13th – 14th October 2016
Currently in our fourth year, the Symposiums at the Garrison Library focus on issues that impact on Gibraltar and other like territories within a European and global framework. The themes under discussion are broad although pertinent, and include areas such as self-determination; cultural and national identity; borders; colonialism and post-colonialism as indeed, the constitutional and geopolitical contexts for small states such as Gibraltar.
These themes will be discussed through a series of sessions under the following headings: theoretical questions on self-determination and on constitutional and international law; small states in Europe; “Brexit” borders and migrations will be discussed both within a European and wider context; Overseas Territories and the history of the Empire
A panel of thirteen high-profile international and local speakers will put their views forward during the two-day symposium, which will include academics from Cambridge, University College London, Trinity College Dublin, the London School of Economics, Sydney, Brussels, Magdeburg, the Netherlands, University of London, the University of San Marino and the University of Gibraltar.
Programme of Events
Thursday 13th October 2016
Morning Session
9.30 – 10.00 Opening by the Minister for Economic Development, Telecommunications and the GSB, the Hon. Joe Bossano
10.00 – 10.30 Dr Caroline Morris, founder and co-director of the Centre for Small States at Queen Mary, University of London
‘Attempting Political Reform on the Microjurisdiction of Alderney’
Q&A
10.50 – 11.15 Coffee Break
11.15 – 11.45 Dr Kristina Roepstorff, Magdeburg University, Germany
‘Self-Determination and its Peace Fostering Potential’
11.45 – 12.15 Prof Roger O’Keefe, Professor of Public International Law, University College London.
‘Self-determination and “Peoples Subject to Alien Subjugation, Domination and Exploitation”: Who on Earth?’
Q&A
12.45 Break for Lunch
Afternoon Session
2.30 – 3.00 Dr Jorri Duursma, International Legal Business Advisor, The Netherlands
‘Gibraltar as an Independent Micro State in Europe’
3.00 – 3.30 Prof. Michele Chiaruzzi, University of San Marino
‘Unequal Independence: The Meanings of the Small State in European Integration’
3.30 – 3.50 Coffee Break
3.50 – 4.20 Dr James Irving, London School of Economics
‘Gibraltar, Self-Determination and Brexit’
Q&A for afternoon session
5.00 End of Session
Friday 23rd October 2013
Morning Session
10.00 – 10.30 Sir Graham Watson, HM Government of Gibraltar Representative to the European Union in Brussels
‘Brexit, Brussels and Europe’
Q&A
10.50 – 11.10 Coffee Break
11.10 – 11.40 Prof. John Connell, University of Sydney
‘The Last Colonies’ … Twenty Years On: Whatever Happened to Decolonisation?’
11.40 – 12.10 Dr. Jennifer Ballantine Perera, Gibraltar Garrison Library & Institute for Gibraltar and Mediterranean Studies, University of Gibraltar.
‘Is Gibraltar Post-colonial? The Applicability of Post-colonial Theory to Gibraltar’
Q&A
12.30 Break for Lunch
Afternoon Session
2.30 – 3.00 Prof Steven Constantine, University of Lancaster
‘Making Money and Making Good: Economics and the Environment on the Island of St Helena’
3.00 – 3.30 Dr Michael Flynn, Trinity College Dublin
‘Branding a Nation’
Q&A
4.00 – 4.30 Coffee Break
4.30 – 5.00 Dr. James Trinidad, Wolfson College, University of Cambridge
‘Prospects for the Judicial Settlement of the Gibraltar and Falklands Disputes’
5.00 – 5.30 The Hon Ian Hansen, Member of the Legislative Assembly of the Falkland Islands
‘The Falkland Islands – Proud Heritage and Unique Environment’
Q&A
6.00 Dr Joseph Garcia, Deputy Chief Minister of Gibraltar, Closing Remarks
6.30 END OF SYMPOSIUM, Followed by a Reception at the Library Gardens