Page 13 - ARUBA TODAY

A13
Wednesday 27 March 2019

University of Aruba hosts International Island Conference:

“Island issues differ completely from mainland issues”

ORANJESTAD – Today the Local co-hosts include Arno private, NGOs, and aca-
first “International Confer- Boersma and Francielle demia. What are the as-
ence on Small Island States Laclé from the COE, Deb- pects unique to island ter-
and Sub-National Island orah Alexander from the ritories? How do the institu-
Jurisdictions” started at Centre for Lifelong Learn- tional structures on Small Is-
the University of Aruba till ing at University of Aruba, land States assist or limit the
29th of March. The confer- and Glenn Thodé, Rector ability to meet the United
ence is organized in col- of the U of A, and Patrick Nations Sustainable Devel-
laboration with the Centre Arens, Business Director. opment Goals? We hope
of Excellence for the Sus- The planning committee to engage with many on
tainable Development of comprises scholars from this unique event that will
Small Island Developing several academic institu- create a platform bringing
States (COE) and the UNES- tions including the Univer- to light these inquiries.”
CO Chair in Island Studies sity of the West Indies, Vrije
and Sustainability, which Universiteit Amsterdam, Dr. Randall: “How islands
is shared between the Uni- University of Malta, Leiden govern themselves and the
versity of Prince Edward University, and University of relations they negotiate
Island (UPEI) in Canada them to tell their own story semi-autonomous, having the West of England. with other jurisdictions has
and the University of Malta. and use their own voices. a vague kind of relation- a major impact on their sus-
The conference’s interna- This conference is here, ship with other states and Unique Aspects tainable development. This
tional planning committee because we believe that other governments.” Some- Rector Thode explains conference brings togeth-
is chaired by UNESCO co- islands are important, not times they seem to be invis- that this event initiated in er international, regional
chair, Dr. Jim Randall (UPEI). just for their own develop- ible and one of our tasks is 2017 when Dr. Randall ap- and local experts on island
“It is important that people ment but, they have les- to make islands like Aruba proached him to help and life to share their ideas and
understand the importance sons to tell to other islands count more, he states. The organize a conference in research results. I am espe-
of islands and the fact that and the mainland.” purpose of the conference Sint Maarten. Unfortunately cially excited to compare
islands are very different is to bring people from this the hurricane Irma hit the development perspectives
from the mainland.” Invisible Islands area together. About 90 island and caused enor- from independent island
How islands are governed people signed up to par- mous damage to the infra- states with those from is-
He explains that if people can be learned from and ticipate. “It is important for structure. ““Good gover- land territories.”
try to use mainland solu- applied to other places. Aruba to be involved in this nance is needed for a just
tions to solve island prob- Dr. Randall says that too conference as well for us to society, for ensuring human On Thursday there will be a
lems ‘you will run into often, the thought of is- hear the challenges Aruba rights and for empowering free public forum, people
walls’. “We are facilitators, lands being dependent faces and the solutions the citizens. can register at the Univer-
we bring people together states exists. “Aruba and island found to solve those This applies to all sectors sity of Aruba website. Be on
around the world to allow Prince Edward Island are problems.” of society, from public to time, seats are limited. q

Beyond Asian Culinary

PALM BEACH — There is a
journey you may take this
coming weekend and it
will lead you beyond the
obvious. Aruba Marriott
Resort & Stellaris Casino is
known for its super ambi-
ence lobby bar that will
now take you on a trip
through Asia. The eating
culture in this part of the
world may be called the
most diverse and tasteful
of all and this delight is to
be tasted in Aruba.

A fusion of flavors will en-
chant you while tasting a
variety of Asian flavored
fusions. Offerings among
others are a selection of secret cocktails with names like of your weekend, so tune into Secrecy
sushi rolls, oysters, prime Kimono or Geisha to accompany Secrecy -that’s how this Asian Friday, March 29th & Saturday, March 30th
short ribs, tuna tartare roll, these happy surprises. experience is called- and simply From 7 PM
salmon and some great The Lobby is a great place to start unwind. Enjoy. Let go. Do Asian. Reservations: T +297 520 6652 / 520 6343 / 520 6670