With over 20 countries in the Caribbean region, it is important that as developing countries and Small Island Developing States, which inherently are disadvantaged, that we ensure that our needs and concerns are considered in the global Internet conversations, and the decisions that ultimately are made. In our conversation with Kerrie-Ann Vassall-Richards, an Advisory Council Member of ARIN, we discuss that organisation, its role with respect to the Internet, and how the Caribbean region can participate more actively in Internet policy discussions.

 

This episode is also available in Apple iTunes and on Stitcher!

It may not be readily apparent, but there are several regional and international organisations that either exclusively or partially focus on Internet-related issues. Many of these organisations have implemented approaches that encourage wide participation from a broad range of stakeholders, and use democratic and consensus based decision-making to resolve important issues that will affect how the Internet continues to evolve.

Frequently, the Caribbean, both as individual countries, and the region as a whole, are invited to participate in those Internet discussions. However, sadly, as was discussed in our recent article, Can the Caribbean be seen to more fully participate in the global Internet policy meetings?, very few countries tend to participate in those activities in a consistent manner, in order to be in a position represent their views and make meaningful input.

Kerrie-Ann Vassall-Richards

To that end, the topic, amplifying the Caribbean voice in Internet policy discussions, has been close to the heart of our guest, Kerrie-Ann Vassall-Richards, who is based in Jamaica, and is a member of the Advisory Council of the American Registry for Internet Numbers (ARIN). In addition to the United States and Canada, within the Caribbean the ARIN region includes 20 countries: Anguilla; Antigua and Barbuda; the Bahamas; Barbados; the British Virgin Islands; the Cayman Islands; Dominica; Grenada; Guadeloupe; Jamaica; Martinique; Montserrat; Puerto Rico; Saint Barthelemy; Saint Kitts and Nevis; Saint Lucia; Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; St Martin; Turks and Caicos Islands; and the United States Virgin Islands.

Since Kerrie-Ann has a ringside seat to the Internet policy discussions at ARIN, we have taken the opportunity to learn more about the organisation, and the extent to which the Caribbean is being represented in such fora. Hence some of the questions we posed to Kerrie included:

  1. What is ARIN all about?
  2. With Kerrie being an Advisory Council Member of ARIN, what does that position entail?
  3. What are some of the big issues ARIN has currently been addressing?
  4. To what degree are the needs and perspectives of the smaller, developing countries, such as those in the Caribbean that fall under ARIN, accommodated?
  5. What have been Kerrie’s observations, with respect to Caribbean representation at regional and global Internet policy meetings?
  6. Why is it important that the Caribbean region have a louder voice, or be more visible at those discussions?
  7. What does Kerrie hope to see, or would like to accomplish, if she is appointed for a second term as an Advisory Council Member?

 

Select links

Below are links to some of the organisations and resources that were mentioned, or might be useful:

 

 

Image credits:   StockSnap (Pixabay);  K Richards

Music credit:  Ray Holman