MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Forum on modern Falklands in London next April

The Falkland Islands government will be displaying an intense public relations campaign in the United Kingdom next April in anticipation of the 25th anniversary of the South Atlantic conflict.

Plans are currently underway for a forum centred on the Falkland Islands to be held in London, a reception in the House of Commons and media training for Councillors who are expected to face a demanding 2007 particularly when the international press "invades" the Islands for the main commemoration next June.

The one day forum will be held in the QE2 Centre and people with an interest in the Falklands will be invited to attend particularly senior journalists and members of parliament, according to FIG sources in Stanley.

ITN presenter Nicholas Owen will be the Chair of the forum, as he was the last time the Falklands held a forum.

The idea behind the forum is to have a full day in April which will showcase the modern Falklands before June when coverage from the media will then turn to the 1982 conflict. Along with the forum, there will be a supplement published in The Times.

Councillor Mike Summers says that FIG would expect to receive sponsorship for the forum and The Times supplement as has been done previously but in the meantime they will have to be paid for.

The Falklands' representation in the forum has still to be decided but Councillor Summers said that "inevitably the Chief Executive would need to attend along with some senior heads of Departments, Councillors and also private sector operators would be invited to take part".

Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett has been asked to deliver the key note speech, although she may delegate this to one of other ministers.

Sessions will be held on the Falklands political system and constitutional development, economy, fisheries, tourism and mineral resources with workshops on the different issues.

A reception is scheduled in the House of Commons which will be sponsored by Sir Nicholas Winterton, who is the Chair of the Falklands All Party Group.

Included in the public relations package will be a media training course for Councillors.

Tony Richards from Keane is due to visit the Islands in order to run Councillors and other officials through a day of intensive media training in preparation for next year, which Councillor Summers said would be "very useful".