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Small Islands Voice
Inter-Regional Workshop, Koror, Palau, 18th-22nd November, 2002.
Background
Document
Small Islands
Voice, supported by the United Nations Educational, Scientific
and Cultural Organization, is an inter-regional initiative bringing
together islanders from the Pacific, Indian Ocean and
Caribbean regions to find out their concerns regarding
environment and development issues. These concerns and issues
will be compiled to contribute to the review of the Programme
of Action for Small Island Developing States (2004), and will
also be channeled back to the local level for specific action
on the ground. In the long term, it is hoped that the increased
debate and openness will encourage small islands to broaden their
decision-making processes.
Activities
have commenced in Palau and Cook Islands in the
Pacific; Seychelles in the Indian Ocean; and St. Kitts
and Nevis and Bequia (St. Vincent and the Grenadines)
in the Caribbean. These include opinion surveys, meetings and
Internet-based discussions, among others, all designed to find
out people's views and concerns.
During the
week of 18th-22nd November 2002, specific attention will focus
on Palau when a Small Islands Voice workshop will bring together
representatives from government, non-governmental organizations
and youth in these islands to:
- promote
direct interaction and linkages between island countries in
the three regions (Pacific, Indian Ocean and Caribbean).
- discuss
and further advance specific activities for Small Islands Voice,
nationally, regionally and inter-regionally.
- start
discussions on specific issues emerging from Small Islands Voice,
which can be presented to the 2004 review of the Programme of
Action for Small Island Developing States.
The workshop
will bring together for the first time representatives from the
islands directly involved in Small Islands Voice, providing them
the opportunity to learn about lifestyles and people in the different
regions, and to exchange information both formally and informally.
On Wednesday 20th November, participants will see the road construction
in Babeldoab and discuss the new development with state representatives
and local communities. Given that one of the main goals of Small
Islands Voice is to promote debate on small-island environment
and development issues via existing and new media, there will
be an interactive session on the morning of 21st November exploring
ways in which the media (print, radio, television and Internet
providers) can participate in Small Islands Voice. On the afternoon
of the same day (21st November) other organizations in Palau will
be invited to discuss their programmes and how they can assist
with the goals of Small Islands Voice.
In addition
to these activities, discussions will continue throughout the
week on how to ensure that the voice of the general public becomes
a true and sustainable catalyst for action in the development
of small islands.
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