978-1-4222-3430-3

Others think the U.S.Virgin Islands should not be included on the list, since the United States has tried to move the islands toward self-determination. A referendum was held in 1993 to give the residents a chance to decide their political future, but since only 31.4 percent of eligible voters turned out, the referendum was invalid. Some feel that since the United States tried to organize a referendum, the lack of interest by the Virgin Islanders should serve as an indication that they would like to remain a territory of the United States. Although dozens of Non-Self-Governing Territories had gained inde- pendence with the help of the United Nations, by the 1980s, the process of decolonization had slowed down.The Special Committee on Decolonization decided they needed to rekindle interest in helping Non-Self-Governing Territories achieve self-determination.

One of the challenges of a territory hoping to become self-governing is fighting poverty and grappling with other economic and social issues.

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United Nations