In order to provide an informed and effective follow-up to the Mauritius Declaration of 2005, in keeping with UNESCO’s priorities, this conference has been conceived to provide a basis for a comprehensive understanding of the issues as they pertain to SIDS with an inter-regional focus. Moreover, it will also emphasis in-depth technical and intellectual content.

The subjects for discussion are:

• Islands of encounters: the historical dimension of SIDS cultural diversities;
  
• Heritage in islands: Diversity of sites and types of island heritage;
  
• Contemporary crossroads: Diaspora and identities in contemporary SIDS;
  
• Creative Islands and diverse potentials: Cultural industries in SIDS;
  
• Culture policies for SIDS;
  
• Inter-regional dimensions of SIDS cultural diversities? in relation to sustainable development: Debate and recommendations.

Participants had draft recommendations as a follow-up to ‘Barbados +10’.

High-level academics and researchers from France, Mauritius, Barbados, Jamaica, French Reunion, Seychelles, Trinidad and Tobago, Vanuatu, Guyana and Fiji will  participate in this conference.