Island Identity

Policy

The Chief Minister’s Ministerial letters , published on 10 August 2022, included a letter to the Minister for International Development, which had a section on Island Identity –

Your work on promoting the Island's unique identity is also valuable and important, and I would like for this to continue, working with the Minister for External Relations, and the Minister for Economic Development, Tourism, Sport and Culture.

The Ministerial plans for 2024, published on 19 September 2023, included a chapter for the Minister for International Development. This had a section on Island Identity –

Ensuring that Jersey continues to nurture a positive and inclusive Island identity by:

• Enhancing support for those representing the island abroad.
• Furthering local knowledge and developing the resources available to teach school children, front-line workers and Islanders about Jersey, including its unique constitution, history, culture, environment and community.
• Creating newcomer resources to support those moving to Jersey in conjunction with the International Cultural Centre.
• Investigating how the Island can be presented internationally and how messaging locally can be made more positive.
• Furthering the Government’s engagement with global diaspora communities, in conjunction with External Relations and relevant departments.
• Undergoing a feasibility study/ work around “coordination of the promotion of Jersey’s international image externally among the various organisations which do so”.

Further information

The Island Identity project has been driven by the Island Identity Policy Board. The third iteration of its report is on the Island Identity website. This identified three over-arching objectives –

1. People living in Jersey are civically engaged and proud of their Island

2. Jersey has a recognisable and positive international personality

3. Public policies coherently support and develop Jersey’s distinct identity

And seven specific goals -

1. Conserving what makes Jersey look and feel unique and expresses our distinctive character and heritage
2. Improving public awareness of our constitution and history, including understanding ourselves as a country, or small Island nation
3. Nurturing a stronger sense of citizenship and engagement in public life
4. Addressing alienation and social exclusion, and ensuring all Islanders feel they belong in Jersey whatever their background
5. Expanding the international narrative about Jersey
6. Developing Jersey’s distinct international personality, separate from that of the UK but with strong connections to Britain, France, other European countries and the Commonwealth
7. Celebrating and better promoting what we do well

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