The main objectives of the CKLN are defined as follows: To improve the relevance of tertiary education and training by increasing the number of accredited tertiary education programs recognized internationally for their excellence To strengthen tertiary institutions, foster specialization and knowledge sharing To ensure the convergence of fragmented regional and international initiatives to maximize results in the region as well as for the international market At the 27th Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community in July 2006, it was decided to develop a Caribbean Regional Research and Education Network (C@ribNET), coordinated and managed by CKLN to enable the integration of Member States in the world‘s global education and research network infrastructure with the objective of enhancing regional competitiveness and the development of a knowledge-based economy. In this context, the vision for C@ribNET is that of a network of national research and education networks specifically intended to support: A virtual learning environment shared by Caribbean Institutions of Tertiary Research and Education Centres The connection of Universities and other Tertiary Institutions in the Caribbean to the Universities in Europe, North America, Latin America and elsewhere to facilitate research, collaboration and knowledge sharing Support for the Caribbean integration process by providing an enabling environment, through connectivity, in support of the Caribbean Single Market and Economy and the Economic Partnership Agreement Bridging the digital divide in the Region to achieve social cohesion of Caribbean people through digital inclusion C@ribNET will support interactive learning, peerto-peer exchange and the development of knowledge networks, and cost-effective access to high quality e-learning content and other knowledge resources drawn from the region and around the world. It is expected that the learning offerings made available on the Network are prioritized to the needs of the Caribbean labour market and the cultural and socio-economic context of CARICOM countries. The goal of the CKLN is to: ‘Leverage information and communications technology and modern approaches to education to enhance the global competitiveness of countries in the Region, overcoming the constraints of remoteness and scale in tertiary education.’ C@ribNET is planned with an initial phase for five years and is projected to be a network of national Research and Education (R&E) networks. It will be available to all public tertiary education institutions in CARICOM member states, including the University of the West Indies (UWI) and institutions in SVG, and expanded to other national public research facilities and other public sector/not- for-profit institutions engaged in research and education in the Caribbean. It is therefore essential for this CKLN’s initiative to be integrated into SVG’s ICT and educational initiatives. St. Vincent & the Grenadines National ICT Strategy and Action Plan P a g e | 50 CARIBBEAN TELECOMMUNICATIONS UNION The Governments of the Member States of the Caribbean Community, cognizant of the growing importance of telecommunications for the social and economic development of the Caribbean and the need to foster international cooperation and development by means of efficient telecommunications services, established the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU) by treaty, on 28th April, 1989. SVG is a vibrant member of the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU) and has helped provided ICT leadership in the Caribbean. As a result of convergence of technologies, the CTU has expanded its role and mandate beyond telecommunications to that of ICT. The original mandate of the CTU included: 1. Harmonize telecommunications and ICT policies, laws and regulations in CARICOM 2. Establish a permanent framework for regional collaboration among telecommunications regulators, policy makers and academics 3. Empowering the private sector to take a more active role in shaping policy on Free Trade negotiations and regional integration The CTU has been actively engaged since 2005 in the process of ICT harmonization. It initiated a major project to reform and harmonise regional approaches to spectrum management and a focus on ICT for Economic Development. 3.3 3.3.1 Policy Development The CTU has developed several Policy Documents of relevance and interest to SVG, including: Caribbean Spectrum Management Framework Policy informed by a Regional Task Force of policy advisors in