European Youth Parliament
Young people from across North East England came to Durham recently to take part in an international debating competition. The European Youth Parliament held the regional heat of its annual international debating competition in Durham Town Hall on Wednesday 3 March 2010. Teams of Year 12 pupils from across the region took on the role of European parliamentary committees, going head-to-head to debate a range of issues from nuclear proliferation to climate change. The winning team, from St Benet Biscop School in Bedlington, Northumberland, impressed the judges, who included young people who had taken part in past European Youth Parliament debating events. The winners will now go on to the UK national session in September, and possibly represent the country internationally.
French consul receives Legion of Honour
North East England benefits from diplomatic links with other countries through its corps of honorary consuls. The French Legion of Honour was recently awarded to Dr Andrew Robinson in recognition of his work as French honorary consul for North East England and Cumbria. It was presented to him at Newcastle's Mansion House by the French Ambassador to the UK. I have been lucky enough to work with Andrew on many occasions, including on the Regional Language Network and through the European Consular and Commercial Office, and warmly congratulate him on his award.
North East Economic Forum
The governance structures in the English regions have changed. Sectors of industry, the economy and society now need to plan and consult in a different way. The recent North East Economic Forum asked the question: Will this help the economy? I attended the meeting, which was chaired by Hugh Morgan-Williams. Hugh has also taken on the role of chair of the Northern Way, a body that brings together the regional development agencies for the three northern English regions.
National Fraud Authority
Gateshead was the venue for the recent regional summit held by the National Fraud Authority. The event brought together experts at tackling fraud from the public and private sectors. The NFA showcased its plans and priorities, on which participants were consulted. I attended in my role as a policy development practitioner. A report is available on the NFA website.
Trade and Investment with Turkey
HM Consul General in Istanbul, Jessica Hand, was recently in North East England as part of a UK tour to encourage British trade and investment with Turkey. I met her to discuss potential activities with Turkish partners and was able to let her know about the active consular network here. Turkey is an active participant in the Council of Europe Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, and is working towards eventual EU membership. Jessica is also the director of UKTI in Turkey, and her visit to North East England was arranged by UKTI’s international trade office here.
European Parliament
In an interview published on the website of the European Parliament’s UK office in London, I explain how regions can work with the EU institutions. Local authorities in England, and regional governments in other parts of the UK and across Europe, can influence EU legislation before it is made, so it properly reflects local needs and priorities.
North East England office in Brussels
The office in Brussels that represents North East England is headed up by Kathryn Griffiths. I've worked extensively with the Office in recent years and recently discussed with Kathryn some options for highlighting here how the new Lisbon Treaty might affect the region's economy and ways of working. The Office in Brussels is a key link in the region's work to influence EU legislation.
Influencing EU legislation
I’ve worked for many years as a support officer to members of the EU’s Committee of the Regions. I was in Brussels recently to work with one of North East England’s members who was presenting a report, officially known as an Opinion. Such Opinions are used to give the views of Europe’s regional governments and local authorities on legislation proposed by the European Commission. Opinions are meant to influence the European Parliament and member state governments. Examples of local authority comments on EU legislative proposals are on the CoR documents website.
Explaining Westminster and Brussels
Staff at government agencies around the UK work hard to implement EU Regulations and Directives in their particular areas of policy. Over recent months, I have been involved in presenting a range of seminars/workshops run by Westminster Explained, the training arm of the UK parliament’s House Magazine. One aim was to give a broad overview of the history and context in which the EU operates and takes decisions; and, importantly, to identify how UK government agencies can play a part in influencing, consulting and contributing to those decisions. Other events focussed on policy development, and were specifically tailored for the participating government agency staff.
On the border
This stone pillar marks where the frontiers of three countries meet. In this case, it is the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium. While these countries’ borders meet at a very accessible location (there is a bus service, cafés and a children’s play area), other international boundaries around the world can be on rather more inaccessible mountain ranges, deserts or rivers. Where boundaries have historically not been clearly delineated, conflicts can arise. Durham University hosts the world-renowned International Boundaries Research Unit, which provides practical expertise in boundary-making, border management and territorial dispute resolution, as well as academic leadership in the study of boundaries and their impact on international relations. A report of my visit is on the IBRU website, and has been included in the official United Nations tripoint registry yearbook.
French navy visit
The French naval vessel Le Pluvier recently moored on the Tyne. The French Honorary Consul in Newcastle, Dr Andrew Robinson, handled the visit, and I was pleased to be involved. Le Pluvier’s Captain Cocrelle is pictured here paying a call on Newcastle’s then Lord Mayor, Councillor David Wood. The region’s European Consular and Commercial Office (see Partner Consultants) in Newcastle supports the work of diplomatic missions in this way, as well as providing a central point of contact in the region for linked commercial activity.
