An ISISA Conference
21st Islands of the World Conference
Navigating Challenges, Building Global Resilience: Island Solutions
Join researchers, policymakers, practitioners and island communities from around the world to explore innovative island solutions for today's global challenges.
6 – 10 June 2027 · Curaçao, Dutch Caribbean
Welcome to Curaçao
The International Small Islands Studies Association (ISISA) proudly welcomes you to Curaçao for the 21st Islands of the World Conference.
From 6–10 June 2027, researchers, policymakers, practitioners and community leaders from across the globe will come together to exchange ideas, strengthen collaborations and explore innovative solutions to the challenges and opportunities facing islands today.
Hosted in the heart of the Dutch Caribbean, the conference offers a unique opportunity to connect academic excellence with real-world island experiences.
Why Curaçao?
A vibrant Caribbean crossroads
Curaçao is a vibrant Caribbean island where cultures, languages and ideas have come together for centuries.
As part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Curaçao combines a strong regional identity with international academic collaboration and offers an inspiring setting for interdisciplinary dialogue on island futures.
Participants will experience not only an outstanding scientific programme, but also the unique heritage, biodiversity and hospitality that make Curaçao one of the Caribbean's most distinctive island destinations.
Conference Theme
Navigating Challenges, Building Global Resilience: Island Solutions
Around the world, island communities are navigating some of the most pressing challenges of our time, from climate change and biodiversity loss to governance, health, migration and sustainable development.
Yet islands are also places of innovation, resilience and creativity. The conference explores how islands generate practical solutions that inspire communities worldwide. Through interdisciplinary research and collaboration, participants will examine how local knowledge and global partnerships can contribute to more resilient island futures.
Explore the five tracks →
Programme highlights
Event Schedule
Five days of keynotes, parallel sessions, field trips, and social events, designed to make the most of Curaçao's extraordinary setting.
View full scheduleJune 6 · 17:00 AST
Welcome drinks at The Governor's Palace (Gouverneurspaleis), Punda.
June 9 · 13:00 AST
Explore a unique side of Curaçao, culture, activities, food, and song.
June 8 · 19:30 AST
A Curaçao-grown dinner. Location to be announced. Separate sign-up required.
June 10 · 15:30 AST
Concluding remarks and a look ahead at the future of global island resilience.
Key dates
Timeline
- ✓Website launched
- ✓Call for Abstracts — 1 August 2026
- ✓Abstract Deadline — 15 October 2026
- ✓Acceptance Notifications — December 2026
- ✓Early Bird Registration — December 2026
- ✓Conference — 6–10 June 2027, post-conference trip on 11 June
Immediately following the conference, participants are invited to continue their Caribbean experience online or in person on the five sister-islands (Aruba, Bonaire, Saba, Statia and Saint Martin) during the Dutch Caribbean Research Week, creating additional opportunities for collaboration, networking and knowledge exchange across the region. More information on previous and future editions: www.dcrw.nl.
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About ISISA
The conference
The International Small Islands Studies Association (ISISA) is a global network advancing island studies, the interdisciplinary field concerned with islands, islandness, and the lived realities of island communities. Its annual Islands of the World Conference brings together scholars, practitioners, and policymakers for learning, exchange, and island-led solutions.
In 2027, the conference lands in the Caribbean for the first time, in the historic district of Otrobanda in Willemstad, Curaçao, a UNESCO World Heritage city.
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