St. George’s, Grenada, January, 24, 2012

Mr. Ken Sylvester, the Chief Executive Officer and of staff of the Caribbean Knowledge and Learning Network, CKLN, welcomed the Secretary General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), His Excellency Ambassador Irwin LaRocque, to their offices  in Grenada. 

Ambassador LaRocque was pleased to visit the agency, the only CARICOM institution based in Grenada. The CKLN came into being because of the global recognition that information and communication technologies (ICT) are central to the new world economy. Ambassador LaRocque stressed that ICT is the backbone of regional development and an important facilitator of the integration process and noted that the Prime Minister of Grenada embraces ICT as a vital tool in Grenada's development as a Knowledge Society. 

The Secretary General was supportive of the major project being undertaken by the CKLN on behalf of the political leadership of the region - C@ribNET - the region and the world’s newest research and education network that will become operational by the end of February this year. 

C@ribNET is a regional broadband fiber optic network that will support collaboration between tertiary and regional institutions in the Caribbean as they develop courses and programmes that will be available to a wider Caribbean citizenry.

Mr. Sylvester advised that C@ribNET has links to other international networks, and like them, is charged very specifically for research, education and knowledge sharing. The Secretary General noted C@ribNET will address the challenge of access to tertiary education faced many in the region. He further stressed that with C@ribNET and the regional and international access to research and education, the region will be building its cadre of skills, and thus contributing to economic development.