“An island can be considered both a paradise and a prison, both heaven and hell”.
It’s interesting, the way we conceptualise islands. Romantic, wild, emotionally liberating, yet isolated, insular and backwards, the island myth can be traced through centuries of Western culture from Robinson Crusoe to the film Castaway.
But the way islands find themselves presented, perhaps even the image they construct, goes beyond just serving as inspiration for literature, art, music, or film – it can have serious political ramifications.
As someone who has studied islands, lived on islands and works with islands around the world, entrepreneur James Ellsmoor understands this all too well.

Island Innovation is a social enterprise and digital media company at the intersection of sustainable development and communications, offering specialised services across various sectors. We bring together the private sector, government, utilities, NGOs and universities to advance innovation for sustainability and prosperity in islands worldwide.