Page 13 - ARUBA TODAY

A13
Friday 22 March 2019

University of Aruba and the COE to host

2019 International Island Conference

needed for a just society,
for ensuring human rights
and for empowering citi-
zens. This applies to all sec-
tors of society, from public
to private, NGOs, and aca-
demia. What are the as- ernment Organization. Her
pects unique to island ter- talk will focus on good gov-
ritories? How do the institu- ernance. She believes tak-
tional structures on Small Is- ing a human-centered ap-
land States assist or limit the proach to policy-making
ability to meet the United combined with significant
Nations Sustainable Devel- investment in innovation is
opment Goals? We hope the only way to help build
to engage with many on a more sustainable future
this unique event that will for generations to come.
create a platform bringing The second is Honorable
to light these inquiries.” Leona Romeo-Marlin, Prime
The conference features Minister of Saint Maarten &
keynote addresses by four Minister of General Affairs,
distinguished guests. The speaking at 08:30 March
first, speaking on the open- 28.
ing morning of March 27, is Her address will focus on
ORANJESTAD — The first gagement on, for and with states with those from is- the Honorable Evelyna C. island resilience and gover-
“International Conference SIDS and SNIJs. land territories.” Wever-Croes, Prime Minis- nance in the aftermath of
on Small Island States and The conference’s interna- Says University of Aruba ter of Aruba & Minister of the 2017 hurricanes.
Sub-National Island Juris- tional planning commit- Rector, Mr. Glenn Thodé, General Affairs, Integrity,
dictions” will be hosted by tee is chaired by UNESCO “Good governance is Energy, Innovation, & Gov- Continued on Page 14
the University of Aruba, in co-chair, Dr. Jim Randall
collaboration with the Cen- (UPEI). Local co-hosts in-
tre of Excellence for the clude Arno Boersma and
Sustainable Development Francielle Laclé from the
of Small Island Developing COE, Deborah Alexander
States (COE) and the UNES- from the Centre for Lifelong
CO Chair in Island Studies Learning at University of
and Sustainability, which Aruba, and Glenn Thodé,
is shared between the Uni- Rector of the U of A, and
versity of Prince Edward Is- Patrick Arens, Business Di-
land (UPEI) in Canada and rector. The planning com-
the University of Malta. The mittee comprises scholars
dates are March 26-29, from several academic in-
2019. stitutions including the Uni-
versity of the West Indies,
The theme of the confer- Vrije Universiteit Amster-
ence is “Island States and dam, University of Malta,
Island Territories: Sharing Leiden University, and Uni-
Stories of Island Life, Gov- versity of the West of Eng-
ernance and Global En- land.
gagement.” The main fo- As Conference Chair Jim
cus of the conference is on Randall notes, “How islands
the differences and similari- govern themselves and the
ties between those islands relations they negotiate
that are fully independent with other jurisdictions has
“Small Island Developing a major impact on their sus-
States” (SIDs) and those tainable development. This
that maintain a political or conference brings togeth-
constitutional link with met- er international, regional
ropolitan powers; “Subna- and local experts on island
tional Island Jurisdictions” life to share their ideas and
or SNIJs. One of the primary research results. I am espe-
aims of the conference cially excited to compare
is to discuss the life, gov- development perspectives
ernance and global en- from independent island