MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Falklands in the spotlight at FCO Open Day
Some 2,500 people took up the opportunity to find out more about Britain's fourteen Overseas Territories on Tuesday, July 2, 2002, and to see the magnificent rooms at the Grade I listed Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) building.
Visitors to FCO's Open Day were able to sample something of the culture, history and lifestyle of each Territory, learn about some research and scientific projects, and discover the main wildlife and conservation initiatives taking place.
The Falkland Islands were strongly represented in all sections of the event. Sam Allanson-Bailey manned the Falkland Islands Government Stand alongside the Governments or Tourist Authorities of the other Territories; Ann Brown manned Falklands Conservation stand alongside other displays on conservation and wildlife in the Territories (including RSPB and WWF). In addition, British Antarctic Survey, British Geological Survey and Marine Resources Assessment Group highlighted their work in the Islands in their displays, and Crown Agents Stamp Bureau displayed postage stamps for the Territories.
The Islands Overseas Territory desk officers Karen Williams and Daniel Drake manned the Falkland Islands stand in the FCO exhibition area too.
Author and journalist Graham Bound gave a talk on ?A Flavour of the Falklands' to a crowded room of over 50 people. Graham spoke about life in the Islands, the changes since 1982 and the appeal for tourists, in particular the Islands' abundant wildlife. Other attractions included the Town Crier from Bermuda, a recital from a poet from Anguilla and a performance from the London Gospel Choir.
Baroness Amos, Minister for the Overseas Territories gave the opening speech and said: "The British Overseas Territories have one significant factor in common: their continuing link to and relationship with the U.K. Our relationship is one of partnership, as we face together the reality and challenges of the modern world.
"This Open Day is a great chance to come and learn more about the British Overseas Territories. They offer an extraordinary ethnic, cultural, and historical diversity; not to mention geographical diversity, from an active volcano on Montserrat to the vast, pristine wilderness of the British Antarctic Territory and the beautiful coral reefs of the British Indian Ocean Territory. Truly ?Pearls of the Seven Seas'".
The Baroness hoped that guests would consider visiting at least on Overseas Territory in the future. Judging from the enquiries on the Falkland Islands Government stand, the Falkland Islands may be high on many people's list.
Visitors commented on the positive stories and television coverage about the Islands, in particular Ground Force, reports Sam A-Bailey. "Some visitors had connections in the Islands others wanted to know more about seeing the wildlife on television programmes," she added. "Generally people were informed, interested and asking lots of positive questions. The school children appreciated the free pencils, bookmarks and stickers, while the tourism leaflet and the Government's new brochure ?Sustaining a Secure Future' were particularly popular information takeaways."
The free Open Day, entitled ?The British Overseas Territories, Pearls of the Seven Seas' formed part of the London String of Pearls Golden Jubilee Festival, and was one of nine Open Day's being held at the FCO between April to October.
Source FIGO - London
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