Government has demonstrated its continued commitment and support towards the development of Information Communication Technology (ICT) in Dominica with the launch of the 2013 ICT festival on Tuesday.
The three- day festival which began at the Windsor Park Sports Stadium will showcase over forty companies involved in ICT.
The event builds on two previously held ICT road shows and this year is being held under the theme: ‘Empowering Citizens, Embracing the Future.’
Members of the public will be exposed to the endless possibilities in ICT and have a better appreciation for its role in national development.
Parliamentary Secretary in the office of the Prime Minister responsible for ICT, Hon. Kelvar Darroux, in addressing the opening ceremony highlighted a number of initiatives that Government has undertaken geared at enhancing the ICT sector in Dominica.
According to Hon. Darroux we are living in a “knowledge based economy. “ He believes therefore that it is important that everyone in the various communities across Dominica has basic knowledge on the use of information technology.
During his address he said, “That is why we [the Government] have made a conscious effort to start at our schools to ensure that they all have ICT labs; that our students at these various institutions can have firsthand knowledge of how to use the computer.”
He also referred to the availability of resource centers and internet cafes in communities across the country as recent examples. He indicated that the provision of these resource locations is available at all community levels so that the “ordinary fisherman” and other citizens of the country could have access to technology.
While embracing the use of ICT’s, Hon. Darroux cautioned parents to be more responsible in monitoring their children’s use of the internet.
He referred to the internet as a “double edged sword”. Hon Darroux to expound on this added, “While it is true that it is the good for the use of research and for finding information, there are also sites on the internet that could destroy you if you are exposed to them.”
Meantime Minister responsible for ICT Hon. Ambrose George spoke of the impact of ICT’s on the socio-economic and technological development of the country and elaborated on Government’s vision for the ICT sector.
“We have plans to develop every sector of the Dominican economy using ICT technologies including, but not limited to, e-government, e-education, e-agriculture, e-tourism… etc.“
Minister George further indicated that Government will continue to provide training for citizens in the use of ICT while encouraging all sectors of society to use it.
Also addressing Tuesday’s launch of the festival was Minister responsible for the Public Service Hon. Charles Savarin.
Winner of the 2013 ICTFest Logo competition Jeanne Royer was awarded with her winning prize.
First, second and third prize winners of the primary school essay competition were also awarded their winning prizes.
The ICT festival will run until July fourth and is open to the public from 12 noon to 6:00 p.m.