Day one of ISISA Conference to focus on island life and identity
HLSCC - Thursday, May 24th, 2012 at 6:22 AM
Dr. Godfrey Baldacchino
Day one of the Islands of the World XII Conference, now just days away, is set to focus on the nature of island life and identity, among other national development issues facing small island nations around the world.
Collectively, the topics will therefore examine issues relating to “where we came from, where we are, and where we need to be,” said Conference Chair Dana Lewis Ambrose. “The Virgin Islands’ identity is a major concern for the territory, particularly as the entire community is witnessing increasing cultural diversity spurred on by globalisation,” she said.
One of the keynote speakers on day one will be St. Lucia’s Minister for Public Service, Sustainable Development, Energy, Science and Technology, Dr. James L. Fletcher, whose plenary session is entitled, “Education, Youth and Society Within Small Islands.”
Later the same day, the conference will hear from Professor of Sociology and Canada Research Chair (Island Studies) at the University of Prince Edward Island, Canada, Dr. Godfrey Baldacchino, who will focus on “History, Culture and Identity Across Small Islands.”
The first day will also feature presentations from several local participants, including Dr. Christine A. Glover-Walton and S. Brewley-Messiah, who will present on “ICTs and the Perceived Importance of Social Media Among Middle-Aged and Older People in the Virgin Islands” and Clive Petrovic on “Traditional Island Boat Design in the Virgin Islands.”
Three H. Lavity Stoutt Community College Lecturers will be featured: Lenette Lewis on “Marine Environmental Knowledge and Attitudes of Senior Secondary School Students in the Virgin Islands,” Fidel Captain on “Cultural Preservation Through Intellectual Property Protection” and Earle Henry on “The Use of Incentives and Computer Technology: An Innovative Approach to the Teaching/Learning of Mathematics.”
Dr. James L. Fletcher
Ronald Beard, another local presenter, will examine the topic, “Balancing the Environment Against the Economy,” while Dr. Quincy Lettsome’s session will be on “Micro Curricular Studies: A New Frontier of Knowledge.”
The conference is a multi-disciplinary event and the remaining days will include sessions on “smallness,” insularity, dependency, resource management and the environment, among other topics. President Dr. Karl Dawson said the Virgin Islands is poised at a particular stage in its growth to benefit from these kinds of events, as it grapples with national development issues.
Overall theme for the Islands of the World XII Conference is, “Globalisation: Islands Adapting to Change.” The event is being held under the auspices of the International Small Islands Studies Association, a voluntary, non-profit and independent organization.
Registration fee for the conference is $320 for the entire event, $125 for one day, and $75 for half day. To register please, call 852-7035 or log on to www.hlscc.edu.vg/islandsxii.
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