Expanded Falkland Islands Country Profile

GENERAL INFORMATION

The Falkland Islands are an archipelago, or island group, in the South Atlantic Ocean that operate as a self-governing overseas territory of the United Kingdom (UK). Made up of two large islands, East and West Falkland, and 778 smaller islands and islets, the total area of 12,173 square kilometers (4,700 square miles) is equivalent to the size of the state of Connecticut. Often characterized as being remote, cold and sparsely populated, the Falklands have historically been a British colony. However, the territory remains the subject of an international dispute. Argentina, which attempted an ill-fated invasion in 1982, claims sovereignty over the Falkland Islands dating back to the eighteenth century, and refers to the islands by their Spanish name, Islas Malvinas.

Principal Cities by Population (2006):

Port Stanley (2,115)

HISTORY

Art & Culture: Historically, the culture of the Falkland Islands was largely imported rather than developed, as there was no indigenous population. Since 1833, when the UK reasserted its claim to the islands, the cultural life of the Falklands has very much reflected these roots. From Scottish dancing to gardening to iconic red phone booths dotted about the capital, the culture of the Falkland Islands has been decidedly British.

However, the 1982 Falklands War, in which Argentina unsuccessfully invaded the islands, marked a watershed in the cultural and economic life of the Falklands. Prior to the war, the islands had a dwindling economy based largely on sheep herding and the export of the notably soft and strong local wool. Knit products such as sweaters constituted the major craft of islanders. Since the war, however, the Falkland Islands has seen its economy grow exponentially, mostly due to fishing and tourism. In addition, the war impacted the Falkland Islands, as well as the UK and Argentina, culturally.

The cultural impact of the Falklands War spanned several media, most notably literature, film and television. Prior to the war, much of what was written about the islands was non-fiction, on the Falklands’ diverse and prolific animal life, most notably penguins, albatrosses and seals. After the war, however, a wealth of fiction, nonfiction and poetry books concerning the war were written, particularly on both sides. Famous writers who have written about the war included Argentinian writer Jorge Luis Borges (1899-1986), French novelist Pierre Boulle (1912-1994) and British playwright Steven Berkoff (b. 1937). The war also became the subject of both film and television, including numerous British television programs and Argentinian films, including Los chicos de la guerra (1984), the first film made in Argentina about the war.

Prior to the Falklands War, one artistic endeavor that was already strongly established on the islands came in a small but highly sought after art form: the postage stamp. The Falkland Islands first began issuing stamps in 1878. Due to a great surge in overseas interest that the local post office

could no longer manage, the Philatelic Bureau was established one hundred years later, in 1978. The war provided a huge boost of activity among collectors, to the point that stamp sales also became a major source of income for the islands.

Architecture: The architecture of the Falkland Islands is also decidedly British, when not distinctly influenced by the environment and available resources. Victorian-era (1837-1901) architecture is evident in the capital of Stanley, particularly in the Jubilee Villas, a row of four townhouses. Another architectural echo of Britain’s Victorian era is the capital’s police station. However, these architectural styles are mostly in contrast to the rest of the seaside capital.

Stanley’s overall architectural look is that of a Scottish seaside town, with a distinctive Falklands flair. Due to a 1890s fire regulation outlawing wooden roofing, all the roofs and some of the facades, or exteriors, are made of corrugated metal. Known as “wriggly tin,” many of the roofs are brightly painted. In fact, the Falkland Islands are known for their colorfully painted houses. Most Stanley buildings are either of this wood and tin variety or made from prefabricated “kits” shipped from Britain. Brick was considered too expensive to import and the local stone too difficult to quarry. A lack of native trees on the islands necessitated that any wood used be imported.

The rural areas outside of Stanley are known as camp, from the Spanish word “campo,” meaning countryside. Again, as building materials were difficult to come by, many of the nineteenth-century farmhouses are prefabricated wooden buildings shipped from overseas. Timbers from wrecked ships as well as corrugated metal were used to reinforce and protect the structures.

Cultural Sites & Landmarks: Stanley, the capital of the Falkland Islands, is considered the only true city in the Falklands, and the main seaport. Located on East Falkland, it is the southernmost capital in the world. The capital is renowned for its small houses with brightly-colored roofs. In addition, many of the modestly-sized cottages from the 1800s remain standing in Stanley. One notable exception to the small-scaled buildings built in the capital is the Christ Church Cathedral, a centrally located massive brick and stone building. Opened in 1892, it replaced Stanley’s Trinity Church, which was destroyed in an 1886 landslide caused by unstable peat. Peat is a mud-like, nutrient-rich fuel source that covers much of the islands. It had been cut away from the hillside, creating dangerously slippery conditions, and Stanley suffered two peat slips in the nineteenth century. The church, which also has a corrugated metal roof, remains one of Stanley’s most photographed landmarks.

Rarely-used brick was also essential to another project, Jubilee Villas. Built in the late nineteenth century in homage to Britain’s Queen Victoria, this row of townhouses were seemingly plucked out of a London suburb and deposited into the southern hemisphere. The island’s police station, originally built in 1873, serves as another cultural landmark in Stanley. It was severely damaged by friendly fire during the Argentine invasion. Work began in 2008 to thoroughly renovate and modernize the three-cell facility, while maintaining the façade’s historic aspect. Stanley’s most recognizable icon, however, may be the Whalebone Arch. Fashioned from the jawbones of two blue whales, the sculpture was erected in 1933 to mark 100 years of British rule.

Just west of Stanley is the Falklands Islands Museum, which details the history of life on the Falklands. The museum also contains comprehensive information about the scientists who traveled

farther south to the Antarctic. In fact, famous explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton (1874-1922) stayed on the Falkland Islands in 1916 while coordinating a rescue of his men from Elephant Island, an ice-covered island 940 kilometers (580 miles) south of the Falklands. Shackleton stayed at the governor’s home, a rambling 1845 residence that is still in existence today. It is believed that Shackleton even remarked that he felt colder while staying on the Falklands than he had during his exploration of Antarctica.

The Falkland Islands are also known for their numerous shipwrecks. There are over 200 hundred nineteenth-century ships, many of which were en route to California during the Gold Rush, sunken in the waters surrounding the Falklands. The rusted hulks serve as reminders of the treacherous waters around Cape Horn, the southernmost tip of South America. Many attribute the large number of shipwrecks still visible to a lack of motivation among Falklanders to repair the ships since metal from the wrecks could be harvested and recycled into much-needed building materials. In fact, among sea captains, Stanley historically developed a reputation as a high-priced, slow-moving port to avoid. Today, scuba divers are allowed to peer at the ships. However, with winter water temperatures of around 4° Celsius (39° Fahrenheit) and summer temperatures of 14° Celsius (57° Fahrenheit), a wetsuit is advised year-round.

Port Howard is the second largest settlement on West Falkland, and has a permanent population of about twenty. The settlement offers a fascinating view of life on a sheep station, or farm. It is considered the Falklands’ oldest farm. The former manager’s house, a grand and picturesque building which now serves as a lodge, is a convenient base for nearby hiking, horseback riding and fishing.

The Falkland Islands are also known for the unique wildlife that inhabits the hundreds of islands and islets, particularly the 1,300 kilometers (800 miles) of shoreline. There reside five different species of penguins, all but 20 percent of the world's population of black-browed albatross, and elephant seals, sea lions and fur seals—all of which breed on the islands. Sheep were introduced to the islands in the late nineteenth century, and the 600,000 or so sheep in 2008 outnumber Falklanders 400 to 1.

CUSTOMS & COURTESIES

Greetings: Historically conceived as a British outpost, the Falkland Islands follow British customs and language. However, the way English is spoken on the Falklands differs, and the island accent has been compared to that of Australia, but with its own distinct broad twang. In addition, while English is the official language of the Falklands, a sprinkling of Spanish lingers—a residual trace of Argentina’s past presence on the islands. For example, Spanish words are sometimes spoken in conjunction with British terms, as in “Cheers che,” meaning “Goodbye friend.” Additionally, Falklanders are known to speak in a slow and deliberate manner.

Local lingo in the form of nicknames is common. For example, Falklanders refer to themselves as Kelpers, a term they coined themselves which derives from the mass of kelp (seaweed) that ribbons the coastline. UK military forces, which have increased their presence on the Falklands after the 1982 conflict, have come up with some less-affectionate nicknames of their own. Stationed 55 kilometers (35 miles) from Stanley at Mount Pleasant, the troops are somewhat isolated from the

civilians, and are only stationed there four to six months at a time, affording them little chance to forge close ties with islanders. Thus, soldiers began referring to the islanders in a slightly derogatory manner by calling them Bennies. This particular nickname derives from the simple-minded character of Benny Hawkins, who is featured on the popular British TV program Crossroads. On the program Benny wore a wool cap similar to those sometimes worn by islanders. Officers forbade the use of the term Bennies, which simply led to another name, Stills, meaning they’re still Bennies. However, the locals coined their own term for the soldiers, referring to them as Whennies, as in the soldiers’ talk of “When I was in Cyprus” or “When I was in Cairo,” and so forth. Soldiers are most commonly referred to as squaddies, and no one seems to mind this designation.

Gestures & Etiquette: Falklanders typically follow British customs in matters of gesture and etiquette, and as such are not given to expressive hand or arm gestures as they speak. In fact, etiquette in Stanley is very similar to any large English village. However, as a culture with a shorter history, much of it agricultural, islanders are not as formal or ritualistic as those in the UK. Generally, islanders seem to treat each other with kindness, as evidenced by the negligible crime rate in the Falklands. In fact, British immigrants, which are increasing in number, commonly cite safety for themselves and their children as a top reason for their relocation to the Falklands.

A unique island etiquette has also developed on the Falklands, much of it largely influenced by environment. For example, a typical sign of Falkland etiquette derives from the response to stranded drivers who find themselves “bogged” in the peat-rich land of “soft camp.” Rocky areas are referred to as “hard camp.” Thus, islanders commonly respond to any distress calls with tow ropes and boards, expecting nothing in return. Island etiquette has also been known to extend itself even further. When young, sometimes underfed, Argentine soldiers occupied the islands during the 1982 conflict, islanders were known to smuggle food to these hungry teenagers.

Eating/Meals: Falklanders typically eat three meals a day, but have developed some unique traditions of their own. One such tradition is called “smoko,” which is a between-meal break for coffee or tea and home-baked goods. The term was originally coined by sheep-shearers not just in the Falklands, but in Australia and New Zealand as well, and probably referred to a smoking break. More popular in the island’s rural areas, smoko traditionally occurs at around 10:30 in the morning, but some Falklanders also indulge in an afternoon smoko at 4:00, corresponding to the time that Britons might typically have tea. In Stanley, it is also common to see “out to lunch” signs in the early afternoon, since several shopkeepers close down an hour or two for the mid-day meal.

Although the Falklands are not renowned for their cuisine, they are known for having a diet largely composed of comfort foods. Those who come to live on the islands may be subject to what has been dubbed the “Falkland Stone” (one stone, a pre-metric British unit of weight, equals 6.35 kilograms or 14 pounds). It is often said that within a year of living on the islands, one stands a good chance of gaining a stone.

Visiting: Falkland Islanders pride themselves on their hospitality, which is particularly noticeable in the sparsely populated countryside (only 400 of the Falklands’ 2,500 residents live in camp). Visitors in camp may well find themselves invited in for a meal. Before the tourist trade boomed, visitors would often be invited to spend the night, free of charge. Then, a gift of rum—a favorite

drink of islanders—was acceptable compensation. While free room and board have largely disappeared, the hospitality of Falklanders has not. However, camp is where certain customs still apply.

Since there is very little public land on the Falklands, traveling off the roads—few of them paved— generally means one is on private land. Getting permission ahead of time is advisable. When coming across a gate, it is island etiquette to leave it as found—either opened or closed. When entering a home, it is considered polite to remove shoes and boots. In addition, when nearing animal sanctuaries, wildlife is typically given the right of way. Furthermore, handling animals should be avoided, as this can result in a fine of up to £3,000 ($6,000 USD).

LIFESTYLE

Family: The Shackleton Report, written in 1977 and updated after the war in 1982, was the first and perhaps lengthiest report on social aspects of life in the Falklands. Written by Lord Edward Shackleton, son of explorer Ernest Shackleton, the report was commissioned by the British government to report on the future of the Falklands. At that time, the low premium on education and the difficulties associated with living in isolated locations were cited as having a negative influence on family life.

Teachers would visit remote locations every few weeks, relying on grade school students to self-motivate and complete their assignments in the interim. Then, as it remains today, students in camp would board in Stanley once they reached high school age. While boarding school is certainly not unknown in British culture, it does splinter the family. Furthermore, those wishing to attend college must do so abroad, generally in England. A high divorce rate—as high as 50 percent among new marriages—was also cited as disruptive to family life. Alcoholism was also reported as high. As for the next generation, Shackleton noted that teenagers reported a lack of interest in island life and a desire to leave.

However, a now-thriving economy has helped to change some of the negative aspects highlighted in the Shackleton Report. First, further investment from the UK allowed island farmers who had once been tenants working for absentee landlords to became landowners themselves. Secondly, the fishing industry became the primary income generator—more than tourism, stamps and the wool industry. The creation of an expanded 320-kilometer (200-nautical-mile) fishing zone allowed islanders to collect money from foreign fishing vessels. Thirdly, this infusion of wealth led to an overhaul of the basic services on the islands, particularly the addition and renovation of schools and the paving of roads. In fact, with a per capita income of £25,000 ($50,000 USD), Falklanders are now considered one of the wealthier populations in the world, collectively.

Housing: Roughly 15 percent of Falklanders live on the eighty-five sheep farms located in camp, with the remainder residing in Stanley. In either location, all homes are constructed to withstand the harsh and cold climate associated with the Falkland Islands. More importantly, since the Falklands rest at the juncture of the cold waters of the Antarctic and the warmer waters to the north, violent winds and waves can be common. In addition, without a nearby continent to slow down air movement—Argentina is closest at 563.3 kilometers (350 miles)—westerly winds often lash at the islands at an average rate of 17 knots (20 miles) per hour.

Generally, Falkland houses are renowned for being brightly painted with immaculately maintained gardens. Within homes, propane or kerosene is the most popular heat source, though the plentiful peat found on the islands was once burned as the main fuel source. Over seventy of the farms in camp are powered by wind turbines, and the government has plans to power nearly a quarter of Stanley’s electricity using a wind farm.

Due in large part to annual fishing license revenues—as high as £25 million ($50 million USD) annually —Stanley has seen a big increase in housing. In fact, housing in the capital doubled in size between 1993 and 2003, with over 100 new homes being built to the east of town, often called East Stanley or Stanley to the East. In 1998, the government of the Falkland Islands started a program to encourage the construction of private homes. This government initiative led to a boom in the housing construction market with many new timber kit houses being imported, largely from Scotland. These houses range from single bedroom bungalows to large houses with four or five bedrooms. Often the style of cladding and colors vary immensely. In addition, according to the Falkland Islands Development Corporation, the cost of the average new home in 2008 was £100,000 ($200,000 USD).

Food: For the most part, Falkland cuisine is comprised of mostly standard British fare. Beyond the typical British dishes such as fish and chips (battered and fried potatoes and fish, traditionally cod), meat pies and bangers and mash (sausage, potatoes, and gravy), cuisine on the island is also largely based on lamb and mutton dishes, since sheep are plentiful. In fact, mutton, which is the meat of domestic sheep, is eaten so often that it is sometimes referred to as 365.

Although the Falklands are surrounded by waters teeming with fish, little of it is eaten by the locals. Rather, much of their fish is imported frozen. However, squid, trout and Atlantic Rock Cod (known locally as mullet) are popular fishes that often figure prominently in the local cuisine. Another popular dish, upland goose paté, is based upon the upland goose, a plentiful bird on the island. Other popular dishes and light fare common to the Falklands include sausage rolls, porridge, toast and marmalade, and bacon sandwiches.

Although the Falklands are predominantly considered British in terms of language, culture and food, immigrants from Chile and St. Helena, an island 4,000 kilometers (2,500 miles) to the northeast, have also influenced the local cuisine. For example, asado, which is meat slow-roasted on a spit over a fire, is becoming more commonplace. The meat is generally not marinated, with salt being the only seasoning used before and during cooking. The traditional Chilean sandwich chacarero—homemade bread, grilled steak or chicken, steamed green beans, muenster cheese, tomatoes, avocado spread, salt, pepper and hot sauce—is popular as well. Empanadas, a popular snack in Chile and Argentina, consist of baked or otherwise cooked dough and are filled with vegetables, cheese, egg, or meat.

Arts: Scottish music, a longtime favorite on the islands, remains a popular contemporary genre. Scottish dances are held frequently at Stanley’s elementary school, and the town hall hosts old-fashioned dances, as well. However, the core of the islands’ music scene is the Trough, a music venue constructed by local musicians and others. Completed in 1994, the venue is home to many local musical stars and visiting musicians.

Though the Falkland Islands Museum concerns itself more with the presentation of history rather than the arts, the island is still home to a number of local painters. However, the most prominent artistic medium practiced on the Falklands is nature photography. Another, more unusual mode of artistic expression is taxidermy, which is even featured as an exhibit at the Falklands Islands Museum. The exhibit contains albatross, petrel, which is a seabird, and several species of penguins.

While adventure and wildlife were the prevalent themes of pre-1982 travelogues and nature films about the Falklands, the war sparked many internationally acclaimed dramas which continue to be made in the early twenty-first century. The 2005 Argentine film Iluminados Por El Fuego (Blessed by Fire), an account of the trauma suffered by young Argentine soldiers, won best film at the Tribeca Film Festival. The film centers on the harrowing conditions suffered during the brief but bloody war, and the grim aftermath for those young men who came home to a populace unhappy with their defeat. Also in 2005, the British film An Ungentlemanly Act mixes dark humor and real-life events to show the war as it erupted from the perspective of Falkland Governor Sir Rex Hunt.

Falklands: The Islanders’ War, filmed on the island for the History Channel, is yet another addition to the growing library of award-winning war films based on the Falklands War. The 2008 documentary weaves together interviews and wartime footage to tell the story of the Argentine occupation from the islanders’ point of view. Generally, literature concerning the Falklands falls into three main categories: personal narrative of life on the islands, the 1982 conflict (including poetry), and the natural world that predates both.

Overall, leisurely pursuits occupy islanders more than do the arts, as evidenced by the many clubs open to interested participants. Popular organized hobbies and activities include astronomy, scouting, cricket, hiking, running, swimming, amateur drama, golfing, horticulture, horse-racing, rugby and deep-sea diving. The oldest club on the islands is the Falkland Islands Rifle Association.

The Stanley Stadium, serving the Falkland Islands national football (soccer) team, holds about 1,000 people, roughly a third of the permanent residents. The Falklands also competes internationally in competitive sheep shearing. In addition, recent architectural additions to the islands include the Falkland Islands Community School in Stanley, built in 1992 at a cost of £10 million ($20 million). The facility serves as the community library, art gallery and local recreational area, complete with a 25-meter (88-foot) heated swimming pool.

Life’s Milestones: For the most part, Falklanders adhere to British customs and traditions when celebrating milestones or life events. Christianity is the dominant religion on the islands, particularly the denomination of Anglicanism. As such, religious rites of passage are commonly observed. Since getting to church can be a challenge for those in camp, church services from Christ Church (Anglican), St. Mary’s (Catholic), and the Tabernacle (Baptist) are alternately recorded and broadcast by local radio on Sundays evenings.

One unique aspect practiced on the islands is the use of the weekly newspaper, the Penguin News, as a personal message board. Often, the personals page in the newspaper is also where visitors to the islands post their good-byes, notices of thanks, and wistful if largely unfulfilled assertions that

they shall return. Birthday and wedding announcements, some complete with photos, also regularly appear in the newspaper.

SOCIETY

Transportation: Transportation is a nonissue in Stanley, as all the major sites are within walking distance. However, traveling around the rest of the Falklands is a challenge. Of the nearly 800 kilometers (500 miles) of road in the Falklands, only a small fraction is paved. East Falkland, the more populous of the two major islands, has several paved roads; West Falkland has none. For those driving on either island, four-wheel drives or motorcycles are considered necessary modes of transportation, since getting bogged down in the peat is an ever-present threat.

A cross-sound ferry service between the two main islands was established in 2008. The government plans to have the ports on either side complete, with regular service in place, by 2012. The fastest mode of transport, particularly for those wishing to visit some of the smaller islands, is the state-controlled Falkland Island Government Air Service (FIGAS). It is operated more like a phone-ahead taxi than a standard airline, and pilots not only take travelers to their remote destinations, they generally narrate and inform as they fly the nine-seat planes to any of the thirty-five landing strips across the islands.

International flights fly from and to Mount Pleasant Airport (MPA). Service to the UK, chartered by the UK’s Ministry of Defense, operates six times a month. There are also weekly flights between MPA and Santiago, Chile. Overall, the islands have six airports, two of which have paved landing strips.

Media & Communications: Aside from the three-digit emergency and directory assistance numbers, phone numbers in the Falklands are only five digits long. Cell phones were introduced in December 2005 and, according to the 2006 census, are becoming the most popular household appliance among Stanley residents (600 cell phones were sold in the first week of availability). Camp residents cited the washing machine as their appliance of choice in that same census.

The Falkland Islands Radio Service (known until 2005 as Falkland Island Broadcasting Service, FIBS), provides radio broadcasts of news, weather, music and other programming. Falklanders can also listen to British Forces Broadcasting Service, targeted for military personnel. The Falklands’s single newspaper, the weekly Penguin News, provides domestic and overseas news of note to islanders, along with charts on that week’s fish haul, the international wool market report, classified ads, letters to the editor and television and radio listings.

The Internet arrived on the islands in 1997. The government reports that by 2007, over two-thirds of homes had computers, most with Internet access. The online Falkland Island News Network, part of the South Atlantic Remote Territories Media Association (SARTMA), covers news concerning islanders. One special feature of the website is a weekly roundup of how the islands are being covered in the overseas press. The Uruguay-based Mercopress online news service focuses on financial and political news of several South American countries, as well as nearby territories. The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) provides some online news coverage, and islanders

regularly listen to BBC broadcasts on radio as well. There is no local television station, and all programming is produced abroad.

Foreign Policy: The sovereignty of the Falkland Islands, one of Britain’s overseas territories, continues to be the center of a dispute between Argentina and Great Britain. The islands were internationally recognized as being a colony of Great Britain, which formally established a colonial presence in 1833. However, Argentina claims that an Argentinean colony was expelled from the islands prior to the establishment of British rule. Contemporary Falkland islanders claim to be British, and have full British citizenship due to the British Nationality Act of 1983.

The dispute escalated into the Falkland Islands War, beginning with Argentina’s invasion of the islands on April 2, 1982. The ensuing war evoked patriotic sentiment on both sides, with Argentina finally surrendering on June 14 after nearly two and a half months of conflict. Argentina, however, has yet to relinquish its claim of sovereignty, stating that it had island settlements there in the early 1800s.

Nearly 1,000 people died in the Falklands War. Casualties continue to mount in the form of an unusually high rate of suicide for soldiers on both sides of the conflict. As of 2002, a UK veterans’ support group reported that at least 260 British servicemen had killed themselves—more than the 255 soldiers who were killed in action. And as of 2006, an estimated 400 Argentinean veterans had taken their own lives. That’s more than half the number, 650, that died during the conflict itself. Many soldiers have suffered post-traumatic stress disorder, and the Argentines in particular were said to have been abused by their superior officers, then shunned back home for their defeat.

The overwhelming sentiment among Falkland Islanders, all of whom are eligible for Argentinean citizenship, remains a rejection of that country’s sovereignty claim. Britain also maintains control over the defense of the islands. Falklanders were also granted the right to self-determination, or self-governance. The United Nations (UN) has maintained that open dialogue should continue between the two countries to resolve the dispute.

Aside from Argentina, Chile is the Falklands’ closest South American neighbor. Although officially neutral during the war, Chile reportedly gave the UK surveillance information in return for discounted military aircraft. A link between Santiago and Stanley continues to this day in the form of weekly flights between the two capitals.

Two important issues affecting the foreign policy of the Falkland Islands are fishing rights and tourism. Both bring with them a large influx of overseas capital. Fishing vessels, notably from Spain, Taiwan and Korea, are ever-present. However, both the tourism and fishing industry have had negative effects on the environment in recent years. For example, in May 2008, a Korean trawler caught fire, dumping a reported 150 tons of oil into the pristine Berkeley Sound. In addition, the recent explorations for oil in the region have led Argentina to oppose any sanctioned drilling or extraction in the islands.

Human Rights Profile: International human rights law insists that states respect civil and political rights, and also promote an individual’s economic, social, and cultural rights. The United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights is recognized as the standard for international human

rights. Its authors sought the counsel of the world’s great thinkers, philosophers, and religious leaders, and were careful to create a document that reflects the core values shared by every world culture. To read this document or view the articles relating to cultural human rights, click here: http://www.udhr.org/UDHR/default.htm.

In the aftermath of the Falklands War and the Shackleton Report, the Falkland Islands were able to forge a constitution based both on external advice and internal knowledge. Indeed, advice from the Shackleton Report was the catalyst for some of the greatest changes made on the Falklands. That constitution, created in 1985 and revised since, begins with language aimed at protecting the fundamental rights and freedoms of the individual, striving to ensure that all people on the islands—regardless of race, sex, place of origin, religion, political opinions, etc.—are accorded equal rights under the law. This goal is in accordance with Article 2 of the UDHR.

In 2003, the UN’s own Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination reported that the laws of the Falkland Islands, designed to outlaw racial discrimination, are indeed observed, respected, and actively enforced. The report further states that complaints of racial discrimination are rare. It commends the government on seeking to integrate immigrants by promoting their inclusion in the police force, the all-volunteer Falkland Islands Defense Force, and the judicial branch, as well as charitable and athletic associations. The report also praises island news outlets, principally FIRS and the Penguin News, for relaying information of use and interest to island minority groups.

Article 18 of the declaration, which addresses freedom of religion, is guaranteed in the constitution. Three percent of Falkland Islanders are members of the Baha’i faith, a religious group that has faced persecution elsewhere. Article 19, concerning the freedom to express one’s opinion, is likewise a right of Falkland Islanders. (Note, though, that regardless of foreign birthplace—be it the UK or elsewhere—one must reside on the islands for seven years before applying for full and permanent rights to the islands.) In keeping with prejudice-free schooling for all as stated in the declaration’s Article 26, the UN report notes that all schools on the islands have zero tolerance for racism.

A favorable review from the UN notwithstanding, representatives of the Falklands continue to take issue with that organization’s refusal to accord them the right of self-determination. Rather, the UN perceives the Falklands as a territory whose sovereignty remains in dispute. More recently, in June 2008, in what has become an annual protest to the UN’s Special Committee on Decolonization, an island representative railed against the UN, particularly the perceived treatment of islanders as though they were akin to children involved in a divorce custody battle.

Women’s Rights: The constitution of the Falkland Islands guarantees women full rights under the law. However, women’s suffrage was not granted until 1949. Nonetheless, women serve in significant roles as representatives in the islands’ government. In fact, of the five legislators representing Stanley as of 2008, two were women, and the Falkland Islands representative in the UK was also a woman. Women are also represented on the police and defense forces, the fire brigade, cultural institutions and in the sciences. Although the islands were not directly involved in World War II, 150 male and female islanders volunteered for overseas duty in the British Armed

Forces. Furthermore, a 1996 census reported that nearly one-quarter of all households were run by women.

Youth Culture: It can be argued that education plays a significant role in the development of youth culture on the Falklands due to its small population. Public school is free and compulsory from age five until sixteen, and there are no private schools. The Stanley secondary school has about 160 students aged eleven to sixteen. Although the Education Ordinance of 1989 allows for corporal punishment of boys eleven and up—provided there is parental consent—no students have been hit since the law was enacted.

Graduates of the Falkland Islands Community School can either take advantage of a vocational training program or go on to college at the government’s expense. About half the graduates choose to study abroad. Many of these students go to one of two colleges in England with which the Falkland Islands Government has an established relationship. Since the 1982 conflict, with its influx of money for social and educational programs as well as its reinvigoration of Falkland pride, young islanders seem intent on staying on the islands or returning if they attend college abroad.

Whereas once there was little in the way of community-sponsored recreational activities, the Stanley Leisure Centre, completed in 1992, along with movies and bowling at the Mt. Pleasant military base, offer opportunities for fun that earlier generations didn’t have. However, films typically debut at the base some three months after they’ve opened nationally in England. Like their predecessors, though, young people have a wide array of athletic and recreational activities to choose from, including the popular Moto-cross Club and the Stanley Rifle and Pistol Club. For youth eighteen and older, the consumption of alcoholic beverages is legal and bars are a popular meeting place.

Underage smoking has become an issue on the Falklands. The government has set 2010 as a target date for reducing the number of smokers by 10 percent. Interestingly, the age at which children are legally allowed to drink alcohol, as long as they are in a private place, is five. As such, underage drinking has increasingly become an issue on the island.

Youth aged fourteen and over are legally permitted to have part-time employment. Babysitting and working in the shops are common seasonal jobs. Sixteen- and seventeen-year-olds can marry, but parental consent is required. The minimum age for enlistment in the Falkland Island Defense Force is seventeen, and no parental consent is needed.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Bernhardson, Wayne. Patagonia, Including the Falkland Islands. 1st. Emeryville, CA: Avalon Travel, 2005.

Hastings, Max, and Simon Jenkins. The Battle for the Falklands. 1st American Edition. New York: W. W. Norton & Company, 1983

Hodgson, Bryan. "The Falkland Islands - Life After the War." National Geographic. March 1988: 390 - 411.

Ritchie, Harry. The Last Pink Bits. London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1997.

Shackleton, Lord Edward, R.J. Storey, and R. Johnson. "Prospect of the Falkland Islands." The Geographic Journal. 143.1 (March 1977): 1-13. 16 Jul 2008. <http://www.jstor.org/pss/1796671>.

Strange, Ian J. The Falklands: South Atlantic Islands. New York: Dodd, Mean & Company, 1985.

Wheeler, Tony. The Falklands and South Georgia Island. 1st. Oakland: Lonely Planet, 2004.

Winchester, Simon. Outposts: Journeys to the Surviving Relics of the British Empire. London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1985.

Hope Killcoyne

Works Cited:1. "Consolidated Version of the Falkland Islands Constitution."

www.worldstatesmen.org/falkland. 1997. FIG. 16 Jul 2008 http://www.worldstatesmen.org/Falkland_order1985.pdf

2. Falkland Islands Government (Official Site) . 07 Jul 2008. FIG. 16 Jul 2008 http://www.falklands.gov.fk/

3. "UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, Overseas Dependent Territories And Crown Dependencies of the UK." 29 May 2000. United Nations. 16 Jul 2008 http://72.14.205.104/search?q=cache:XkShgPpUrj0J:www.unhchr.ch/tbs/doc.nsf/0/dd12f6e6fed9eff9c125694d0037c7d3/percent24FILE/G0042522.doc+percent22Falkland+Islands+Community+Schoolpercent22+1992&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=9&gl=us

4. Falklands Focus 82, 83Jan 2008, Jul 2008 http://www.falklands.gov.fk/falklands-focus.php 5. "Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination," United Kingdom of Great Britain

and Northern Ireland 13 Mar 2003. United Nations. 16 Jul 2008 http://www.unhchr.ch/tbs/doc.nsf/(Symbol)/CERD.C.430.Add.3.En?Opendocument

6. Johnston. Lisa. "Falklands’ cruise season new record: 67.700 visitors," MercoPress 09 Apr 2008. Independent News Agency. 16 Jul 2008 http://www.mercopress.com/vernoticia.do?id=13116&formato=HTML

7. "Falklands Questions Answered," BBC News/UK 07 Jun 2007. British Broadcasting Corporation. 16 Jul 2008 http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/low/uk_news/6683677.stm

8. Argentines protest at drilling plans." Penguin News [Stanley]May 2, 2008, V19.No51: 1

9. "Their Island Story, Argentina and the Falklands, Bitter Memories and a Popular Cause." The Economist Vol. 383, Issue 852307 Apr 2007 16 Jul 2008 http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/detail?vid=5&hid=14&sid=b456654f-a34a-4b2d-bcd6-6ebfefecc025percent40sessionmgr8&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQpercent3dpercent3d#db=aph&AN=24617759

10. "Falkland Islands Forum 'Opportunities for the Future'." Background on the Falkland Islands. 16 Jan 2007. FIG. 16 Jul 2008 http://www.falklands.gov.fk/forum2007/press-releases.php

11. Rohter. Larry. "25 Years after War, Wealth has Transformed Falklands," International Herald Tribune 01 Apr 2007. 16 Jul 2008 http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/04/01/news/falklands.php

12. Pascoe, Graham, Peter Pepper. "Getting it Right: The Real History of the Falklands/Malvinas. A Reply to the Argentine Seminar of 3 December 2007." May 2008 1-40. 16 Jul 2008 http://www.wildisland.gs/atlantis/gettingitright.pdf

13. Borders & Southern on the up." Penguin News [Stanley]May 23, 2008, V20.No02: 3.14. "Chile 'helped UK over Falklands’," BBC News 25 06 2005. 17 Jun 2008

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4622565.stm15. Cockwell, Jenny. Comment by Managing Editor." Penguin News [Stanley]May 23, 2008,

V20.No02: 216. Ocean 8 is lost." Penguin News [Stanley]May 23, 2008, V20.No02: 2.17. Where was FIG action on oil spill asks Falkland Conservation?" Penguin News

[Stanley]May 30, 2008, V20.No03: 1,318. US scholar: Falklands 'right' to self-determination is a confusing and misleading obstacle to

peace." Penguin News [Stanley]May 23, 2008, V20.No02: 919. Dear. Paula. "'We Don't Sit Here Doing Nothing'," BBC News, International Version 13 Jun

2007. British Broadcasting Corporation. 16 Jul 2008 http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/6743645.stm

20. Bingham. John. "Captivated by Windswept Beauty at the End of the Earth," StainesNews.co.uk 15 May 2007. Staines, Ashford & Egham News, Staines Informer and Leader. 16 Jul 2008 http://www.stainesnews.co.uk/staines-ashford-lifestyle/tm_headline=captivated-by-windswept-beauty-at-the-end-of-the-earth&method=full&objectid=19106808&siteid=106484-name_page.html

21. "Saved, but Still Fearful." Time Magazine 09 Aug 1982 16 Jul 2008 http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,925649-5,00.html

22. "Firefighting in the Falkland Islands. (Brigade Profile).," Allbusiness.com 01 Feb 2003. 16 Jul 2008 http://www.allbusiness.com/public-administration/justice-public-order/485456-1.html

23. "Falkland Islands." Worldwide Guide to Women in Leadership. 26 Jan 2008. www.guide2womenleaders.com. 16 Jul 2008 http://www.guide2womenleaders.com/Falkland_Islands.htm

24. "World War II: Falkland Islands Commemorates Involvement in World War II." Filahome 29 Jun 2005 16 Jul 2008 http://www.filahome-stamps.com/stamps/0506-world-war-2.htm

25. Ratliff. William. "Everyone wins from a compromise; The Falklands, 25 years later.(Opinion)," International Herald Tribune 02 Jul 2007. 16 Jul 2008 http://www.independent.org/newsroom/article.asp?id=1993

26. Valente. Marcela. "Argentina: Malvinas/Falkland Manoeuvres and Memories," IPS 30 Mar 2007. Inter Press Service News Agency. 16 Jul 2008 http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=37167

27. Billen, Andrew. "Mrs T and sympathy: Andrew Billen on the BBC play that took 15 years to reach our screens. (Television).." New Statesman 15 Apr 2002 16 Jul 2008 http://www.newstatesman.com/200204150040

28. Steiner, Christopher. "The Falklands. Again?." Forbes v181 i9 05 May 2008 42. 16 Jul 2008 http://www.forbes.com/business/forbes/2008/0505/042a.html

29. Inglis, Alison, Jason Lewis. "Falklands.Info." 16 Jul 2008 http://www.falklands.info/index.html

30. Cocroft, Wayne. "Images of the Cold War: Combat Art." English Heritage.org 43-44. 16 Jul 2008 http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/upload/pdf/43_Images_of_the_Cold_War_-_Combat_Art.pdf

31. Beckman, Jeremy. "Southeastern Falkland Islands seen as highly Prospective." Offshore vol 66, issue 11Nov 2006 58 - 60. 16 Jul 2008 http://www.offshore-mag.com/display_article/278105/9/ARCHI/none/none/1/Southeastern-Falkland-Islands-seen-as-highly-prospective-/

32. Hills, Ann. "Anchoring the Past in the Falklands." History Today 41, 7Jul 1991 4-5. 16 Jul 2008 http://web.ebscohost.com/src/detail?vid=17&hid=14&sid=4db5fb72-3d59-4469-b3b1-b9b34996d2b1percent40SRCSM1&bdata=JnNpdGU9c3JjLWxpdmUpercent3d#db=khh&AN=9109020723

33. Robertson, Janet. "Special Committee of 24 on Decolonisation." United Nations General Assembly. United Nations, New York. 08 June 2008.

34. Stevens, Richard. "Special Committee of 24 on Decolonisation." United Nations General Assembly. United Nations, New York. 12 June 2008.

35. An Ungentlemanly Act . Dir. Stuart Urban. Perf. Ian Richardson, Rosemary Leach, Bob Peck. DVD. BFS Video, 1991.

36. Iluminados por el Fuego (Blessed by Fire) . Dir. Tristan Bauer. Perf. Gaston Pauls, Virginia Innocenti. DVD. Koch Lorber Films (USA), 2005.

37. Our Malvinas Islands . Dir. Raymundo Gleyzer. DVD. Facets Video, 1965.

And…www.fightingpigband.comhttp://www.ssvc.com/bfbs/radio/falklands/ (British Forces Broadcasting Service)http://www.firs.co.fk/ (Falkland Island Radio Service)www.sartma.com (South Atlantic Remote Territories Media Association)http://www.mysterra.org/webmag/falkland-islands/history.html (Travel web magazine)