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ECLAC inaugurates virtual course “From digital government to smart government” for the Caribbean

4 October 2024|Briefing note

The course “From Digital Government to Smart Government” will take place from October 2nd to October 30th, 2024.

The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), through the Latin American and Caribbean Institute for Economic and Social Planning (ILPES) and ECLAC’s Subregional Headquarters for the Caribbean, has inaugurated the first version of the virtual course, “From digital government to smart government” targeted to the Caribbean subregion, to be held from October 2nd to 30th, 2024. Over 40 participants from Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, The Bahamas, Barbados, Curaçao, Guyana, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, and the Virgin Islands are taking part.

The general aim of the course is to enhance participants’ capacities in providing solutions to the needs of citizens, organizations, and the challenges of future crises, for example those linked to climate change, through Digital Government. The course also focuses on incorporating new knowledge to advance evidence-based decision making and data-driven policies to create public value and aiming to build a path towards a resilient Smart Government in the Caribbean subregion.

During the inauguration ceremony, held on Wednesday, October 2, Elena Diez Pinto, on behalf of ILPES, highlighted that the course focuses on incorporating new knowledge to advance evidence-based decision making and data-driven policies to create public value and aiming to build a path towards a resilient Smart Government in the Caribbean subregion. With this course, ECLAC was contributing to fulfil the objectives of the Pact for the Future, adopted by world leaders at the recent Summit for the Future, which includes a Global Digital Compact and a Declaration on Future Generations, she added.

Diane Quarless, Director of ECLAC Subregional Headquarters for the Caribbean, expressed enthusiasm for the course launch, highlighting its role in equipping participants with skills to manage innovative technologies and develop digitalization projects. She emphasized the importance of digital transformation in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

Finally, Wayne Henry, Director General of the Planning Institute of Jamaica and a member of the Regional Council for Planning of ILPES, recognized that integrating digital technologies is essential for enhancing service delivery, improving efficiency, and driving innovation in governance. He remarked that this course aligns perfectly with Jamaica’s National Goals for Modernization.

This initiative is expected to empower Caribbean nations in their digital transformation efforts, ultimately contributing to regional resilience and sustainable development.

The course is developed in the framework of the project “Resilient and Inclusive Public Managemente Systems for Sustainable Development in Latin America and the Caribbean” of the United Nations Development Account.