A4AI is excited to form a partnership with the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU), an inter-governmental organisation dedicated to promoting and supporting the development of the Caribbean ICT sector for the socio-economic development of the region.
Affordability remains a challenge in the Caribbean region. Through this strategic partnership, A4AI and the CTU are committing to coordinating our efforts and promoting joint activities with the goal of expanding meaningful and affordable internet access through policy and regulatory reform.
Sonia Jorge, Executive Director of A4AI said, “cooperation is key to advance digital equality, and we see this important partnership as a critical step in that direction. We will work to challenge and support each other on the path to secure affordable and meaningful connectivity to everyone in the Caribbean, including women, rural, poor and marginalized populations. I ask you all to keep us accountable, so we can collectively work to secure affordable access to citizens in the Caribbean.”
Rodney Taylor, Secretary General at the CTU stated, “During the pandemic, as more activities are being conducted online, many Caribbean citizens still lack the quality of Internet access needed to attend online school, work remotely or facilitate e-commerce services. The synergies established between both organisations will accelerate our steps towards achieving our goal to make Internet access more affordable.”
The roles and responsibilities of A4AI and the CTU will cover the following areas:
- Hosting presentations, seminars and hands-on workshops to support government officials to modernise their policy frameworks to achieve universal affordable and meaningful connectivity in the Caribbean region
- Assisting with the design or upgrade of national ICT policy and regulatory instruments and frameworks
- Undertaking joint research activities to increase research outputs and their usefulness for the Caribbean countries.
On May 5, 2021, A4AI and the CTU held a Memorandum of Understanding Signing Ceremony. Watch the event here.