Theme: Advancing Digital Transformation in the Caribbean: Meaningful connectivity, AI Governance, and Innovation

1. About the School of Digital Transformation and Innovation

The School of Digital Transformation and Innovation is a premier capacity-building initiative designed to empower policymakers and stakeholders in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) with cutting-edge knowledge on digital transformation. Through interactive lectures, panel discussions, case studies, and peer-learning exercises, the School facilitates the exchange of insights on emerging technologies, digital governance, and regulatory best practices.

Following the success of its first Caribbean edition in 2024, the second edition in 2025 aims to deepen engagement with regional policymakers, industry experts, and international organizations. This year’s School will emphasize infrastructure resilience, meaningful connectivity, artificial intelligence (AI), governance frameworks, and financial strategies for digital transformation.

The program is co-organized by prominent institutions, including:

• ECLAC: The United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean
• CAF: Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean
• CETIC.br: Regional Centre for Studies for the Development of the Information Society
• Internet Technical Community: LACNIC, ICANN, Internet Society, LACTLD, LAC-IX, LACNOG, Red CLARA
• CTU: The Caribbean Telecommunications Union
• UWI: The University of the West Indies

2. Why a Caribbean Edition?

The Caribbean faces distinct challenges and opportunities in digital transformation. Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in the region grapple with issues such as:

• Limited telecommunications infrastructure
• Exposure to natural disasters
• Financial constraints
• Data governance and security concerns

To address these challenges, the 2025 School will provide a dedicated space for regional dialogue, capacity building, and collaboration. By focusing on meaningful connectivity, resilient digital infrastructure, and AI governance, the program aims to enhance the Caribbean’s digital economy and regulatory landscape.

3. Objectives

The 2025 edition of the school seeks to:

• Advance Policy Development: Foster discussions on regulatory and policy frameworks for the Caribbean.
• Foster Digital Inclusion: Ensure that digital transformation efforts are equitable and inclusive, bridging the digital divide in underserved communities.
• Develop Resilient Digital Infrastructure: Address the region’s vulnerabilities by promoting robust and sustainable digital infrastructure solutions.
• Promote Ethical AI and Data Governance: Support discussions on responsible AI adoption, ethical considerations, and data protection frameworks.
• Strengthen Regional Cooperation: Promote cross-sectoral collaboration to drive digital transformation.
• Build Technical and Strategic Capacities: Equip policymakers and stakeholders with tools to navigate the evolving digital landscape.

4. Thematic Pillars and Key Topics

The program is structured around six key thematic pillars, each addressing critical aspects of digital transformation:

1. Internet: operations, actors and current challenges

• Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Digital Innovation

• Meaningful Connectivity

• Infrastructure Resilience and Regulation

• Regional Cooperation and Policy Frameworks

• Measurement and Visualization of Digital Development Progress for Policy Development

• Methodology

The school will use an interactive and practical approach to learning:

• Lectures and Workshops: Expert-led sessions on key thematic areas.
• Panel Discussions and Debates: Dialogues featuring policymakers, industry leaders, and researchers.
• Case studies presentation from participants: Showcasing existing digital initiatives.

6. Target Audience

The School is designed for mid-to-senior level policymakers (with at least seven years of experience) from ministries related to Digital/ICT, Finance, Trade, Planning & Economy, and Legal Affairs. Additional participants will include regulators, industry representatives, chambers of commerce, academics, and international organizations engaged in digital transformation policy development in the Caribbean.

The program has a maximum seating capacity of 40 participants

7. Event Details

• Date: June 16-20, 2025
• Time: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM (UTC -4)
• Venue: Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
• Mode: In-person participation
• Language: English (No interpretation services available)
• Certificates: Awarded to participants who complete at least two-thirds of the sessions
• Registration: By invitation only; expressions of interest are encouraged

PROVISIONAL AGENDA (Download)

EVENT

DAY 1 – THE INTERNET ·      How the Internet Works Unintended Consequences of Blocking IP Addresses and Websites Internet Infrastructure and Connectivity Challenges Security, Privacy and Digital Rights Future Trends in Internet Governance Discussion and Experiences from Participants

DAY 2 – ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE – GOVERNANCE, INNOVATION AND ETHICS AI for the Public Sector – Opportunities and Challenges AI Governance and Policy Frameworks AI Observatories and Regional Initiatives AI and Productivity: Its Impact on Economic Development Regulatory and Ethical Frameworks for AI Discussion and Experiences from Participants

DAY 3 – MEASURING AND VISUALISNG DIGITAL DEVELOPMENT Meaningful connectivity in the Caribbean ICT Development Index and Digital Inclusion Metrics Strategies for Advancing Meaningful Connectivity Discussion and Experiences from Participants

DAY 4 – INFRASTRUCTURE, RESILIENCE AND REGULATION Strengthening Core Internet Infrastructure (Data Centres, IXPs, Root Servers, DNS, etc.) Critical Internet Infrastructure – Submarine and Space Networks Cybersecurity and Resilience against emerging threats Regulating for Infrastructure Resilience – Lessons from the region Regional Internet Connectivity and Infrastructure Gaps Discussion and Experiences from Participants

DAY 5 – REGIONAL COOPERATION AND DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION Regional Digital Agendas and Development Objectives The CARICOM Single ICT Space and Digital Policy Alignment Financing Strategies for Digital Transformation Roundtable: Regional Cooperation Initiatives and Best Practices Closing Reflections and Key Takeaways