Creative activities and regeneration of territories: which potentials for cultural and environmental activities in Small Island Developing States

In the context of increasingly complex challenges faced by Small Island Developing States (SIDS), a reflection group is being created to address current issues and focus on SIDS’ cultural and environmental potentials to trigger positive change. It was initiated by the representatives of the SIDS Member States, in partnership with the Fondation Globale Démocratie et Développement (FUNGLODE), the Réseau Activités créatives et renouveau des territoires (ACERT); and the Centre de Recherche en Economie et en Droit du Développement Insulaires (CREDDI).

On 19 September 2017, H.E. Mr Joshua Rimarkindu Kalinoe, Chairman of the SIDS Group, will host the seminar ‘Creative activities and regeneration of territories: which potentials for cultural and environmental activities in Small Island Developing States (SIDS)’ at UNESCO in Paris.

The objective of this seminar is to create a forum for exchange and dialogue between actors from different backgrounds in order to put forward concrete proposals for the further implementation of the UNESCO SIDS Action Plan and to assist in the definition of social, economic and environmental policies for these vulnerable countries.

During the seminar, the reflection group, consisting of SIDS representatives, policy makers and members of civil societies (NGOs, academics, artists, etc.) in cooperation with UNESCO, will address several themes such as:

- Cultural and creative industries (CCI) to support the Sustainable Development Programme 2030 : the case of SIDS
- Sustainable tourism in the sites of World Heritage «Enhancing the best practices of the tourism sector in terms of contribution to the creative economy»
- Environmental issues in SIDS
- The effects of new technologies

The meeting allows exchanges of good practices and comparisons of diverse experiences. It will also allow to draw some recommendations in economic, social and environmental policy designing for the SIDS as well for isolated territories. The conclusions of the meeting could thus contribute to the implementation of the SIDS Action Plan.