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Press Release
Falkland Islands Government Office
celebrates 25 Years in London
3 January 2008
12 January marks 25 years since the opening of the Falkland Islands Government Office (FIGO) in London, making it one of the longest established UK Overseas Territories Offices. Sukey Cameron MBE has been the Falkland Islands Government (FIG) UK Representative since 1990. She is available for interview about the changing role of FIGO and what it's like to be the face of the Falkland Islands in the UK.
Councillors made the decision to open an official Government Office in London following the end of the Falklands War in 1982. The office relocated many times during its first six years until the move to the heart of Westminster at 14 Broadway in 1989.
Sukey Cameron MBE has been the Falkland Islands Government (FIG) UK Representative since 1990, the fourth person to have held the post.
Over the years, the work of FIGO has grown to incorporate travel and recruitment. Changing perceptions and improving understanding of the Islands is also an integral part of FIGO's activity.
The office includes a 'showcase' open to the general public, which exhibits stunning art and photography of the Islands. Informative literature on the Islands is available for people to take away and Falklands products and books are also are available for purchase.
FIGO maintains a strong presence in the UK by organising and taking part in major events in the UK to highlight today's modern Islands, their thriving economy and self-sufficient status. Highlights include holding two Falklands Business Forums focusing on business opportunities in the Islands, attendance at County Shows, hosting the prestigious annual receptions at Lincoln's Inn and exhibiting at the Party Conferences for the past 20 years. FIGO also arranges fact-finding missions for MPs to deepen their knowledge of the Islands.
FIGO will celebrate its 25th anniversary with an informal event at 14 Broadway on 14 January 2008.
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For more information about the work of FIGO or to interview Sukey Cameron MBE, Falkland Islands Government UK Representative, please contact Katie Liddell on 020 7287 0652 or email katie@keenepa.co.uk.
NOTES TO EDITORS
1. FIGO was established after the Liberation of the Falklands Islands in 1982. The office opened on 12 January 1983 and after several moves took up permanent residence at 14 Broadway, Westminster, in August 1989.
2. Sukey Cameron MBE is the UK Representative of the Falkland Islands Government (FIG) in London, the first female to be appointed to this high profile role. Adrian Monk OBE was the first Representative from 1983 to 1984. He was succeeded by Alastair Cameron from 1984 to 1987 and then Lewis Clifton OBE from 1987 to 1990. Mr Clifton oversaw the purchase and conversion of 14 Broadway.
3. Sukey Cameron is a third generation Islander and plays a key role in changing people's attitudes and perceptions of the Falklands. Sukey comes from a long line of family involvement in Falkland Islands Government affairs: her grandfather was Governor of the Islands from 1935-41; her late brother, Alastair, was the Falkland Islands Government Representative from 1984-87 and later Director of Fisheries in Stanley, the capital of the Islands, and her sister, Jane, is the Falkland Islands Government Archivist in Stanley.
4. FIGO was one of the founder members of the United Kingdom Overseas Territories Association (UKOTA) which was started in 1994 and represents all the inhabited Overseas Territories. Eight out of the ten territories have Representatives in the UK vis: Anguilla, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Montserrat, St.Helena and Turks and Caicos Islands. The remaining two are Bermuda and Pitcairn. www.ukota.org
5. The Falkland Islands are situated in the South Atlantic, some 400 miles away from the South America mainland and 850 miles north of the Antarctic Circle. They are located on the same latitude south as London is north. The archipelago consists of two main islands (East and West Falkland) and 778 smaller islands, with a total land area of approximately 4,700 sq miles, just over half the size of Wales.
6. The Falkland Islands are self governing except for areas of foreign affairs and defence. Eight democratically elected councillors comprise the Legislative Council.
7. The Falkland Islands are economically self-sufficient in all areas except defence - the cost of which amounts to some 0.5% of the total UK defence budget.
8. The Falkland Islands Government believes that the Islands can combine economic growth with conservation of the environment - unique and unspoiled - while maintaining its essential character.
9. Additional information about the Falklands and an image gallery can be accessed via www.falklands.gov.fk.
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