievement, she stated:

of life for the "The CANCOM Connectivity Agenda and Platfurm for Action is a two-year plan that provides for a regional

the Community.

Recognising ICTs' indispensable role in driving the Community's social and economic agendas, Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Heads of Govemment, in 2002, mandated the development of

the

Perspective sought to give its

Combined with other forces of globalisation, convergence

peoples

CARICOM Secretariat.

Deputy Secretary-General Caribbean Community

which is, essentially, an enhanced quality

Coordinating

Agency for Connectivity, the

indirectly the life and work of every citizen.

CARICOM ICT Connectivity

strategic approach to the development ofa sectorfounded on universal access and the production ofrelevant content. The Strategt, very importantly, provides

for ICT

to be used as

tool

for

opportunities

social and economic

July 2004 - CANCOM Perspective 29

development. Specifically, e-learning, e-government and e-

continued to spearhead e-government activities through-

and targetting development of ICT exportoriented services industry, that is, e-commerce, were

out the Region. The Fifth Caribbean Ministerial Consulta-

governance

declared as high priorities

for

the Region by the Heads

Government. The CARICOM Connectivity Agenda is therefore a development agenda that sees ICT as a means

tion on E-Government

recently held in Barbados, approved the E-government strategl for the Caribbean

for 2004-2007. This strategy tional within the next six months.

Region

will

become oper(t-

achieving the developmental objectives of the Region.

"As we seek to gain insights and to jind solutions to the broader and deeper developmental questions, the opportunities provided by ICTs can be used to develop a philosophy

"I believe the importance of this cannot be over-emphasised since it is well known that the information sector needs not only a solid information infrastructure and vehicles for universal access, it needs a strong state with solid

organisational architecture that help deal

regulatory capabilities and institutions capable of

with the age-old questions of development - questions such

operating in the international market, promoting trade and

as: How can the Caribbean as a Region consisting of small

tracking foreign investment for

and models

development. Strong

tulnerable open economies engage in the world in a manner

leadership, fficiency in services delivery, transparency in

that is mutually beneficial? How can the Caribbean acquire

government actions, investment in social seryices such as

capabilities necessary to harness the benefits of technol-

education and health, protection of the rule

og/, to

plurality of connected citizens are critical stability and are the key to prosperity in this complex world.

minimise

our geographical, historical

and

psychological disadvantages? How can the Caribbean move from being perennial consumers, to become active

of law and a for democratic

contributors and producers of thoughts, ideas, technolo-

"With respect to E-government - the operation of

gies, goods and services? How can we adopt technologies

bureaucratic procedures and dffirent from e-governance ICTs are used to help Governments increase the fficiency of

produced elsewhere

to create jobs,

reduce poverty and

the quality of hfe for the people in our Region? How can we use ICTs to advance the development of our improve

countries and ensure the well-being of our peoples?

government procedures, to promote the dissemination and

information and knowledge of government provide services, to the opportunity for online interaction,

sharing

eliminating mediating entities and generating a culture in

"The answers to these questions lie in part in forging partnerships in the Region: partnerships between and

the relationship between Government and the governed. is aforce and a developmental

tool which

among Governments, the private sector, NGOs, donors, professional associations, academic and research institu-

our benefit. It is about putting the citizen first.

in a word, a really collaborative effort. Now is the timefor joint action to ensure that the Caribbean participates in the llorld Information SocieQ so that the Region can reap the maximum benefits of ICTs."

Improving the Communication Flow: Radio CARICOI\l

tions, civil society -

we should use to

"I(hen Heads of Government adopted the Connectivity Agenda and Platfurm for Action, they mandated initiatives towards an innovative and intensified approach to public

has been made in several areas.

information and communication within and with the Region and its Diaspora. An innovative initiative of the Community Agenda, Radio CARICOM will be fficially launched at the upcoming Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government, in July."

EgovernmenUE-Governance

Ambassador Applewhaite, continued,

"In the area of

"We

Progress to date

Highlighting the status of arrangements for implementing the Agenda, Ambassador Applewhaite explained that progress

e-governance/e-government, CARICOM,

through the work of its related institution CARICAD, has

CARICOM Perspective - July 2004

see public seryice radio network in the Region

significantly stimulating the participation and involvement

of the people of the Region and addressing the content divide. Radio CANCOM will challenge resistance to positive change, focilitate debate and complement mainstream media broqdcasting ".

increasing the number of accredited tertiary education programmes recognised internationally for their excellence, and the convergence of fragmented regional and international initiatives to maximise results in the area of

tertiary and distsnce education. Extra-Regional Partnerships

"Our collaborative efforts with extra-regional partners are advancing. Discussions qre in train with the Government of ltaly through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on the development of a project to assist in implementing the Agenda. This project has four main components: strengthening the institutional capacity

When asked what was the single foremost action needed to advance the Agenda, Ambassador Applewhaite replied .... "The involvement and support of the citizens of the Region, not only as beneficiaries, but also as participants. They are

the centre of development. This makes public education and awareness all the more critical, and we have started

of the Secretariat; regional e-government/e-governance; regional e-learning and e-commerce; and video

with the establishment of Radio CARICOM."

conferencing. "

Outsideof ICTs

"Again, through UNDP, discussions have been taking place with the Government of Japan with respect to a project to provide video conferencing facilities which will have the effect ofbringing the peoples ofthe Region closer. Collaboration with the Government of India to assist in the area ofICTs is also being undertaken."

A glimpse of the personal General revealed

(cKrN)

side

the Deputy Secretary-

voracious reader and a latent nature

lover-

"I never thought of myself as a nature lover, but in coming here I felt an immediate attraction to the country, as if it were my spiritual home. I enjoy everything about Guyana, itfeels so right when it rains here - the birdsong in the mornings, travelling up the Demerara qnd Essequibo Rivers and the many creel<s; itfeels good. Guyana has that the rain

E-learning: The Caribbean Knowledge Learning Network

impact on me." "We have to be competitive as a region. We have to have strategies to upgrade and diversify our skills and knowledge

to increase labour mobility. This will require

new literacy, achieved through curriculum reform, significant improvement in teacher qualifications, higher level of

professional capacities and new genetal skillsfor a larger proportion of the population, including entrepreneurship, marketing, time-management, teamwork, etc. Tertiary educational institutions are instrumental in providing high-quality

training in these fields. The Region

has

therefore agreed,

through the Caribbean Knowledge Learning Network (CKLN) project which was initiated by, and for the benefit of, the Organisation of Eastern Caibbean States (OECS)' to promote and consolidate our institutions to meet these capacity-building obi ectives. " "The CKLN is

ground breaking undertaking given its

intended impact, and has among its objectives: the improvement of the relevance of tertiary education,

The text of the CARICOM Interconnectivity Agenda and Ptatfurm for Action can be found on website: www'caricom'org) (Note:

Juty 2004 - CANCOM PersPective 3l

Health

a factor in

Caribbean Development -

Information and Health transforming human and economic development prospects by technical excellence in working together

Jomes Hospedoles

Modern information and communication technologt (ICT) supports the

rapid collection, analysis, dissemination and use of information (and misinfor-

mation). This article explores the overwhelming [human and economic developmentJ impact of

a holistic, integrated application of ICT [of a multi functional, Caribbean Health NetworkJ on the health and factors

that impact on our health Tn" I seldom seem as important as when

wealth of the Caribbean - ifwe make the right choices, individually and

we find ourselves unwell. At this point we tend to be concerned with the availability and quality of health-related

collectively.

services. We may wonder who has the power to influence the state of our health and our access to health services. How

predisposition, susceptibility or to disease), our social and

physical environments, and the choices we make, or those made for us in life.

, u personal and family level, these

A L L

choices relate

to our personal

hygiene. sanitation of our environment,

diet and exercise, sexual behaviour, driving and road use, conflict resolution, alcohol, tobacco and drug use, and the way we look after our health or illness. These life choices or behaviours represent the final common pathway to most

ill

health and

avoidable health costs.

to be well?

do they decide what to do? What do they

know, or need to know about us in order to make these decisions?

choices. We are

CANCOM Perspective - July 2004

our

resistance

preventable death and Do we choose to be itt or do we choose

The status of our health today is determined by three fundamental fac-

(the biological blueprint that determines

tors; genetics, the environment and lifea product of our genome

At a local or national or regional level, the policy choices made by government,

private sector or other entities, can heavily influence the health of the population: â&#x201A;Ź.g., getting tough on

directly and indirectly?

detect and cure early cervical cancer? Did you know that in the last 8 years

There is considerable information avail-

Caribbean Governments and people

more than US$200million has been foregone to our economies due to

able on the causes and behavioural risks

of money annually to support delivery of health

drinking and driving or dietary policy to reduce fat and sugar in foods.

associated

with the major

causes of

sickness and death, yet these issues continue to grow in severity. Chronic

diseases are generally accepted as inevitable corollaries of growing older; few people die of healthy old age. Yet,

What

it costing

us in

health...

spend considerable amounts

ture death and health service spending is

sponsible for the health of the Caribbean

in ways that will result in id you know that diabetes is now the leading cause of death in

considerable intellectual and economic

productivity.

unit beds

or two

generations, unleashing

Without unlimited budgets, those renations need to apply limited resources

women in the Caribbean, and that Trinidad and Tobago has the highest death rate from diabetes in the Americas? Did you know that intensive care

one

tourism industry?

lifestyle-related diseases and injuries.

now have about the effect of lifestyle ority of lifestyle-related illness within

the

a result of avoidable and preventable,

everyone acted on the information we

maj

services. The greater portion of prema-

choices on health, we could eliminate the

preventable disease outbreaks

the most expensive hospital

PLANT FOODS AND ALL CAI{CERS

maximum

impact. The sweep of Health Services Reform in the region is reflective of an understanding that we literally cannot

afford to be unwell. The important question then becomes: what is the cost

of staying well, and can we afford it? Conversely, can we afford not to stay well?

governments proceed

with

their

efforts to be more cost- and impacteffective in their measures to promote health and deliver quality health serv-

'#= 0.@1

Jamaica mas

3,0

ices, an acute awareness arises of the need for timely, relevant and reliable

information.

health policy

the

Caribbean sufficiently based on evidence? Do we have enough information on where we are now, where we need to

be, and can we tell

ifwe

are getting there?

Do we realize the huge economic benefit

to be had if we successfully applied only

half of what we know about health and disease causation?

75 70 65 60 55 Per Caput Daily Energy as % of Total EnergY

beds

Figure 1: Countries in which

are mostly occupied by men with

The Era of the Specialist

Tt is currently possible (and fashion LUt.l to be relerred to a specialist for

severe traffic injuries who were not wearing a seatbelt atdlor who had had too much to drink before driving? Did

nearly every tissue, organ, system or

related death rates. (Source:

you know that AIDS has become the commonest cause of death in the 15-44

receive treatment in compartments, with one specialist sometimes treating us for

Dr. Fitzroy J Henry, Caribbean Food and Nutrition

year old age group? Did you know that approximately half the adult female

the side-effects of the treatment adminis-

Institute / PAHO/WHO)

population never had a PaP smear to

plant food sources contribute more significantly to the tYPi-

cal diet have lower cancer-

appendage

that may be ailing.

tered by the other! Sometimes, it seems that the health services have lost sight of July 2004 - CARICOM PersPective 33

us to study any

fact, information msnsgement and communicution in the broadest sense is what the science and art of public

approach allows

health l's all ubout. An effective response to the health challenges

appears

remedy for a headache, usually not giving a thought to the reason for the headache.

demands visionary public health leader-

parameters without the need for collec-

ship and a health promotion approach grounded on a strong information base.

tion ofan entirely new set ofdata.

of us responsible for collection,

analysis and use of the data that informs

Through the use of a Health Promotion

public health and health service policy have traditionally operated in a similar

strategy, formulated on a strong informa-

-ln. result is an ability to create a I profile of lifestyles and life choices,

manner. We collect data on communica-

tion and science base, the Caribbean health vision can be realized: "Safer,

and look at the health profile in this context, by collecting and relating data

ble diseases, HIV/AIDS, vaccine pre-

Happier, Healthier and more Productive

from hospitals and clinics, clinical, public

ventable diseases, food borne diseases,

People, Living in Harmony with each other and within Cleaner and Greener

health, food and veterinary laboratories,

Environments".

hotels and cruise ships, the insurance

us as human beings that are more than the sum ofour parts. Even as we seek to

manage our own health, we have been conditioned to accept the pain-killer as the

Those

vector-borne, respiratory and sexually transmitted diseases, traffic injuries, domestic violence and homicides, mental

health, strokes and heart attacks;

to be

important,

it can be

analysed in the context of the existing

environmental and regulatory laboratories,

prevalence, outbreak investigations, pri-

single individual can appear in as many

The categories are not mufually exclusive, and what is generally lost is the

same group of individuals. If a new factor

industry, studies of disease incidence and

Measuring wellness

as ten different databases!

parameter or group of parameters on the

The Physical Sciences and the Social Sciences have long struggled to understand each other's language. The

vate sector health institutions and practitioners, marketing and financial sectors,

education and industry, among other sources. Geographical representation

methodologies used to measure bacteria

such data adds an additional, critical

and viruses, cholesterol levels and blood

dimension in understanding the dynam-

relationship among the various aspects that comprise the total human being.

pressure are quite different from those

Much of this practice may have been

used

to measure knowledge, attitudes,

driven by the limited and

population and that of the more than 30

beliefs and practices, emotional states and the concepts of peace of mind and

million visitors to our shores annually. When we can effectively profile the lifestyles and related health risks in the Caribbean, we can then design health

targeted

availability of resources for development of information management solutions in health. These vertical approaches have

generally resulted in isolated "data silos," redundant data collection and

well-being. Within

single human being,

however, there are no boundaries, and these scientifically diverse universes are seamlessly interdependent. An integrated approach

ties and fragmented analysis, leading to frustration and overload for the typically

How therefore do we relate the causes and effects in a way that allow us to

small group ofpeople that are expected to manage these varied data systems.

demonstrate the physical effects of the social issues, and the social effects of

in public health leadership

integrated approach

to collecting

and

analysing data, de-emphasising precategorisation, organizing data at the

and in the availability and use of timely,

level ofa person or case, and collecting or connecting the related data, as much

aciurate and relevant information. In

as is deemed

CAMCOM Perspective

July 2004

promotion and disease prevention stratthat need them.

the physical issues? The key lies in an

weaknesses

Caribbean

egies that make more sense to the people

system development efforts, multiple implementations and support requirements, competing and conflicting priori-

\tr/eaknesses in public health ca Y Y pacity and programmes also contribute to the problem, especially

ics of the very mobile

relevant. This disaggregated

the marketing industry can significantly influence our liftstlsle choices, so can health promotion and policy. We need to broaden our definition of 'heslth information', and realize that most of the gains in health in our populations will come from action in the nonIteslth sectors, such as dietary, transportotion qnd educstion policy. continued on p.4I

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,+â&#x201A;Ź. !r-e I

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rHE

Spte',

0f tlrt"s

Ianclscapcd

Btttt !'utt " by Canutc Calistc' lvorld rcktrtlrvtred Grcnaclian artist

ill "Big

!i:i

Jtrlt')001 - CARI(ONI Per'\p('(tive

[r7 \-

nown as the Spice Isle of the Caribbean,

Gr"nuda

is one of the world's largest of

Tourism, the main source of foreign exchange, has become an economic engine for the island as well

producers of nutmeg. Comprising the islands

as manufacturing and offshore financial services.

Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique, it is the

Historically, Grenada has been an agricultural society, the islanders having had success in

most southern of the Windward Islands, and located some 97km southwest of St. Vincent and 145 km northwest ofTobago.

developing the agro-processing industry since the beginning

of this decConsisting of a land area

ade. Growth

345

sq.km, the island is of volcanic origin and is mountainous - the highest peak being Mount Saint

evident in the

Catherine (840 m/2,7 56ft .). Valleys

turing

therefore

smallmanufacsector

which has re-

sulted

added output in grain mill,

Cracking nutmegs

bakery products, prepared

animal

feed,

beverage, tobacco, chemicals and paint.

Grenada is an independent state within the

Commonwealth

of Nations. The British

monarch is head of state and is represented by a Governor-General. The Cabinet is led by

the Prime Minister, who holds executive power. Parliament consists of the Senate, made up of 13 Senators, appointed by the Governor-General on the advice of the prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition,

Crctlr|l fcbl.er. (}'m.dq f.iu$ W.{ Irdt ..-i!OtO

and the l5-member House

Representa-

interspersed between the mountains are pictur-

tives, elected by universal adult suffrage. The

esque and fertile, and many contain

Cabinet is responsible to Parliament.

swift-flowing

streams. The island also has hot springs, several mountain lakes and excellent beaches. Economy and Gor.ernment

Agriculture is the foundation of the economy and accounts for nearly 8 percent of the GDp.

small. Natural resources include timber, tropical fruit, nutmeg, mace, cocoa, bananas and deepwater harbours. Landholdings are generally

History hristopher Columbus landed in Grenada in 1498. The indigenous Carib repulsed all

attempts at European settlement as the French later endeavoured to extend their control over the whole of the island. Determined not to submit to French rule, the Caribs fought a succession of losing battles and, ultimately, the last surviving

Caribs jumped to their death off a precipice in the

was replaced in a coup by the leader of the left-

North of the island at the spot subsequently named "Le Morne de Sauteurs", or "Leapers' Hill".

wing New Jewel Movement, Maurice Bishop. The 1973 Constitution was suspended and a People's

Revolutionary Govemment was formed. Saint George' s was founded in I 650 by the French. The island was however captured by the British in

lT62,recaptured by the French

1779 and then

in I 783. During the I 8th century, slaves were brought from Africa to work on the sugar plantations. ln 1795, British control was seriously challenged by Julien Fedon, a Black planter, inspired by the ideals of the French ceded to Britain

rJrhis

government was overthrown in October

rSS: ina violent coup inwhichPrimeMinister Maurice Bishop and several other govemment

officials were executed and a l6-member Military Council took power. A military intervention by American and Caribbean force s ended the crises

Revolution. Under Fedon's leadership, the Despite the island's long history of British rule, island's slaves rose up in a violent rebellion, the island's French heritage (both colonial and effectively taking control of Grenada. Although revolutionary) survives in its place names, its the rebellion was crushed by the British, tensions

buildings, and its strong Catholicism.

remained high until slavery was abolished in 1834.

The site of Fedon's camp, high up in Grenada's beautiful central mountains, is today a popular destination for hikers and tracers.

1877 Grenada became a Crown Colony and in

I1967, ioined the West Indies Associated States and was the fust of the Associated States to seek full independence, which was granted inl974.

The last decade has been a period ofconsiderable

development in Grenada. While the expansion of the tourist industry has proceeded rapidly, the

island nation has taken great care to protect its magnifi cent natural environment. National Parks have been developed, and the protection ofboth the rain forest and the coral reefs continue to be a high priority. continued on P.40

Grenada was administrative headquarters

of the British Windward Islands from I 885 to I 958, and part of the Federation of the West Indies from 1958 to 1962. ln 1979,the then Prime Minister Eric Gairy

The Blessing

ofthe Fleet at

Gouyave, an oldlime

honoured tradition links Gouy av e to loc al fi s hi n g fl eets

and to others in the West Indies andbeyond. Cel' ebrated annually on June 29, the tradition is rooted in the

dangers ofgoing to sea. On this day, Grenada's west coasl town ofGouyage stoPs, PraYS, wallcs in proces.sion and blesses the fishing boats.

Blessing of the Fleet at Gouyave

NG OUR RI Head of Governmel

I was given the responsibility for the \tr/n* V Y CARICOM's Science and Technology portfolio in 1995, I was elated. I was elated because I regarded the

Dr. the Hon. Ke

ll5

harnessing of scientific knowledge and information, and its strategic application to our national and regional problems as

central to our development. knowledge to the Carib-

During the last decade, awareness among Caribbean nationals about Science and Technology has increased

bean.

significantly. This is due, in part, to the continuing focus on Research and Development by our scientists and the

cas, a satellite link which

practical applications by our technologists and other

TheNetworkwill

work with E-Links Ameriwas launched by the

Institute for Connectivity in the Americas (ICA) and

practitioners in applying knowledge to the solving of day-today problems in many fields, including agriculture and food

will exploit economies of

processing, education and skills training, manufacturing and

scale to pass on low cost

services, among others.

connectivity for social development

But perhaps the most dramatic and far-reaching impact has been in the use and application of information technology in all aspects ofour daily lives.

-f-h. Caribbean Knowl I edgeandLearningNetwork is being launched to

Whether or not we own and.ior operate a computer; whether or not we frequent the Intemet, each of us is more aware of technology and its influence on how we communicate; and how we acquire information and knowledge. We recognise that the ability to create, distribute and exploit knowledge has become a major source of competitive advantage and a

bring affordable

* *

E-learning and Learning Management

Knowledge networking

(intemet, email, collabo-

means of creating wealth for our Developing Nations.

Today, some nine years later, I am, once again, elated. As the Government and people of Grenada welcome participants to

Connectivity

rative tools)

. *

Sludent Administration Videoconferencing

the Twenty-Fifth Regular Meeting of the Conference of

The CKLN

Heads of Government from4-7 July 2004,the focus is on one

of the most promising initiatives that embraces the technology of connectivity. I refer to the Caribbean Knowledge and Leaming Network (CKLN). The purpose of the Caribbean Knowledge and Learning

Network is to deliver low cost connectivity and access to

will therefore facilitate the

of constraints to development of high quality tertiary education in areas of strategic importance, Removal

Improved planning capacity and autonomy in tertiary education institutions, * Partnering by tertiary education institutions to foster specialisation and excellence in key disciplines and

responding to labour market needs,

GilO}II[t ffiGIH Prime Minister,

t C.Mitchell

come with respect

embracing technology. Donors

included the World Bank, OAS, EU, CIDA, CDB, UNESCO'

UNDPandDFID.

con-

Having been endorsed by the Heads of Government at the Inter-sessional Meeting in March, the inaugural meeting of the Governance Committee for the CKLN was held in St.

nectivity and networking to remove constraints of distance and

George's on May 7, at which the legal status ofthe Network, membership and management structures. implementation

size in Small Island

and monitoring were addressed.

Lowered cost

Developing States, r Sffengthening

core

cornmon services such as accreditation, curriculum development and financialmechanisms.

The Network

will

therefore en-

The Governance Committee is headed by Mr. Ken Sylvester, a well-known and highly respected ICT specialist in the

Region, and comprises Professor Bhoendrat Tewarie, Vice Chancellor, St. Augustine Campus, UWI; Mr. Douglas Orane, Chairman of Grace Kennedy Ltd.; Dr. Didacus Jules' Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, St. Lucia; Dr.

hance our global comPetitiveness

Denis Paul, past principal of T.A. Marryshow Community

by upgrading and diversifying the

College; Ms. Norma Holder, Principal Barbados Community

skills and knowledge of

our

people through greater regional collaboration and connectivitY.

ft: I

was at the Summit of the Americas of 1997 that the Agenda for ConnectivitY was first discussed, and the Summit of 200 I

when details were agreed upon regarding the way forward'

For us in the Caribbean, the practical application of connectivity technology is being realised through the CKLN. With the launch of this historic initiative, the living standards of Caribbean peoples

will be elevated'

This initiative symbolises what can be achieved when donors and recipients work towards a common goal to benefit the Region. When educational practitioners from l3 different countries and more than l0 regional organisations and donor agencies met in Grenada in February to discuss the Network, it was quite evident just how far the Region had

College; Amb. Lolita Applewhaite, Deputy SecretaryGeneral CARICOM; and Ms' Camella Rhone, DirectorGeneral, Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality.

The CSME, along with the opportunities and challenges of WTO andFTAA, dictate thatwe raise the educational and skills levels ofourpeople. The CKLN will help us do this. It will help us

benefit from economies of scale. It will help us procure more of our educational goods and services collectively. It will help us be more competitive. It

will help

us establish common standards

and educational achievements. It

will help us to remove the

constraints of distance leaming through the development of an integrated form of tertiary education. It will help to further diversifu ow economies and attract more investors.

realised through the establishment of /-'lonnectivity, as

l*,

will

tne Network, together with the Centre of Excellence' help us exploit our regional strengths. This is surely

reason to celebrate.

spoons

anything to make warm and

friendlymusic. Carriacou's world famous Big Drum Dance is rooted in its West African heritage when communal gatherings

various tribal backgrounds were held Big Drum ceremonies. The

tradition has survived and takes place when members come together to cel-

andknown

ebrate a social event, such as a wedding,

the memory ofan ancestor.

The Carib, Arawak, Siboney

often

described as the Kalinago - are descend-

FestivalVEvents

ofearly Grenadian inhabitants, from around AD. The Kalinago were drawn to pearls by its renada's physical beauty is complemented by a vibrant, rich soil, fishing and natural resources. Th"y living cultural heritage. Local festivals, fairs. andmarkets possess a close connection to the earth and its remain an integral part of life on the island. Its centuries-old spice subsequent effect on their world view which is plantations and rum distilleries still use taditional methods, evident in their cultural art forms. petroglyphs, emphasising quahty rather than quantity. such as those found near Mt Rich in the North of the island, are a major legacy of the Kalinago. The folk-art of Carriacou artist Canute Caliste has gained These rock paintings seem to be placed symboliinternational recognition, with his painting Visions of cally, possibly to catch the sun's rays and ants

1650

continued from p.37

Mermaids and Sailing Vessels at his home in L'Esterre.

measure seasonal progress. continued on

The largest festival is Carnival which

has attractions such as calypso and steelband competitions or Demarcate Gras and Carnival Queen competition.

African Creole influences come to the

fore during Carnival, held

on Carriacou, the sister island at the prelenten time. Music fills the air during

the kiddies carnival and two-day Parades ofthe Bands and selection of the King and Queen of the Mas Bands and the Calypso Monarch.

Parang

is a

specialfy

Grenada

during the Christmas season. It's a musical festival and cultural extrava-

ganza when groups go around serenading in their neighbourhood with accompanying music of steel pans, guitars, tambourins, bottles and

Health: A factor in Caribbean Development

ing power, expanded availability of rare

can perform coherent analyses

skills, and improved economic stability

create better information

promotion and policy. We can do smarter

Twelve million stay-over visitors from

are among the drivers of integrated approaches to varied challenges faced by the Caribbean, including delivery of

outside the Caribbean visit us every year.

health services.

Two million Caribbean residents (the equivalent of the entire population of

and share application development efforts, have fewer system implementa-

If we are serious about significant

Jamaica) visit other Caribbean destinations

improvement in the health status of the

annually. This high mobility belies any attempt to deal with communicable diseases purely within national boundaries,

Caribbean people, we need to create a

tions and create generic system support mechanisms, leading to decreased frustration and improved productivity. The

continued from p.34

Why integrate?

whether natural or political. Movement

within the region is also influenced by economics, with Caribbean residents seek-

ing employment and business opportunities outside oftheir national boundaries.

The concept

of a

single, integrated

discussion about technological opportu-

in the Caribbean usually

nities and barriers. Ironically,

services have a similar impact.

have a specialist in Bermuda review

outbreaks, actual or threatened, such as SARS, have an inordinate impact on the health of the tourism industry, and yet

information, experience and best practice ers of health services at all levels, and

can help to improve the level of their daily operations. Some other parts of the world have already done it, such as the Canada Alberta first nation connectivity

coherent network, scattered over

million square miles of land.

generates

locations outside of the Caribbean as visitors return home. Visitors' experiences of the region's health delivery

often millions of US dollars? Disease

this

project, which links over40 sites into one

episodes are experienced in

earnings as a result of a possible foodborne outbreak in a single major hotel is

by sharing of

would signifi cantly empower the provid-

health information management network

Did you know that potential loss of

converge and align priorities. maximize

health information networks. These national networks must support the integration and linking of existing specialised information management tools, where possible, and must be

dependent region on the globe, the effects of any adverse health-related many

collection,

knowledge created

an increasingly borderless world and

hemisphere, within this most tourism-

health

single, regional health information network, built on strong, integrated national

supported by sustainable infrastructure.

and more efficient data

for

and

The Electronic Medical Record- Has its time come in the Caribbean?

the

technology today itself is least among the challenges. It is currently possible to a

patient in Guyana, including visual inspection and real-time vital signs, using videoconferencing units with a standard telephone connection. Linking of databases and data repositories is no longer restricted by differences in computer operating systems or database platforms. Connectivity within and among

I A

governments seek to facilitate the

t."

of skills through the region and the CSME, residents of movement

the Caribbean should have access to the best health services. wherever we choose to live or work. The ability to immediately make an entire medical

history available to a provider ofhealth care services in any country would

policy issue, not an issue oftechnology.

significantly improve the consistency and quality of treatment, and simplify future relocation. Electronic medical

Despite the extensive availability of

records that are universally readable by

any system of health information man-

tems, that would Protect and serve

health information and health education material via the Internet, 95% of health

visitor and local populations.

care workers

can largely be prevented through imple-

mentation

standardised health and

environment management systems, including hotel-based surveillance sys-

A single, regional, Health Information

countries,

is largely a

resource and

in the OECS

have no lnternet access, as shown in a recent

the Caribbean to merge their records on

PAHO/WHO survey.

returning home. A key to such a system would be the use of a standard, unique

identifier number.

Network: effective and cost sustainable Economies of scale, collective bargain-

agementonthe region, will allow extemal visitors who access health services in

integrated system would enable

coherent data repositories, on which we Juty 2004 - CARICOM Pers7ective 4l

rivacl' and

sec u rif,v-

of public health and to improve health

(WANs) and virtual private networks

and development prospects. The current

(VPNs).

The ability to link disparate kinds of information about a single individual raises concerns about privacy. The

extremely high cost of connectivity in the Caribbean constrains information

United States of America has responded to this and related concerns through the

ment of ICT-enabled services and enterprises. The solution requires a

Health Insurance Portability and Account-

ability Act

People and skills

and knowledge sharing and the develop-

comprehensive approach that removes

p u..t health care professional is part I-r ofthe information network. Awareness of technology and computer

1996 (HIPAA). HIPAA

the constraints and lowers the costs of

literacy must be built and nurtured, and

requires the safe and ethical storage, transport, and sharing of individually

connectivity and networking between member countries and partners and

each individual that captures or creates

identifiable health information; that patients are aware of what healthcare organisations do with their information

provides a new way of conducting our public health monitoring, training and information work.

promotion must be made aware of the value of their contribution. Individuals in

and that any organisation handling such

information must protect it in accordance

information that contributes to individual patient care or health policy and

disciplines not traditionally recognised challenge lies not so

much in ft, \-/ our individual or organisational

as related

with specific guidelines. HIPAA compliance guidelines are rapidly being adopted

technical strength, but in our technical

as a best practice outside of the USA, even where formal legislation has not yet

at v,orking together as governments, national and regional institutions and individual professionals, even as we continue to build

tions and scholarship providers must be strategically aligned towards building an

medical information and records management. Information tech-

technical excellence in our various areas

nology expertise must be made available

of responsibility. We have to

risen to the challenge.

Technologically,

HIPAA direcrly

dresses security concerns

ad-

with require-

excellence

agree on

to health must be brought into

the expanded vision. Educational institu-

enhanced culture and level

sionalism

of profes-

support the required hardware,

ments for secure transport protocols and

frameworks, guidelines and protocols that

networks and applications. Most impor-

encrypted file systems, as well as disaster protection and recovery. Ironically, while

allow us to function as a single organism,

tantly, support for management of the

even as we maintain our diversify of form

changes required to bring about this new

and function as individual cells. Techno-

way of operating must be available

logically, the solutions already exist.

every step.

technology can make

it very difficult

steal personal data, the answer to privacy

concerns in our small Caribbean populations maywell rest with the integrity

and behaviour of people who

have

In order to materialize the vision of

health information system that

that we must build?

informs policy and practice needs

recognise that varied sets of data belong to the same individual, but there is no requirement to know the identity

that individual. This is only necessary at the level ofdirect care providers.

Systems, policies, procedures and

integrated health information capacity in

the Caribbean, what then are the elements of sustainable infrastructure

legitimate access to the information.

applications

We need to create an enhanced culture of using information for action through the availability of effective information

Phvsical infrastructure

management systems, agreed, standard-

ised, core datasets for surveillance, and

Application of appropriate technology requires appropriate workspaces and

coordination

adequate materials, clean power, compu-

connectivity. Standards and legislation must be adopted to govern collection,

ter hardware in secure environments and

of national strategic ICT

plans to facilitate intra- and inter-country

What will it take?

affordable connectivity: copper cabling, wireless connections or optical fibre for

Modern ICT and its use has the potential to completely revolutionise our practice

local area networks (LANs), VSAT

of healthrelated information. A universal framework that, as far as possible, creates one

satellite dishes for wide area networks

record

CARICOM Perspective

July 2004

protection and exchange

for each client throughout

the

adoPted. This will

ity to serve the region. Information sharing

require a unique client identiJier that is not linked to the client's identitv except where absolutely requiredfor direct care.

creates additional value by extending the

system must

Resources for sustainabilitY

reach

of best-practice experiences.

cialised expertise and existing capacity; supporting advocacy and creating pow-

erful negotiation opportunities as unified market for

Strategies must be developed to guaran-

tee resources that sustain connectivity,

spe-

goods and services,

and facilitating cost sharing for specialized equipment maintenance. Mobilisation

Summary

Improving our health and environment situation is critical to our human and economic growth in the Caribbean. The health situation is complex, with chronic

AIDS, injuries and violence, and communicable diseases all contributing to a large burden. The majority of diseases,

of new resources is effectively achieved through partnerships and networks of

preventable health problems impacting

organisations and institutions (including public/private sector partnerships), cost

are determined by behaviour. To understand the factors that affect our behav-

sharing andjoint negotiations for grants. a

iour and their consequences for our health, we must collect, analyse and

national and private

share information that allows us to make

institutions, and the creation and support of a shared information service via

sector funding, and be sustained through systems of cross-subsidisation' e.g.,

informed life choices, including informa-

regional centres of excellence in varied

hotels paying more for participation in the health network than health facilities.

human resource development, selection maintenance and development of information systems, and required updates to technology. uman resources can be maximised through networks of PeoPle and

disciplines by enhancing national capac-

The resources could come from combination

on the quality of life of Caribbean people

tion that is not traditionally recognised being health-related. Using available ICT, we can dramatically improve our

capacity for shaping health policy and health service delivery, based on timely and reliable evidence. In creating an integrated Caribbean health information

network, built on strong, integrated national health information networks,

the existing hurdles can be

sur-

mounted through technical excellence

in working together as governments'

organisations and institutions to create the sustainable in-

Safer Happier Healthier PeoPle

frastructure that is re-

quired. Our capacitY to achieve this is without

question.

simPlY

need to make the choice

and reap the benefit.

James HosPedales is Dit'ector,

Caribbean Regionol Epidemiologl' Centre (CAREC)

Julv 2004 - CANCOM PersPective 43

to the Introduction

Rose Blenmon

as ground-breaking, given its J)escribed I-l intended impact, the Caribbean Knowledge

Information and Communication Technologies (lCTs) are central to the creation of a global

enhancing

knowledge-based economy and society, a reality from which the Caribbean cannot escape. Indeed,

countries by upgrading and diversiSzing the skills and knowledge of human resources in the Region

ICTs can contribute to the integration of developed and developing countries into the world economy

through greater regional collaboration and connectivity.

and Learning Network

the

(CKIN) project

is aimed at

Caribbean

competitiveness

and create the conditions for information and knowledge exchange and utilisation.

L**

*r? tlr*

ICTs and the Caribbean Knowledge Learning

Network

'mffit "?F*i

,/n

With the use

E.'TI

ICTs, through the Colleges and

CKIN, the Region's

Universities will be connected, thereby,

fostering collaboration, the development of region-wide e-learning progarnmes and knowledge sharing. The

CKLN will ensure increased access to quality educational opportunities for Caribbean students, wherever they choose to study.

Qr â&#x201A;Ź

This multi-agency initiative will utilise the potential of ICTs to allow the Tertiary Education Institutions (TEIs) in the Caribbean to work more closely with

each other and with external partners.

Tlg{ElN will increase quality educat on a I oppo rtui n i es for i

Caribbean students

the potential of rCT for stimulating

\tr/nt'. Y Y economic growth, social

development and

political participation is recognised, the benefits are unevenly distributed between, and within countries. The so-called .,digital divide", or "information poverty" describes the difference between those countries, regions, sectors and socio-economic groups which have the resources and capabilities to access knowledge through ICT,

Informatiott & Commuincation

and use ICT for a multitude of purposes; and those

creation ofa global knowledge-based economy and society

to be implemented in to move the TEIs, as

group, into

more collaborative environment, and

to provide a range of common services and facilitating mechanisms. The outcome will be greater specialisation, improved quality and relevance of education and greater integration of the TEIs and their economies into the global knowledge economy. Why

Caribbean Knowledge

LearningNetwork

countries lacking such access and capabilities.

Technologies are central to the

The project, phases, aims

The progressive use of ICT in the economic and social development process reveals the need for adequate and appropriate knowledge-based capa_ bilities for citizens.

CANCOM Perspective

Juty 2004

Within the context of the new global reality, developing countries such as ours in the Caribbean are faced with the challenge of ensuring

that citizens enjoy a good quality of developments in ICTs can provide.

life

that

The CKLN is a timely response to the changes that

increase of27o/o over ten years. But the proportion

must take place in the economic paradigm of the

Caribbean. Traditionally, growth and revenue have been based on comparative advantage in the

of students obtaining an acceptable grade in at least five subjects since 1998, has remained constant over the last five years. As access to

of a limited number of

secondary education improves, the demand for

agricultural commodities, tourism and financial

tertiary education is also changing. A higher proportion of low-income students with limited financial capability to study abroad, are now likely

production and export services.

number of factors largely associated with globalisation, are coming together to support the contention that the Region will be unable

to seek access to local institutions.

to rely on these sectors in a competitive market

High costs and limited financing: There is evidence that the cost of financing terliary

place. Agricultural exports face loss ofpreferential

education in the Region is comparatively high,

access and competition from lower-cost locations,

and that

tourism

is highly

intemational travel

sensitive

puts a heavy burden on public

downturns in

frnance and on students and their families. In

times of crises, and there is

the region, differences in public expenditure per

increasing international pressure being applied to

student as a percentage of GDP per capita are

off-shore

striking, with a record high in Jamaica of 193 percent and a record low in the Dominican

nancial services.

With the establishment of the CKLN, the Caribbean

Republic of 5 percent. This

will

percent on average

address six critical issues in education.

Excess demand and limited supply of tertiary

compared to 25

in OECD countries. In

addition to the learning costs, students who cannot find adequate tertiary education pro-

education opportunities: Gross enrollment in grammes in their countries, have to bear the tertiary education in the Caribbean region cost oftravel and subsistence abroad. (estimated l2%) lags behind the rest of Latin America, as well as East Asia, and the Organisa- fertiary inslitutions in the Caribbean are tion for Economic Cooperation and Development I mostly financed by grant resources (OECD) countries. The evidence indicates that

provided by the Ministry of Education and cost

there are striking differences between Caribbean

recovery plays

countries, with some showing large deficits, while

exception of a few, colleges are financed by the

others have relatively better participation in

Governments based on expenditure categories, a

tertiary education.

system which tends to reproduce past inefficien-

modest role.

With

the UWI St. Augustine campus, Trinidad & Tbbago

cies. Since colleges are generally under-financed,

Participation in tertiary education is not always correlated with the enrollment level nor the

completion rate

public funding is usually used to cover salaries and basic utilities. Non-state revenues, such as

High costs and Iimited tinancing:

secondary level. Gross

student fees and other quasi-voluntary funds are

Enrollment rates at the secondary level vary, for

modest and insufficient to provide for additional

instance, from a high of 100% to a low of25Yo,but

equipment, maintenance and capital improvement.

tertiary education in

Meanwhile, international donor funding is used to

the Region is comparatively high, putting a heavy burden on public .finance and on

only a limited proportion complete the cycle and pass the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) in

five disciplines that will allow them to

access

cover major investments, new facilities, prograrnmes innovation. Public funding to tertiary

There is evidence that the cost

offinancing

tertiary institutions (from 25 to 40o/o of the cohort

education cannot be easily increased because

which enters secondary). The number of students

fiscal limitations and the competing needs created

students

by the pressure of enrollment growth, particularly

and theirfamilies

sitting the CXC has

been steadily rising from just

under 90,000 in 1993 to over 122,000 in2002, an

at secondary education level. July 2004 - CANCOM Perspective 45

Teacher education

world-wide is

f) egional Development of Tertiara Education, IIL Iot"g.ation Into A Global Market and competitiveness: Because the countries

the

Articulationwith Education Development: Teacher Training. Many of the countries in the Region are

a demographic transition with a in the population aged 0 -15 and an

experiencing

Caribbean are small states, they face unique

decline

challenges. Their small size implies higher unit costs - in the public and private sector - as well as

increase in the age group,l6 years and over. As a

on the global market. Provision of education can

result of this demographic shift, the demand for primary school teachers iS expected to decrease,

be fragmented, expensive, inefficient, and widely

while the demand for secondary school teachers is

difficult. Often, it is simply not economically feasible to provide

expected to rise. In this context it is important to

tertiary and specialist training, and countries may

cadre

send students abroad. On the other hand, higher

increased demand and to prepare youth with the

education in the Caribbean has become increas-

skills necessary to perform well in secondary school, so that they are well equipped on

dispersed making access

ingly integrated into the global market through offshore investments, franchising, distance eduion, and open learning programmes. While it is

lear that only progress

ensure that there

is a sufficiently well-trained

of secondary school teachers to meet

the

graduation to enter either the labour market, or to

education

continue onto tertiary education. The primary purpose of most teacher training colleges has historically been to train primary school teachers,

policycanguar-

and, only recently, has this mission changed to

antee the de-

include the training ofsecondary school teachers.

in a regional

tertiary

velopment of local capacities, there is a grow-

-fteacher qualifications vary greatly

countries. For instance In Saint Lucia, halfofall

ing disconnect

secondary education teachers have tertiary degrees

between regional needs

while in Saint Kitts and Nevis, only 30 percent of secondary school teachers have a tertiary degree.

and

Additionally, because of low remuneration, many qualified secondary teachers leave the profession

national

desires. The University of to take better paying jobs

the

UW'l Mona Campus,

Jamaica

Teniary

Itrstitutions in the Caribbean are mostly/inanced by

grant resources provided by the Ministry of Education and cost recovery plays a modest role

puses

among

elsewhere, creating

West

vacancies that are filled by teachers trained for

Indies (UWI)

teaching at the primary level. Teacher education

which has cam-

worldwide is moving towards a university-based

Jamaica, Barbados, and Trinidad and

model. The current practice in the Caribbean of

Tobago, receives contributions from OECS countries and represents an important regional initiative. The UWI recently initiated significant regional prograrnmes in distance education and certificate programmes in teacher training. How-

, this regional model is facing nationalistic tensions as countries compete to develop their

training school teachers in Colleges of Education, creates a cadre ofteachers with inadequate skills,

competencies and knowledge in professional foundations, the practice of teaching, and the disciplines that they are supposed to teach in schools. Improving the quality of teachers' training

institutions and re-training teachers has a high cost

capacities in the same disciplines using the same technologies, which are generally less cost-

in the Caribbean, because it requires heavy technical

efficient. Cooperation between nations involves

education and eleaming can substantially reduce this cost. UWI is playing a regional role in teacher

some pooling of resources and therefore can lower

the costs of providing public goods and services such as education.

CANCOM Perspective

July 2004

assistance from foreign countries. Only distance

training and teachers' certification. However its action is limited by the lack of connectivity.

ICTs can produce

Diversification of Tertiary Institutions, Quality

need to involve stakeholders from the private and

and Relevance. Tertiary education in the English-

public sectors in curriculum review, development

speaking Caribbean consists of over 150 institu-

tions of which over 60 percent are public, 30

and evaluation. But, in general, employers are not involved in the board of tertiary institutions and

percent are private, and the remaining ten percent

very little is done in terms of graduates' tracer

private but with some government support. It is estimated that there are over 74 foreign institutions operating in the English-speaking Carib-

studies and labour market analysis.

bean, offering a wide array of programmes and delivery modalities. These foreign institutions are more flexible in their admission policies than local

tertiary institutions, and tend

to be more

entrepreneurial in marketing themselves and their programmes. Among the Caribbean institutions,

the UWI is the largest, distance

education

The Cost of Connectivity and Use of ICTs: As recognised by the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) in July 2002, ICTs have real potential to enhance and integrate Caribbean societies in areas such as education, health, poverty reduc-

tion, delivery of public services and commerce. The potential to utilise technology to overcome

of the con-

technologies to deliver its programmes across the Region. It has arrangements with other tertiary

many

institutions, to deliver its prograrnmes and provide access for their students. The English-speaking

the Caribbean and

Caribbean also has local and regional institutions,

both compelling and

technical and vocational colleges, a technological

university, traditional universities such as the

challenging. There is evidence from

University of Belize, University of Guyana and the

elsewhere

University

of the Virgin Islands, and multi-

disciplinary and special entities.

straints inherent in other small states is

the

hemisphere that ICTs can produce real social develop-

urrently, the Region

working towards

developing a regional accreditation agency.

The Association of Caribbean Tertiary Institutions (ACTI) has proposed a regional accreditation, equivalence and articulation (AEA) mecha-

ment impact, but that for this to oc-

AuL:tittLlJju+utrq

cur an appropriate enabling environment needs to be put in place. To achieve this in the Caribbean,

nism which would provide (i) a qualifications framework for the Region, (ii) a means for

governments must actively adopt the necessary legal, regulatory and fiscal framework required to let the private sector provide competitively priced

assessing programme and course equivalencies, (iii) a quality assurance system, (iv) procedures for

services and work collectively to achieve regional economies of scale, wherever possible.

programme and institutional accreditation at the national and regional levels; and (v) guidelines for

ne of the most challenging aspects of the

achieving articulation of programmes within and between institutions. While efforts to roll out the regional initiative continue, individual institutions have begun their own quality assurance (QA) mechanisms, with varying degrees of success.

Tertiary institutions need

to review the core

competencies, knowledge, skills and attitudes that are required in a changing labour market, and the

enabling environment concerns the telecom-

munications sector. In much of the Anglophone Caribbean this is in transition from a broadly

monopolistic arrangement, with an provider (Cable and Wireless) to a competitive' incumbent

liberalised environment. The practical impact of this arrangement has been to limit access to information infrastructure and keep prices prohibi-

tively high in many places. As an illustration' the Juty 2004 - CARICOM PersPective 47

Turkeyen campus

U-ultle,sbsrl afJ! ttlttt!

Ijbtr:qlired environment some progress in the Itelecommunications sectorJ is evident but mostly in the new service areas

fe.g.cellularJ rather than those dependent on

existing infra-

structure

ICTs (can) a gateway

going rate for

a lMb Tl line in Jamaica is

etc), and new general skills for a significantly

of the population, including

US$83,000 as compared with around US$7,000/

larger portion

year in the mainland USA. The Caribbean

entrepreneurship, marketing, time management,

slipped behind the other countries

has

of the

teamwork, etc.

hemisphere with regard to roll-out of ICTs and has,

date, seen few

of the tangible benefits

The Tertiary Education Institutions (TEIs) will be educa- instrumental in providing high-quality learning to tion. With the advent of a more liberalised support diversification and to stimulate the environment some progress is evident, but mostly mobility of human capital. Caribbean countries in new service areas (e.g. cellular) rather than have agreed to promote regional universities and experienced elsewhere, notably in distance

those dependent on existing infrastructure

(land

consolidate small institutions into multi-function

lines)andlegalframeworks.

colleges to better meet these objectives. These demands require new ways of providing tertiary

2000' the Eastem Caribbean Telecommunica education, including strong, autonomous, acfn ItionsAuthority(ECTEL)wascreatedtooversee countable and diversified institutions, distance liberalisation and facilitate fair competition in the learning and regional partnerships. They also Eastern Caribbean's telecommunications market. necessitate new ways of financing tertiary As a result, there have been significant changes the telecommunications sector in the

education, including student-based financing by

participating the state and increasing cost recovery.

countries. Integration into the Global Knowledge Economy Strengthened Tertiary Education System as the

KeytoFutureCompetitiveness competitiveness

I I

have

strengthened

through strategies which emphasise economic di-

versification, development of new competences,

IIJ Cave Hill campus, Barbado.s

ftt.,ljtutttu/li. have been based on

comparative advantage in the production and export of a limited number of agricultural commodities, touri.tm

andfnancial services.

, u global scale, a growing body of evidence

supports the contention that knowledgebased economies have an advantage in today's

of the

caribbean States will

to be

A l. \

Iiberarised trade environment.

By focusing

developing knowledge assets, countries are able to benefit from technological progress and reap benefits in economic growth and individuals are better able to participate in society and adapt to change. Commonly grouped under the umbrella of

of "connectivity", Information and Communication available economies of scale. This will require a Technologies (ICTs) have the potential of skilled, flexible and mobile labor force and the bringing the people of the Caribbean closer continued reinvestment of capital. The ability of together, maximise the flow of knowledge and the Caribbean nations to compete regionally and information within the Region provide and a globally will depend on the extent to which they gateway to knowledge resources available elseand better exploitation

focus on the development of high quality human resources and knowledge-based services. The implications for the Caribbean education system

are significant. Development

activity

will

of new economic require new literacy (including

where. Borderless electronic transactions, trade in services, efficient government services delivered

via the intemet, distance education, telemedicine networks and tourism promotion, all potentially

via curriculum reform, improvement in teacher

level the playing field for the residents of the Caribbean. Given the correct enabling environ_ ment, these technologies can allow the Caribbean

qualifications, higher level professional capacities (engineering, economics, public administration,

to overcome many of its physical and economic constraints and compete on the global level.

scientifi c, mathematical, computer literacy) achieved

CARICOM Perspective

Juty 2004

Higher education in the Caribbean has become

Conclusion

In the context of the establishment of the CARICOM Single Market and

Economy(CSME),

the enactment in most CARICOM Member States of the January 1996 decision to allow CARICOMnation-

als, who are university graduates, to move freely in the Region for work purposes, is an important step

relevant in the context of the mechanisms used to

of inform students or graduates about the value of and their training and degrees, and to accredit

forward. It paves the way for the free movement skills in the Caribbean which should challenge

stimulate all tertiary training institutions operating there. The development of tertiary institutions, the

institutions and certiff skills and diplomas. This, in turn, suggests that the countries of the Region

with some urgency, to explore options for etc. needs to be organised from the perspective of the establishment of the institutions and instruthe pending single market. This is particularly ments which can facilitate this integration. way they train their graduates, recruit their staff,

need,

)lithin the context ofthe new global reality, developing countries such ss ours in the Caribbeun are faced with the challenge of ensuring thut citizens enjoy a good quality of life that developments in ICTs can provide

The enactment

the

1996 decisiott...

paves the way

forwardfor thefree movement of skills in theCaribbean

which should challenge and stimulate all tertiary

training instituions operating there.

Note: Go to www.caricom.org for more on the

Rose Blenman is Senior Project Officer Communications Unit CARICOM Secretariat

Caribbean Knowledge Learning Network (CKLN)

July 2004 - CANCOM PersPective 49

necessary step to the repositioning of the

agricultural sector.

JICA's

programme began in | 998 with the

Iestablishment of a Distance Learning Centre at its IICA's Headquarters in Costa Rica and a Caribbean Agro-Entrepreneurs Distance Learning and Training Centre (CADLTC) in Barbados.

To date, Agro-Entrepreneurs Distance Learning v'omen ln

agriculture vith ertensionist

and Training Centre ADLTCs have now been established in seven (7) IICA Offices in the Caribbean in Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Saint

Kitts, Saint Lucia, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, and Suriname. Courses are offered in Farm Management, Health and Occupational Safety, E-Commerce, Organic Farming, Hydro-

ponics, Soil Fertility Management, Entrepreneurship, and Interactive Information and Extension

CnneuNclNnw CannE or AcnrcuLTURAr ExTREpRENEURS

Agricultural Training. IICA Offices have also established agreements with the UWI, Polytechnic Schools and Community Colleges, as well

with other ICT providers at national levels, in order to provide greater access to students, particularly those who may time and logistical constraints.

IICA's Distance Learning Programme Significant benefits realised Since its inception, the Caribbean programme has

Eno Horvey is 7ou nlry Represenfofive.

llCA. Borbodos

its regional Distance Learning Pro

fhrough I gramme. the InterAmerican

Institute for

trained over 600 farmers and agribusiness operators across the region, as well as tutors and

Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) is using

multimedia technicians. An outstanding charac-

technology to modernize and redesign agricul-

teristic for most participants was the practical,

tural production practices in the Caribbean Region. The programme concept is based on the clear recognition ofthe need to develop a critical mass of highly trained professionals, technicians

hands-on and competency focus

courses as compared with similar programmes. Agricultural personnel who took courses such

and entrepreneurs to lead the economic diversifi-

these programmes helped them to bring greater

cation and technological modernization process

focus to their jobs. lt was encouraging in Barbados, in particular, to find extension person-

in the agricultural sector. The provision of JustIn-Time learning that would allow farmers access

to cutting edge production technologies and ideas in accordance with their own tirne commit-

ofthe IICA as

the Extension Methods course reported that

nel attached to the Barbados Agricultural Society as well as governmental extension agencies

ments and, at the same time, introduce them to

participating in these courses. The Organic Growers and Consumers Association in Barba-

computers and the Internet as tools for modern

dos requires all members of its group to take and

agribusiness practice, was therefore seen as a

pass

CARICOM Perspective

Julv 2004

IICA's course in organic farming.

ifi h have nave been signtticant nd youtn omen and beneficiaries of the Programme' In Barba<los, Jamaica, St. Lucia, Grenada and

Trinidad and Tobago' several members of llCA's particiRural Wolnen and Yotrth Networks have pated in various courses and it has been noted this exposure has rnade a decisive impact on

that

their work as farurers and agri-entrepreneurs' There is clear evidence ofbetter business practice and better organisation - the organisa-

Hbrkshtt1t session .for Multinrediu Tet ltnicitttts

tion of Farm Days in which women farmers sell to the public, has been attributed to the

directly

knowledge gained

tior.r.r

these cotlrses' (such as organic discussion groups for specific groups website for all farmers). lt also intends to maintain a central to provide links to state course graduands, that will continue and provide further of the art knowledge on specific topics of success stories information to participants, and to sharing and innovations by farmers themselves'

TlCA.sCaribbeanDistanceLearningprogrammehasbeen supported by the Organisation of American since its objectives are States (OAS) Otfice in Barbados' the strengthening consistent with those of the OAS' namely' dialogue for development' increasing coop-

L,rongly

of hemispheric

Course CDs Studcnts

ul tlrc ttuts(l

An imporlant intencled consequence of the programme has been the increased functional by computer literacy that has been attained ln rnany cases, patlicularly in the

parlicipants.

have had to case of fatmers thernselves, persons unclefi ake sotne basic computer familiarization

By virtue courses prior to starting the courses' Internet to of having to use the CD-ROM and a follow the courses, participants achieved reasonable degree of cornputer competence' participants reported having purchased

Many

to their own computers as a result and continue use the computer as an agri-business

tool'

of important is this outcome to the development sector that competitiveness in the agricultural chat/ and llCA intends to establish e-fonna

institutions operating within the eration for development among of knowledge' information Americas, and increasing the exchange and experiences.

Jtrlt

2004 - C'IRIC-OM

Perspec'tiv 5l

ICT

enabling

SUSTAINABLE FOREST

MANAGEMENT in Suriname Henk Romnondonlol & Winslon Romoulorsing

The Republic ol'suriname s.ith over go percent ofits land area coverecl by fbrest is on

the intetnational list of-countries w.ith hug.e areas ofpristine tropical rain lbrests. ApproxiutatelJ, Io percent of this forest has been opened lbr tinber

hartesting, wltile the renainder is consiclerer! protection for.est and special protected lbrest. fnforntation tec'hnology, has provecl to be a uselhJ support in the sustainable nnnagen.?nt of this under-utilized resource.

is the second largest of the three Guianas. With a population of approximately

Quriname

450,000inan areaof 164,000km2, it is one ofthe least densely populated tropical rainforest coun_ tries in the world. Before colonisation, the country was inhabited by Amerindians. Between the lTth

and middle of the lgth century, slaves fled the plantations and created Maroon communities in

CANCOM Perspective - July 2004

the hinterland. The Maroons and Indigenous peoples make up I 0 percent ofthe population and now live in small villages primarily in the Savanna

Belt and Interior Uplands. Recently, Brazilians, mainly garimpeiros and their families have settled in the Interior as goldminers and make up five percent of the population.

Table: Suriname's Timber Production

TimberProduction

1994-2003 (m3)

Eot decades the annual output of round I' wood(logs) has remained constant at a level of 200,000 m3. The sector's contribution to the gross domestic product (GDP) is about 3 percent and export revenues 3 Percent.

Since current statistics are unreliable and due to illegal "exports", real timber harvests are estimated to be approximately 30 percent higher. At present,

the forest sector directly employs approximately 2500 people in forest operations, sawmills and

small woodworking shops. This

timber tree species.

approximately 25 percent of the standing wood volume comprise timber tree species and only about l0 percent of a total wood-volume of 150 to 300 m3 is suitable for harvesting'

represents

approximately 2. 5 percent of national employment'

The introduction

operation The country is rich in flora and fauna and has 5800

identified species of plants and 1890 identified species ofvertebrates, about two to three percent

of which are endemic to Suriname.

Sixteen

protected areas comprising a total of 1 3 percent of the country's land area have been established to

conserve these sPecies. Despite the availability of a scientific management system (the CELOS Management System), sus-

tainable forest management is not yet a common

practice in Suriname. The requirements for introducing effective management set by the Forest Management Act, such as the availability

of inventories,

chainsaws and wheeled

skidders some 35 years ago has simplified the harvesting

BiodiversitY and Protection

In high dryland forest,

of commercial timber into a logging

extraction and transportation'

Trees are felled with a chainsaw and skidded from

the stump area to a landing along a forest road' Skidding is done with wheeled skidders, crawler tractors or agricultural tractors. Trucks with trailers are used for subsequent transport to river landings,

mill yards orharbours, mainly in Greater Paramaribo'

A recent development in logging operations is the use of chainsaws forripping, andportable mills for sawing logs in the forest to reduce the transported volume ofraw material to mills. This new processing

technology has logistic advantages but could also encourage illegal logging and forest destruction'

management plans and training Forest Management

programmes have not Yet been met.

Commercial Timber llan'esting Logging must be selective as Suriname's forests contain only a very limited set of commercial

lTrhe

Foundation for Forest Management and

I produ"tion Control (SBB) was founded in 1998 and took over the inspection, control and management tasks from the Government Forestry 53 July 2004 - CANCOM PersPective

Services (LBB). The SBB aims at a more effective implementation of the Forest Management Act and Concession Regulations. Stakeholders are

informed of the need

to introduce sustainable forest management and Reduced-Impact Logging.

to submit their logging plans to the SBB which is used as a basis to control forest operations. Logging firms may receive guidance from the SBB field staff to Operators are required

execute inventories and prospects, keep logging records and to demarcate concession boundaries. A number of businesses have already responded

Fellingwith a chainsaw

positively to these services and others have already submitted management and operational plans for approval.

Previously, Governmental control on concessions was inadequate. The SBB started the process of

implementing inspection stipulations, imposing penalties and ultimately reclaiming concession areas from holders who have not taken any action

to harvest timber.

With the assistance of the Food and Agricultural

A log ready for skidding

Organisation (FAO), guidelines for forest manage_ ment planning are currently being prepared by the

SBB. These guidelines aim at facilitating the design of management plans for productive forestland. A total area of67.853 km2 is now being controlled by the SBB. The main objectives ofmanagement for SBB are to: ensure that the state-owned permanent

production forests are managed for sustained yield;

r SBB checking a

log

ensure that all smaller and larger active concessions have an approved management plan and an approved

annual harvesting plan (based on a l00oh

transport to Paramaribo

stock survey);

ensure that all logs produced in concessions are tagged and measured by

CANCOM Perspective - July 2004

the concessionaires at the point of felling, and that all logs in transit have

The transition of the legal power of the

old Forestry Service to SBB took significantly more time than planned'

been measured and tagged bY the

producers, accomPanied bY the approPriate documentation;

to fully imPlement the new control

collect all royalties and fees due for all log

procedures'

production and to Prosecute those producers found in breach ofthe Forest

Management Act, the subsidiary legislation and the terms and conditions

of the concession agreements.

In 1998, based on

production planning and control procedures that

were adopted by the SBB. The core of these procedures is labelling of produced logs at the stump in the forest, and payment of retribution based on the so-called Cutting Register' To check

logs in transit and ensure that appropriate fees

in an efficient

manner, the

automation of these procedures was necessary' Technical assistance to automate the processing of all necessary documentation in the production control procedures was provided by the FAO' The result of this technical assistance was the Log (Log Production Management Information System

Pro-MIS) and

There were unforeseen gaPs in the proPosed Procedures and Planned

organisational structures, such

basic GIS with geographical data

reserves on the issued production licenses' nature to and the classification of the Surinamese forest

procedures for the payment of retribution

Because of these limitations, a phased introduction

ofthe control procedures was necessary' The SBB installed personnel on several strategic locations

and temporarily introduced the calculation of retribution based on an (adapted) waybill to ensure payment and to bring log production under

control in a relatively short period' During this process, LogPro was adapted to ensure the payment of retribution based on waybills' LogPro was also adapted to other needs that came up (for during implementation of these procedures'

example,

the system should accept

automatically detect logs

and

in transit that were

labelled with unPaid labels)'

In the following phase, cutting

registers were

introduced and the LogPro accepted payment

retribution on the identify areas suited or unsuited for log

basis

of log data captured on

such as several forms. Several other sub-systems

production. Sustainable integrated forest management

In the first

and the distribution oflabels'

these mandates, FAO proposed

have been paid

Additional time was needed to recruit and train the required personnel in order

years

operations'

the

of export of logs, sawmill control and confiscation evaluated, computer applications were logs were

develoPed and imPlemented'

SBB

encountered several setbacks: Not all the necessary legal pre-requisites I were fulfilled in time and, as a result'

newly developed control procedures could not be fullY imPlemented' as advised bY FAO'

Juty

2004 -

CANCOM PersPective

The subsystems of control of sustainable log production.

â&#x201A;Źxplanation of symbol!:

- tdhdtqtr +tu.bhdbg. ------->tudffffi

Control procedures

The control ofsustainable log production can be divided into the following subsystems of control activities:

planning of log production, the issuing of exploration and exploitation licenses and the planning of the production of logs (i.e. Overall Management Plan and Harvesting plans). In this subsystem, GIS plays an important role in issuing exploration and production areas. As part of the harvesting plans, a 100 percent inventory of all the trees of economic interest is made for each

production area. In close consultation with the SBB and in accordance with the felling guidelines, log producers plan the felling oftrees.

Felline of trees: All logs produced are tagged with a specified label. Cutting Regisrers are used

to enable log

tracking and payment of

retribution. The log producer is legally obligated to submit his cutting registers to the SBB. During this process the SBB can send forest guards to

check whether felling has been done according to the guidelines and cutting registers have been conectlyfilled.

labelled.

Planning:Activitiesrelatedtothenational

CANCOM perspective _ July 2004

Landing: The extraction, piling and

cross-cutting of logs at the landing. In case of cross-cutting the so-called .child logs' are re_

Transport: The transport

of logs on

trucks. During the transport, forest guards check waybills and logs at fixed control posts and at random mobile controls.

Export: Activities related to the export of logs and payment of export fees. All exports of logs and sawn wood are measured and inspected bySBB.

Sawmill: The processing of roundwood in sawn timber, plywood etc.

Registration and orocessing ofdata: The registration and processing of maps, forms and other data that are needed to control sustainable log production. GIS and Logpro is the automated systems used for this purpose. r Additional control or penahy measures: In cases of non-compliance with the law, penalties are imposed or additional control measures taken.

Retribution is paid on the basis of the captured data oflogs on cutting registers, but in this case it can also be paid on the basis of other forms used (e.g. waybills).

non-compliances can be Within each subsystem, procedures have been central LogPro database, identified within minutes and additional control developed for standard activities (e.g. issuing of taken. licenses, felling of trees, transport of logs, measures immediately processing of forms) within the framework of the Forest Management Act, and subsidiary legislation.

Standard forms were developed to collect the required basic data in order to enable effective control. The LogPro-MIS system is used to process these forms and to register the data into the database.

The data is then processed into management information which is used to control the log production and

necessary statistics

produce, among others' the

on log production.

during

control activities in the field and/or the registration phase of production data 'non-compliances' are observed, additional control and/orpenalty measures

With the

for

management

information is rapidly increasing. To meet this need, information will be made available via the Intemet. Production dataand information on issuedproduction

area

will be supplied via the Intemet to

those

interested. On the basis of the 100%o inventory, the

potential production

certain species can

predicted and potential buyers informed. GIS in combination with GPS, will play

more central

part in the activities of the SBB. In future, forest

will

From the onset, the Geographical Information System (GIS) was introduced in SBB. At present,

(GPS) border disputes between operators settled and harvesting of trees planned.

are

Mitrosoli SQL Sarver.

'l-he

intct'fhrcs and reports the sc-cal le d -/ rot tt-e nd, lt as be t n

ase r

devetopcl in Delphi und is modulur, Euch ustr inletluce hss beeil implcmtnftd itt stt-

ullel Dyrtanit l"inked Libruries (DLL's) autl ctttt ht' atlapted usil.t', .l'set ot''ustr inte rfuces mol;es u

enter production areas

with

laptops

harvested trees be controlled.

the GIS is solely used for the management of production areas and for planning of tree harvesting. With Global Positioning Systems

upplicution runttirts; tttt u

ustr

cppliution, conpiled fbr

connected to GPS and 'on-line' linked with LogPro. 100 percent inventories can be checked and

IT Supports Integration and Sustainability

LogPro is a tlierrt-scrr(r

automated management

information systems, the need

guards

can be taken (i.e. re-measure or confiscate logs).

process

.'ertai,, tusk sor,

(

c.14,

dtttu

Prot'as'

fbrest gu ard i.,1s

t lt

organisation is dewlttPin;1, ftrtoitt specialisttl tusl<s crtrt be {:refied, applications catt ltc p ro g r u n

n a tI u n d i m p I e m e n t c tl

s*'iltlv. r.lsltrr

The currtt$ LogPro is implcmentcd on u

Hti ndox's,\7'

nentorA.

Conclusion At present, it

has become clear that

controlling forest

production will be just part of the tasks of the SBB' The SBB will progressively become an integrated

management institute that will play an important role in the national planning of forest

A link forest

between the GIS and LogPro is the next step. The geographical information, together with the 100%

inventory and production data, enables a fully integrated management of the log production.

activities and the sustainable management of nature reserves. To fulfrll this task, modem information technology will be used to create a "lean and mean" national forest institute.

Future DeveloPments

With the inhoduction of Information Technology

present production data is processed centrally by data processors at the head office of SBB. This introduces a time gap between the capturing of log

the forest sector in Suriname

will

change

significantly'

Information

For the SBB, the introduction

Technology is not possible without standardization

data in the held, checking of these data with data in

production and control procedures.This standardisation

LogPro, and taking control measures in case of 'non-compliance'. The introduction of bar code

will facilitate

readers in the field, in combination with PDA's and

laptops,

will

enable decentralized processing

log data. Combined with an'on-line' link with the

the process of certification of Surinamese

wood production in the funue. The example set by the SBB has proven to be a good investrnent and as a consequence, the future

will

ofthe Surinamese forest guard

also change dramaticallY.

Henk Ramnandanlal is

I nformat i on

Te c h n o I o

Specialist

IVinston Ramautarsing ls Development Economist, PROPLAN, Suriname

July 2004 - CANCOM PersPective 57

-w{

LrnnRALrsrNG TnrECoMMrJNrcATroNS Contributiorts to Ec'ononric Developrnental Ob.iectit,es anct CARICOM Citizensl Donold Conner

he lclccotttmunic'alions.sct'tot'Itt the Caribbean Cotntnunit.t'(CARICOM) i.s l-teing revolutioni.secl bt,r1c entcr!:att(c rtl contpetiticttr. De.spita the./itct thut eut'h o/ the Member State.s o/'CARICOM are at tlif/brent

in the liheroli'scttion prot'e.s.t, ull Menher Stute.s ret'ogtti.se thut teleconrnrutrit'uti6n sert,ices are.strutcgicull.t'intportttttt lo enoble indiv'iduul totrnlries antl rhe Ragion ro crchiet'e ecottotttit,tlet'elopnteutul objec,tit,c.s. In uddititttt C'lRICOM Memher Slutes ctre atare thut libet'uli.surion hrittg.s reul und rungible bettelits to

'stuge's

iltditiduu|(()1|.'uners.Thispapet.e.rontitteshoy.theliheruli'suriotttll.|hete|ec,onttttttttic,tttitllt's to tlte a(ottrttrtit tlevelopnrent ol C.lRICO.\I and henelit.s ull it.t t,iti:en.s. Set.tion I o/'tlti.s paper prot1de.s u ht.iel bctckgt'ountl on the characteri'stit"s ttf'the telec'otnmunic'uriott.\ .\e('tot' in a ntonopol)' cnt,ir.nntent attcl sontc .f the ket'oltt('ome't that Governrnents .seek v'hen liheroli.sing thc se('tor. An ot,en,iett of hott, c'otttribute to these outcomes is tliscus.setl

Sectiott

2. Scctiotr 3looks ctt

hotr.

ttev,market ettlrunt.\ liheruli.satiort of'the telecontnru-

rtic'ation's 'sec'lor c'otttribtttes to et'onomit' tlet'elopnrettt. The puper c'onclutle.s b1. 4i.s.us.sirtg the ket. police.t .fitt. the regulution fi'the telec'ornmunit'ution.s sector thlt (te na(es.\ut1'to ensure tltul rlta sec'tor hecontes tt kct. contrihutot' to ac'hiet,ing Governmenrul goals -/bllotring liberali.suticttt.

58 CARICOM

Per.tltettiva -.lult, 2004

r-9

Litreralisation

Covernmental

New Entrants- Liberating

monopolists are able to charge excessive prices, but also that monopolists are " . .

liberalise the telecommunications sector

"As a result of the liberalisation of telephone communication, there has been one of the most significant technological revolutions with the ability of everyone and almost anyone

have in large part been achieved as

to possess

result of new entrants in

Citizcns and Iconomies

Goals and Objectives

Jn I

economic theory, the objection to

monopolies

inefficient

is not only

that

the sense oJ'failing to

The goals and objectives that have driven the desire of Governments to a

the

their own link with the world.

The numbers are changed

eve:day and

satisfy consumer wants as completely as

telecommunications sector providing

no one dares to predict what tomorrow's

possible. " 2 Monopolists also have little

alternative services to those offered by

level of ownership will be. "

incentive to lower their cost or provide

which telecommunication services have

the former monopolist. When new entrants offer competitive services, consumers are able to choose freely

been provided by means of statutory monopolies throughout the world, in-

which service provider best meets their individual needs. If their needs are best

cluding within CARICOM, confirms the

met by a new entrant the

former

In the 1973 World Development Journal,

theoretical economic objections to such

monopoly must modiflr and enhance its own service offerings if it wishes to

Dr. Eric Williams wrote that development

is now widely accepted

that telecommunication services pro-

prosper in the new competitive market

permit a unique solution but consists of

vided by means of a statutory monopoly,

limited availability of services. excessive

place. New entrants in the CARICOM telecommunications sector such as Digicel, Sunbeach, Oceanic Digital and

for consumers, poor customer

Carriaccess spearhead the changes in

demonstrates that

service and widespread consumer dis-

the telecommunications sector that are ensuring that Governments' goals and

the telecommunications sector, contribute

objectives are met.

contributions

innovative services. The manner in

monopolies.

result prices

in poor network

infrastructure,

satisfaction.

addition

to the need to

achieve

economic developmental objectives, the decision to liberalise the telecommunica-

rlahe

goals

is not a single discipline and does not matrix of interdependent relationships.

The fact that developmental objectives cannot be achieved through one solution

all sectors, including

developmental objectives. The of the telecommunications sector to the economies of a country are

and

GDP growth, productivity gains and

objectives behind the liberalisation

has been undertaken to shortfalls inherent in the provision of

the telecommunications sector and how

new entrants in the

Economic Developmental Policy

enormously important in terms of GDP,

tion sector by CARICOM Member States

address the

Sector-Contributor to

table on page 6 | sets out some

I tn. key Governmental

3. Competitive Telecommunicafi ons

CARICOM

reducing inflation.

May 2004 Cebr. an independent economic and business research

telecommunication services by statutory

telecommunications sector contribute to

fn I

monopolies. The key goals and objec-

these goals.

consultancy, estimated that the mobile

tives that have driven Governments,

telephony industry contributed just over

includingthose of CARICOM, to liberalise the telecommunications sector are:

The main beneficiaries of new entrants

2.3oh towards the United Kingdom's GDP in 2003.' To put this in content

. . .

improving quality of service;

meeting these goals and objectives have

contribution

lowering prices;

been the citizens

increasing geographic availability

Minster of Finance and Planning in

of service;

Jamaica, the Honourable Dr. Omar Davis,

increasing tele-density;

expressed what the liberalisation of the

stimulating investment;

telecommunication sector

Jamaica

GDP) and slightly smaller than the direct

ensuring the provision ofnew

meant to its citizens when he stated in his

contributions of hotels and restaurants

and innovative services; and

Budget presentation on the l Sth of April

(3.4%ofGDP).

generatingemployment.

2ffi2:

. . . .

of the Region.

The

of the mobile

telephony

industry in the United Kingdom, is in line with oil and gas extraction (2.3%of GDP), food manufacturing (2.3% of GDP) and printing, publishing and paper (2.2% of

Julv 2004 - CARICOM PersPective 59

-fr he investment in the I,.,..o--unications sector. along

Governments adopt comprehensive polices to ensure that once liberalised sustainable competition emerges in the sector, the sector can become a key contributor to the achievement of

discriminatory conditions, as competitive forces will eventually

example, studies have estimated that capital investment in the information

Governmental obj ectives.

unfavourable interconnection

technology and communications sector contributed over 22Yo of the total GDP

The key regulatory principles that have

with other suppliers of

been found to be successful worldwide

service. Moreover, former

monopolist operators have strong

with other information and technology industries, is also a large contributor to GDP Growth. In the United States, for

growth

of the United

States between

1994 and 1998.r0 The MinsterofFinance

sector in Jamaica meant for its economy when he stated in his Budget presentation on the I 8th of

April 2002 that:

creating

sustainable competitive

market are as follows:

interconnect

could

avoid

the

incentives to limit a competitor's interconnection to its networks in

Interconnection

any

technically I'easible point on the network

A llowing networks to ll' physically evolve. freely brings a number of benefits.

"Significant growth was recorded (over

Coverage is maximised, making

in . . . agriculture, transpoft and communications . Fortransportation

service available to the greatest possible number of consumers.

5%o)

other service providers wishing

arrangements by interconnecting

and Planning in Jamaica, the Honourable

Dr. Omar Davis, expressed what the liberalisation of the telecommunication

impact on the market. In addition,

order to maintain its dominant position in the market. As a

result, a consensus

has

of interconnection obligations should be limited to the former monopolist and, subsequently, dominant operators in order to developed that the imposition

level the playing field that is tilted

and communication this, to a large extent,

Infrastructure costs are minimised

was due to the continued vibrancy in the

because an operator can choose

in their favour. This approach is consistent with the Reference

the least costly option to implement

Paper of the WTO Agreement on

interconnection. Operating costs

Basic Telecommunications, which

minimised because an operator

only imposes interconnection

telecommunications

sector

unprecedented levels of investment.

with "

are

can route traffic via the most

obligations

study found that information technology

cost-effective path.

(i.e., dominant operators).

intensive industries, including the telecommunications sector, were

responsible for the vast majority of the

obligations on former monopolies

former monopolist s hou ld in itiall_v-

and dominant operators

be set on the basis

In addition,

US Department ofCommerce

productivity gains experienced

the

Focus interconnection

economy of the United States from 1989

The universal imposition of

to 2000, as well as contributing to lower

interconnection obligations on all operators, large and small,

overall inflation.rl 4. Telecommunications Regulation Ensuring fhe Sector Contributes Torvards the Achievement of

Governmental Objectives

between a I iberalised telecommunications

sector and the benefits to all CARICOM

citizens and economies are indisputable and significant. As such, it is critical that

CARICOM Perspective

July 2004

supplier

Interconnection charges of ofbenchmarks

J)evelopment of the

I-,/

cost

models required to set the

interconnection charges

the

amounts to over-regulation of the

former monopolist takes time.

market. This is because only the

These cost studies must not be

former monopolist (dominant the ability to

new entrants' services. By using

establish interconnection terms

intemational benchmarks from

operators) has independently

As seen in Sections 2 and 3 the link

on major

allowed to delay the launch of

competition.

markets that are at a similar stage in

Non-dominant operators that initially face higher cost than former monopolists cannot independently maintain higher interconnection rates or

the liberalisation process as interim

rates, Governments can ensure that new entrants and ultimately its

citizens will have access to services at affordable prices.

rales fall by as much as 594/a

Digicel has brought telepbony ,s@!dcqtt$. such as Brown's Towr\ the Jmctiqq' ESr': Walk that the former monopolist previously did not r€ftE ei.tberfixed or mobile services, thus connectingJad@ and the rest ofthe world.u

{$im centes

Increase Tele - density

S@rrts alone have invested,over s€c-tortas b€€n lib€fiatieod.

Regulators mustbe

Regulationshouldbe

independent

transparent and accountable

Government should not be an investor and regulator in the

decisions and policies adopted by

T-llxoerience world-wide has -D *orvn that regulation is more effective when operators are able to understand the rationale for any decisions made and have r€course to appeal

Govemment that affect the sector.

procedures

sector, as the perceived conflict

interest undermines investor

confidence

in the regulatory

cases where they

dispute decisions. A key part of this is the consultation processes in which industry and interested

parties can contribute

and

legitimately and positively influence the regulation of the sector. July 2004 - CANCOM PersPective 6l

ffi % .

Regulatorl principles

areas, the benefits are twofold:

(i)

principle of early notification has

should be stable

market forces are allowed to work

been used throughout

operators make \T.* l\ substantial capital

where they are effective; and (ii)

European Union.

barriers to competition

investment in order to deploy their networks and provide their

are

removed through detailed and

focussed regulation

essential backup

Competition

services. These investment

lan is

any potential problems in

Regulation

the

decisions are based on business plans that are underpinned by

ttasvmmetric"

sector, such as abuses of market

assumptions about the regulatory

There is a tendency among some

power, are the same as

environment. Whilst no one can predict individual decisions. it is

regulators

shou

to try to be "even

telecommunications

other sector. With

any

focussed

handed" and to treat the former

regulation in place to deal with

monopolist and new operators in

the unique aspects of

the same way.

Regulatory attention must be focussed on the former monopolist to ensure

telecommunications, other issues

be adhered

that competition develops in the

will act as a backup to deal with

to will allow the new operator to

very important for the

new

operator to be able to rely on

clear and stable set ofregulatory

principles. The knowledge that these principles

will

can be dealt with

effective

competition law is in place. This

market and regulation does not

any situations that

confidently invest in the network

impose unnecessary burdens on

telecommunications legislation

infrastructure and operational support that is needed for

new entrants. As an example, in

does not cover and

order to ensure that a former monopolist does not abuse its

unforeseen circumstances.

sustainable competition to emerge. This is particularly important with respect to

dominant position when introducing new retail and

interconnection rates.

wholesale prices they should be

the

any

obliged to notify the regulator

Regulation should

and other operators at least three

focussed

weeks before they are adopted.

Regulation exists to deal with issues that arise as a result of

This

market failures. There has been a

tendency

some markets to

intervene in areas where market

forces are effective

and

intervention merely acts as a cumbersome burden. The areas where market failures tend to occur are well documented and are common to most regimes in the world. By concentrating the

regulatory effort on these key

the

CANCOM

Per.spec'tive - Julv 2004

will allow new entrants

and

the regulator sufficient time to investigate whether or not such prices represent an attempt by

kill off competition through anticompetitive pricing. Where pricing is deemed to be antithe former monopolist to

competitive, apparent short-term

benefits to consumers would ultimately result in long-term detriment if such prices were allowed on the market. This

(Since

April of 2003) Mr. Connor has

served as Digicel's Head of'Legal and Regulatory Alfairs in the

Eastern Caribbean.

ICT research projectsfor CARICOM

& UN's Internstionsl

Trade Centre ,

Caribbean

e-commerce portal,

jirst and only CD-ROM version of the ITC's book uSecrets of

Export

E-commerce"

f)evelopment Agency

on-line course on the same.

Jose Lironzo Introduction

which further

expand

International trade organisations have

The Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export) is conduct-

business opportunities in services. With

made it a priority to help companies sell

the exception of Haiti and The Bahamas

and buy online, especially small and

ing research studies for the Caribbean community. (CARICOM) Secretariat which will assist in implementing the

all Member States are being included.

medium sized enterprises (SMEs) inlesser-

CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) and prepare country assess-

only in the world) English and Spanish

arrangements

ments on

"e" policies and ICT's

developed countries (LDCs). The United

In addition to producing the first

(and

versions CD ROMs of the Intemational

Member States; and to guide community

Trade Centre's Secrets of E-commerce book in 2002, Caribbean Export is continuing its support to Information and telecommunication technologies (ICT) initiatives by participating in fora where this important topic is discussed and by offering a low-cost e-business portal to all of the Caribbean Region's SMEs. One of these ICT oriented projects is the Caribbean E-commerce

policy decisions on the issue of treatment

Initiative.

advances in the Caribbean Region.

ne aspect of the research is

quantitative analysis to determine the extent of competitive advantage of operators in Free Zones and similar jurisdictions as compared with incentives granted to operators in customs territory

tTthe

United Nations Commission on

I traaeand Development(UNCTAD) in furn encourages LDCs to create marketplaces, since existing ones tend

not to serve LDCs or SMEs.

costs

millions ofdollars to build and maintain

single small marketplace, thus the cost to

build many country marketplaces and a global marketplace would be enormous.

Additionally, technology costs are burdensome even for larger companies able

to afford them, reducing or eliminating the benefits of e-commerce (increased

of goods produced in the free zones and similar jurisdictions. Research is being

Nations has called this an "uphill battle".

The Caribtrean E-commerce Initiative:

sales and reduced costs).

done in all Member States with emphasis on Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, Jamaica,

Saint Lucia and Trinidad and Tobago.

agencies, trade groups and companies

Caribbean Export faced these

that can be replicated elsewhere.

obstacles when we set out

Caribbean Export has launched an

The second aspect of research, Investment Promotion Opportunities in New Services, will elaborate a report on the possibilities to attract investment in

working platform for Govemment

The Caribbean E-commerce Initiative:

same

1998 to

develop a regional marketplace. It was e-

planned that the initiative would begin

commerce platform that makes it easy for

with export-ready products bearing the

governmental agencies and trade groups

"authentic Caribbean seal" and Caribbean arts and crafts. The vision was to

Services in light of CARICOM's agenda

to form integrated marketplaces, and for

to liberalise trade in services within the CSME and its involvement in bilateral,

companies

of any size to sell through

create an online community, network or

these marketplaces and their own

"ecosystem" through partnerships

hemispheric and

Websites.

benefi tting all participants.

multilateral trading

July 2004 - CANCOM PersPective 63

Tn March 2003 TotallvCaribbean.com, a Ipo.tut fo.,h. Curibil.un was launched. Today, some 50 Caribbean companies

The Caribbean Export

Website

www.carib-export.com has evolved into

This trade development

organisation

continues to advise private sector and

a highly sophisticated information tool.

benefit from it.

The following graphic outlines the best

other institutions on various developments in the trade arena through its

identifying SME issues and constraints

The Trade Policy and Information Portal

publications, namely: Tradewatch, Tradewins and 15 Max. These publications have become a staple of today's

in regard to e-conunerce. It explains: how

is an archive facility that

houses

Caribbean electronic news environment.

to develop an e-commerce strategy and

Recently, the Agency signed an agree-

marketing and online communication

Caribbean Export's publications. The Portal is loaded with Trade Wins and other articles and can be accessed

techniques; deals with technical, policy,

through

legal, financial and country-specific

exDort.com.

Supporting tools for the ICTs drive: The secrets

of its features:

of E-comerce CD is a guide

conduct online market research; outlines

link in our website www.carib-

issues. Caribbean Export is promoting its use in the Caribbean Region.

The site also has a Forums facility, through which its customers can discuss

mentwith the CSME Unit in Barbados to disseminate CSME updates through the Tradewatc h electronic newsletter.

I aaltionally, Caribbean Export has ,( \ just completed a research and reporting project on behalf of the

@fr&TH;. {56ure 1}

The Agency has also developed an online course on e-commerce to help interested private sector and academic

institutions take advantage of this new

important trade-related issues. Anyone

International Trade Centre (ITC) of

can create a forum topic and participate

Geneva, called e-trade Bridge. The E-

in the discussions of other fora as well, by posting comments under a particular

trade Bridge Programrne is to create internationally competitive, e-compo-

is the event

nent businesses and to build national e-

calendar listing important events of the

trade capacities within the institutions that support them. In order to conduct

technology and use it to be more export successful. "Caribbean Export realized

topic. Another facility

that too many 'E-commerce enabled businesses' did not take advantage of ffiliate programmes and mailing lists to sell their products and the course addressed the practical side of these

month, trade shows, fairs, trade meetings, major seminars, etc. By clicking on the heading in the calendar graph you can see the details of that particular event.

concerns ".

this programrne, in-country research has

to be conducted initially. The research outputs are e-balance sheets, e-maps and action points according to the research guidelines

of ITC. ITC's "e-

for SMEs"

ne of the most interesting features

Trade Bridge

of our website is the Opportunities

developing Awareness, Building knowl-

news and relevant information on

section which provides a meeting place for persons seeking business opportuni-

edge and developing Competence of national stakeholders (strategy makers,

products and services, but also a series

ties as well as those offering them. The

multipliers, enterpri ses).

of tools to clients that are quite useful when marketing and promoting the Internet. These facilities are free ofcost for Caribbean businesses.

Opportunities section contains import, export, joint ventures and investment

The programme is modular and features

opportunities for products and services of Caribbean basin countries.

products and services to enhance the ecompetence of SMEs for international

The Agency also has a comprehensive trade-related website, offering not only

CARICOM Perspective - July 2004

focuses on

Link erchange bamer allows live listed

schs

link

,{#.+' tt+,-,il

competitiveness, initiatives

enhance

the capabilities ofnational and regional networks of institutions and trainers and counsellors, and mechanisms

to foster

international exchange and cooperation

CUM IIOVES IO

5U6I8 INDUS]FY

Pf,STTUCTURE

amongst stakeholders.

In o$rer neYs...

reent repoftr, Cuba E grtto red!@ the mpasty of itr suqar rndufi by 50$, whrle l.nd dedrcdtcd to rds tugar produdon wrli be r,du€d by up to 60%. UlI Accordlnq to

AIiD

':AIAiIiH A..E5S

The e-trade bridge programme has four

Thr ac3

illPIIET

FCF THE

frffitI,,.

Lt's

a0t4frUrioiE tSsiEi

major components. The kick-off meeting; the www programme; the strat-

egist's training programme; and the programme for training trainers and

arRla'lu

Trt ctritrustft ar rnE TttilTfifik!1 sFFTiN6 AflO

CN.

'OIJFEPENCF HEAIS 'hE ,:'F ':0VEFN

H?adr of Govsmment

To qoate a link to page

reendt

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a logical sequence, each is a stand-alone w-o

activity and can be run independently in

DEVELop5

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In tia pro@$ 0f putting togairer Dohi Developmeni Agendi Tr.de.Relotcd dnd Cnpaoty burldnq (DDADB) to hod fiiomdbon from agenEeg, regmnai bant! dnd other

partnering country. The e-Trade Bridge Programme is supported by materials and tools designed for specific

ASStsTAt'/cE PR06RAllMES

\fTo r,

Ted,nr6l A5rirtnn€

The

wek's suney.

Asking

on UteI rerpedre tecinrBl adrvfter. The iiventory of tradeJeldbd t€chnB1

forsre

fftdbact

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vri$e

The Hrnrfy ofSe Siderurorcdl and iledlnnicdl Induffer nill stnqe be vll Edrton oflte Internabonal Farr Bnd Conventron of tfie lilctal l,!echdnfil, El.doniaal 6nd Rectding ]ndu$nee from iL t 15b . :0h at Pabr'lo nivana Ctr, lrbd.

Normally ITC will workwith one ormore national partner organisations to imple-

f9l!

ment the programme mostly organisa-

tions or countries who have published the "Secrets of e-Commerce". Caribbean

development agency, was successful in

Export has published

CD-ROM version

gaining a sub-contract from Deloitte and

multi level business support organisation in the Caribbean

of the book and is distributing it in most

Touche lnternational (Emerging Markets

Region. This i.s the main reason

of the Caribbean Islands. Because of

Division) based in London, to implement the Business Linkages Challenge Fund

why institutions such

(BLCF) Programme in selected territories

and the UN's ITC, seek our expertise to successfully imple-

this, Caribbean Export has been identified by ITC as the type oforganisation to implement the project in Jamaica and

in the Caribbean. The prograrnme in-

Barbados.

volves the private sector in a competitive

In conclusion,

be able

bidding process to obtain cost-sharing grant funds (up to I million UK pounds) to form investment partnerships, which

to work as the National Partner Organisa-

ultimately affect poverty alleviation. The

tion for both countries, coordinating the project as a whole and working as the

BLCF is funded by the UK Government's

Caribbean Export, be-

cause of its unique structure,

will

national consultant for Barbados.

Department

CARICOM, the European Union

ment development programmes in the region".

for International Develop-

believed that this arrangement will

ment (DFID). The Windward Islands (Dominica, Saint Lucia, St. Vincent,

ensure efficiency and grealer participa-

Grenada), Dominican Republic, Haiti and

tion in the outcome of this important

Guyana are the territories where this

progmrnme.

programme is being implemented.

Jose Liranzo is Manager, Trade InJbrmo-

Caribbean Export,

in keeping with

its

mandate as a regional trade and export

"lt is undeniable that Caribbean Export has become the only

tion Services, Caribbean Export.

July 2004 - CARICOM Perspective 65

GENDER

Challenges and Opportunities

(

prepared by the UNIFEM

Caribbean Office)

The Global Picture

Th" United Nations (UN) places lack I of access to information and com-

Platform for Action, Paragraph 237J Since then, women's organisations have

global group ofwomen andmen working

munications technologies (ICTs) as the

been using ICTs increasingly for cam-

society issues, has set up a list-serve to

third most important issue facing women

the Summit.2 The WSIS offers strategic

against women.r In the last eight years,

paigning and advocacy, including organising around the second phase ofthe UN World Summit on the Information

more women have become aware of ICT

Society (WSIS) scheduled to take place

and networks to address their concerns

in November 2005, in Tunis (the first phase was held in Geneva, December 2003). The WSIS Non-Governmental

about ICTs, and

Organisations Gender Strategies Work-

be developed, so that women are not left

ing Group (WN-GSWG), comprising NGOs and individuals interested in

stranded on the "information highway".

globally, after poverty and violence

and its implications

in their lives -

momentum which started in Beijing during

the Fourth UN World Conference on Women in 1995. The gender and ICT agenda defined within the Beijing Platform for Action (which all CARICOM

on gender equality and information circulate information in preparation for opportunities for women'

organisations

influence the direction ICTs, are taking in relation to access and to how technologies should

of programmes

centred on empowering womento enhance

T TNIFEM's support lr-,f and projects that promote

their skills, knowledge, and access to

make use of ICTs, as a means to women's

information technologies and the need

political and economic empowerment, has been growing steadily since 1995. These efforts have largely focused on the use of ICTs as tools or means to

governments have signed and ratified) is

for women to be fully involved in the growth and development of such technologies.

and

enhance women's organising and advo-

Women should be empowered by en-

cacy, support their political aspirations

hancing their skills, knowledge and

or enlarge their economic opportunities.

access to information technology-. This

will strengthen their ability to combat negative portrayals of women internationally and to challenge instances of abuse of power of an increasingly important industry... l[/omen therefore

At the global level,

Africa have been most Theme for National Women's History Month, March 2001, a reminder of'how women's work, energt, thought and spirit have helped to build the world x'e live in todal'. ( \'w'/ b(3 d u /l i h ra n / L ro me n.jp g ) h n e l h a ge h a t i ih

o n a I

need to be involved in decision-making

regarding the development of the new technologies in order to participate

fully in their growth and development.

lThe Beijing Declaration and

CARICOM Perspective

July 2004

the

developments in remarkable.

These include the launch in March 2002 of

multi-year programme to help bridge

the genderdigital divide in Africa. Under

the guidance of an Advisory Committee

gender issues and the information

comprised of l2 IT entrepreneurs living

society, are running an electronic discussion, strategising on women's par-

well

ticipation in the WSIS process. In addition, the WSIS Gender Caucus, a

grarnme provides training

in the African Diaspora and in Africa, as as representatives from the private

sector and the

UN system, the profor African

Gender Equity Fund. UNIFEM funded

two e-discussion groups: "Womennotes"

- a service moderated by the Caribbean

helps them create business partnerships and access financial support. ln 2002

the development of a gender-friendly, step-by-step training manual for using the Intemet and e-mail. The project

Association for Feminist Research and Action (CAFRA); and "Spicytrade",

also, UNIFEM and the World Bank

provided computers, Printers

operated by the Caribbean Gender and

supported the launch of a new website to

modems forthe Bureaux.

TradeNetwork.

Indeed, ICTs can contribute

women's organisations and business associations in the use of ICTs, and

serve as a one stop regional portal fbr

knowledge and information on gender issues in the Horn of Africa. Hawknet -

the Horn of Africa Region Women's Knowledge Network - is designed to enable women to discuss emerging national issues to network, participate in global debates and have a voice on

and

Community Capacity Building Computer Training - a Programme developed by the Pinelands Creative Workshop, a Barbados communitYbased organisation, to provide computer

training to a number of young women from low-income colrununities with the

sustainable development and poverty

alleviation in our small Caribbean communities through Provision of linkages to global markets, and bY making communications facilities available to poor communities. But, as the UNIFEM Executive Director argues,

national policies regarding information

aim of equipping them to

and ICTs.

employment, establish a small business,

"If the global

or further their education in IT.

level policy-makers are not proactive

secure

community and national

about ensuring that the benefits of ICTs

"ICTs are the train tracks upon which

. Caribbean Women Entrepreneurs in Business (CAWEB) Web-based

are equally available to and shaped by women and men, we will fail to reap the

full potential of

is an example of how we can create an

Resource Guide - Created in 2003 by the Caribbean Association of Women

in which ICTs suPPort

Entrepreneurs (CAWE) as a networking

equality and connections between coun-

tool to increase women's access to

gender equitable strategies with regard to access, taking into account the time

tries, ethnic groups, and men

market knowledge and improve their trading opportunities, CAWEB will

constraints that women face as the main

provide country-specific information on

communities; and in terms of capability, that is, ensuring that women and girls

globalisation is moving, often at break-

neck speed," says Noeleen HeYzer, Executive Director ofUNIFEM. "Hawknet

environment

and

women."

trade, import/export, and other business development services, as well as web

ICTs Linking up Caribbeanwomen

these powerful tools."

She maintains that we must ensure

care providers

in their

households/

receive the training and preparation to

and

become users and producers of

international women's organisations. In effect, it will be an online marketplace for

technologies, and understand and shape the regulatory frameworks and policies

propel women in this region into the electronic age. Initiatives supported by

Caribbean businesswomen.

associated with ICTs.3

the agency included the following:

Used strategically, ICTs have the power

support -

fn the Caribbean, UNIFEM's I though not as spectacular - has been nonetheless important in helping to

links to other local, regional

to link women across the Caribbean into

tTthe IIN agency mandated to take the I t.ua on lCTs, the International

. Communicating and Sharing: Linking

a single community, forged by similar

Telecommunications Union (ITU), agrees'

up the Women's Bureaux of

interests and goals, and shaping their

The ITU recognises that society as

project initiated

own economic and social development.

whole will benefit from equal participation

1997 by the Jamaica Bureau of Women's Affairs and the CARICOM

Through knowledge networking, such as CAWEB, for example, Caribbean women

decision-making and from equal access

could use the Internet to

Caribtrean Sub-region

-a

the

Women's Desk, to establish

Women's Bureaux in l6 countries in the

information with women in other regions and identify resources. They could also

English-speaking Caribbean, with funding from CIM/OAS and the CIDA

facilitate lobbying around special interests, as is currently done through

communications network among the

women and men

PolicY and

communications services, and has established a Working Group on Gender

Issues aimed at ensuring that the benefits of telecommunications and the continued on p.73 July 2004 - CANCOM PersPective 67

disaster/

Disaster Preparedness and Prevention

ICT technology alone is not the

Project (PCDPPP), and which itself introduced ICT to the sector two

magic bullet - the process must

decades ago.

particularly as

relates

emergency response: I.

include information (content);

Management Terry Ally

The "e-" is in vogue.

ICT will be successful as long there is money

ICT on its own cannot change the way of life - a culture must

puters were added - that was before the

of a devastating hurricane. Later com-

of the Internet - and software

be developed to support ICT;

advent

When disaster strikes the ICT

programmes were developedby CDERA

sector, how does one resusci-

for use by

it in the shortest possible

-roundtables have been held in the

for

telecommunications links

among its l6 member states in the event

time with minimal dislocation?

created

the

implement and maintain systems;

tate

Caribbean, e-policies are being

radios were installed to shore up

in the bank to

disaster- and emergency-

managers. Today, many states are no

longer interested in HF radio because there is the telephone with significantly

ICTand Information

e-govemment, e-health, e-

cheaper overseas rates, cell phones in a

very competitive environment with even

commerce, e-education, e-agriculture, e-

Originally ICT was

convergence

cheaper overseas rates, text messaging,

banking andjust like every other invention

between the Information Technology

email, instant messengers, and Internet

since the wheel, eventually these will lead to e-disasters - a flavour of which was

and Telecommunications industries. In

radio (linking HAM radios through the

2002, the CARICOM Agenda for ICT

Internet). Software to log and track relief

realised during the eastem seaboard power

expanded and enhanced the definition

operations has been written by CDERA,

It devised

outage in Canada and the United States in

and approach.

three primary

and the Pan American Health Organisa-

2003, during the Sobig.F virus strike

tion (PAHO). This software logs pledges

which affected the world also in 2003 and

pillars on which Caribbean ICT should be constructed: Infrastructure, Utilisa-

the Sasser and Netsky worms which

tion, and Content.

wreakedhavocin2004.

ofreliefsupplies, tracks the supplies into and then out of the warehouse to the affected parties.

Apart from looking at an e-mergency

T\isaster management is a young and IJevolving aisJptlne. rhe CARICOM

In this so-called information age, the

response to e-failures, the disaster- and

agency is the Caribbean Disaster Emer-

temptation to regard ICT as only the

emergency-management sectors within

gency Response Agency (CDERA)

nuts, screws, and bolts that make up

the Caribbeanare not immune fromthe e-

which was born out of the Pan Caribbean

the "technology" must not be allowed

trends. As in the case of other sectors,

to gain root. It is more than the physical

Information and Communication Tech-

hardware and the software that powers

nologies (ICT) are

vital to

the

the systems from computers to

efficient and effective opera-

power plants. It is also

tion of the Caribbean emer-

about what flows through

gency response capability.

those lines - the information and how the information is

ICT is such an intriguing field that without discipline or a game

received, interpreted, and acted upon by the people who

plan in the disaster management arena one can aimlessly wander

people's capability to respond to

around for eons. There are a number

the senders. Chaos and anarchy

of important factors to bear in mind;

loom large if one divorces the two.

receive it. It also involves those

July 2004 - CANCOM Perspective 69

xperience has shown that chaos

similar parallel could

national disaster offices which are facing

emerge in ICT where funds are acquired

oflCT costs, crosscut other areas and will be dis-

operations in the absence of information - even with the technology in place. For example, a

telephones, satellite dishes, GIS soft-

of food, clothing and medicine are flown to the

remains for maintenance and subscrip-

stricken island. The software creates an

tion costs.

f f fhen it comes to the Internet, the W.or, of designing and hosting

is located in the warehouse and then tracks

The cost of implementing and maintain-

it from warehouse to affected families. The

ing ICT

is high. Take the

particularly high speed connection.

ICT is perfect but, the only problem is that

Barbados Govemment's Education Sec-

When these prices are reduced, the use

the food is not what the people

will skyrocket.

situation. Clothing is nice but the people

tor Reform Programme better known as EduTech and which most Barbadians and the Caribbean think of as "putting

do not need clothes - they need shelter -

computers

rules

in relief

of shipping. A

disaster strikes and plane loads

inventory of what is received and where

accustomed

to and useless in

for the

purchase

radios, satellite

this

and tonnes of medicine are welcomed but

it is not the type that is required. Today, a needs list is generated by the country and sent through a central disaster information clearinghouse (CDERA)

cussed later in this article.

ware, servers, work stations but nothing

are

budget cuts. Other aspects

websites in the Caribbean is phenomenal

systems

along with the cost

of connectivify,

In the 1970s the Barbados government gave income tax concessions for solar

schools". The project's original cost was US$213 million - that's

water heaters which helped to reduce the

lot of money for computers. At a going

cost of imported oil for heating. Today a

is part of

rate of $2000 for cost and shipping of a

solar water heater

PC, that would purchase 106 000 computers - more than the school

"furniture" ofevery new home. Similarly,

the

in the 1990s import duties were removed

which is distributedto all relieforganisa-

student population. The picture changes

from personal computers and software

tions, governments, and donors.

when one examines the breakdown: 32

and in 2004 the Value Added Tax was

million

is the cost of the

eliminated making computers and soft-

per cent or $68.9

"It's only

natural," you might

computers, network, and Intemet con-

ware totally tax free. In the last decade

thinking to yourself as you read this

nection. Computers must be housed

more homes have been able to afford

to get your

within certain fypes of environments and civil works were needed and these were budgeted at 18 per cent or

become affordable

article "that you have

information right first before asking for ICT support so this is a given and you're

therefore

computer. The technology has to if it is to proliferate throughout the Caribbean.

$39.4 million, while training for teachers

barking up the wrong tree."

was budgeted at $4.9 million, curriculum

lCTCulture

As simple as this may seem, it has to be

reform and evaluation at $ 1.5 million and

ICT and information/ communication must be linked for

institutional strengthening at $5.4 mil-

Picture this scenario. A hurricane strikes

lion.

an island. The system is dumping about

recognised that

three feet of rain, low-lying areas are

effective use; otherwise the equipment and technology sit there and rust. The Caribbean landscape is littered with such debris.

Cost of ICT

Once upon

a time donors

funded

projects which churned out numerous publications, professionally printed on

imilarly, the Jamaica Government's ICT project designed to propel the country's e-readiness programme was just announced at US$23 million while Trinidad and Tobago just got their

and rescue satellite is diverted to provide

Competitive and Technology Programme

coverage of the area. CDERA initiates an

approved by the Inter-American Devel-

online conference with the affected state

opment Bank (IDB) for US$63 million.

and other members

sinking under floods waters and storm surge is pushing waves from the coast

inland. There is need to evacuate the area and quickly. No problem. A search

of its

Regional

Response Mechanism. We put on screen

glossy paper and very photogenic. Distribution became an issue because

The cost of ICT must be realistically

the radar coverage ofthe area so that we

budgeted to include the enabling envi-

can see where is flooded and what roads

there was no money to support the cost

ronment and this is a challenge for some

are still intact in order to make a decision

CANCOM Perspective

July 2004

on the route to effect a rescue. We also

level of service. The computer and the

put up a Geographic Information Sys-

Internet connection must be second nature to breathing. It becomes your lifeline. This requires taking the mystique out of ICT and showing the average person that they can handle ICT systems. The reality today is that ICT

tems (GIS) map and pull up the data sets - we are

looking forhomes which contain

people who require special assistance such as the sick, elderly, youth, and disabled. The information is passed to search and rescue personnel on the

mentwith Digicel (Barbados) Limited for

an e-MergencyAlert project that

designed as a rapid notification system

to mobilise emergency managers and also to provide local daily weather forecast and reports for all 16 member states via the Intemet. That weather

cannot replace people as was previously

information is then made available on-

ground, either via HF radio or satellite

thought. ICT requires more people - from

telephones.

programmers to data entry operators. It's

still a filing system but an automated,

to Digicel customers. In the event of a dire emergency where an entire country needs to be rapidly

electronic, more efficient and (hopefully)

notified, a mass SMS broadcast can be

more effective one.

done via the e-MergencyAlert project.

Jf taken to its logical conclusion, this is I tn. destination at which CDERA's

demand

search and rescue projects, currently being

implemented in member states, will arrive. However, let's dissect the scenario.

on the telecommunications circuit

We can

Contingency Planning

During times of crisis, emergency management offices must have priority traffic to

What happens when your Local Area

access search and rescue satellite on-demand. The price tag? CDN$20,000 per picture. In a life and

support Internet-based search and res-

Network fails?

cue decision making. In the event that

circuit becomes unavailable an alterna-

"No problem," I hear you say, 'Just pick up pen and paper and continue your

death situation, how many pictures are

tive system must be pressed into service.

work".

An alternative voice telecommunication

rJrhat is a misconception.

required? When you

The GIS maps are built on spatial data

system must be in place and we do have

I fruu. erased the slate and chalk

and attribute data. Spatial data is

pencil or paper available, you cannot say

gathered from high resolution satellite

that in place. We use land lines, cell phones, HF radios, and if all these fail,

coverage. The cost is relatively cheap

each

about US$10 per square kilometer for

telephones each with adequate prepaid

archived data.

is a higher price on-

office has a minimum oftwo satellite

stationery and there suddenly is no pen,

"continue working using your slate and chalk". There is no more slate and chalk.

air time. CDERA just signed an agree-

demand. Considering that states are in constant development, then pictures are

required periodically to locate new infrastructure. Attribute data is the priceless data. This tells you what every square inch of the country contains.

Emo196ncy illanag6monl Otflco

rB\ w/--

tells you who live in what homes and what is their medical condition. The diversity of data that can be fed into a GIS map is endless and limited only by

the cost of acquiring and plotting the information and updating it annually.

Additionally, human resources must

trained and

.wffi

all offices adequately

equipped and kept abreast

of cutting-

edge technology in order to maintain this

Disaste. Area

Emâ&#x201A;Źrgency hoapiEl

July 2004 - CARICOM Perspective

When the system and culture is to enter

Profile of Grenada

Guyana, Barbados, The Bahamas; Other

data into accounting programmes which

continuedfrom p. 40

Caribbean: Dominican Republic, Curacao;

then perforrn complex mathematical cal-

EU: United Kingdom, Germany, Den-

culations and provide analyses needed

for

decision-making,

how does one

suddenly revert to pen and paper during a loss of the network?

This is the biggest challenge to

the

disaster management sector and one that

willbe

Facts ata Glance

The Americas - United States.

Capital: Nationality:

St. George's

Grenadian

Broadcasting and Communications

OfficialLanguage: English

Telecommunications

Population:

Regulatory Authority: Eastern Caribbean Telecommunications Authority.

102 632 (2001 est)

Governor-General: H.E. SirDaniel Williams,

addressed by CDERA in late 2004

GCMG,QC

National Telecommunications RegulatoryCommission

through a project to be funded by the European Development Fund. The

Ruling

Party: Currency:

New National Parb/ G.IlfP)

project focuses on ICT specifically , enabling the ICT culture within the sector and creating ICT emergency

ExchangeRate:

US $1 = EC $2.67

Time Zone:

recovery plans.

Next election - by January 2004 (appointed

Eastern Caribbean Dollar

(August 2002) EST

GMT -4

by the Governor General)

Information and Communication Technologies are vital to the effective and

mark, France, Ireland, Netherlands, Italy;

Major Service Providers Cable Wireless Grenada Ltd. Grenada Postal Corporation

In April 2001, the Government agreed to liberalize the telecommunications sector

over the following 18 months.

The

ForeignTrade

monopoly of the sector hitherto enjoyed

efficient functioning of the disaster management sector where timing is critical and can make the difference

Agricultural: Nutmeg, mace, cocoa, ba-

by Cable & Wireless was ended.

Manufacfured: Flour, wheat bran, cloth-

Broadcasting

between life and death but along with the

ing, paints and varnish, paper products,

Grenada Broadcasting Network (GBN)

technology and entire culture an enabling environment must be put in place,

malt, animal feed.

Radio: The Harbour Light

Potential Growth Exoorts: Nutmes. mace.

Windwards and Radio Grenada, also

otherwise the technology will amount to

fish, fresh fruits, manufactured goods.

Special Capiral Radio FM 90

Principal Imports Food and live animals, beverages and tobacco, crude materials, mineral fuel

poration (Television)

and lubricants, animal and vegetable

and

oils, chemicals, machinery and transport

the island.

colossal white elephants and a waste valuable fi nancial resources.

nanas, fresh fruit and vegetables, fish.

the

Television: Grenada Broadcasting Cor-

Television programmes

from Trinidad

from Barbados can be received on

equipment, articles made oftin. Potential Growth Imports

Sources:

Beverages and tobacco, crude material,

The Europa World Year Book 2002,

mineral lubricants and related products.

One.

Major Trading Partners

Microsoft EncartaR Encyclopedia 2002.

Exports: EU: United Kingdom, Germany.

1993-2001 Microsoft Corporation.

Vol.l, Part

Caribbean Publishing Compaq' Ltd. 2004

France, Netherlands, Italy; the Americas:

kny Allv is Public

Education

nd I nlbrna tion Spec ialis t C a ri bbea n Di soste r Emergena, Respons e A gencv (C D E RA.) o

United States, Argentina; Caribbean:

www-grenada-history.org; www.harkla),s.com

Trinidad and Tobago, Saint Lucia.

www-romalravel.com

Imports: OECS: St Vincent, Dominica, Saint Lucia; Other CARICOM: Jamaica,

CARICOM Per.spective - July 2004

continued ./rom p.67

In the more remote pockets of some of

emerging information society are made

available to all women and men in developing countries on a fair and

our Caribbean corrununities, ITU is with the United Nations

to be fully involved in that gender activity. A gender component would

partnering

make the technology available to more

Development Programme (UNDP) and

women and provide them with increased

equitable basis. In addition, at the global

the OECS Secretariat, with support from

level, ITU, UNIFEM and LINDP signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)

the French Government, to

opportunities for exchange and cooperation around their own

establish

in July 2000 aimed at ensuring that the

Community Resource Internet Centres (CoRlCs). One of the major activities is

impact of ICTs on women is incorporated

the introduction of computer technology

in policy dialogue and decision-making. The MOU serves two critical purposes:

and skills. On l4 May 2004,the first of these centres was launched in Good

that women's voices must be

to link UNIFEM to ITU's

technical

Hope, Dominica. As signatories to the

along with those of other stakeholders in

expertise and networks and to UNDP's

MOU on gender and ICTs, what are UNDP and ITU doing to ensure that gender concerns are integrated in the development of these centres? ITU

the social and economic development

which ICTs also act as a vehicle to

policies and tools; and to strengthen the

Caribbean Representative, Philip Cross,

support gender equality while providing

capacity of gender advocates within ITU

recommend expertise on gender analysis and mainstreaming to its

that ITU should allow for inclusion of "an element of gender activity" at the planning stage. He is

peoples as a whole.

technical staff.

also of the opinion that UNIFEM needs

larger funding base

for

supporting

women's greater participation in the development of telecommunications

agrees

empowerrnent, and subsequently that their immediate community.

The enormous potential of ICTs requires

Caribbean societies.

heard

We have the

opportunity to create an environment in

connections between our countries and

For further information on

UNIFEM

programmes and policies, e-mail them at

unifemcar.bb@undp.org or write to UNIFEM Caribbean Offce, UN House, Marine Gardens, Christ Church. Barbados.

ICTs huve the power to

Iink v,omen acrqss the Carihbesn inta s single contmunity,

lbrged by similar interests 0nd guals, und shupirtg thetr own ecqnomic arrd sociol development,

July 2004 - CARICOM Perspective 13

REFERENCES E- Government. E-Business - Nigel Hickson

College of Higher Education, September 22-2.Published

Legislation at-www.bermuda-ebusiness.com

Code of Conduct at www.bermuda-ebusiness.com

SICHEPFnetSeptO3.zip.

I Green Paper also can be found at www.bermuda-ebusiness.com

:_http : //www.peoplefirst.net. sb/downloads/

Marshall, S., Taylor, W.,

& Yu, X.

(eds.) (2003). Closing the

Available for download at www.wef.com/gih

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"Are we a nation ofcouch potatoes" screamed the headlines!

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Liberalising Telecommunications - Donald Connor

The views expressed in this paper are personal and do not

carriacouBIGDRUM; www. rbc. edu/1ibrary/Liblines/Images/ nationalwomen jpeg; www. google.com

necessarily represent the views of the Digicel group of companies.

F.M. Scherer and D. Ross, Industrial Market Structure and

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1Oth

of February 2004' at page

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8 R6ller, L-H. & Waverman, L., Telecommunications Infrastructure and Economic Development: A Simultaneous Approach. WZB, Berlin (Social Science Research Centre, Berlin I 996) July 2004 - CANCOM PersPective 7s

The"

Caribbean Community

Caribbean Community Secretariat

PROFESSIONALISM

We will embody and

demonstrate excellence. competence. commitment

learning. accountability and objectiviry

in our

service

continuous

to tne com-unity. we will display

positive attitudes, enthusiasm, energy and constructive approaches to our wor*,. INTEGRITY

We will reflect the highest personal and organisational values in our conduct and in

tire-

exercise

of authority, eschew unethical behaviours and commit to always.acting in the bg$

interest

of the

Organisation.

RESPECT

we will, in all our interactions,

rqqognise human dignity, value diversity aad support workJife

balance.

COMMITMENT We dedicate ourselves to persistently pursue our Organisation's values and goals. Personal responsibility and integrity shall be the hallmarks of our approach to work.

TEAMWORK We recognise the interdependence of individuals and groups and commit to work in teams tc enhance the achievement

organisational

goals. We will foster open communication aiid

trust and recognise the valus of the experiise, initiative and creatiyity of all team

m"*U#, - -- ---..a