THE TOCO DECLARATION (UNESCO-sponsored, 2nd consultation conference of the Caribbean Community Multimedia Centres CMC meeting)

We, the participants attending the UNESCO-sponsored, 2nd consultation conference of the Caribbean Community Multimedia Centres for sustainable development of remote, rural and marginalized communities of the Caribbean, held in Port-of Spain and Toco, Trinidad and Tobago from March 10 -12, 2010, hereby agree to the following amendments to the Paramaribo declaration of October 12-14, 2005;

• Conscious of the impact, role and power of ICT’s to contribute to sustainable development, recognizing the importance of ICT’s on remote, rural and marginalized communities,
• Cognizant of the initiatives being undertaken to promote multimedia resources as tools for social development,
• Recognizing the principles reflected in the Geneva Declaration, to build a people- centred, inclusive, and development oriented Information Society where everyone can create, access, utilize and share information and knowledge, enabling individuals, communities and peoples to achieve their full potential in promoting their sustainable development and improving their quality of life, premised on the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and respecting fully and upholding the Universal Declaration of human rights,
• Mindful of the diverse cultural heritage, social and geographical boundaries which identify us,
• Recognizing the isolated and rural nature of many communities in the region,
• Recognizing the indigenous peoples of the region,
• Recognizing the need to actively protect and promote cultural heritage,
• Recognizing the need to safeguard gender equity, and protect the rights of youth and children,
• Appreciative of the on-going contribution of UNESCO and its Cluster Office for the Caribbean, in promoting ICT education and training in this region, and responsive to concerns expressed by Community Multimedia Centres (CMC’s), and regional and community-based practitioners of ICT to function as a cohesive unit,

Hereby do declare:

• In re-affirming and fulfilling the commitment expressed in the Paramaribo Declaration (2005), to work in partnership with each other and with UNESCO, to develop a Caribbean –based network of CMCs for the purpose of supporting and strengthening ICTs, community radio and television stations services and technology-based community access points, we agree to establish the Association of Caribbean Community Multimedia Centres so as to:
• • Promote networking, advocacy, communication and exchange of information between
  • Caribbean CMC’s, government and private sector organizations,

IN PDF: Mar12TocoDeclaration.pdf