The digital age is upon us, and with it comes the need for robust governance, especially in the realm of the Internet. The Caribbean region, with its diverse cultures and economies, is no exception. Recognising this, the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU) and the Caribbean Community (Caricom) Secretariat initiated the Caribbean Internet Governance Forum (CIGF) in 2005. This forum has since become a cornerstone for the region, addressing pivotal issues and fostering growth in Caribbean influence in international Internet Governance (IG) circles.

A Glimpse into the Past

The CIGF’s inception was primarily to coordinate a regional approach to IG in line with the proceedings of the United Nations’ World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS). Over the years, it has achieved significant milestones, including the formulation of a Caribbean Internet Governance Policy Framework and the establishment of Internet exchange points (IXPs). Its efforts in capacity building and best practices have also been noteworthy. Notably, the CIGF holds the distinction of being the longest-running Internet governance forum globally.

Youth: The Changemakers of Tomorrow

Parallel to the CIGF, the Caribbean Youth Internet Governance Forum (CYIGF) emerged as a multi-stakeholder event designed by the youth, for the youth. Its primary aim is to bridge the representation and participation gap of the youth in regional Internet governance initiatives. The CYIGF offers a platform for young voices to be heard, encouraging them to become integral members of the Internet governance community. With presentations and panels covering topics like digital inclusion and artificial intelligence, the CYIGF ensures a holistic approach to youth involvement.

The 19th CIGF & The 2nd CYIGF: A Hybrid Approach

Scheduled from August 22 to August 24, 2023, the 19th CIGF will be an in-person event, supplemented by remote participation via online videoconferencing. The ongoing pandemic has underscored the importance of digital transformation, and the 19th CIGF aims to address this by focusing on various work streams of Internet governance. The event will also feature the 2nd CYIGF, continuing the mission to update the regionally harmonised policy framework for Internet governance.

Objectives: A Road map for the Future

Accelerated Digital Transformation: The forum aims to prioritise Internet governance policies and initiatives that facilitate rapid digital transformation.

Strengthening the Caribbean Vision: The event will finalise Issue 4.0 of the Caribbean Internet Governance Policy Framework, documenting the regional vision and approaches for sustainable IG consensus.

Empowering the Youth: By facilitating the 2nd CYIGF, the forum seeks to amplify the voices of Caribbean youth and develop their capacity in Internet governance.

Building Capacity: The event aims to bolster national and regional capacity in IG, ensuring effective Caribbean representation at regional and global Internet Governance fora.

Who Should Attend?

The forum welcomes a diverse audience, including academia, civil society, government policymakers, IT managers, internet users, service providers, telecommunications operators, international organisations, and ICT regulators.

The 19th CIGF and the 2nd CYIGF are set to address some of the most pressing topics in the digital realm. A significant focus will be on accelerated digital transformation, especially in light of the challenges and opportunities presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The forums will delve into the importance of IXPs and their role in enhancing regional connectivity. Digital inclusion, a topic of paramount importance, will be discussed, ensuring that all Caribbean citizens have equitable access to the digital world. Additionally, the event will explore the implications of artificial intelligence, a technology that’s reshaping industries and societies.

The CYIGF, in particular, will emphasise youth representation in internet governance, highlighting their role as future changemakers. Lastly, with the ongoing global discussions on Internet governance, the forum will address the Caribbean’s stance and influence in international IG circles.

We will also be hearing from ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers), they are a non-profit organisation responsible for coordinating the maintenance and procedures of several databases related to the namespaces of the Internet. Its primary role is to ensure the Internet’s stable and secure operation.

ARIN (American Registry for Internet Numbers) will also be participating in this year’s event. ARIN’s primary mission is to manage the distribution of Internet number resources, including IPv4 and IPv6 addresses and Autonomous System Numbers (ASNs). They also maintain a public registry of the resources to ensure transparency and provide services related to the technical coordination and management of Internet number resources.

Join the Movement

The 19th CIGF and the 2nd CYIGF are not just events, they are movements toward a digitally inclusive and empowered Caribbean. Your participation can make a difference. The event will be from Aug 22-24, from 9 am to 4:30 pm. It’s a free hybrid event and participants across the Caribbean region are encouraged to join. The goal is to raise the collective digital literacy across the region. Register today at www.ctu.int and be a part of this transformative journey.

Keron Rose is a digital strategist that works with Caribbean entrepreneurs to build their digital presence and monetise their platforms. Learn more at KeronRose.com or listen to the Digipreneur FM podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify or Google Podcasts.