traditional economic sectors where it is recognised that an untapped knowledge pool exists. It is expected that new policies and strategic alliances will need to be created to achieve this objective. Such policies must address the creation of ad hoc community networks within the context of the existing telecommunications regulations which were originally designed to deal with specific legacy issues. The Caribbean has been held up to much criticism for its apparent failure to generate content that is Caribbean-based and which is relevant to its people. However, if the content being created by Caribbean internet users on external networks like Facebook and IMVU and Tagged are reviewed, the talent of the people of the Caribbean becomes very apparent. The opportunity to exploit this untapped capability and capacity is real and significant, and SVG will take steps to make the best use of its people in this regard. Government has recognised the emergence of social networking as having the capacity to significantly raise the level of contribution of civil society. It is therefore planned that SVG will apply these new tools and similar principles to the areas of culture and heritage, local festivals and music. Social networking tools will also be used to simulate discourse on the environment, health and safety, healthcare, and education. E-literacy or digital literacy is core to the creation of a knowledge-based society which is a primary aim of SVG. While many of the towns and villages in the country have the basic infrastructure in the form of resource centres, much more is needed to promote literacy at all levels and ensure that both young and old in the country are given the basic tools to allow them to participate in sustainable nation building. While youth will be a major area of focus, equal emphasis will be placed on senior members of society to ensure that they can use technology for their own development. This is important given the traditional roles that the senior members play in maintaining discipline and social governance in homes, villages, towns and communities. NGOs, sporting associations, and other civil society groupings will also be supported and strengthened through ICT investments. In essence, the innovation that is often inherent in civil society will be supported by ICT. A tailored SVG strategy will be developed to allow education, business and the public sector to partner with civil society to mobilize expertise and capacity to kick-start the generation and dissemination of new forms of knowledge within the country. This will be a transformative and people-centred approach built on ICT-based St. Vincent & the Grenadines National ICT Strategy and Action Plan P a g e | 46 knowledge centres. In moving forward with the development of civil society, connectivity will be treated as a utility in the same way that electricity and water are utilities that enable modern societies. It is expected that a major proportion of civil society will be connected either at home or via a mobile device. 2.6.5 The Diaspora The National Homecoming and Diaspora Framework for Action 2009 provide recommendations for action on behalf of Vincentians living abroad and those living in SVG. Government has begun planning on the use of ICT to better enhance business relations between SVG and the Diaspora. DEVELOPING AN E-CITIZEN CHARTER The development of an e-Citizens Charter along the lines of the document shown in the Appendix 2 is considered an important best practice which SVG will be pursuing. The development of the Charter will be done in conjunction with Civil Society and will include the participation of the Private Sector. The Charter will address the key issues of choice, freedom of information and privacy. 2.7