US embassy cable - 05KINGSTON1602

UNCLAS KINGSTON 001602 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR IIP/G/WHA CBARONE; INFO WHA/PDA APRUITT; RBANKS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: OIIP, KPAO, JM 
SUBJECT: Request for Speakers on Information Technology 
 
 
1.  SUMMARY: Post seeks two speakers to participate in a 
three-day program to include discussions and training for 
business and media professionals on using information 
technology to enhance their work. 
END SUMMARY 
 
2.  Proposed Program Dates: A four-day program in Jamaica in 
early October 2005 (FY-2005). 
 
3.  MPP Strategic Goal: "Economic Prosperity and Security" 
 
4. Purpose of the Program: Post seeks two speakers to 
discuss the importance and application of new technologies 
in various sectors in Jamaica, with the aim of assisting 
professionals in a variety of sectors to improve their 
efficiency and productivity.  Although as a developing 
country Jamaica has access to a variety of high tech 
options, and the infrastructural support has improved, many 
Jamaicans working in a variety of fields are not aware of 
the diversity and versatility of IT applications.  The 
Minister of Commerce, Science and Technology has made 
efforts to encourage Jamaicans to make use of online 
services now available, such as tax payments, as part of his 
e-government program.  With USAID funding, the Minister is 
also bringing greater technological capabilities to farmers, 
and will establish a new company, e-Learning Limited, to 
enhance the use of IT in the classroom. 
 
While the GOJ pursues such initiatives to empower the 
Jamaican citizen in the field of IT, the private sector is 
in some ways lagging behind.  Journalists do not maximize 
their use of the Internet for research.  Journalists in 
training need to be up to date with the latest technology. 
The business sector, especially smaller businesses, do not 
always have the necessary human and other resources to 
provide training opportunities that are tailored to the 
needs of their businesses.  Some training entities, such as 
the National Development Foundation of Jamaica, and other 
private training companies, try to fill in the gap.  The aim 
of the program is to support such efforts. 
 
5.  Audience: Practicing journalists (print and broadcast 
media); students and lecturers in journalism and 
communications; business practitioners, including small 
businesses; IT professionals. 
 
6.  Proposed topics and nature of events: Workshop 
(consisting of two morning sessions) for practicing 
journalists on Internet research; seminar with graduate 
students and lecturers at the Caribbean Institute of Media 
and Communications (CARIMAC) at the University of the West 
Indies; one-day workshop for business professionals hosted 
by the National Development Foundation of Jamaica; breakfast 
meeting with American or Jamaica Chamber of Commerce; 
seminar with Small Businesses Association of Jamaica; 
luncheon/meeting with IT professionals. 
 
7. Type of specialist required: An academic from a learning 
center such as the Information Infrastructure Institute at 
the University of Iowa, and a private sector specialist or 
trainer from an organization such as the Cutter Consortium 
if possible, one with a media focus and one with a business 
focus.  The two speakers should be able to work together on 
all aspects of the program, whether it is with journalists 
or business professionals. 
 
8.  Language: English. 
 
9.  Funding specifics: I Bucks. 
 
10. Post program officer: Glenn Guimond, PAO; tel: (876) 935- 
6053; fax: (876) 929-3637; email:guimondg@state.gov.  Back- 
up program officer: Emma Lewis, PAA, tel: (876) 935-6009; 
fax: (876) 929-3637; email: lewisec@state.gov.  Cobb