South School on Internet Governance Trinidad and Tobago 28 April 2014 Caribbean Perspec?ves in Internet Governance
Aug 23, 2014
South School on Internet Governance Trinidad and Tobago 28 April 2014
Caribbean Perspec?ves in Internet Governance
Sharing insights on:
• Is LAC truly lagging behind the rest of the world on Internet take up and use? – Why the Internet is important to the Caribbean
• Why Internet Governance (IG) is important • Why IG should be important to the region • Ways we can enhance our parAcipaAon in the IG space
Is LAC truly lagging behind the rest of the world on Internet take up
and use?
LAC countries highly in global fixed broadband rankings
Rank Country Per 100 inhabitants (2012) 12 Canada 32.9 20 United States 28.0 23 St. KiLs & Nevis 27.2 32 Barbados 28.3 45 Uruguay 16.6
• Below worldwide rankings as at 2012 • Countries in the Americas in the top 50
Source: Interna-onal Telecommunica-ons Union
7 LAC countries are in top 25
Rank Country % in 2012 15 Barbados 57.7 17 St. Vincent & the
Grenadines 49.4
18 Uruguay 48.4 20 AnAgua & Barbuda 48.2 21 ArgenAna 47.5 22 Costa Rica 47.3 25 Brazil 45.4
Source: Interna-onal Telecommunica-ons Union
• % of households with internet in Developing Countries
4 LAC countries in top 40 globally, re Internet use
Rank Country % in 2012 14 Canada 86.8 20 AnAgua & Barbuda 83.8 24 United States 81.0 27 St. KiLs & Nevis 79.3 36 Barbados 73.3 40 Bahamas 71.7 Source: Interna-onal Telecommunica-ons Union
• % individuals using the Internet worldwide • 192 countries were ranked
The Internet is a cri?cal driver of na?onal development
• Globally, countries are becoming InformaAon SocieAes and knowledge economies
• Increasing broadband penetraAon has a direct impact GDP, especially in Developing Countries
• Internet readiness has become an important indicator compeAAveness
• Internet/ICTs are increasingly integrated across all aspects of our lives
Internet Governance
Countries cannot truly address IG in isola?on to each other
Internet governance (IG) …is the development and applica-on by
governments, the private sector and civil society, in their respec-ve roles, of shared principles, norms, rules, decision-‐making procedures, and programmes that shape the evolu-on and use of
the Internet.
(Source: World Summit on the InformaAon Society)
A mul?tude of issues to address
Net neutrality IPv4 exhaus?on Internet stewardship
Freedom of expression
Free Internet Open Internet
Privacy Data protec?on
ccTLDs New TLDs
Global IG architecture IG policies IG laws
Cybersecurity Intellectual Property
Mul?stakeholderism Consensus building ….
Numerous agencies are involved in IG
Interna?onally, the Caribbean’s voice on IG maYers is not being heard
• Too many organisaAons with which to engage • Limited resources to facilitate parAcipaAon • Insufficient grasp of the issues and implicaAons for the countries
• The current and future impact of the Internet is not fully appreciated
• Concerns about whether one voice can make a difference
Even in the Caribbean, IG might not be ge[ng the trac?on it deserves
A few ways to begin increase awareness and par?cipa?on
• Read – a wealth of informaAon is online • Join online groups/mailing lists – LACRALO – Diplo Internet Governance Community – Internet Governance Caucus – ARIN
• ParAcipate remotely in conferences/events, if that opAon is available
• Mobilise/encourage interest groups at home to take a greater interest
We must take advantage of every opportunity to shape the Internet
• The Internet is a crucial driver of naAonal development
• As Developing Countries, we are among the most vulnerable to decisions taken “elsewhere”
• But the Caribbean is a significant consumer of tech goods and services – We punch above our weight!
• We should take advantage of every opportunity to parAcipate in shaping the Internet, noAng its importance to our lives and livelihoods.
Thank you!
Michele Marius www.ict-‐pulse.com
FB: facebook.com/ICTPulse TwiLer: @ictpulse