THE INTERNATIONAL OCEAN INSTITUTE Announces THE DANIELLE DE ST. JORRE SCHOLARSHIP Call for Applications

Since 2000 the International Ocean Institute presents a Scholarship of Swiss Francs 10,000 annually for one woman from Small Island Developing States (SIDS) involved in marine related research activities to improve their knowledge in the subject of attending training or University Degree programmes.

 The scholarship has been established to honour the memory of the late Danielle de St. Jorre, Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Environment and Tourism of the Republic of the Seychelles and a member of the Governing Board of the International Ocean Institute, in consideration of all she did in her short life for the benefit of her country, the small island developing states and the world at large.

 The International Ocean Institute hereby invites applications and nominations for the 2008 scholarship. You may wish to use the Scholarship for attending the two month IOI training course on ocean governance (May-July) (http://internationaloceaninstitute.dal.ca/), or the one-month training course at the University of Malta (November-December) on regional ocean governance for Mediterranean and Eastern European Countries (www.capemalta.net/ioimoc/).

The scholarship application is available from this link. The application must include a CV and a statement giving the reason for the application or nomination with the aim of the applicant or nominee, including how she intends to use the scholarship if awarded. These should be sent to the Executive Director, International Ocean Institute, P.O. Box, Gzira GZR 1000, MALTA. Candidates will be selected in consultation with the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS).

The explanatory note on the scholarship, as well as on the eligibility and evaluation criteria is included in the application form. The deadline for receipt of applications is 14 February 2008.

 Pathetic Turnout To Check Electoral Rolls Indicates Voters’ Apathy

 A mere 15%, only 10,000 out of 66,000, of qualified voters turned up this year to check their names on the electoral registers in the 25 districts. This clearly sends a clear message to both the government and the SNP that people are disenchanted with the way there are conducting things.

Seychellois are today more preoccupied to eke out a living than politicians, especially those out to line their pockets at their expense.

In some districts only 4% turned up during the 15-day exercise. The highest was at Anse Aux Pins, Roche Caiman and Baie Ste Anne, even there a mere 20%.

Admittedly it was not an election year like last year or 2006, when the turnout was over 65 %. But even in other years, when no elections were due, some 45% of the electorate showed up, despite the registration system being flawed in many ways.

This year is surely a record one for voter apathy. It is a clear indication that Seychellois have lost faith in most of our politicians. They do exactly the opposite of what they promised.  For most Seychellois, there is no longer any hope.

Seychellois are generally a calm and gentle people, not prone to violent action. They are showing passive resistance to greedy politicians. 

While claiming that rupee devaluation was never even being considered, this is exactly what the government did. It was a major contributing factor towards hyper inflation. And the government invited and obtained the SNP’s cooperation with massive salary increases, plus gratuities and pensions.

The next few years will tell. We are still over three years to the next elections. But it is clear that many of our leaders and MPs will not be around the next time that the people have their say.

February 8, 2008
Copyright 2007: Seychelles Weekly, Victoria, Mahe, Seychelles