Introduction
A group of scholars, researchers and other interested persons from around the world concerned with small islands first organized an international conference on Vancouver Island, Canada in 1986 to discuss their mutual interests. This inaugural "Islands of the World" gathering was followed by further conferences in Tasmania (1988), the Bahamas (1992) and Okinawa (1994). Their last conference was held in Mauritius in July 1998 at which some 150 delegates from 30 different islands attended. Over 100 papers were given and discussed which resulted in the Mauritius Declaration, with seven major recommendations and sixteen secondary ones, being approved at the Closing Ceremony in the presence of their Prime Minister and a large media gathering.
Islands VI
This conference was being organised by Habitat Scotland, an independent environmental research charity, which is based and has been operating from the Isle of Skye since 1980. Habitat has recently established their own International Centre for Island Studies and its Director, Graeme Robertson, also currently serves as President of the Island Web Consortium. Graeme, with the full support of the ISISA Executive Committee, will act as The Secretary for ISLANDS VI.
Conference Theme
Even though there are conditions which separate small islands from each other the "island factor" is present - circumstances which are unique to islands compared to the mainland (or large islands). Some characteristics of the "island factor" are remoteness and insularity, peripherality to centres of decision making, a limited range of natural resources, specialisation of economies, small markets, narrow skills base, poor infrastructure, vulnerability to natural disasters, degree of exposure to forces outside of their control such as climate change and sea level rise, environmental fragility and often unique but threatened biological diversity.
How different islands, through their Government agencies, university departments, NGOs, voluntary bodies, community groups, or simply as individual islanders have overcome these COMMON PROBLEMS is the general theme for Islands VI. The majority of islands face similar difficulties and ISISA will particularly welcome papers that can lead to SHARING SOLUTIONS with other delegates and a wider audience. By learning from each others experience, and borrowing as well as replicating best practices for their own island, the following might serve as a useful list of topics that papers address:
improving production and distribution of renewable energy
finding innovative ways to bring about waste minimisation
introducing efficient public transport
raising standards of water and air quality
adopting integrated coastal zone management plans
involving communities to create protected areas or safeguard endangered species
seeking ways to control and eradicate invasive or alien species
realising the importance of documenting and maintaining biodiversity
promoting sustainable rather than mass tourism
diversifying economies to reduce dependence on one dominant product or service
utilising the full political potential of Exclusive Economic Zones
having control over local fisheries
preserving traditional island cultures and all other forms of creative expression
respecting indigenous peoples, languages and customs
fostering gender equality to ensure the full use of human resources
using information technology to improve health care and education
This list is not exhaustive and other more general papers about why islands should stick together to mitigate some of the worst consequences of globalisation and how to overcome the shared characteristics which render them vulnerable are also most welcome. One day will be a special session for at least a dozen representatives of Island Institutes/Research Centres from around the world to detail their various activities in order to encourage actual and future cooperation with joint academic and practical research projects.
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