First ever Virtual Island Summit, October 6-10th, 2019

First ever Virtual Island Summit, October 6-10th, 2019

When and where is it on?

The conference is entirely virtual! It is taking place in the form of various sessions between 6th and 11th October. We want to build an online experience that will rival any in-person event by using software that encourages interaction and networking. All sessions will be recorded to watch later but we recommend people attend live for the maximum experience!

How many years has it been going?

The year is the first ever Virtual Island Summit. As it is a completely new concept we think there is a great opportunity to hold more in the future and build on this event.

What was the inspiration to start it?

We see a need to connect islands across the world to share information. Although they have many differences, islands also have much in common and this is an opportunity for them to learn from one another and share experiences. We are excited to invite islands from places as diverse as the Arctic, the Pacific, the Caribbean and, of course, the Irish islands! Despite their diversity, there are many opportunities and advantages to collaboration between these islands.

Who will be speaking?

The final speakers list is not yet fully published, but we already have confirmed the former Prime Minister of Aruba, Mike Eman, former Australian Senator Christine Milne from Tasmania, who was the second woman to lead an Australian political party, Godfrey Baldacchino, a worldrenowned academic in Island Studies at the University of Malta, and James Stockan, leader of the Orkney Islands Council. The final program will be coming out in the coming weeks and we expect to have over 50 speakers.

What tips would you give to people attending to get the most out of it?

Sign up and try and attend the sessions live! Although they will all be recorded and made available after the event, attending live will allow you to interact with other attendees and share information. There is also a prize draw for some free island books available to everyone who signs up!

How can people book tickets / when does it usually sell out?

People can sign up for free online: www.islandinnovation.co/summit

The first ever Virtual Island Summit (October 6-10th 2019) is a bringing together experts from around the world to share information on sustainable practices and some of the most pressing issues for island communities.

The event will be completely free to the public, and over 5,000 registered guests are expected to join. Confirmed speakers include former Australian Senator Christine Milne from Tasmania, who was the second woman to lead an Australian political party, Godfrey Baldacchino, a world-renowned academic in Island Studies at the University of Malta, and James Stockan, leader of the Orkney Islands Council.

Other speakers will be announced in the coming weeks with representatives from places as diverse as Fiji, Jamaica, Greenland, Madagascar, the Isle of Man, Mauritius, Taiwan, Tierra del Fuego, Cape Verde and Japan.

Topics for the conference will be wide ranging, with the idea of finding commonalities across diverse island communities and sharing information. Panels are sustainable development, geopolitics, cultural preservation, journalism, communications and other topics pertinent to all island communities.

Former Prime Minister of Aruba Mike Eman, who is also speaking at the summit, greeted the launch with enthusiasm saying: “The Virtual Island Summit is bringing together island communities from around the world with a shared purpose of making their islands more sustainable, more prosperous and securing well-being for all of their citizens. This is a fantastic opportunity to exchange information between islands facing similar challenges and opportunities, and I am looking to sharing my own experiences and learning from all attending.”

The summit prides itself on being ‘zero carbon’, meaning all sessions will be hosted online from the comfort of your own home or office – this is the first time ever an island summit has been done remotely. The event has a vision of a more sustainable world, and welcomes anyone interested to be a part of this unique project that is the ‘Virtual Island Summit’. With ever more efficient technology, summits like this could become the mainstream and help to reduce our need for flying.

The summit is hosted by Island Innovation, an organization working with diverse island communities around the world to develop innovative solutions for sustainable development and build digital bridges between far-flung islands. Founder James Ellsmoor said: “The Virtual Island Summit will recreate an in-person conference experience to the extent possible, maximizing opportunities to exchange information between attendees. Not only that, but we are avoiding greenhouse gas emissions by moving to an online platform – demonstrating how technology can now be used to eliminate the need for much business travel.”

Sign up to the #VirtualIslandSummit to meet guests and experts from 100+ island communities from across the globe: https://t.co/nbogbfvYF0 https://t.co/euapq8m8ZP

— ? Lagi K Waqabaca ? (@OiyauweKoPu) August 5, 2019

I am starting "Island Innovation", an occasional e-newsletter to provide original analysis and a digest of overlooked articles on #SustainableDevelopment for #rural #remote #island areas. I would be thrilled if you join!

Click here to sign up: https://t.co/grLvD2bGkA#susdev pic.twitter.com/ewVdRawR8u

— James Ellsmoor ? (@jellsmoor) March 20, 2018

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