19 November 2014 | Comments
Councillor Lawson Henry will represent St Helena at the annual Joint Ministerial Council (JMC) to be held in London between 1- 4 December along with Governor Capes and SHG UK Representative, Kedell Worboys MBE. This is the second time that Councillor Henry has attended the JMC, having last attended in November 2013.
Councillor Henry remarked on his previous experience:
“From attending the 2013 Joint Ministerial Council I took away shared values and experiences of other territories and the common challenges we face. Nominating me again to attend JMC provides continuity and gives me more confidence to build these relationships and share knowledge. ”
The attendance by Councillors at international conferences allows opportunities to meet colleagues and Ministers, to raise issues directly about the Island, highlight common issues and find better ways to work together.
Councillor Henry will be able to discuss matters relating to security, immigration, health and the environment and to highlight the challenges St Helena faces. It is also proposed to hold a workshop led by the Department of Energy & Climate Change, on the financing of renewable energy investments.
Councillor Henry added:
“There are also specific issues which I will raise. For example doctors in the UK have to be re-validated to keep their General Medical Council registration and the GMC does not recognise time spent on St Helena for this process. Some doctors registered in the UK are therefore reluctant to come to St Helena. I will follow up on ongoing discussions with a view to changing this requirement so that all time spent on St Helena (and indeed other overseas territories), is recognised by the GMC for registration purposes”
Councillor Henry will depart the Island on Thursday 20 November 2014.
SHG
19 November 2014
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