What We Do

The small island states stand at the front lines of the current environmental crisis. The people who live in these countries have been, and will continue to be, the first to suffer the negative consequences of climate change, even though they have done the least to contribute to the problems. Fisherman find it increasingly difficult to fill their nets as coral reefs waste away, farmers grow more desperate for freshwater untainted by the rising tides, and all island residents are vulnerable to more extreme weather patterns, such as typhoons, flooding, and drought. If rapid remedial action is not taken, the livelihoods, and potentially the very existence, of these small island states remain in doubt.

Islands First will assist the small island states by (1) building the capacity of their UN missions by providing highly trained, professional advisors, (2) creating and sustaining strategic networks of scientific, environmental, and policy experts in order to share information and coordinate activities, and (3) devising comprehensive political strategies for advancing their environmental agenda.

Capacity Building

Islands First will build the capacity of the UN missions of the small island states by augmenting their staffs and committing resources they need. New York City is home to several of the finest educational institutions in the world and is brimming with capable professionals looking for the opportunity to participate in meaningful work and build their international credentials. Islands First will tap this reservoir of talent in order to provide staffing for those UN missions most in need. Progress at the United Nations requires a sustained presence which can only be achieved once adequate staffing is in place. In summary, Islands First will:

• Recruit and train highly qualified advisors to serve in the UN missions of the various small island states
• Provide office facilities, supplies and technology resources for these advisors as needed

Networking & Information Dissemination

Islands First will build a network of scientists, policy experts, and NGOs to support the environmental agenda of the small island states. There is no shortage of good ideas for addressing the current environmental crisis, but there is a shortage of coordination between the many strategic partners. In summary, Islands First will:

• Build sustained relationships with scientific, environmental, and policy experts by hosting regular meetings to analyze important environmental and political matters
• Disseminate information regarding the ongoing progress of UN initiatives to strategic partners
• Develop a public media presence by scheduling press conferences, providing topical information to media outlets, and coordinating public outreach activities with NGO partners

Strategy

Islands First will provide the strategic planning that is essential for navigating the political maze of the United Nations. Enacting policy change at the international level requires a deep understanding of UN procedure and a sophisticated plan to make sure that the right missions are present at the right meetings delivering the right statements. It also requires a strong familiarity with the interests of potential allies within the UN system and a comprehensive strategy for coalition building. In summary, Islands First will:

• Convene meetings of the Ambassadors of the small island states and other relevant parties to discuss the most pressing environmental issues and decide on an actionable agenda
• Assemble cutting edge scientific support for the agenda by drawing on the expertise of its network of scientists
• Craft language for legislation and resolutions in collaboration with its network of policy experts
• Ensure that the small island states are properly represented on critical UN committees and are in attendance at important meetings by advance mapping of the UN process
• Create an effective voting strategy by pooling knowledge of the missions
• Mobilize public support for legislation by coordinating activities with local NGOs and raising public awareness during critical votes