International Year of Small Island Developing States

Along a shore in Belize, a small island developing state.

©iStockphoto.com/samchad

The United Nations (UN) has declared 2014 as the:

• International Year of Small Island Developing States.
• International Year of Crystallography.
• International Year of Family Farming.

Aim

The International Year of Small Island Developing States aims to raise recognition of environmental problems that small island states are facing.

About the year

According to the UN Herald, the Pacific region is endangered by environmental influences and that is why Pacific island states need support and assistance. Countries like Australia, France and United States aimed to promote the prevention of forced migration on the basis of environmental impact. Events and activities that promote the year are dedicated to work towards securing small island states and preventing forced emigration from them.

Celebrate the year

Journalists, community organizations, government agencies, and businesses involved in helping small island developing states may promote the year’s activities via the following media:

• Newspapers.
• Magazines.
• Blogs.
• Social media.
• Broadcast media, including radio and television.

Some youth groups and schools coordinate community and online projects to help raise awareness on the issues that affect small island states.