Seychelles – A Determined Island Nation |31 December 2014

2014 proved to be a significant year for Seychelles as organisations from all across the islands came together to push the International Year of Small Island Developing States. From government to private sector, people came together to stand proud as citizens of a small island state and to celebrate what we have achieved and to focus on where we are going.

As a nation we have played a significant role in championing the cause of the small states.  As such, we have direct connection with the celebration of the International Year of Small Island Developing States (Sids).  It is a time to rejoice at our ‘uniqueness’ but also to take pride in the strength of character that marks the identity of our people.  The theme has been chosen at a time when we are being asked to work harder, work smarter in order to overcome the challenges that we face as a small nation.  It is also a theme through which we shall celebrate our achievements, our boldness and determination.

This theme, in resonance with the international year of Sids, is the ideal opportunity for Seychellois as citizens of a small island nation to better practice what we preach as we bring the call for sustainable development and concept of the Blue Economy closer to home by encouraging the public to be more determined in surmounting the challenges faced by the country as Sids in view of its specificities and vulnerabilities.

We cannot afford to be lethargic in our noble mission of preserving our homeland through more emphasis on sustainable development to guarantee the future of our generations and the very livelihood and survival of the Sids. The topic is notably cross-cutting as it concerns all of us in every sector, ranging from education to agriculture with much of the onus on the environment as we strive to maintain the fine balance between development and environment to ensure the very existence of our homeland.

Hence, the cause of the Sids is attainable only through the determination of its nations to be proactive and innovative in their stance for progress.
Seychelles is proudly taking this stance at the international level as signalled by the appointment of Ronny Jumeau as the ambassador for Climate Change and Sids Issues but most essentially at the national level with the adoption of this year’s theme ‘Seychelles – A Determined Island Nation’ as we are proud to be a small island nation and as such we will take all measures to ensure that we are here to stay/ endure....

The celebration of this year’s theme both at national and international level will attract several key benefits to our people and the country. It will highlight to the world the challenges that confront Sids and gain the respect of other countries for the hard work and tenacity. On a local level, the marking of such theme will raise awareness of the power that we hold as a nation to overcome and to succeed. It will strengthen our commitment to our homeland as a people.

In order to achieve the vision of the new Seychelles, and continue to overcome the challenges of the Sids, it has been as important that as a nation we unite in our efforts of educating ourselves and our people; pursue the implementation of training, re-training programmes and apprenticeship schemes.  We need to show determination in rehabilitating those in need and focus on health programmes for the continued health and wellbeing of our people.  There is a need for respect and unity to encourage social harmony and cohesion.  We as a people should celebrate our culture, our identity and develop good work ethos to guarantee sustainable development.

In so doing, the country has to find a balance where it encourages economic growth while at the same time protects the environment for our future generations and improves our standard of living. So this is an opportunity for all Seychellois to work towards not only the promotion of this year’s theme but the survival of our ‘island way of life’ which sets us apart from other countries.

(The accompanying photos show some of the activities organised at different levels to mark this year’s national theme).