This document summarizes a presentation on a scoping study about the Caribbean diaspora and information and communications technology. The presentation covered: 1) An overview of the project which mapped ICT initiatives and strategies involving the Caribbean diaspora. 2) The methodology used which included questionnaires, interviews, country visits and secondary research to profile diaspora demographics and ICT projects in countries like Jamaica, Haiti, Guyana and the Dominican Republic. 3) Opportunities and best practices identified, such as rural/diaspora partnerships, e-commerce, and knowledge mobility management between diaspora and their home countries.

1. Canada-Caribbean Diasporas and Development Conference Series
Westin Harbour Castle, Toronto
30 May, 2005
PRESENTATION
Caribbean Diaspora and Information
and Communications Technology:
Bridging the Divide

2. Introduction
PanAmericas/IDRC Scoping Study
Pan Americas Project Officer
Angelica Ospina
Consultants
Schiller Jean-Baptiste-REHRED (Haiti)
Chanzo Greenidge-Diplomats Inc., UWI

3. Agenda
1. Project Overview
2. Methodology
3. Findings- Diaspora & Country Profiles
4. Findings- Project Development & Implementation
5. Findings- Opportunities & Best Practices
6. Impact and Dissemination
7. Conclusion and Acknowledgements

4. 1. Aims and Rationale
ICT and Diaspora in Context
• Mapping and Project Identification
• Strategies and Approaches
• Priorities and Potential
• Caribbean Diaspora in the Caribbean?

5. 2.
Methodology
• Schedule
• Questionnaire & Interviews
• Country Visits
• Secondary Sources
• Comparative Studies

6. 2.
Methodology
Questionnaire
TARGET RESPONDENTS
STRUCTURE
» Institutional Overview and Mapping
» Project Selection Criteria
» Target Market/Beneficiaries
» Approaches to Networking/Partnerships
» Funding & Implementation Challenges
» Outlook & Best Practices

7. 3. Diaspora Profile
• Demographics and ICTs
• Caribbean Diaspora & ICT initiatives
– Prime Movers
– Middle Stratum
– Lower Stratum
• Migrants, Returnees & Expatriates

8. 3. Institutional Overview and Mapping
• Country Profiles
– Jamaica
– Haiti
– Guyana
– Dominican Republic
– Barbados
– Pan-Caribbean?

9. 4. Project Selection and Beneficiaries
• Youth and Schools (The Alma Mater syndrome)
• Demographics (Rural/Urban, Gender)
• Transnational Households

10. 4. Approaches to Networking/Partnerships
• Personal and Alumni Networks
• Key Institutions
• Cyber-Diaspora

11. 4. Funding & Implementation Challenges
• Telecommunications Costs
• Banking and Finance in the Caribbean
• Co-ordination and Focus
• Government/Private Sector Partnerships

12. 5. Opportunities & Best Practices
INVESTING IN TRANSNATIONALISM
• Rural/Diaspora Partnerships
• E-Industry and Innovation
• E-commerce- Cottage Industries and ICT
• OpenSource- Intellectual Property
• Disaster Prevention and Response
• Cross-diasporic Linkages

13. 5. Opportunities & Best Practices
KNOWLEDGE MOBILITY MANAGEMENT
• ‘Honest Brokers’
• Diaspora Skills Bank
• Trade and Investment Focus
• Customised Policies
• Cross-national Co-ordination?

14. 5. Opportunities and Best Practices
KEY INSTITUTIONS
• Academic and Media Institutions
• Religious and Voluntary Associations
• Government Agencies
• Professional Organisations & Networks
• Business and Financial Institutions
• ICT-oriented Agencies

15. 6. Impact and Dissemination
• Release Schedule
• Scoping Study
• Anticipated Impact

16. 7. Conclusion
• Information, Communication & Diaspora
• Acknowledgements

17. THANK YOU
Schiller Jean-Baptiste; Chanzo Greenidge
PanAmericas/IDRC Scoping Study
Caribbean Diaspora and Information and Communications Technology