From 29 to 31 January, a delegation from RedCLARA participated in high-level meetings in Trinidad and Tobago to explore the possibilities of the future formation of a National Research and Education Network (NREN), to discuss the connectivity of the country and the Caribbean, and the possible contributions of the organization within the framework of the BELLA II project.
The delegation was composed of the Executive Director, Luis Eliécer, and the Liaison Manager of the RNIE, Cecilia Ortiz, who accompanied the Regional Director of the European Commission's Directorate General for International Partnerships (DG INTPA), Félix Fernández-Shaw, to key meetings. In a meeting with Cory Belfon, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Digital Transformation, and the EU Ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago, Peter Cavendish, they discussed the process of implementing 5G technology in the Caribbean and the importance of data management and security.
RedCLARA delegates also met with representatives of the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU), the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the Ministry of Digital Transformation, the National Information and Communication Technology Company (iGovTT), and the CARICOM Crime and Security Implementation Agency (IMPACS).
RedCLARA representatives also visited the facilities of the Caribbean Industrial Research Institute (CARIRI) at the St. Augustine campus of the University of the West Indies to learn about important research projects, including innovation projects in fisheries and a platform that includes more than 160 organizations.
During these initial meetings, opportunities to link the Caribbean with the rest of Latin America and Europe through RedCLARA and BELLA II were discussed, as well as other topics of interest, including the European Union's (EU) Earth Observation Program, Copernicus.
A workshop was also held to address these issues, highlighting the benefits of joining the regional advanced network, including services, working groups and NREN training models in the national digital ecosystem. The meeting concluded with an expression of intent to continue exploring opportunities together.
"Connecting Trinidad and Tobago to RedCLARA and BELLA II would bring significant benefits to all sectors, including academia, business and government. The BELLA II project is strategically designed to build strong national and educational networks, fostering greater connectivity and collaboration," said Luis Cadenas. "BELLA II is envisioned as an unprecedented effort to bridge the digital divide and promote digital transformation in all Latin American and Caribbean countries."
