In May, CKLN completed the construction of C@ribNET and linked the Caribbean to the global community of research and education networks through Internet 2 in the USA, Géant in Europe and RedCLARA in Latin America. 

Needless to say, the Board and staff of CKLN are very pleased with the developments that have finally come to fruition. In addition, with C@ribNET now a part of the global mesh, CKLN is strengthening its efforts to enhance the regional capacity to develop content and share services on the network..

Another defining event was the inaugural meeting of the Assembly of Caribbean National Research and Education Networks (NRENs) that was held in Barbados in early May. Convened by the CKLN with support from the Inter-American Development Bank, IDB, the inaugural meeting was staged in the wake of satisfactory completion of the critical aspects of the infrastructure for C@ribNET, significant progress with the development of regional NRENs and the commencement of the final stages of connectivity to public institutions. The meeting brought together representatives from the mostly emerging NRENs from around the Caribbean, as well as government representatives, other CARICOM agencies, telecommunications providers, and of course the media. 

The meeting sought to establish the Assembly of NRENs as the regional technical advisory body to the board of CKLN on matters pertaining to the operationalisation of C@ribNET, policy of use, content, applications, sustainability and related matters. Further, the exercise underscored the significance of a participatory approach to governance, the advantages of continuing investments in communities of interest and the need for partnerships. Presentations included tele-health, digital libraries, and culminated in a Declaration that focused on issues of Governance, Sustainability, Applications & Shared Services and NREN Development  & Community Building. See all presentations and The Declaration.