Putting networking to the test
Readers may be somewhat sceptical when they see on page seven today that the principal benefit of a group delegation heading to Dubai to be around COP28 is said to be ‘networking with international stakeholders’.
It’s more fuel to the flames of those who oppose all trips that they see as ‘jollies’ for our politicians and public servants. The further flung the destination, the greater the ire.
We may now hold a few more business cards, but what are the prospects of doing anything with these new found sustainable contacts?
The delegation is correct when it says attending via a screen is almost worthless, particularly when the set piece events are seen as largely meaningless.
But whether Guernsey learned anything, educated anyone on what we do, or will see anything meaningful following our attendance at this event, we shall probably never know. So why go? Is it more about the fear of what we might miss from non-attendance, over the benefits of being there? Or the risk of not being seen when our nearest neighbours and finance industry rivals are promoting themselves?
It’s one thing government providing this update as justification for the trip. Maybe there’s also a case for greater pressure on identifying the lasting benefits, or at least encouraging greater buy-in about what the Paris Agreement means for Guernsey.