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Contact:
Julita Peter
Thursday, April 21, 2005 - Internet Fiesta 2005 got off to a steady start
on April 19th. Now into its second year the event according to the National
Coordinator Dr. Cletus Bertin promises to be bigger than last year’s.
A major boost to this year’s event is the heavy emphasis on decentralization.
Organizers believe that the event must profit every St. Lucian.
According Dr. Bertin, “The theme for this year which is really a point of
departure from last year is the information society lifelong learning and you.
The second thing is that we try this year to have the activities in a more
relaxed, fun environment for example last year we had a symposium at the NIC
conference centre this year we are taking it to the community level, so we will
be meeting in town halls, villages and halls.”
Dr. Bertin said that internet fiesta is not targeted at any particular group but
is all inclusive. Throughout the duration of the fiesta, resource persons will
be on hand to show first time users the rudiments of the computer, how to access
the internet, how to set up an email among other things.
The day -time exercises will culminate with town hall meetings alongside
entertainment activities. The Silver Shadow Performing Arts Academy will be
putting on a four part dance which will serve as the springboard for
discussions.
Barry George- Artistic Director of the Silver Shadow Performing Arts Academy
says, “The dance depicts the influence and the impact of technology on humans
and how we as persons relate to a technologized world, the excitement and beauty
of technology.”
The ultimate objective of Internet Fiesta is to build an information and
knowledge driven society. Organizers of the event will be working closely with
information technology vendors and the main sponsor of the event Cable and
Wireless, in the aim of making computers and the internet more accessible and
affordable.
Several internet cafés have been set up around the island, which will provide
free internet access to members of the public. The Central Library in Castries
will serve as the focal point for the fiesta for persons in the capital city,
Castries.
While April 22nd is the official culmination date of internet fiesta the event
may run up till April 29th in some centres. Internet Fiesta is an international
event on the calendar of actives for the last five years in about 40 countries.
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