CARICOM Secretariat to host Girls in ICT Day event today

The CARICOM Secretariat will be hosting an event on Thursday April 30, 2015 at its Headquarters from 9:00am-2:00pm to commemorate Girls in ICT Day . The event is being hosted as part of a mandate from the CARICOM Heads of Government based on their decision that there should be increased activity with regard to ICT and Youth in  2015 (and beyond). CARICOM Deputy Secretary-General Ambassador Manorma Soeknandan will deliver opening remarks at the event at 10:00 am.

International Girls in ICT Day is an opportunity for girls and young women to see and experience technology in a whole new light. It is also an initiative supported by International Telecommunications Union (ITU) Member States in Plenipotentiary Resolution 70 (Guadalajara, 2010) to create a global environment that empowers and encourages girls and young women to consider careers in the growing field of information and communication technologies (ICTs). This year’s sub-theme is ‘Girls and Women and Innovation’.

According to Deputy Programme Manager for Culture at the CARICOM Secretariat Ms. Riane deHaas Bledoeg the objectives of the event are to reinforce the concept of ‘Girls in ICT Day’ within the CARICOM Secretariat and community, celebrate and commemorate the International Girls in ICT Day and provide a modified ‘open day’ to the Secretariat as an intergovernmental agency involved in the policy development and use of ICT. She added that partnering with the private sector to provide an opportunity for girls to get inspired about the ICT sector by introducing them to topical applications and devices; and exposing girls, teachers and staff members to some ICT Career options and existing jobs in ICT were also part of the objectives

The activities will include plenary sessions in the Secretariat’s Large Conference Room during the morning with a break around noon and the viewing of an exhibition, including a live exhibition facilitated by CARICOM Staff, as well as displays by participating firms and institutions, in the corridors of the Secretariat. The Secretariat will also facilitate ICT demonstrations to participating students on how to set up an e-mail account and how to make use of CARICOM’s Social Media platforms.

On International Girls in ICT Day all stakeholders are encouraged to organize events with the vision to empower and encourage girls and young women to consider studies and careers in the growing field of ICTs. The ITU Secretary General invites ITU Member States and Sector Members to organize events attracting as many girls and young women as possible. Ministries of ICT, Education, Labour, Youth, National ICT Regulatory Authorities, ICT companies, academic institutions, relevant UN agencies, NGOs and other stakeholders are all encouraged to celebrate and commemorate the day.