One of the outcomes of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) is to bridge the digital divide. To achieve this, WSIS has set specific targets to improve access to Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), to be achieved by 2015.

Connect the World is a multi stakeholder initiative, which encompasses partners and projects globally intent on achieving the goals of WSIS through partnerships, collaboration and cooperation.

Being a leading authority on information communication in the Caribbean and globally; and leveraging our position, skills and competencies in connecting the efforts of regional stakeholders and encouraging partnership and joint working between agencies for cohesive results, CANTO is preparing to launch “Connect the Caribbean Initiative.”

 “Connect the Caribbean Initiative”, is the Caribbean’s response to the “Connect the World Initiative”. Consistent with the framework of Connect the World, the project will function as a partnership to mobilize the human, financial and technical resources required to bridge major gaps in ICT infrastructure development, enabling a harmonized policy framework and developing relevant and affordable services and applications. The expectation is that Investment in ICT will fuel economic growth and employment in the region and help fast-track targets to achieve broader development goals. As such, the vehicle of the Caribbean Single Market and Economy is expected to play a key role.

 The initiative will be led by CANTO in partnership with other key public and private stakeholders, including the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU) working with the Regulatory environment, the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) seeking global industry harmonization and growth, and CARICOM, working for a Single Market Economic Community for the Region.

The initiative is expected to be launched at CANTO’s 24TH Annual Members Meeting, scheduled for January 2008 in Paramaribo, Suriname. Before the launch there is a lot of work to be done to make this project a reality. One critical activity is the development of a database of regional ICT projects that are currently underway or at the conceptual stage. Even though such projects would have been conceived outside of this initiative, we believe that information on such projects would assist us in doing a more accurate assessment of the gaps, in order to plan more efficiently to realize WSIS connectivity objectives. Additionally, going forward, a well structured and managed database will provide the basis for sharing knowledge and best practices on ICT projects across the region. This will be a key benefit of Connect the Caribbean Initiative.

As an input to the endeavor, CANTO is requesting your assistance in providing information on ICT projects in your respective countries.

For the purpose of this exercise, a project is any activity that will enhance the capability for achieving WSIS connectivity objective in your country. The main building blocks are:

• astructure & Readiness (Related to network development)
• Enabling Environment (Related to policy development & regulatory framework)
• ICT services and applications (Related to development of services and applications)

All projects whether done by government, government agencies, regulators, operating companies, other business concerns, NGOs, community based groups etc are to be included.

The following information is required on each project:

• Project title
• Lead Agency / Company
• List of Partners (if any)
• Start date or Planned start date
• End date or Planned end date
• Beneficiary
• Short description giving nature of the project/purpose
• Your contact person

To assist with the collection effort we have included a spreadsheet into which this information may be inputted.

• Click here to download database on regional ICT project

Given the tight timelines we are asking that you return your completed sheets via email, by December 14, 2007. Please direct your returns to Gail Edwards and Gloria Manzano at the respective email addresses, gedwards@canto.org and gmanzano@canto.org

For further information you may also contact Regenie Fraser, Secretary General via telephone 868 735 0440 or 622 7448, email rfraser@canto.org and Teresa Wankin, Operations and HR Manager via telephone 868 735 1010 or 6330929, email tdavid@canto.org

We trust you will make the effort to assist us in this way. You will most certainly be hearing more about this project as it evolves.

Yours truly,

Regenie Fräser
Secretary General CANTO /p>