Small Island Developing States (SIDS) Research Papers (original) (raw)

Camarades, Clientes and Compadres é uma adição bem-vinda à literatura obre África lusófona. Também é um livro que os africanistas acharão útil por causa da sua cuidadosa construção analítica comparativa. Seibert escreveu um livro sólido,... more

UNESCO stated that “Global Citizenship Education (GCE) is a framing paradigm which encapsulates how education can develop the knowledge, skills, values and attitudes learners need for securing a world which is more just, peaceful, tolerant, inclusive, secure and sustainable” (UNESCO, 2014).
This paper reports a study associated with variables that construct Global Citizenship Education (GCE) according to the conceptual framework model and looks to which extent these are in included in Primary school curricula in Curaçao. The researcher compared the national school curricula standards set by the Curaçao’s department of Education, Science, Culture & Sports and Global Citizenship Education inclusion in Primary school curricula according to international standards (Oxfam, United Nations).
In order to gather data from the content of Primary Schools Curricula questionnaires were used including questions about GCE, whose validity and reliability were determined. After conducting the questionnaire, the respondents' answers were counted manually and then were analyzed (independent T-test).
The main findings showed presence of concept knowledge, curricular implementation and performance of the identified GCE variables, namely Education for Sustainable Development, Inter/Multicultural Education, Human Rights Education and Civic and Moral Education. Cultural Education proved to be the variable with the strongest presence at research sites.
In conclusion this research shows that Curaçao is consistent in including GCE concepts in the Primary Schools Curricula. There is also consistency on a national level if one looks at standards of the Min. OWCS (Curaçao), the principals (Primary School Curricula) and the teachers (Curricular Implementation and direct contact with students).

- by Ginoutrich Christina
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- Education, Environmental Education, Teacher Education, Global Citizenship

In the early morning of Agust 15, 1995, approximately forty young recruits commanded a a second lieutenant left the barracks with the aim of attacking the presidential palace in São Tomé and of capturing President Miguel Trovoada. The president, who had hidden in an underground shelter, was detained and taken to the barracks. The article analyses the background and course of this coup that was ended after one week of negotiations.

Purpose – The purpose of this article is to describe the case of Curaçao striving to become a smart nation. Many in Curaçao talk about Smart Nation, Smart Island and the blue economy. In practice not much is noted, till now. Why? Methodology – For this study, a literature review was conducted and interviews were held with key figures. Several webinars were conducted and a conference was attended. The draft version of this article was discussed with key persons. Findings – In general Curaçao is not good at implementing policies. Some of the causes include the fragmentation of the society as well as its leadership; as a consequence of patronage and nepotism, incompetent managers and professionals are appointed in key positions. For Curaçao to become a smart island the mindset of the people must shift. Originality – The paper contributes to the understanding of obstacles in the development of small island states. Conclusions – The small scale of Caribbean SIDS is a disadvantage. There are not enough resources and smart people around. Small scale leads to an island mindset characterized by nepotism and patronage, among other issues, and this is an underutilization of the bright minds needed to create the smart city. The possibility of moving from developing country to developed country in one generation is theoretically possible (Lee, 2000). One condition sine qua non is education and the proper mindset. The other is zero tolerance for corruption. INTRODUCTION During the last two elections in Curaçao (5 October 2016 and 28 April 2017), several political parties campaigned on the issue of developing the island into a Smart Island (SI) (PAR, 2017). Just prior to the elections the island government organized a conference on the topic of a Smart Nation. It was probably inspired by the case of Singapore's intelligent island (Curaçao Chronicle, 2017). The agreement the new government coalition signed states: The government will develop and promote economic activities and investments in the downtown area based on the vision for Willemstad in the 21st century (" Smart City "); a city on the world heritage list of UNESCO but with a modern, futuristic, inclusive ecosystem for a vibrant entrepreneurial sector, access to state-of-the-art ICT technology and connectivity, hospitality and modern housing for tourist and locals (especially the younger generation), and a center for education, culture and recreation accessible to the whole population. This development must be the model of how to improve the quality of living in all the other neighborhoods of the island (Samenwerkende partijen, 2017). In other policy domains presented in the agreement there are also other statements referring to the smart city (SC) and smart island (SI). These will be discussed later in this paper. This is not totally new. The National Development Program of Curaçao (Government of Curaçao, 2015), the long-term vision for the island of Curaçao, already mentions the concept of a smart city.

How far does the capacity of public administration differ according to a country's size? This paper examines the differences between small and very small states for insights in miniature into the capacity constraints in all states with weak governance. Smallness is only one dimension of statehood. But the challenges that 'micro-states' face appear particularly difficult and intractable. 'Extreme' smallness creates exacerbated and disproportionate resource constraints. Achieving public service delivery of the SDGs will therefore differ between small and very small states.

- by Sam Henry and +1
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- Public Administration, Pacific Island Studies, Leadership, Island Studies

This report assesses and prioritizes commercial opportunities for agriculture in the Maldives as part of the Technical Assistance (TA) Project on Commercialization of Agriculture. Work on the TA began in September 2004, with the Inception Report completed in October 2004 and the Interim Report submitted in January 2005. Data and other information collected for the analysis of the agriculture subsector, however, preceded the 26 December 2004 tsunamis that devastated many of the islands, including those involved in agricultural activities. As a result, much of the subsequent work has focused on assessing the damage and its impact on the country’s agricultural commercialization potential. The findings in this report indicate that most of the effects of the tsunami will manifest themselves over the next 6-12 months in terms of a general economic slowdown in the country but that the potential for agricultural commercialization remains strong.
The Tsunami has underscored the need to promote economic diversification in the Maldives to lessen its vulnerability to external shocks from tourism and fisheries, which together account for almost 40 percent of GDP. Agriculture has a large potential, especially on the islands with large landmasses, once the tsunami-related reconstruction has been completed. The damage to the sector is estimated at about $11 million in terms of its effect on field crops, agricultural infrastructure, and fruit and timber trees. There is also damage to groundwater resources in 26 agricultural islands, and saline water intrusion has affected 112 inhabited islands. The reestablishment of the agricultural crops will involve improvement of soil, forestry, and water resources, importation of planting material, and provision of extension services.

In recent years, economists have come to recognize the role of technology, as well as information, innovation, and creativity, in expanding economic potential towards sustainable development. An innovative economy that is driven by knowledge, creativity, technology, and anchored in strong values will help build resilience in small island developing states (SIDS). The aim of this research is to contribute with knowledge towards the innovative development of small island states, specifically Aruba, considering its socio-economic circumstances and the necessity to catch up to other developed countries. The main research question is: “How can a synergy between the creative industry and a knowledge-based economy, implemented within a Quadruple Helix Innovation Model to stimulate sustainable socio-economic development in the local innovation system of Aruba?”. This research is conducted as a case study and makes use of a mixed-method approach to measure human subjectivity with the help of a participatory policy instrument, the Q-methodology. A total of 28 participants contributed to the results of this research. The Q-sorting consisted of a Q-sample of 40 statements, which was collected online with the use of the Q-software software. The Q-analysis of the collected data resulted in five social perspectives, which are categorized as; Team Players, Growth Seekers, Neutralists, Innovation Enthusiasts, Innovation Sceptics, and Innovators. In the end, the results conclude that a possible synergy between the creative industry and knowledge economy could thrive through a Citizen-centered Living Lab Quadruple Helix Innovation Model in the future, however, effective policy measures will be necessary to see this through.

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development adopted in 2015 by the General Assembly of the United Nations has been recognised by the Government of the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe (STP) as a challenge to be addressed. Accordingly, it has been adopted and is currently being implemented. São Tomé and Príncipe is defined as a Small Island Developing State (SIDS), commonly considered an African state of an archipelagic nature, with the sea being considered as the centre of the country’s life (Brito 2020). The socio-economic context of the country results in a population confronted with multiple problems, living in poverty and closely dependent on nature regarding space and resources (PNUD
2014; DP 2019). This problem is exacerbated by several structural and conjunctural factors, which favour the overuse of natural, living and inert
resources, including endemic and threatened ones. Due to insularity, local strategies for survival, resource acquisition and profitability are traditionally oriented towards the sea, which leads to overuse of the marine ecosystem, particularly of some species of fauna and flora (Brito 2001; SDG 2019). Out of the 17 Sustainable Development Objectives (UN 2019), which pose a challenge for the country’s government, those which focus on environmental issues, among which SDG 14 – to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development, are internationally considered as the most successful, since the commitment to the preservation of ecosystems and the conservation of endangered or threatened and endemic species has been continuous (Da Gama 2017; SDG 2019; Sachs et al. 2020). The concerted action of several actors directly involved in the valorisation of coastal and marine life, in particular public, multilateral and civil society, has produced encouraging results. This is the result of a common effort reflected in a multilevel intervention seeking to achieve common objectives.

Climate change poses an existential threat to Small Island Developing States (SIDS). They have played a leading role in raising awareness of climate change on the international stage and advocating for strong climate action, notably through the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS). Despite their heterogeneity, they succeeded in building a common diplomatic discourse and influencing strategy, and mobilized political leaders as well as talented negotiators and advisors. Small Island States were a crucial group in the negotiating period up to, during the 21st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP21), and for the entry into force of the Paris Agreement. SIDS succeeded to secure their special circumstances as vulnerable countries, demonstrated leadership in raising ambition to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to help secure an ambitious long-term temperature goal of limiting global warming to below 1.5 °C, and advanced the complex debate on loss and damage. Small Island States face major challenges to advance their leadership on climate change moving forward: securing immediate actions for those particularly vulnerable countries and increasing their influence within and outside the climate change negotiations. For Small Island states, the 1.5 °C goal should be considered " the visible part of the iceberg " for their diplomacy in a post-Paris context.

- by Timothée Ourbak
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- Climate Change, Diplomacy, Small Island Developing States (SIDS), IPCC

Correct citation: BLASCHKE, P. M., PEDERSEN ZARI, M., ARCHIE, K. M., JACKSON, B., KOMUGABE-DIXSON, A., LIVESEY, C., LOUBSER, D., MARTINEZ-ALMOYNA GUAL, C., MAXWELL, D., RASTANDEH, A., RENWICK, J. & WEAVER, S. 2017 'Ecosystem Assessment... more

O livro apresenta os resultado do projecto de investigação “O impacto do turismo no desenvolvimento comunitário em África: análise de experiências insulares”, desenvolvido no Centro de Estudos Africanos com o apoio da Fundação para a... more

- by Brigida Brito
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- African Studies, Africa, Cabo Verde, Turismo

The urgent action needed to prepare communities for climate change impacts on Small Island Developing States (SIDS) is well documented within international policy. Several high-level strategies devote special priority to Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) in SIDS, and contemporary literature on ESD has shed light on the most effective approaches for addressing the types of complex sustainability problems facing islands. As a response, the Indian Ocean Commission ISLANDS project has introduced the international Eco-Schools programme as a regional ESD framework, now being mainstreamed through national education systems in several Indian Ocean countries. Given the seriousness of the ESD agenda in SIDS, it is vital that the Eco-Schools Indian Ocean programme can perform at a level where the potential positive impacts of ESD on schools and communities can be realised. This qualitative research study sets out to identify how the changes which the Eco-Schools Indian Ocean partners are working towards on the ground, relate to the requirements of international strategies and contemporary ESD theory. Using in-depth interviews, this research reveals a dominant emancipatory educational paradigm amongst ESD professionals interviewed, and provides insight into the kinds of transformative learning processes which emphasise community collaboration, sustainable citizenship, and critical reflection and action. The study concludes that the Eco-Schools Indian Ocean programme is theoretically capable of delivering the transformative change required by the international strategies and the contemporary ESD field. Finally, this study suggests how this transformative change might be recognisable on the ground, proposing several indicators for evaluation which will be tested during a future collaborative research project in the region.

The objective of the MSME Development Project Loan is to support the Government’s efforts to (i) develop the entrepreneurial climate and support services that will facilitate growth, (ii) provide the necessary conditions for converting existing entrepreneurial potential into innovative and successful business activities, (iii) attract entrepreneurial leadership from other regions of the country, and (iv) establish broader regional centers for SME activities that are driven by growth nodes or networked clusters for supporting activities. To achieve the aforementioned objective, the project loan focuses on the following:
 bolster human resource development by creating business development service centers that provide training programs in entrepreneurship, management, and technical skills for MSMEs and develop appropriate materials for such training, as well as help to identify commercial opportunities in specific sectors;
 improve access to finance by developing innovative financing schemes using alternative financial instruments such as equity financing, while encouraging the development of cooperatives and associations;
 promote a market-driven process through the public and private sector that in the short to medium-term will target specific types of activities in selected regions of the country; and
 enhance the catalytic role of public sector for facilitating commercial activities in the atolls and strengthening MSME activities by improving the policy and regulatory environment.

- by Ian Horsford
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- Economics, Development Economics, Development Studies, Poverty

The aim of this study is to highlight the important contribution of the services sector to global value-chains in the tourism economy. The tourism sector is a key driver of the economy and the services sector in many developing countries, particularly small-island developing states that have a narrow agricultural and industrial base. Barbados is the highest ranking developing country and third in the Americas behind the US and Canada in the World Economic Forum Travel and Tourism index and as such is a good case study given the contribution of the sector to the overall economy (e.g. GDP, employment, export earnings) and to the services sector, specifically.

- by Keith Nurse and +1
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- Tourism Studies, Caribbean Studies, Industrial Upgrading, Small Island Developing States (SIDS)

Correct citation: PEDERSEN ZARI, M., BLASCHKE, P. M., LIVESEY, C., MARTINEZ-ALMOYNA GUAL, C., WEAVER, S., ARCHIE, K. M., JACKSON, B., KOMUGABE-DIXSON, A., LOUBSER, D., MAXWELL, D., RASTANDEH, A. & RENWICK, J. 'Ecosystem-based Adaptation... more

This chapter recounts and examines the events triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic that produced a steep decline in Vanuatu's tourism industry, the key economic sector during the preceding three decades. This necessitated a rapid policy shift by the Vanuatu Government towards COVID-safe business readiness and a programmatic response to build domestic tourism to revive Vanuatu’s tourism industry during the pandemic. This chapter focuses on Vanuatu’s experience in terms of impacts to tourism businesses, a new domestic tourism campaign and public-private policy shifts to support the resilience of an industry in crisis. It presents three cases that illustrate the response and recovery efforts at the business, sector and policy levels.

- by Anna Naupa
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- Tourism Planning and Policy, Sustainable Tourism, Vanuatu, Tourism

Pondering the policy-outlooks on national security that pertains in the small island developing state of Trinidad and Tobago to argue that, barring inculcation of a more strategic culture, its policy approaches to national security will remain sub-strategically focused and thus short sighted. Subliminally, the various strategic review processes have been about the type of military/security force that the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force has become, will always be, or alternatively should not be limited to. There is a need to grapple with and bound the strategic challenges associated with gauging the ambitions or short-sightedness of policy approaches to Trinidad and Tobago’s national security outlook.

Whether in Homer or Plato, Shakespeare or Huxley, throughout history, thinking about islands has shaped how we think about human nature and our place in the world. However, to date archipelagos have received far less attention. This is problematic because we live, increasingly, in a world of island-island movements and not static forms. Not only in the more obvious cases of the Caribbean, Hawaii or the Philippines but, as Stratford et al say, many 'continental forms' like Canada and Australia are in fact archipelagos composed of thousands of island movements. To this list we can add more manufactured archipelagos: wind turbine arrays, industrial oil and military constellations. The key question therefore arises: what does it mean to think with the archipelago? This paper argues firstly that archipelagic thinking denaturalizes the conceptual basis of space and place, and therefore engages 'the spatial turn' presently sweeping the social sciences and humanities. Secondly, such thinking highlights the trope of what I call 'metamorphosis', of the adaptation and transformation of material, cultural and political practices through island movements. In both cases, I argue that thinking with the archipelago requires an important shift in how we frame analysis and engagement.

- by Jonathan Pugh
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- Pacific Island Studies, Island Studies, Caribbean Studies, Small Oceanic Islands
- by Nicholas Watts
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- Climate Change, Renewable Energy, Climatology, Siddha Medicine

Plastic waste that ends up in the oceans as marine litter is a tangible and urgent environmental pressure reaching even the most remote parts of the global oceans. It impacts marine life from plankton to whales and turtles to albatrosses. Public awareness on how the modern lifestyle and the use of plastics in all sectors of society has influenced the marine ecosystems in the last decades is growing, and an emerging discourse about countermeasures of all types can be seen in policies enacted by authorities in national, regional, and international policy arenas. Different coastal areas have launched Regional Action Plans (RAP) on marine litter that provide structured measures that need to be taken and general advice adapted to the respective region.
However, the scale of the problem is not only global in dimension, it also cuts across all sectors in society, and until the use of materials in society becomes sustainable, plastic waste will continues to flow into the seas. This report focuses on how marine plastic litter affects Small Island Developing States (SIDS) because these are considered to be more directly vulnerable to environmental changes, including marine litter, than other countries.

- by Hervé Corvellec
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- Small Island Developing States (SIDS), Plastic waste

Occupational safety and health (OSH) emerged as a field of practice in the 1800s, as workplace safety challenges became exacerbated during the Industrial Revolution. Following a series of United Kingdom Factory Acts starting in the 1800s, the United Kingdom and the United States developed OSH legislation in the 1970s, mandating OSH management system (OSHMS) development within factory operations. In Trinidad and Tobago, a small island developing state (SIDS) in the Caribbean region, a diversification thrust is currently challenging the manufacturing sector to produce faster and in greater quantities, despite resource constraints like human resource availability and capacity. Increased OSH-related risks and costs in manufacturing are likely, making OSHMS development more critical. Although T&T's OSH legislation was proclaimed in 2004, few statistics about manufacturers' OSH compliance have been published to date. This study therefore investigated the extent of OSHMS implementation in T&T manufacturing companies in alignment with the country's OSH Act. A survey was developed and validated for gathering self-reports on implementation of 22 OSHMS elements in companies across 6 manufacturing sub-sectors. Demographic data and general opinions about OSH were also sought. Descriptive statistics and correlation analyses were used to assess OSH perceptions and practices, element implementation, and element interrelationships. The study found that 9 elements were well-implemented and 13 were under-implemented. Notably, some of the under-implemented elements (e.g. risk assessments, safeguarding, and accident reporting and investigation) were OSH Act mandates. Correlations were also found between certain elements (namely employee participation, top management commitment, dedicated safety practitioner, and continual improvement focus) that influence OSHMS development. Implications of the findings and prospects for the way forward are also discussed.

- by Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon
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- Manufacturing, Diversification, Caribbean, Correlation
- by Thaïs Franken
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- Entrepreneurship, Renewable Energy, Coral Reefs, Mangrove Ecology

How sustainable are current migration and refugee policies in the South Pacific? And how is climate change influencing the discursive politics of South Pacific nations? In the context of Anthropogenic climate change, the increasingly pressing crisis of migration from small island developing states in the South Pacific inspires discourses of securitization, sustainability and climate justice. This paper traces the conflicted usage of the term " climate refugees " into the recent history of Tuvaluan and Carteret Islander migrations in order to contextualize the question of human responses to climate change. Although tiny in geography and population, small island nations are a clearest contemporary frontier where issues of climate change and forced migration meet as entire populations consider the possibility of displacement. The paper also briefly compares policies in Australia and New Zealand to those proposed by climate justice. Each country presents distinct opportunities and challenges for any prospective migration policy. Inspired by the growing recognition of developed countries in Anthropogenic climate change, theories of climate justice provide a framework for evaluating these transnational policies in the context of global addresses to environmental crisis and change. Even in the most ideal or " open " situations, climate justice comes into conflict with economically-driven immigration policies.

This article examines the rise of maritime security in concept and practice. We argue that developments in the maritime arena have flown beneath the radar of much mainstream international relations and security studies scholarship, and that a new agenda for maritime security studies is required. In this article we outline the contours of such an agenda, with the intention of providing orientation and direction for future research. Our discussion is structured into three main sections, each of which outlines a core dimension of the maritime security problem space. We begin with a discussion of the issues and themes that comprise the maritime security agenda, including how it has been theorized in security studies to date. Our argument is that the marine environment needs to be understood as part of an interlinked security complex, which also incorporates strong connections between land and sea. Second, we examine the ways in which maritime security actors have responded to these challenges in practice, focusing on issues of maritime domain awareness, coordination of action, and operations in the field. Third, we turn to the mechanisms through which the new maritime security agenda is being disseminated to local actors through a process of devolved security governance. We focus particularly on efforts to distribute knowledge and skills to local actors through capacity building and security sector reform. In the conclusion, we outline the future challenges for maritime security studies that follow from these observations.

- by Christian Bueger
- •
- Oceanography, International Relations, International Relations Theory, Terrorism

This paper explores how certain global mechanisms of the so-called fourth industrial revolution – the internet of things and disruptive innovation – impact the educational governance activities, social forms of coordination, and scales in small (and mi-cro) states. We advance that there are certain 'behavioral characteristics' that small (and micro) states possess that can teach us about dealing with some of the current global challenges. We suggest to move away from seeing small (and micro) states as being exclusively vulnerable and, rather, to re-conceptualize smallness as a potential strength. In line with this argument, we argue that the geometries of vulnerability are giving rise to what we call educational geostrategic leveraging, i.e. the use of soft power grounded in strategic-level bargain and cooperation at the national level to achieve regional consensus. It is in this context that we suggest that educational geostrategic leveraging is emerging as a component of collaboration and cooperation at the regional and other levels.

For a great majority of former colonies, the outcome of decolonization was independence. Yet scattered across the globe, remnants of former colonial empires are still non-sovereign as part of larger metropolitan states. There is little drive for independence in these territories, virtually all of which are small island nations, also known as sub-national island jurisdictions (SNIJs). Why do so many former colonial territories choose to remain non-sovereign? In this paper we attempt to answer this question by conducting a global comparative study of non-sovereign jurisdictions. We start off by analyzing their present economic, social and political conditions, after which we assess local levels of (dis)content with the contemporary political status, and their articulation in postcolonial politics. We find that levels of discontent and frustration covary with the particular demographic, socioeconomic and historical-cultural conditions of individual territories. While significant independence movements can be observed in only two or three jurisdictions, in virtually all cases there is profound dissatisfaction and frustration with the contemporary non-sovereign arrangement and its outcomes. Instead of achieving independence, the territories' real struggle nowadays is for obtaining 'true equality' with the metropolis, as well as recognition of their distinct cultural identities.

- by Wouter Veenendaal and +1
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- Pacific Island Studies, Island Studies, Caribbean Studies, Independence

The global architecture of eGovernment policy includes the evolution of internet governance as well as global policy dialogue on eGovernment. This chapter focuses on the latter, and particularly on the interaction between global agencies and policy dialogue processes with SIDS (Small Island Developing States), particularly those in the Pacific Islands. That global rankings of progress with eGovernment do not adequately assist development in the context of small island states has been increasingly recognized, and since Agenda 21, through to the recognition of SIDS as a particular category of developing states in global development assistance frameworks, the challenges of eGovernment have been given ever-closer consideration. At the current time building eGovernment capacity and capability in Pacific Island SIDS is shaped by the plan of action flowing from the third SIDS Conference in Apia in 2014, and by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, a comprehensive set of development goals agreed at the United Nations for the period 2015-2030. Developing the capability of Pacific States has included increasing the extent of their participation in global eGovernment dialogue processes, as partners in development rather than recipients only.

Los territorios no independientes del Caribe, si bien no suelen incluirse en los estudios so-bre el Caribe pues se investigan a partir de su asociación política con los Estados de los que dependen, merecen ser analizados desde su singularidad y sus circunstancias actuales teniendo en cuenta la multiplicidad de desafíos que enfrentan para su desarrollo integral. El propósito de este artículo es examinar el estado de los territorios no independientes del Caribe en los primeros años del siglo XXI y discutir alrededor de algunos de los problemas que afectan el bienestar y desarrollo sostenible de sus sociedades.

Small island developing states (SIDS) are among the first and worst affected by climate change. SIDS are thus also among the first to adapt, and as 'early adaptors' can provide key lessons for adaptation efforts elsewhere. This article reviews the growing literature on climate change, adaptation and small island states. It first discusses migrationwhich increasingly is seen as part of adaptation rather than a failure to adapt. Mobility has long been part of island life, and remittances can for example fund adaptation measures back home. Yet, adaptation in situ is not as forthcoming as would be necessary. The article identifies different barriers to effective adaptation, and discusses them under three distinct but interrelated categories: perceptions and awareness, institutions, and (lack of) resources. For effective, sustainable and successful adaptation, we need to overcome these barriers, and in particular provide information and resources to the local level. With appropriate information and resources, island communities can take and implement informed decisions and successfully adapt to a changing climateas they have adjusted to social and environmental changes in the past.

The MIRAB economic model of Pacific island microstates was developed in the mid-1980s by the New Zealand economists, Bertram and Watters, and dominated the literature on the economics of small island nations until alternative models were proposed two decades later. Nevertheless, it is still an influential theory. MIRAB is an acronym for migration (MI), remittance (R) and foreign aid (A) and the public bureaucracy (B); the main components of the MIRAB model. The nature of this model is explained and the importance of distinguishing between the two processes involved in it (one based on foreign aid and the other on overseas remittance) is emphasised. Evidence is given of the importance of migration and overseas remittance for the functioning of some Pacific island microstates, such as Tonga. Yet, it is argued that no single model adequately typified the economic situations of Pacific microstates because of their diversity. Even economies that have been classified as MIRAB economies can be very different. The newer SITE and PROFIT models have similar limitations. In order to understand adequately the economic situation of Pacific island microstates (including their economic vulnerability, their sustainability, and political merchantabilities), it is necessary to take a more holistic approach which takes account of historical, cultural and environmental factors. This is illustrated by the case of Nauru.

- by Clement Tisdell
- •
- Pacific Island Studies, Foreign Aid, Migration Studies, Economics of Remittances

Upon the dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles in 2010, the smallest islands in this federation – Bonaire, St. Eustatius, and Saba – became special municipalities of the Netherlands, and were hence politically and constitutionally integrated into the Dutch metropolis. The present article seeks to understand this development in the context of the broader academic literature on small, non-sovereign island jurisdictions in the Caribbean and elsewhere. After a description of the reforms and a discussion of the perceived benefits and drawbacks of the new political status, the newly created Dutch Caribbean municipalities are compared with other non-sovereign jurisdictions in the Caribbean. Whereas the choice for
political integration in itself can be compared with the French postwar policy of départementalisation, in terms of the historical significance and the direction of the reforms,
the new political situation on Bonaire, St. Eustatius, and Saba could rather be better likened to that of the British Overseas Territories and their relationship with the United Kingdom.

The MIRAB model of Pacific island micro-economies was developed in the mid-1980s by the New Zealand economists, Bertram and Watters, and dominated the literature on the economics of small island nations and economies until alternative models were proposed two decades later. Nevertheless, it is still an influential theory. MIRAB is an acronym for migration (MI), remittance (R) and foreign aid (A) and the public bureaucracy (B); the main components of the MIRAB model. The nature of this model is explained and the importance of distinguishing between the two processes involved in it (one based on foreign aid and the other on overseas remittance) is emphasised. Evidence is given of the importance of migration and overseas remittance for the functioning of some Pacific island microstates, such as Tonga. Yet, it is argued that no single model adequately typifies the economic situations of Pacific microstates and micro-economies because of their diversity. Even economies that have been classified as MIRAB economies can be very different. The newer TOURAB, SITE and PROFIT models have similar limitations. In order to understand adequately the economic situation of Pacific island microstates (including their economic vulnerability, their sustainability, and political merchantabilities), it is necessary to adopt a more holistic approach which takes account of historical, cultural and environmental factors. This is illustrated by the case of Nauru.

- by Clement Tisdell
- •
- Pacific Island Studies, Foreign Aid, Migration Studies, Economics of Remittances

Islands are bodies of land surrounded by water; albeit well connected via the waves of ocean, movements of people and flows of technology. Smallness is both aesthetically pleasing and intensely practical. There are increasing challenges for small islands in our connected planet with the added risk for some of mounting global warming. This conference welcomes the presentation of research and reflection to address the nature of islands from the past to the future, to achieve a better understanding of the uniqueness, connections, cultures, ethics, technologies, innovation and sustainability for the many possible futures of islands and archipelagos. Sub-themes proposed are as follows:

In 2010 Curaҫao became an autonomous country within the Kingdom of The Netherlands. A new government apparatus was created. From very early on it was apparent that the implementation of the new structure was poor and that the performance of the organization was less than expected. The government had become a bottleneck for development.
In this article the issues of the government organization of Curaçao are categorized using the 7S model of Mc Kinsey. The conclusion is that the solution is: evaluate the organization and adjust.

- by Miguel Goede
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- Governance, Small Island Developing States (SIDS), Curaçao

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development adopted in 2015 by the General Assembly of the United Nations has been recognised by the Government of the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe (STP) as a challenge to be addressed. Accordingly, it has been adopted and is currently being implemented. São Tomé and Príncipe is defined as a Small Island Developing State (SIDS), commonly considered an African state of an archipelagic nature, with the sea being considered as the centre of the country’s life (Brito 2020). The socio-economic context of the country results in a population confronted with multiple problems, living in poverty and closely dependent on nature regarding space and resources (PNUD 2014; DP 2019). This problem is exacerbated by several structural and conjunctural factors, which favour the overuse of natural, living and inert resources, including endemic and threatened ones. Due to insularity, local strategies for survival, resource acquisition and profitability are traditionally oriented towards the sea, which leads to overuse of the marine ecosystem, particularly of some species of fauna and flora (Brito 2001; SDG 2019). Out of the 17 Sustainable Development Objectives (UN 2019), which pose a challenge for the country’s government, those which focus on environmental issues, among which SDG 14 – to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development, are internationally considered as the most successful, since the commitment to the preservation of ecosystems and the conservation of endangered or threatened and endemic species has been continuous (Da Gama 2017; SDG 2019; Sachs et al. 2020). The concerted action of several actors directly involved in the valorisation of coastal and marine life, in particular public, multilateral and civil society, has produced encouraging results. This is the result of a common effort reflected in a multilevel intervention seeking to achieve common objectives.

Aruba like many islands in the Caribbean has a unique cultural history. Based on the Sustainable Development Goal 11.4 “strengthen efforts to protect and safeguard the world's cultural and natural heritage”, this research was formed. Through this research, an analysis will be done on the expenditure percentage of the government in the cultural sector of Aruba. The SDG and UNESCO framework is used to calculate this. The aim of this research is to identify public financial investments and challenges in the government system that is keeping the cultural developments in Aruba where they are now. With this comes the main research question and sub-questions. The main research question of this research is; “To what extend and in what financial capacity does the public sector of Aruba strengthen efforts to protect and safeguard its cultural heritage?”. This research is conducted using quantitative methods, however, interviews were held with a supportive goal. Desktop Research is conducted to form the literature review on this topic, followed by gathered data of the Aruban public financial report. The gathered data is analyzed by making use of UNESCO’s expenditure formula and is presented accordingly. To conclude, the research shows that there is a lot of work to be done to continue the work on safeguarding and preservation of Aruba’s cultural heritage.

Quels sont la nature et les effets des processus de mise et de non-mise en tourisme des patrimoines musicaux dans les îles de La Réunion et de Mayotte, les deux entités françaises de l'océan Indien ? L'analyse comparative développée dans cet article permettra de répondre à ces questions. À La Réunion, où un partenariat tourisme-culture peine à s'établir, le processus de patrimonialisation musicale est particulièrement développé, mais demeure majoritairement orienté vers les populations locales. Fonctionnant tel un contre-exemple, le cas de Mayotte permet de démontrer quelles peuvent être les pratiques touristiques qui se mettent en place en l'absence de politiques de patrimonialisation et de valorisation des richesses culturelles. L'étude met de l'avant la pluralité des dynamiques sociales et culturelles en présence, les deux cas illustrant comment le local s'adapte de manière pluriforme à certains phénomènes exogènes.

- by Madina Regnault
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- Anthropology, Tourism Studies, Glocalization, Heritage Tourism

Small island developing states (SIDS) are particularly vulnerable to environmental stresses, and especially to the impacts of climate change. This 1s due to numerous factors, including limited geographic size and extensive coastal areas; remote locations; frag,le economies that are often dependent on narrow sectors; limited natural resources and access to fresh water and energy; small populations; and weak institutional capacity. Managing sustainable development requires coherent and effective policies and strategies. An essential part· of the formulation and implementation of such policies and strategies is effective monitonng and evaluation (M&E). Evaluation is also needed to ensure that interventions, policies, and strategies are achievmg their goals and contnbut1ng to sustainable development. This chapter reviews experiences with M&E 1n the Pacific and Canbbean SIDS. It «ienuiie» a number of challenges that Juha I. Uitto, Global Environment Facility Independent Evaluation Office, JU1tto@thegef.

- by Juha I Uitto and +1
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- Program Evaluation, Monitoring And Evaluation, Sustainable Development, Evaluation