SBC3- SELF- SUFFICIENCY,
DETERMINATION AND GOVERNANCE
COMMONWEALTH PARLIAMENTARY CONFERENCE Johannesburg, South Africa
59th
33rd Small Branches Conference: 3rd Plenary- 31 August 2013
SELF-DETERMINATION, SELF-SUFFICIENCY AND SELF-GOVERNANCE
Moderator: Hon. David Laxton, MLA, (Yukon)
Discussion Leaders: Hon. Roger Anthony Edwards, MLA, (Falkland Islands) Hon. Leonard Singer, MHK, (Isle of Man)
Summary
Delegates resolved that self- determination should be premised on the will of the people as opposed to the interests of outside factors. Innovation towards economic growth in Small States should be encouraged in order to dissuade people from seeking employment overseas. Innovative ways of expanding the economy can include: e-Gaming, engineering and the film industry.
Presentations
The first discussion leader, Hon. Roger Edwards, MLA, started the session with his presentation on self-determination, self-sufficiency and self-government in relation to his country. He summarized how the
320 | The Parliamentarian | 2013: Issue Four
island had developed from being an uninhabited island group, first discovered in 1592, up to the present day with a population of 3,000, internally self-governing, financially self-sufficient and with the right to determine its own future.
He outlined how the agriculture sector suffered at the hands of Argentina during its 74 day invasion and occupation in 1982, but the country’s victory gave the Islanders new confidence and spirit. In March 2013, the current Legislative Assembly held a referendum that was scrutinized by an International Observer Mission. The question posed to its people was: “Do you wish the Falkland Islands to retain their current political
status as an Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom?” Turnout of the referendum was 96 per cent with 99.8 per cent voting in favour of retaining the current sovereign status; a strong and clear message to the outside world on the political views of the Falkland Island’s people. This was an expression of self-determination, as a basic human right and the cornerstone of the United Nations (UN) Charter.
Furthermore, it indicated the shared sentiments with Gibraltar on the challenge of having a hostile neighbour such as Spain, which disregarded/ignored the Treaties entered into. In 1849 Britain and Argentina signed the Treaty which was ratified in 1850 and this was
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