Download 18th International Seminar on Marginal Regions

Eighteenth International Seminar on Marginal Regions
Faroe Islands, Klaksvík and Vágur
3 – 10 August 2005
Globalisation, Competitiveness
and
the Governance of Marginal Regions
Preliminary announcement and call for papers
The Eighteenth International Seminar on Marginal Regions will be held in the Faroe Islands from
August 3 to August 10, 2005. The seminar is being arranged by the Center for Local and Regional
Development, Klaksvík and Vágur.
As has been the custom, we will meet to discuss research papers, and exchange knowledge about
our different parts of the world. As hosts, the Center will organize informative excursions and local
events, which make the Seminar a unique learning experience.
The Seminar is open to academics, regional development practitioners and other interested
participants. Priority will be given to those wishing to present papers of general interest on a subject
related to the Seminar’s theme.
Theme
The theme of the Seminar is Globalisation, Competitiveness and the Governance of Marginal
Regions. Paper related to this theme will be considered for presentation at the Seminar. Earlier
Seminars have included a range of academic papers, contributions from regional development
practitioners, as well as papers more loosely related to the Seminar’s theme have been accepted.
Location
The Faroe Islands are struggling to find their place in a global economy, and various international
organizations and systems. At an economic level, Faroese industry is challenged by increased
competition from low cost economies in Eastern Europe and Asia. Further, the Faroes are a selfgoverning entity in the state of Denmark, but are not a member of the European Union. The
question of Faroese independency has been a major part of Faroese politics for the last century –
and has been high on the political agenda since 1998. One of the main aims of the 1998 government
was to create an independent Faroese state. Although this government was replaced after the
January 2004 election, all political parties now accept modernization of political relationships
between the Faroes and Denmark – compared to the mid 1990s, where one of the larger parties
would not even accept a debate about changing the relationships between the Faroes and Denmark.
During the first couple of days the participants will be introduced to central aspects of Faroese
society and the northern part of the Faroes, which will host the first part of the seminar. After three
days in the beautiful village of Viðareiði, and Klaksvík, the main centre in the northern islands, the
seminar will move to the southern part of the Faroes – Suðuroy. On the way to Suðuroy, we will
visit the two central islands in the Faroes - Eysturoy and Streymoy. In Eysturoy, locals will explain
how the area, mainly around Runavík, has developed to become the most dynamic business
environment in the Faroes. In the capital, Tórshavn, we will take a guided tour, and get an
introduction to Faroese politics and the political system in the Faroes.
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The last three days of the seminar will be in Suðuroy. When compared with Tórshavn, Runavík and
Klaksvík, Suðuroy is struggling with higher unemployment rates and with out-migration, both of
which have a negative effect on gender and age distribution. The northern part of Suðuroy, with
Tvøroyri as its centre, is the base for deep-sea fisheries, as well as land-based processing. The
southern part, where Vágur is the main town, is still trying to regain its earlier eminence. The
traditional fishing industry is weak, while there is some potential for a re-structured aquaculture
industry. The situation in regions like Suðuroy can change swiftly; come to investigate the new
developments when we meet on Suðuroy in August 2005.
Contact
Further information about the Seminar may be directed to Dennis Holm or Bjarni Mortensen
Postal address
Postboks 18
FO-900 Vágur
Faroe Islands
Telephone: +298 37 44 77
E-mail: Dennis Holm ([email protected]), Bjarni Mortensen ([email protected])
Webpage: www.region.fo
We are looking forward to seeing you in the Faroes in August 2005.
The Center for Local and Regional Development
The Organising Committee
Dennis Holm and Bjarni Mortensen
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Preliminary (proposed) programme (Feb. 2004)
Wednesday 3rd August 2005
Arrival in Vagar (Airport) or Tórshavn (by ferry from Bergen or Shetland)
Transport to Klaksvík or Viðareiði is arranged
Registration in Klaksvík or Viðareiði
Dinner
Thursday 4th August 2005
Welcome by chairman
Session 1: Introduction to the Faroes
The Faroese economy in general
The industry
Fisheries, Fish processing industry
Aquaculture
Services
Regional development in the Faroes
Presentation of The Northern Islands
Lunch
Session 2: Paper presentation
Dinner
Friday 5th August 2005
Session 3: Paper presentations
Lunch
Excursion to the “outer” island of Svínoy. Presentation on the Faroes: “Small Islands and Their
Future” (Útoyggjafelagið).
Dinner
Saturday 6th August 2005
Study tour to Eysturoy and Streymoy
Presentation in Runavík on the dynamic development of the area over the past
decade
To Tórshavn by bus
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Lunch in the Nordic House
Presentation of the political system in the Faroes and Faroese politics (by Jógvan
Mørkøre from the Faroese University in Tórshavn)
Guided tour in Tórshavn and Visit to the Parliament
20.00
Tórshavn - Suðuroy (Dinner onboard the ferry Smyril)
Sunday 7th August 2005
Presentation of Suðuroy
Session 4: Paper presentation
Dinner - Faroese cultural night (“Føroya-kvøld”)
Monday 8th August 2005
Session 5: Paper presentation
Study tour on Suðuroy
Dinner
Tuesday 9th August 2005
Session 5: Paper presentation
ISMR Business meeting
Farewell dinner
Wednesday 10th August 2005
07.00
Departure: Suðuroy – Tórshavn by ferry, then bus-link to the airport
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The Faroe Islands in short
The Faroe Islands is an archipelago consisting of 18 islands located in the North Atlantic (62 00 N,
7 00 W) – see map 1 below. The temperature in the Faroes during the summer months (May –
August) is in average 10-15 degrees Celsius.
The total population of the Faroes was around 48.000 at the end of 2003. The distance to the closest
neighbours is 300 km to Shetland, 450 km to Iceland and 675 km to Norway. There are flight and
ferry connections to most of the neighbouring countries. The connection to Denmark is the most
comprehensive with at least two flight departures each day to Copenhagen and a weekly ferry link
to Hanstholm. The flight time to Copenhagen is 2 hours and 15 minutes, while the trip with the
ferry is a 36 hours travel.
The Faroes is an industrialised country with a standard of living that is comparable to the Nordic
countries (in 2000 the GNI was around 200.000 DKK. pr. capita). The Faroes is an extreme case of
a resource-based economy as it is very dependent on the fishing industry, which accounts for more
than 95 percent of the export value. Further, more than a quarter of the GDP comes from fishing
and the fish processing industries. The economy is very open as exports are around 50 percent GDP.
The European Union is by far the most important export market with around 80 percent.
Nevertheless, the Faroes are not a member of EU. Besides the fishing industry a considerable
subsidy from the Danish Government is one of the cornerstones of the economy. Most of the
Danish subsidy is a general block grant. The last couple of years the block grant has been on around
1 billion DKK. In 2002 the grant was reduced by 356 mio. DKK., as a part of the Faroese effort to
gain more economic and administrative independence. Beside the block grant the Danish
Government spends 280 mio. DKK. directly in the Faroe Islands – mainly to cover public order and
administration of justice.
Map 1. The Faroe Islands in a European context
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Faroe Islands
FUGLOY
Viðareiði
SVÍNOY
Fuglafjørður
Runavík
Sandur
App. 2 hours
Hvalba
Tvøroyri
Vágur
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At the municipal election in 2000, there were 49 municipalities in the Faroes. Since then several
municipalities have amalgamated, so that there will be 40 municipalities1 in the Faroes at the 2004
election. The amalgamations have mainly been around the capital Tórshavn, where smaller
municipalities have amalgamated with Tórshavn, and around Rúnavík, a main industrial growth
centre during the last decade. Besides this six municipalities on Eysturoy and Streymoy, that form
the most comprehensive formal inter-municipal cooperation in the Faroes, have decided to
amalgamate.
Travel information
When travelling to and from the Faroes you can go either by ferry or by airplane.
The ferry connection is operated by the company Smyril Line, which besides Tórshavn also calls at
Seyðisfjørð (Iceland), Lerwich (Shetland), Bergen (Norway) and Hanstholm (Denmark). You will
find information about departures, prices and travel-time on www.smyril-line.fo
There are three companies operate air-services to and from the Faroes. These are: the faroese
“Atlantic Airways” (www.atlantic.fo), the danish “Mærsk-Air” (www.maerskair.dk), and the
iclandic “Icland Air” (www.icelandair.com). You will find information about departures, prices and
travel-time on their homepages.
General information
Below there are some links to homepages, where you will find other relevant information about the
Faroes.
The Center for Local and Regional Development: www.region.fo
The Faroes Tourist Board: www.tourist.fo/
Tourist information: www.visit-faroeislands.com/ & www.faroeislands.com/
The Faroese University: www.setur.fo
The Faroese Parlament: www.logting.fo
The Faroese Government: www.tinganes.fo
The House of Industry: www.industry.fo
The Faroese Trade Council: www.trade.fo
The Nordic House: www.nlh.fo
Pictures from the Faroes: www.solberg.fo/showfolder.asp
Airphotes from the Faroes: www.atlantic.fo/Default.asp?sida=1999
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This is the situation in February 2004, but there are ongoing debates in some municipalities about amalgamation, and
it is possible that the number of municipalities will be even lower than 40 at the 2004 municipal election.
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