Archive
Contents
- Opportunity Europe and Beyond 2010
- Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion
- Opportunity Europe 2009
- Executive Publishes European Policy Priorities
- European Parliament visits Belfast
- Opportunity Europe 2008
- Role of the EU in the Northern Ireland Peace Process
- MEP Reports on Peace Programme
- Ministers' meet with President of the European Commission
- CoR and CLRAE joint delegtions meeting in Belfast
- European Parliament Regional Development Committee visit
- Opportunity Europe 2007
- Northern Ireland's European Strategy 2006-2010
- Opportunity Europe 2006
- Louvain Institute
- Head of European Civil Service visits Belfast
2010 marked the seventh annual Opportunity Europe, which took place on 19-20 October in St George’s Market. The fair and exhibition provided students, teachers and the general public with the chance to learn about the benefits of language learning and the opportunities to work, study, travel or volunteer in other European countries. The event also marked the 2010 European Year of Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion through a series of workshops and other activities.
Workshops running throughout the two-day event included:
- Taster lessons in languages such as Polish, Mandarin, Lithuanian, Hindi, Romanian and Portuguese
- "Making your money go further" to help students better manage their finances and
- Various art and film workshops.
The fair included an exciting programme for the over 50s which included sessions on volunteering and language tasters.
- See the full programme of events (PDF 350KB).
- See the full programme of events for the over 50s (PDF 560KB)
Combating poverty and social exclusion is a mina priority for the European Union and its Member States. In March 2000, at the launch of the Lisbon Strategy for jobs and growth, the Heads of State and Government pledged themselves to making a ‘decisive impact on the eradication of poverty’ by the year 2010.
Despite the efforts deployed, a significant proportion of the European population still lives in destitution and has no access to basic services such as health care. This state of affairs clearly conflicts with the European Union’s common values of solidarity and social justice.
In keeping with its Lisbon Strategy commitment, the European Commission has designated 2010 as the European Year of Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion.
The 'Year' sought to raise public awareness of the importance of combating poverty and social exclusion for personal, social and economic development. It also gave a voice to those who had experienced poverty and social exclusion.
Activities sought to raise awareness, promoting and facilitating engagement by those who had a role to play in developing and delivering solutions and to ensure a lasting legacy from the Year.
Read more about how the Year was marked in the United Kingdom on the DWP website
.
.European Years
Each year since 1983, Europe has promoted a ‘European Year’ awareness campaign designed to inform European citizens and initiate change in attitudes and behaviours. These European Years also provide opportunities for drawing the attention of national and regional governments to societal themes.
Previous European Years:
- 2010 European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion
- 2009 European Year of Creativity and Innovation
- 2008 European Year of Intercultural Dialogue
- 2007 European Year of Equal Opportunities for All
2009 marked the sixth annual Opportunity Europe, which took place on 20-21 October in St George’s Market. The fair and exhibition provided 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.
In addition to over 30 exhibitors, a variety of short, 30 minute workshops were offered over the two days on a variety of topics including:
- How to spend part of a degree course in another country through the Erasmus programme;
- What Northern Ireland’s Economic and Social Committee members, Jane Morrice and Mike Smyth, role on the Committee involves; and
- How to say a few words in Lithuanian, Polish and Flemish (to name a few of the European language tasters on offer!).
In addition to the European theme, the event also marked the 2009 European Year of Creativity and Innovation with relevant workshops and activities. As well as ongoing art workshops, the ‘Creative Industries Zone’ featured workshops about reality gaming, trends in graphic design, animation, the local music industry and the development of iphone games.
See the full programme (PDF 499KB) of events.
For details on how to book workshops, visit the Europa website.
.The Northern Ireland Executive has published its ‘Priorities for European Engagement.’ (PDF 3MB)
First Minister Peter D. Robinson, MP, MLA and deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, MP, MLA, travelled to Brussels on 31 March 2009 to meet European Commission President José Manuel Barroso. Accompanied by Junior Ministers Jeffrey Donaldson and Gerry Kelly, the Ministers presented the Executive’s Action Plan outlining its priorities for European policy and funding.
The Action Plan is the Executive’s response to the European Commission’s Barroso Task Force Report.
This is the first time the Executive has agreed its collective European policy and programme priorities. This Action Plan marks a commitment to engage more effectively with the European Union, and its policies and initiatives, to help us achieve our Programme for Government priorities, particularly in relation to growing a dynamic, innovative economy and helping us achieve a shared, better and sustainable future for all.
Mr Robinson said: “We very much welcome President Barroso’s interest and commitment to Northern Ireland. In coming to Brussels to present our Action Plan we are demonstrating that we are working positively with our European partners to increase prosperity for all in Northern Ireland.”
Mr McGuinness said: “We recognise the vital contribution the European Union makes to the economy and wellbeing of our island. We offer one of the most competitive business opportunities in Western Europe and we want Europe to recognise that we are a dynamic, innovative region with a tremendous amount to offer.”
An End of Year Report 2008/09 (PDF 1.41MB) on progress against key targets and activities was released by Ministers on 21 September 2009.
Junior Minister Gerry Kelly MLA, led a delegation of senior officials to Brussels to provide an update report regarding ongoing work on the Barroso Taskforce.
Photo courtesy of "European Parliament-Photo SIPA".
On 23 and 24 November, the President of the European Parliament, Hans-Gert Pöttering, made an official visit to Northern Ireland at the invitation of First Minister, The Rt Hon Peter D Robinson MP, MLA, and deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness MP, MLA.
In the context of 2008’s European Year of Intercultural Dialogue, the President met with Ministers and Assembly Members as well as representatives of faith-based, youth-related, multicultural and cross-community groups.
Photo courtesy of "European Parliament-Photo SIPA".
During an address to Members of the Assembly on the ‘Current Challenges facing the European Union’, the President spoke warmly of the fact that the European Union had been involved in supporting the peace process, both politically and financially. ‘Since 1995, the EU has contributed over 1.65billion Euro in financial support to help economic and social regeneration in Northern Ireland and within the border counties region.’
Junior Ministers The Rt Hon Jeffrey Donaldson MP MLA and Gerry Kelly MLA joined the President on two project visits showcasing intercultural dialogue, both of which receive European funding.
‘Educating for Diversity’, a partnership between St Josephs, St Aloysius and Harmony Hill Primary Schools in Lisburn, brings together strudents, teachers and staff through programmes of activity designed to promote community relations.
Photo courtesy of "European Parliament-Photo SIPA".
The group also visited the Suffolk and Lenadoon Interface Group, a cross-community project promoting good relations between neighbouring communies in West Belfast. The President described the project as ‘a powerful and moving testimony to what people can do together to get over past division and build a better future.’
Photo courtesy of "European Parliament-Photo SIPA".
Bruce Robinson, Head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service, hosted a dinner for President Pöttering with a group of local faith leaders.
Photo courtesy of "European Parliament-Photo SIPA".
The First and deputy First Ministers also hosted a dinner in honour of the President with invited guests from youth, faith-based and multicultural work in Northern Ireland. Addressing the guests, deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness praised Europe’s role in enhancing intercultural dialogue and complimented President Pöttering for his contribution. ‘Europe has achieved a global role in enhancing dialogue between cultures and faiths. It has provided leadership in seeking to avoid the clash of cultures that blights the well-being of the modern world.’
Junior Minister Jeffrey Donaldson also welcomed Europe’s help in building a shared and better future for everyone in Northern Ireland. ‘The unprecedented European Task Force has identified many areas where Northern Ireland can become better involved and where we can obtain real and tangible outcomes. We will need the help and support from the European Parliament if we are to achieve all of the objectives. So this visit from President Pöttering is a very welcome step towards developing a closer working relationship with the European institutions which will ultimately be of benefit for all of us.’
Opportunity Europe 2008 took place on 21 and 22 October in St George’s Market, Belfast.
The annual fair and exhibition provided 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 included language tasters, job workshops, drama, table quizzes, information stands, music and dance. In addition to the European theme, this year’s event also featured presentations on Climate Change, an important policy area for the European Union.
View the full programme of events (PDF 497 KB).
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) helped 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.
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.
Ministers’ meet with President of the European Commission
During a two-day visit to Brussels on 9-10 January, First Minister, Rt Hon Dr Ian Paisley MP MLA and deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness MP MLA secured the commitment of EU Commission President José Manuel Barroso to extend the life of the special EU taskforce for Northern Ireland. Read more about the Barroso Taskforce
Committee of the Regions and Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe joint delegations meeting in Belfast
UK and Irish delegations to the European Union’s Committee of the Regions (CoR) and the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe (CLRAE) met jointly in Belfast on 10 December 2007.
This was the first meeting of its kind to bring together all four of these delegations to debate topical issues and share best practice. This event provided an opportunity for elected officials from across the UK and Ireland serving on both European advisory groups to discuss their roles in Europe and to network with other delegates doing similar work. ‘Communicating Europe’ was a major theme of the event.
All four delegations jointly adopted and issued a joint ‘Belfast statement'(PDF 30 KB)
Following the day’s work, Cllr Sean Neeson MLA, Northern Ireland’s representative in the regional chamber of CLRAE, hosted a evening reception and dinner for the delegates and guests in Parliament Buildings, Stormont. The Speaker of the Assembly, William Hay MLA sponsored the drinks reception, welcoming the delegates to Belfast. Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie, a former member of the CoR, and Junior Minister Paisley also attended the evening reception.
Sean Neeson MLA wth Alan Lloyd and Gordon Keymer, leaders of the UK delegations, during the day's meeting at the Hilton, Belfast.
Junior Minister Paisley met the UK CoR and CLRAE delagation leaders, Cllrs Gordon Keyer and Alan Lloyd, at a drinks reception in Parliament Buildings.
The speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly, William Hay MLA, welcomed delegates and guests to Stormont.
A delegation from the European Parliament Regional Development Committee visited Northern Ireland on Monday 10 September 2007 as part of a four day visit to Ireland. Two of Northern Ireland's MEP's, Bairbre de Brun and Jim Nicholson are members of the Committee and were part of the visiting delegation.
The Committee was undertaking a four day visit to review the use of European funding in the period up to 2006 and arrangements for the forthcoming programmes which will run to 2013. Whilst here, the Committee met with Assembly Ministers and a number of organisations involved in the dispersal of European Structural Funds before departing to County Donegal.
Martin McGuinness MP MLA, Gerry Kelly MLA, Bairbre de Brún MEP, Jan Olbrycht, Vice- Chair of the Regional Development Committee, Ian Paisley Jnr MLA and Jim Nicholson MEP
The Regional Development Committee in session in Parliament Buildings
The Delegation with the deputy First Minister and Junior Ministers
Several Thousand school children and young people attended Opportunity Europe 2007, an award winning European event, held in St. George’s Market in Belfast on 13 and 14 November. EPCU teamed up with Belfast City Council, the European Commission and other stakeholders to plan the event, which provides workshops and exhibitions highlighting Northern Ireland’s links with Europe and the opportunities available to work, study, volunteer and do business in Europe.
In addition to attending workshops and learning from the many exhibitors on hand; students and visitors participated in table quizzes, received salsa dancing lessons and were entertained by COOL FM.
Representatives from the business world led workshops on the value of languages in today’s economy. Local firms, including Bombardier Aerospace, PriceWaterhouseCoopers, Michelin Tyre PLC, Caterpillar Business Services, Belfast City Council and Montupet shared their experience of doing business in Europe. Ex-patriots from France, Lithuania, Belgium, Poland and Spain also took part.
Belfast City Council's European Unit has been Highly Commended by the National Centre for Languages European Award for Language Programme for staging Opportunity Europe.
For more information on this event, please contact Jaime Bennett at Hapening (NI) Ltd. Tel: 028 9066 4020, E-mail: jaime@happen.co.uk
To mark the 50th Birthday of the European Union, a full programme of activities is planned to show the best of what Belfast has to offer the rest of Europe. For more information and a list of planned events, visit the Belfast City Council’s webpage
The government has published Northern Ireland’s first European Strategy, ‘Taking Our Place in Europe’. View the press release .
.It is also available in the following European languages:
'Taking Our Place in Europe' maps out a framework for Northern Ireland’s engagement with Europe, guiding the work of regional and local government in partnership with civil society.
The Strategy was launched at the Connect Conference in the Waterfront Hall, Belfast on 16 October 2006. View the speech launching the European Strategy.
The strategic goals outlined in the Strategy will now be taken forward in the context of implementation of the Barroso Task Force Report. Read more about the Barroso Task Force.
Please contact us if you require a hard copy or an alternative format.
Opportunity Europe 2006 was held in St. George’s Market on 2 and 3 October, during a week of festivities marking the European Day of Languages. Over 5,000 people attended the two day fair and exhibition designed to highlight Northern Ireland’s many links with Europe. EPCU helped plan the event with the Belfast City Council, the European Commission, the British Council and other stakeholders to provide secondary school students and teachers with more information on the opportunities available in Europe.
One of the Spanish language taster sessions that took place at Opportunity Europe.
Hanson at joint opening of phase one of Louvain development and refurbishment project
David Hanson MP, Minister of State and Brian Cowen TD, the Republic of Ireland’s Finance Minister attended the opening of the first phase of a major development and refurbishment programme at the Louvain Institute on 11 July 2006. This was a joint North/South collaboration.
The event was attended by those closely associated with the Institute from both parts of Ireland and included politicians, European Representatives, European Institution representatives and civil society groups.
David Hanson MP speaking at the opening of phase 1 of the Louvain Institute’s development and refurbishment programme.
David Hanson MP and Brian Cowen TD cut the tape to formally open phase 1 of the Louvain Institute’s development and refurbishment programme.
L to R – Brian Nason, Irish Ambassador to Belgium, Brian Cowen TD, Tom Jago, President Louvain Institute, Malachy Vallely, Director General Louvain Institute, David Hanson MP.
Hanson announces Northern Ireland’s investment in the heart of European Union (EU)
David Hanson MP, Minister for Europe, visited the Louvain Institute for Ireland in Europe on 8 June 2006 to see how Northern Ireland’s contribution is being used to develop the historic college.
The Minister was briefed on the Institute by its Director-General, Malachy Vallely, followed by a tour of the work completed to date. He later met invited guests including the architects and the construction company responsible for the project, in the Institute’s historic garden.
Pictured from left to right: William Dukelow, Kenny Knox OFMDFM, Louis Roppe a Louvain Institute Board Member, David Hanson MP, Evelyn Cummins Director of the Office of the NI Executive, Brussels, and Malachy Vallely
The Minister chats to guests following a tour of the Institute.
Head of European Civil Service Visits Belfast
On Friday 18 November, The Secretary General of the European Commission, David O’Sullivan, met with senior civil servants in Belfast. This was a rare opportunity to hear from such an influential EU official working at the heart of EU policy and decision making. As Secretary General, David O’Sullivan is the head of the European Civil Service. His principal mission is to ensure the delivery of the European Commission’s political priorities as defined by President José Manuel Barroso.
This visit took place several days before Mr. O’Sullivan takes up post as Director-General for External Trade in a reshuffle of senior posts within the Commission. Another Irish citizen, Catherine Day, will take up the post of Secretary General on 21 November.
Several other Commissioners visited Northern Ireland in 2005, including:
- Jacques Barrot (Transport)
- Danuta Hubner (Regional Policy)
- Vladimir Spidla (Employment, Social Affairs)
- Joe Borg (Fisheries)
These visits allow Commissioners to learn first hand about the implementation of EU policies in Northern Ireland.
