The outgoing Chair of the Isle of Man Government’s climate change transformation board, flew to St Helena for a conference.
Garff MHK Daphne Caine attended the week long conference in the remote South Atlantic with the Chair of the Manx Utilities Authority (MUA), John Wannenburgh MHK and the Speaker, Juan Watterson SHK.
The event was the 53rd British Islands and Mediterranean (BIMR) conference and featured a session on the ‘Climate Emergency’.
Mrs Caine has recently announced she is resigning the role as chair of the climate change board to concentrate on her new position as Education Minister.
Climate change
John Wannenburgh is the current chair of the MUA and is presiding over the proposals for a £40 million wind farm at Earystane.
Critics have questioned why the members could not have taken part in the conference via ‘zoom’, given they have both been promoting climate change policies and carbon reduction.
They say it is hypocritical to be jetting half way around the world while preaching to the public about climate change and carbon reduction.
Global Uncertainty
The conference, the first of its kind to have been held in St Helena, took for its theme ‘Addressing Challenges to Sustainable Development in Times of Global Uncertainty’.
Topics included:
- Digital reforms and artificial intelligence;
- Decentralised finance;
- Climate emergency;
- Tourism development;
- Green energy solutions;
- Improving agriculture productivity and
- Benefits of a youth parliament.
The programme also included the BIMR AGM and a Commonwealth Women’s Parliamentarians (CWP) session and provided an opportunity for delegates to participate in the St Helena Day celebrations on May 21.
This was the first time St Helena had hosted this conference, which had previously been impossible due to the absence of air links. The pride that the “Saints” show in their island was clearly on display as they were keen to not just put on a first-rate conference, but took a day in the programme to show us the highlights of St Helena.
Juan Watterson SHK – Speaker of the House of Keys
Manx Stamps
Speaker Watterson presented some commemorative stamps produced by the Isle of Man Post Office.
“It was a special moment to celebrate the connection between our two island communities by presenting a copy of the commemorative stamp issue featuring Colonel Mark Wilks that was issued by the Isle of Man Post Office in 1981.
“Colonel Mark Wilks was Governor of St Helena 1813-16, and was in charge when Napoleon arrived. On his return to the Isle of Man, he became an MHK, then Speaker 1826-1831.
“He brought back his servant, a “Saint”, who is buried in Braddan Cemetery. Colonel Wilks’ portrait hangs on the wall at the Governor’s residence in St Helena. Almost 200 years later, it feels appropriate to reaffirm that affection for each other’s communities.”
The costs of the trip have yet to be published on the Tynwald website.
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