'Free Association' in Greenland? Caribbean and Pacific experiences
Watch the recording of the presentation here
Greenland's constitutional relation to Denmark is strained. Greenland explores possibilities for a greater say in foreign, security and defense policy, while increased pressure from the current geopolitical freeze makes differences in interests between Copenhagen and Nuuk apparent and the need to coordinate urgent.
In recent decades, discussions in Greenland about how to organize future sovereignty have increasingly returned to the concept of Free Association and Greenland’s draft Constitution also mentions the possibility of Free Association.
What future course might Greenland be setting itself on if Free Association is negotiated?
What are the experiences from other former colonies and colonizers that chose this model of decolonization?And which choices will Greenland and Denmark have to make for Free Association to be approachable?
To understand this DIIS invites for a seminar with Professor Rafael Cox Alomar, expert in comparative constitutional law in the context of decolonization and senior researcher Ulrik Pram Gad, expert in the Danish-Greenlandic relationship
Facilitated by journalist Marie Barse we’ll discuss:
- current experiences with free association in Pacific island states;
- the reasons why free association arrangements no longer exist in the Caribbean;
- dilemmas for Greenland in relation to possible future free association.
Find more DIIS publications about Free Association here
Speakers
Rafael Cox Alomar, professor, University of the District of Columbia
Ulrik Pram Gad, senior researcher, Danish Institute for International Studies
Marie Barse, journalist, Danish Institute for International Studies
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15.00 - 15.10Welcome and the background of why we’re here today
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15.10 - 16.00Moderated talk by Rafael Cox Alomar and Ulrik Pram Gad
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16.00 - 16.30Q&A and debate with the audience
The seminar was held and recorded on 24 October 2023, 15.00-16.30 in DIIS Auditorium.
In 1960, the United Nations General Assembly outlined three options for decolonization:
- Independence as a sovereign state
- Integration into another state
- Free Association with another state.
When Greenland was incorporated under the new Danish constitution in 1953, Free Association had been established and accepted as a decolonization model. At that time several former British colonies had entered into Free Association agreements. Over time, these countries have terminated these agreements and have become independent sovereign states. Presently, five former colonies maintain Free Association, and each agreement is tailored to match the specific needs and demands of both the former colony and the colonial power. Additionally, territories like Gibraltar and Puerto Rico, whose status still resembles that of colonies, are discussing Free Association as well.
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