Events

Opportunity Europe 2008 will take place from 9.30am to 2.00pm on 21 and 22 October in St George’s Market, Belfast.

The annual fair and exhibition provides students, teachers and the general public the chance to learn about the benefits of language learning and the opportunities to work, study, travel or volunteer in other European countries.

The programme includes language tasters, job workshops, drama, table quizzes, information stands, music and dance.  In addition to the European theme, this year’s event will also feature presentations on Climate Change, an important policy area for the European Union.  

Admission to the event is free. View the full programme of events (PDF 497 KB).

You can book workshops and activities online at www.event-ful.co.uk/opportunityeurope08

Read more about previous Opportunity Europe events.

Opportunity Europe is the local event associated with Open Days 2008: European Week of Regions and Cities. Read more about Open Days on Europa’s Open Days website

The European Policy and Co-Ordination Unit (OFMDFM) helps plan this event, run by the European Commission’s Belfast Office and Belfast City Council.  The Northern Ireland Centre for Information on Language Teaching and Research at Queens University (NICILT), Language Network Northern Ireland and the European Movement are also involved in organising Opportunity Europe.

Jane Morrice and Mike Smyth, Northern Ireland’s representatives on the Economic and Social Committee, hosted a conference at the University of Ulster, Jordanstown on 28 April.  The Conference was part of the preparation of an opinion which Jane Morrice is preparing for the Committee on ‘The Role of the EU in the Northern Ireland Peace Process’.

A presentation ceremony was held that morning to recognise the role of those directly involved in establishing the EU PEACE Programme.  Monika Wulf-Mathies, former Commission Secretary General, and Carlo Trojan, Chair of the first EU Task Force for Northern Ireland (PEACE); were invited to Belfast by the First and deputy First Ministers to thank them for their involvement.

First Minister Rt Hon Dr Ian Paisley said "Since the first Peace Programme, around 22,000 projects have been supported across Northern Ireland. This is a considerable achievement. Our aim of course is to continue to work to achieve a more stable and prosperous future for Northern Ireland". The First Ministers speech on the role of the EU in the NI peace process can be viewed in full (PDF 26 KB).

Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said "We have a responsibility to share our knowledge and expertise in conflict resolution with others". He went on to say "The concept of Europe is one where co-operation between nations and respect for diversity among its peoples serves as a touchstone for us all". The deputy First Ministers speech can be viewed in ful (PDF 33 KB).

Noel Ahern TD, Minister of State in the Department of Finance also spoke at the recognition ceremony, representing the Irish Government. He said "I believe that the cross-border programmes in Ireland can help to change the mindset of people on both sides of the border. They help to forge links between different communities and encourage tolerance for diversity". Mr Ahern's speech can be viewed in full (PDF 32 KB).

The working session of the Conference followed that afternoon - during which evidence was gathered from stakeholders and funding recipients to inform the opinion.  

Due for completion in autumn 2008, the opinion seeks to chart the relatively unsung story of EU support for the region and draw up a ‘tool kit’ of the lessons learned in the EU’s approach to conflict resolution here.  It is expected to dovetail with other initatives by the European Parliament and the Barroso Taskforce on Northern Ireland to create a focus for future relations between Northern Ireland and the European Union.

Main party at the University of Ulster Jordanstown for the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) event on 28 April 2008 - (from left to right) Henri Malosse, EESC, Noel Ahern TD, Minister of State, Department of Finance, Martin McGuinness MP, MLA, deputy First Minister, Monika Wulf-Mathies, Former Commissioner for Regional Policy, Dr Ian Paisley MP, MLA, First Minister, Jillian van Turnhout, EESC, Professor Richard Barnett, Vice Chancellor, University of Ulster and Carlo Trojan, Former Secretary General, European Commission.

European Commissioner responsible for Regional Policy, Danuta Hubner, launched the report of the EU Special Taskforce to Northern Ireland in Belfast on 14 April.

The Taskforce—a group of representatives from the European Commission working with officials from our own administration—was established by the Commission in May 2007 to identify European policy initiatives and programmes which could help our economy.  

Read more about the Barroso Taskforce

First Minister Rt Hon Dr Ian Paisley said “This report clearly shows the way forward for Northern Ireland in Europe. The Taskforce has identified a number of areas in which it can assist us in making the most of the opportunities that Europe can offer. Competitiveness and Innovation is a key priority for this Executive. It is essential therefore that we take advantage of the countless business opportunities that the European single market represents. Today’s report will show us exactly how to do this.’

Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said “…Today’s announcement goes beyond support and aid. It is about a new partnership with Europe.  The report represents the next stage of that partnership and highlights the commitment to continue to work at a high level both politically and operationally.’’

“We want to continue this journey with our European partners. The Taskforce report provides us with a comprehensive roadmap to further co-operation, peace and prosperity,” he added.

The European Parliament’s Regional Development Committee endorsed Bairbre de Brún’s report ‘Evaluation of the Peace Programme and Strategies for the Future’ on 27 March 2008.   The report was adopted by a simple majority in the European Parliament in May.

2008 has been designated the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue by the European Union and Member States.

The Year recognises that Europe’s great cultural diversity represents a unique advantage. It encourages all those living in Europe to ‘explore the benefits of our rich cultural heritage and opportunities to learn from different cultural traditions’—a theme which is particularly relevant to Northern Ireland.

A number of initiatives have been planned to mark the Year.

The Ordinary Lives exhibition in the Long Gallery in Parliament Buildings was hosted by OFMDFM.  This exhibition and accompanying publication marked the culmination of a year-long project exploring the stories of European migration through the eyes of 18 young people from the Czech Republic, Latvia, Poland, Portugal and Northern Ireland.  The stories are about those who took the decision to move here, the people they met on arrival and those they left behind.  This group represents intercultural dialogue in action and the effects of migration on societies experiencing both departure and arrival.  Read more about Ordinary Lives on the British Council website

Opportunity Europe 2008 will also promote the Year of Intercultural Dialogue to students and teachers through tailored workshops.  Read more about Opportunity Europe below.

Read more about the Year at the Intercultural Dialogue 2008 official website

2009 will be the European Year of Creativity and Innovation.  Please contact the European Policy and Co-ordinaton team If you have any ideas about how to celebrate this theme in Northern Ireland.