UPCOMING DISCUSSION FORUM ON CONSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR MONTSERRAT

The Montserrat Conference and the local University of the West Indies Site are once again collaborating to present another discussion forum.

This forum is entitled: Constitutional Concerns: A Panel Discussion on Appropriate Constitutional Arrangements for Montserrat in the 21st Century.

 It will take place on Wednesday, August 23 at 7 pm online as well as simultaneously aired on Radio Montserrat.

The Forum is part of a Public Education exercise in preparation for September 4, the deadline for written submissions to the UK Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee.

Among the issues being addressed is whether the UK’s current constitutional arrangements with the overseas territories are satisfactory and appropriate in the 21st Century.

The UK Parliament’s relationship with the overseas territories, how is legislation made in the overseas territories and what role the UK Government and UK Parliament have in these processes are also being looked at.

Other important questions are whether there are effective mechanisms in place for the interests of the Overseas Territories to be represented internationally, and whether the rights and interests of British overseas citizens are effectively protected by the current constitutional arrangements.

Panelists will provide an overview of the 2010 Constitution and an understanding of governance in Montserrat since its introduction.

They include Montserratian Attorney at Law and former CARICOM Assistant General Counsel, Mr. George Kirnon, and retired Parliamentarian and Economist, Mr. Reuben Meade.

Akierra Missick, immediate Past Deputy Premier of Turks and Caicos will provide a perspective from another Overseas Territory.

Dr. Carlyle Corbin, International Advisor on Global Governance and UN Expert on Decolonisation and Self-Determination will wrap up the discussions at the end of the presentations.

All are invited to log on to Spirit of Montserrat as well as the Zoom link to be circulated. 

The forum will also be aired live on Radio Montserrat at 7 pm on Wednesday, August 23, 2023. 

In preparation for the forum, questions and concerns can be emailed to montserrat@open.uwi.edu.