As part of its Information Communication Technology (ICT) and Trade annual initiative, Caribbean Institute of Media and Communication (CARIMAC), UWI, Mona will convene a 6 day training workshop titled “ICT Networking the Economy.” The workshop takes place from July 2-7 in Antigua and Barbuda. It is aimed at building on the major ICT initiatives for the Caribbean learning economy through increased awareness and involvement of leaders in becoming engaged in promoting knowledge societies. It also seeks to establish the importance of external trade and internal robustness of the system and provide impetus for poverty reduction and removal of the poverty divide through the use of ICT. This ICT workshop will cover major themes namely: ICT, Trade Readiness and Competitiveness, Major Services using ICT – Culture and Finance, ICT Measurement and E-Government Services, Technology and Regulation, Post WSIS Issues and Health and the Economy – Proposals for a VR Project.

In addition the workshop with specifically include activities on the reduction of stigma and discrimination against people living with AIDS (PLWA). These activities will seek to test and model practices of Caribbean approaches to ICT Networking in the Caribbean economy, engage in knowledge transfer activities, assess of current data and perspectives in the Caribbean and internationally among others.

The workshop is designed for 25 ICT policy makers from the Caribbean and official sectoral officials from CARICOM Member States including: Martinique, Turks and Caicos, St. Kitts and Nevis, Montserrat, Barbados, Belize, Guadeloupe, St. Vincent and the Grenadine and Dominica.