The Small Island States Conference will be held at the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College from May 29 - June 1, 2012.

Dana Lewis-Ambrose, Chairperson of the Islands of the World XII Conference.

The Islands of the World XII Conference of the International Small Islands Studies Association is scheduled for one week, from May 28 to June 1, 2012. The event will be catered for persons arriving from, Japan, Australia, Denmark, Taiwan, India, Malaysia, Canada and other Caribbean islands.

"We are eager to hear their ideas and in return share ours that can bring a fruitful development,” said the event’s Chairperson Mrs. Dane Lewis-Ambrose.

In an exclusive interview with Mrs. Lewis-Ambrose, she explained that the conference is mainly about anything relating to islands. “It is multi-disciplinary, meaning it is not restricted to any one discipline. It is about how islands have evolved over a period of time, how they are facing, adapting or mediating to various global issues or various local issues within their own domain. It allows countries to study themselves, to consider what are the issues that their particular jurisdictions are handling."

Chairperson Ambrose said that in future reference with the VI doing well it is of great importance to make sure all participants are happy.

"It is a different way of marketing our territory. How we treat the delegates here is important, we have to make sure that we get everything ‘spot on’, not only are we looking at trying to get their interest but also getting information that can benefit us at a lower cost rather than the country paying out millions of dollars," said Mrs. Lewis-Ambrose.

She further stated that the visitors are not only going to visit and tour Tortola, but will also visit Virgin Gorda and Anegada.

She used the opportunity to thank the Governor for his support to the conference, “The Governor has supported us from day one, by scheduling a Governor’s Reception for the visitors and hosting those delegates as well as other persons who will be participating in the conference."

Meanwhile, she is inviting everyone to make the week a part of their calendar for the month of May.

"It is an opportunity for the Virgin Islands to really sit down and think, think carefully about the development path. Do not only think about it, but reflect on the presentation and the different discussions that will take place on the development issues of the VI and international countries altogether.”

Held every two years, the conference in the VI will be conducted under the theme, “Globalisation: Islands Adapting to Change.”

A wide range of subject areas pertinent to the territory’s continued development will be addressed, including tourism, financial services, disaster management, agriculture and fisheries, climate change and conservation, and history and culture. Other topics will focus on health, social and economic development, entrepreneurship, Caribbean governance and business, alternative energy and sustainable development, education and literature, philanthropy, and information technology.