EU/S4/15/8/A

EUROPEAN AND EXTERNAL RELATIONS COMMITTEE

AGENDA

8th Meeting, 2015 (Session 4)

Thursday 14 May 2015 The Committee will meet at 9.00 am in the Robert Burns Room (CR1). 1. Scottish Government International Framework: The Committee will take

evidence from—

Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Europe and External Affairs, Colin Imrie, Deputy Director, Head of European Relations, and Ian Donaldson, Deputy Director, International Division, Scottish Government.

2. Connecting Scotland: The Committee will take evidence, in a round-table discussion, from—

Elaine Ballantyne, Head of External Relations and Investor Support, Economic Development, the City of Edinburgh Council; Anil Gupta, Chief Officer - Communities, Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA); Malcolm Leitch, European Officer, West of Scotland European Forum (WOSEF); Joanne Scobie, EU Officer Policy and Partnerships, East of Scotland European Consortium (ESEC); Gillian Walsh, International Officer, Glasgow City Council.

3. Annual report: The Committee will consider a draft annual report for the parliamentary year from 11 May 2014 to 10 May 2015.

4. Brussels Bulletin: The Committee will consider the latest issue of the Brussels

Bulletin.

EU/S4/15/8/A

Katy Orr Clerk to the European and External Relations Committee

Room Tower 1 T3.60 The Scottish Parliament

Edinburgh Tel: 0131 348 5234

Email: Katy.Orr@scottish.parliament.uk The papers for this meeting are as follows— Agenda item 1

PRIVATE PAPER

EU/S4/15/8/1 (P)

Scotland’s International Framework

Scotland’s Action Plan for EU Engagement

Agenda item 2

PRIVATE PAPER

EU/S4/15/8/2 (P)

Written evidence

EU/S4/15/8/3

Agenda item 3

Annual Report

EU/S4/15/8/4

Agenda item 4

Brussels Bulletin

EU/S4/15/8/5

EU/S4/15/8/3

European and External Relations Committee

8th Meeting, 2015 (Session 4), Thursday 14 May 2015

Connecting Scotland – how Scottish organisations engage internationally

1. The aim of today’s Connecting Scotland inquiry (strand 2) is to take evidence from local authorities on how they engage internationally.

2. The local authorities and organisations listed below will be giving oral evidence in a roundtable format, and their written evidence is attached in Annexe A.

The City of Edinburgh Council COSLA East of Scotland European Consortium (ESEC) Glasgow City Council, Lord Provost’s and International Office West of Scotland European Forum (WOSEF)

3. ESEC has included separate submissions from Aberdeen City Council and Fife Council as the information from those councils was relatively extensive.

4. In addition, South of Scotland Alliance (SoSA) and the Highlands and Islands Council, which were unable to attend the Committee meeting, have provided written evidence (also attached at Annexe A).

5. Annexe B contains written evidence from Scottish local authorities and organisations representing local authorities which responded to the Committee’s call for evidence for strand 2 of the Connecting Scotland inquiry. These are as follows:

Aberdeen City Council Angus Council Argyle and Bute Council East Lothian Council Glasgow City Council, Education Services North Ayrshire Council Outer Hebrides Leader Local Action Group

Jenny Goldsmith

Assistant Clerk

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Connecting Scotland: how Scottish organisations engage internationally

The City of Edinburgh Council

Questions

What international activities are happening now in your sector and/or organisation? Please describe how and why these activities take place. Are other sectors or organisations involved? What do these activities contribute or achieve?

The City of Edinburgh Council is involved in a very wide range of international activities which support the development of the city through international best practice and profiling, economic and cultural diplomacy; and which reflect the role of a capital city which has a strong consular base, increasing international connectivity and visitors, and is engaged extensively with international delegations and events.

Many international projects involve a range of partners both overseas and within the city. Spheres of activity include schools, higher education, libraries, festivals, cultural and heritage associations, the business community and professional associations, inward investors, the Consular Corps and international institutions. A wide range of service areas within the Council access and share international best practice through EU and other funded projects.

Some current examples are given below.

Edinburgh has very strong links with China, many of them having evolved over a very long period of time. A niche opportunity has been identified for Edinburgh to harness specific benefits for the creative and tech sectors by the creation of soft landing / incubation space with one of the first cities of innovation in China, Shenzhen. From the outset Edinburgh has worked with the Scottish Government on this project within the context of the Scotland China Plan. The Memorandum of Understanding between Edinburgh and Shenzhen was witnessed at Ministerial level and support continues via the office of the First Secretary, Scottish Affairs, in Beijing.

In embarking on this project, The City of Edinburgh Council recognises the importance of long term planning, detailed research and understanding, and the added value of all levels of government working together. We began by arranging a secondment from the Shenzhen government into our Edinburgh External Relations / Investor Support teams to secure early and thorough understanding of each other’s creative and tech sectors. While the project is still at developmental stage, much progress has been made and the Edinburgh Creative Exchange incubation space will open in Shenzhen in May, while the Shenzhen equivalent will be hosted in Edinburgh from September. This is not Edinburgh’s only project with China; we continue to work on a number of international engagements with further Chinese cities.

The cities of Edinburgh and Florence celebrate their 50th year of twinning in 2015. This anniversary year is being used as a platform to build further connections for the future in areas such as the profiling and celebration of local food, film and literature,

ANNEXE A

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engaging the public and using existing events and connections across the cities. A multimedia event took place in Edinburgh in March 2015 with a range of partners: the Italian Consulate, the Italian Cultural Institute, Scottish Poetry Library, Edinburgh City of Literature Office, Florence City Council UNESCO office, Edinburgh College of Art, the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and the Talbot Rice Gallery. This project saw the launch of a collection of the work of celebrated Italian war poet Ungaretti, alongside contemporary translations and Scottish cultural responses, including poetry, visual art, animation, music and sculpture. The project highlighted the value of transnational relationships and the opportunity for learning and sharing in the difficult subject of war. The project also emphasised the importance of language and the expression of self alongside the value of literature and cultural heritage – a strategic interest for both historic cities. The project additionally drew on both cities’ strengths as members of the UNESCO Creative Cities network. The project will be replicated in Florence in June.

A wide range of projects are ongoing with twin city Munich, a relationship which is 60 years old. Using the EU Funded LEONARDO vocational exchange for professionals, placements have taken place between the Economic Development team within both cities. One such placement included discussions with Bio M, the cluster of Munich based life science companies. Munich is home to Germany’s largest grouping of life science companies. A visit was subsequently arranged for companies and researchers from Munich to visit Edinburgh’s BioQuarter followed by a return visit by Edinburgh based researchers. These visits were focussed on the development of research and business collaborations. Interest in Edinburgh at a Bavarian level remains strong, while Munich represents a strong festivals market for Edinburgh and is well served by the direct air link. There are excellent relations with the Consulates in both cities.

Since 1995, Edinburgh has co-operated closely with the Polish city of Krakow via a Partnership Agreement based on the areas of architecture and design, planning, culture and education. The Partnership Agreement has been extended and re-signed mainly on a five year basis since then and has grown to include additional areas of interest. The Partnership Agreement was last renewed in 2014 for a further five years to 2019. The Edinburgh – Krakow cooperation has the support of the Polish Consul General in Edinburgh as well as the Polish Cultural Festival, The Polish-Scottish Heritage project, the Edinburgh UNESCO World Heritage Office and the Scottish-Polish Society in Edinburgh.

Further areas of shared interest include urban planning and development in World Heritage areas, including the maintenance of traditional setted streets (cobble stones), community engagement and placemaking. In 2015 there will be two joint workshops with exchange visits between the cities for experts to consider case studies. The incoming Edinburgh visit was designed to fit alongside the World Heritage Day events being organised by Edinburgh World Heritage (EWH) Trust and Historic Scotland. The Council’s partnership with EWH has informed the strategic content of these workshops.

With the support of City of Edinburgh Council and the Municipality of Krakow the Scottish Polish Cultural Society in presented a photography exhibition in 2014. The exhibition (“City Lights”) was displayed in both Edinburgh and in Krakow between September and October, alongside a programme of cultural offerings which

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celebrated the similarities between the two cities. This exhibition received wide public support in Edinburgh, particularly from its substantial Polish migrant community.

Edinburgh is the founding city of UNESCO’s Creative City Network and with the support of the City of Edinburgh Council, the Edinburgh UNESCO City of Literature Trust has been instrumental in the development of the network to 11 designated cities. In 2013 Krakow was the 7th city to join the network. The Edinburgh City of Literature Trust is also working to support bids from new cities including Barcelona (Spain), Baghdad (Iraq), Kampala (Uganda) and others, placing Edinburgh at the heart of this growing network.

Since the network’s formation in 2004, the Trust has developed a range of projects, linking organisations and individuals across Edinburgh with other Cities of Literature; most recently a showcase of Krakow writers at the Edinburgh International Book Festival in August 2014 and a showcase of Edinburgh writers in Krakow in October 2014, and under development, a new digital TV channel for the Cities of Literature network, led by Edinburgh. This work positions Edinburgh as an innovative, world-leading literary capital, promoting our literary excellence to the world, supporting literary tourism for the capital, and providing opportunities for organisations and individuals in Edinburgh.

Do you think your sector and/ or organisation is effective in participating in international activities? If not, what would help you to make improvements? What prevents you from making improvements now?

As a local authority we maintain a strong international outlook; fostering many international events and projects and a number of mutually beneficial relationships. While much of this has been managed historically through arrangements such as twin and partner cities, the focus today is on effective relationship management, and partnerships and resource sharing for the development and delivery of projects. Effective areas include drawing international talent, supporting flight route development / connectivity, sustaining and delivering investment and profile in economic and cultural spheres, profiling the city and publicising / reaching out for good practice internationally. Local authorities have limited resources to participate in international activities and thus rely on in-kind staff time, the support of other organisations and EU and other funding opportunities where available. The City of Edinburgh Council has been a member of the European network for Cities, EUROCITIES, since the early 1990s – this enables matches between city strategies and helps maximise funding potential for projects. The Open Innovation project, led by Edinburgh, is one of the largest funded under the Interreg North West Europe programme.

What should organisations in Scotland do to be effective internationally? Are you aware of any good examples of this from Scotland or another country? It is important to build on those assets and contacts which are of international interest, identify niche opportunities which create distinct benefits and take a project-led approach to ensure delivery. Building early engagement and understanding takes considerable time and relationship management. When governmental bodies work together strategically from an early point in international initiatives, the maximisation of resources and contacts can be very effective indeed.

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The advantage that a city / local authority has in terms of international relationship management is that the Council is focused on the delivery of practical projects at ‘on the ground’ level and the pooling of goodwill and resources both locally and by the global partner for the long term or for fixed periods of activity. Greater recognition by the Scottish Government, Scottish Development International and Visit Scotland of the contribution which the major cities / local authorities working with their global partners can add – or bring as a lead player with certain geographies – would significantly enhance the delivery of Scotland’s Economic Strategy and Scotland’s International Framework. Consideration should be given to the role of cities / local authorities in helping to drive and facilitate shared and more specific international ambitions by properly resourcing a number of key initiatives. The City of Edinburgh Council would be pleased to work on a pilot basis with the national agencies and other lead authorities to demonstrate the value of such an approach. Elaine Ballantyne Head of External Relations and Investor Support April 2015

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Connecting Scotland - how Scottish organisations engage internationally

Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) The Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) is the representative voice of Scottish Local Authorities at a Scottish, UK and international levels. COSLA is pleased to provide supplementary evidence to this second strand of this inquiry. In the first strand on “How the Scottish Government engages internationally” we commented on our agreed views on the big political issues and the way EU policy concerning councils is shaped in Brussels and domestically. In this additional evidence for this second strand we focus on the more operational aspects of COSLA EU engagement. Our focus is on European Union or international provisions that specifically affect Scottish Councils’ ability to define and provide public services by promoting subsidiarity and partnership working across all levels of governance. In so doing our EU policy priorities are structured around the key principles defined by the COSLA Constitution: the empowerment of local democracy; integration rather than centralisation; outcomes rather than inputs; and the protection of local choice and accountability. In March 2015 COSLA Convention approved our latest international priorities as shared with this Committee recently. Very often issues specifically or disproportionately affecting Local Authorities both in legal and financial terms are overlooked in the big picture of Member State priorities and the consequential negotiations in Brussels. COSLA’s specific role is to ensure that this does not happen so that Scottish Local Government can make a constructive contribution to European governance. Political representation: COSLA nominates and supports the local members representing Scotland at the EU Committee of the Regions: Cllr Corrie McChord, Scotland’s longstanding CoR member sits on the Environment, Climate Change and Energy (ENVE) Commission, Cllr Tony Buchanan is the Vice President of the Natural Resources (NAT) Commission dealing with rural, marine, tourism and consumer protection, Cllr Barbara Grant is a member of the Commission for Social Policy, Education, Employment, Research and Culture (SEDEC) and our newest member Cllr Gary Robinson is member of the Territorial Cohesion Policy (COTER) Commission dealing with Structural Funds and Transport. In addition to participating and amending draft reports Scottish CoR members have in the past been Rapporteurs, leading CoR Opinions on draft EU legislation such as Soil, Innovation Union or EU funding for local areas - Community Led Local Development. COSLA nominates and supports the local members of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe (Cllrs Harry McGuigan and Mairi Evans) and its Governance Committee. Cllr McGuigan has recently led, with officer support from COSLA and the Improvement Service, a review of local governance changes across most European countries (shared services, centralisation, performance management, community planning). COSLA have also significantly contributed to the official Council of Europe monitoring report on the application in the UK and Scotland of the Charter of Local Self Government to which the UK is a signatory. There is an outstanding need for the report’s recommendations to be acted on through the transposition of the Charter’s provisions into UK and Scots law.

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COSLA is the Scottish national member of the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR), Europe’s largest and oldest association of European municipalities. Cllr Mairi Evans is a member of its Executive Bureau and Chair of the Committee on Young Local and Regional Elected Representatives. COSLA is also working on further engagement opportunities at an EU level, including through the Scottish Locally-Engaged European Representatives (SLEER) Group to which all councillors having an EU role or mandate are invited to attend. Policy development: COSLA’s Brussels-based EU office shares joint responsibility for managing our priority EU policy development and legislative processes from their inception through political endorsement up to the point of transposition into UK or Scottish Law. Our EU policy priorities have been previously politically agreed and broadly follow the Commission’s Legislative Work Programme. Policy development relies on working across several COSLA teams and with contact officers across the Member Councils, European Consortia and officer professional groups. The EU function reports to the Chief Officer - Communities and politically to the different COSLA Executive Groups, Leaders and Convention. The extended timeframes for EU policy development and legislation allow timely negotiation to be undertaken with the Scottish or UK Governments as appropriate. This helps inform the Scottish and UK negotiating positions. The same applies to the overall EU priorities. This year the UK Government explicitly cited COSLA’s priorities as part of the UK negotiating for 2015. At the broad EU level, policy development and negotiation with Commission officials or MEPs is most commonly done in partnership with our sister national associations of Local Authorities from other countries as well as with our European association - the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR). COSLA shares premises with many of our opposite numbers in the House of Municipalities in Brussels which facilitates policy development, intelligence sharing and logistic pooling. Our European umbrella body CEMR as well as other major European local authority networks are also based in the House of Municipalities. COSLA chairs the CEMR Expert Group on Territorial Cohesion and Local Development bringing together experts on Structural Funds and rural development across the EU. This involves speaking on behalf of European local government in a number of committees and working groups organised by the European Commission. COSLA also plays a significant role in other CEMR groups in particular the Employers’ Platform where we developed the CEMR position on the Working Time Directive as well as the groups dealing Better Regulation, Waste and Procurement. Through the CEMR delegation COSLA also sits in the European Social Dialogue which an official EU forum is bringing together local government employers, public sector trade unions and the European Commission. In addition to formulating submissions to EU consultations or suggesting changes to draft EU legislation COSLA also regularly gives evidence on these issues at hearings at the Scottish, Westminster and European Parliaments. Indeed we provide specific briefings to Scottish MEPs on all key priority matters relevant for Scottish Councils being dealt in their specific committees.

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Partnership working is also undertaken with civil servants of the UK and Scottish Governments based in Brussels as well as the other Scottish and UK public sector organisations represented there. Similarly, COSLA also engages with other key stakeholders to provide a local government perspective to wider policy discussions, for instance in networks dealing with local sustainability and climate action or health inequalities, and occasionally EU think tanks. Further engagement Finally although the role of the EU function is -like the rest of COSLA- focused on policy and legislation we try to support our member councils as they engage in EU project development and facilitation, given our location in Brussels and the multi-lingual nature of the staff. We are also the official Scottish coordinators on town twinning and of the EU Covenant of Mayors. COSLA also communicates local government views widely via twitter, press releases for both Scottish and EU media and regular policy updates to senior elected members. Equally we facilitate visits of officer and delegations to Brussels as well as facilitating delegations visits to Scotland. Recently these have included the Finnish, Norwegian, Danish or Icelandic delegations. Often a result of these visits is to allow us to draw useful ideas for policy development – indeed we drew heavily from the suggestions from our peers to formulate submissions to the Commission on Strengthening Local Democracy in Scotland, the Smith Commission and the new Commission on Local Finances.    Serafin Pazos-Vidal, Head of Brussels Office April 2015

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SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT EUROPEAN AND EXTERNAL RELATIONS COMMITTEE

Connecting Scotland Inquiry

How Scottish organisations engage internationally

Evidence submitted by the East of Scotland European Consortium (ESEC) April 2015

ABOUT ESEC The East of Scotland European Consortium (ESEC) was established in 1992 to represent the

European interests of local authorities in Eastern Scotland. We have membership of 8 Local

Authorities within this area (Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire, Angus, Dundee City, Falkirk, Fife,

Perth and Kinross, and Stirling) who collaborate on a shared European agenda. With a

population of just over 2.34 million (46% of Scotland’s total) the East of Scotland is an area of

contrasting industrial, rural and urban landscapes with significant North Sea coastline. ESEC aims to: Influence, where directly relevant, the development of emerging European policy and

legislation as it affects Eastern Scotland;

Maximise European Union financial assistance;

Foster cooperation between local authorities in Eastern Scotland and to provide a

framework for the promotion of appropriate geographic and sectoral groupings; and,

Develop links with similar regional groupings within Scotland, the United Kingdom and

other European Member States and develop Eastern Scotland corporate representation

on appropriate bodies. ESEC is chaired by Councillor Mairi Evans (Angus Council), with Councillor Alison Evison

(Aberdeenshire Council) serving as Vice-Chair. Angus Council will serve as the host authority

until 2017.

ABERDEEN CITY COUNCIL

Twinning Aberdeen

Twinning Aberdeen maintains and develops the relationships with Aberdeen's twin cities and

international partnerships. These projects are based on cultural, educational, social and

economic exchanges. Twin cities participate in Aberdeen's Events, giving these occasions an

international dimension, increasing awareness of Aberdeen's strong international links and

providing locals and visitors the opportunity to see a different culture.

International Twinning Grant

The International Twinning Budget is grant money to help support Aberdeen City groups or

organisations in twin city projects and exchanges. The money for the International Twinning

Budget comes from the Common Good Fund. Grants of up to £7,000 are available and

applications can be submitted throughout the year.

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Project Examples:

Europe for Citizens

Aberdeen City Council has successfully applied for EU funding from the Europe for Citizens

Programme twice within the previous two years. The first project was for a three day

conference titled ‘The Impact of the Great War on Aberdeen and her Twin Cities’. Delegates

were from Clermont-Ferrand, Regensburg and Gomel and comprised of upper secondary

school pupils and visiting speakers. Local and international speakers presented on the

impact WWI had on various sections of their community, such as propaganda art in Russia

and healthcare in the UK, at a free public event which attracted an audience of over 150

people. Twinning Aberdeen also successfully applied for funding for a project that will take place in

Autumn 2015. ‘Cultural Connections’ is a cultural networking event designed to create

dialogue between cultural organisations in Aberdeen, Clermont-Ferrand and Regensburg

which will increase future projects and partnerships between the cities. Delegates from all

three cities will present on projects in their cities to a public audience and a networking

event will take place to provide an opportunity for delegates to meet and discuss ideas for

future collaborative work.

Aberdeen Festivals

The International Twinning Grant has also supported the participation of groups from cities at

key festivals in Aberdeen which enhances the city’s cultural calendar: Sound Festival

created an innovative partnership with Musiquee Démesurées in Clermont-Ferrand which

resulted in the world premiere of a new work in Aberdeen; Aberdeen International Youth

Festival successfully applied for support for a group from Bulawayo; a band from Clermont-

Ferrand performed at the Aberdeen Jazz Festival; and the Twinning & International

Partnerships Officer arranged for delegates from partner organisations in Stavanger and

Regensburg to visit TechFest and DanceLive to see the vibrancy of these events in Aberdeen

and discuss future collaborative projects. Young Norwegians will participate in TechFest’s

2015 programme and collaborate with local young people through a Heroes of Tomorrow

programme; and young dancers from Aberdeen and Regensburg will collaborate and

perform in public performances in both cities during summer 2015 as part of 60th twinning

anniversary celebrations.

Cultural Projects

The Write Aberdeen-Write Regensburg project was launched in May 2014. Citizens of both

cities were invited to submit short written works inspired by their city. The project was

supported with free writing workshops at Seventeen by esteemed local writers, such as

Professor Alan Spence. The selected works are being translated into Doric and Bavarian and

will be launched in a new publication at the University of Aberdeen’s 2015 May Festival. Court Metrage in Clermont-Ferrand is one of the world’s largest short film festivals. Groups

and individuals from Aberdeen have been involved with projects with the festival in recent

years: A Creative Learning Officer created a project for local primary schools to work with a

director to create their own short films to be submitted at the festival and distributed to local

primary schools in the French town to initiate future partnerships; the University of Aberdeen’s

Film Studies Department has been to the festival and the Festival Director will present at the

Director’s Cut series in September 2015; a selection of shorts from Court Metrage was

exhibited at the local independent cinema at a free public event.

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School partnerships

At the beginning of 2014-15 two active school exchanges existed between schools in

Aberdeen and twin cities. Manor Park Primary School and Kincorth Academy continued their

exchanges with schools in Clermont-Ferrand and Gomel with pupils from Aberdeen visiting

the twin cities. Staff and pupils from Kincorth Academy also began a new exchange with

Albertus Magnus Gymnasium in Regensburg. A delegation of teachers from Von Mueller

Gymnasium visited Aberdeen in February with the aim of establishing new educational

partnerships. Teaching staff from Harlaw Academy are planning a reciprocal visit in June

2015 to further develop the partnership. Pupils from Seaton Primary School are also in

correspondence with pupils from Von Mueller Gymnasium to prepare them for visiting

Regensburg this summer. Several primary schools in Aberdeen have made contact with

primary schools in Clermont-Ferrand in preparation for an interactive music exchange

project in June. Aberdeen Music School has also made contact with a music school in

Stavanger and are in discussions to develop future projects. Furthermore, discussions are

currently taking place between the University of Aberdeen’s Education Department and

ESPE Blaise Pascal regarding the provision of a partnership which will support primary

education students in the teaching of modern languages within schools.

(For more detailed information on Aberdeen’s international activity, please see Aberdeen

City Council’s separately submitted written evidence).

ABERDEENSHIRE COUNCIL

Aberdeenshire Council does not directly engage in twinning activity, but a number of our

towns and communities do have their own links and partnerships. Communities have participated in cultural exchanges through the Rural Aberdeenshire

LEADER programme, with a notable project undertaken between Huntly and Finland. The

project enabled a group of delegates from Huntly to travel to Juankoski in Finland to discuss

the potential for collaborative projects. Both regions are working individually on a number of

rural community projects and wanted to learn from each other’s experiences. The visit

resulted in a determination to work together on a number of initiatives at local level in each

community exchanging skills and knowledge from both sides. For example, the Finns were

very impressed with Scotland’s pride in its traditional music culture and are interested in

developing a programme and in 2013, young local musicians and dancers from the area

performed alongside heavy metal Finnish rock bands as part of the innovative “Rising Youth

Bands” project, during the first international programme of the YesCommAct transnational

LEADER funded project. In addition to collaborating on the music front the project is focusing

on developing traditional building skills and includes visits to rural and forestry development

projects. Most of Aberdeenshire Council’s engagement is for policy influencing and learning.

International networks include membership of the Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions

(CPMR), the North Sea Commission (NSC) and KIMO (the Local Authorities International

Environmental Organisation) with both Elected Member and Officer participating.

Aberdeenshire Council’s main thematic interests in these networks are marine resources,

transport, tourism, economic development, energy, sustainable development and regional

policy. These networks provide an opportunity for the Council to learn about international

approaches to policy challenges from other members of the partnerships, develop and

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participate in joint projects to learn, develop and apply new policy approaches and

influence European policies through lobbying. Aberdeenshire Council also engages in a number of INTERREG projects which provide

opportunities for international learning. One such initiative is the Cruise Gateway project,

which was developed alongside partners from Germany, Norway, Denmark and Belgium.

The objective of Cruise Gateway is to start the development of the North Sea programme as

a cruise destination in its own right by opening up the accessibility of local ports currently not

featured in cruise itineraries while promoting the region as a leading example of a

sustainable cruise industry.

ANGUS COUNCIL

The Angus International Framework was adopted in December 2013 to consolidate council

wide international activity into a Framework with an associated action plan to ensure that

activity across the council was coordinated, focused and linked to council priorities. In its

objective to work, grow, support and sustain the local economy, international markets and

international profile are essential. For Angus and Scotland, international engagement is a key

component to secure our common future. Jobs, prosperity and quality of life will all be

enhanced by collective efforts to engage with the wider world. At the EU level, since its establishment Angus Council has successfully engaged with the

European agenda for the benefit of individuals, communities and local businesses. European

funding has been used to lever in other funds to the area and helped to deliver a diverse

range of projects, from large-scale tourism infrastructure such as developments at Arbroath

Harbour, SME business support and infrastructure development such as Brechin Business Park,

to employment and training initiatives that support the most disadvantaged people in our

communities.

Twinning activity

Forfar in Angus has been twinned with Chabanais in France since 1993 and to celebrate the

recent 20th anniversary, a delegation from Forfar visited the French town. During the visit, the

visitors from Angus were presented with a plaque to commemorate the occasion and a tree

was planted in the garden of the town hall. The relationship between Forfar and Chabanais and the long-standing series of reciprocal

visits is an opportunity to share examples of traditional food and drink, sports and dance, and

brings many benefits to people of both communities.

EU project examples

Angus was lead partner of a 3 year ERDF project Rural Tourism Business Support supporting

SMEs across the east of Scotland in the key sectors of golf, food and drink, outdoor tourism

and heritage and is a partner in the ERDF funded East Coast Renewables project. Under this

project Angus organised a learning journey to the world Sustainable Energy Days

Conference in Wels Austria and took a number of companies Angus Council was the lead partner for the Rural Tayside LEADER Programme 2007-13

delivering a £2.8 m programme and is the lead partner for new Angus LEADER Programme

2014-2020. Looking ahead, Angus Council is involved in a number of transnational funding bids in the

new 2014-2010 programmes, particularly to support objectives in the fields of social

innovation, schools and learning and agri-food and civil society.

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(For more detailed information, please Angus Council’s separately submitted written

evidence).

DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL

Twinning activity

Dundee’s first twinning link is almost 70 years old, forged when Dundee was twinned with

Orléans in France. Links with Würzburg in Germany, Alexanderia in the USA, Nablus in

Palestine, and Zadar in Croatia followed. Twinning is an important aspect of Dundee’s

international activity, and the aim is to promote the fostering of friendship and understanding

between the areas and to encourage visits by individuals and groups between the cities,

developing personal contacts thus broadening understanding of cultural, educational,

recreational and commercial activities between the cities. Dundee’s Lord Provost, Bob

Duncan, said of the initiative “Dundee prides itself on being a cultural city and twinning

reinforces that. It is promoted in our schools and we help to arrange exchange trips for pupils.

It is always a pleasure to welcome visitors from our twin cities and I extend an open invitation

for them to discover Dundee.”

Dundee-Alexandria

The Dundee-Alexandria twinning association was launched in 1993, and since then members

have taken part in many exchange activities, including the schools, music groups, sports

clubs and most recently the rugby clubs of both cities. In the intervening years numerous

visitors from Alexandria have travelled to Dundee and while there they have also enjoyed

visiting local places of interest and other parts of Scotland. The major event of the year in

Alexandria is the Annual Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend which takes place in December

and is an event designed to mark the City's Scottish ancestry.

Dundee- Orléans

After D-Day it was proposed that Scottish towns and cities "adopt" newly liberated French

towns and cities, and so Dundee "adopted" Orléans. Since 1948 Dundee has been

represented at the famous Joan of Arc Festivities which take place each year in Orléans on

May 8th and every post-war Lord Provost has visited Dundee’s oldest twin. In 1996 Evelyn

Hood, who has been involved with the link since 1951, was made a Citoyen d'Honneur de la

Ville d'Orléans. Since 1946 Dundonians and Orléans have exchanged thousands of visits

including civic exchanges, school children, golfers, members of the various professions,

Planning Departments personnel, broadcasters, choral societies, rugby teams, cycle teams,

university and college students, teachers, doctors and nurses, and amateur artists. The towns

will celebrate the 70th anniversary in 2016.

EU project examples

INTERREG IV InCompass

The creative industries are a key growth sector in the city and the potential to support

economic sustainability in the sector encouraged Dundee City Council to participate in an

INTERREG IVC project led by Dundee & Angus College. The InCompass Project sought to

develop policy solutions to support the self-sustainability of creative incubator units and

enable them to develop and share innovative methods to move away from a general

dependence on public funding. The partnership consisted of 14 partners in 11 countries

across Europe and in undertaking a range of study visits and workshops the city was able to

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develop a new action plan to support the creative industries sector. For more information

please see here.

URBACT City Logo

URBACT III funded the CityLogo project from 2013 to 2015. Dundee City Council participated

in this project which created a network on innovative place-brand management, to support

the integration of city-branding into broader and participatory processes of re-thinking of

urban identities and to engage stakeholders more effectively. The project engaged 10 cities

from across Europe and enabled Dundee to create a new and supportive network of cities

with similar ambitions, to learn from best practice and to develop a new approach to city

branding. For more information please see here.

Intelligent Energy Europe – ENCLOSE Project

Dundee City Council’s Transportation Team participated in the Intelligent Energy Europe

funded ENCLOSE project from May 2012 to December 2014 as a follower city. The project

brought together 9 cities from across Europe to work together to develop solutions to urban

freight logistics such as urban consolidation centres, optimised urban freight transport and

delivery plans, clean vehicles, last mile logistics and the overall management of urban

mobility. Dundee was able to create a Sustainable Urban Logistics Plan as a result of

participation and is also looking at wider engagement in an Horizon 2020 project as a result

of our involvement in ENCLOSE.

Other international activities

Dundee: UNESCO City of Design

In 2014 Dundee achieved UNESCO City of Design status, the first UNESCO City of Design in

the UK and one of 15 globally. Building upon Dundee’s history of creativity and innovation,

which has seen the city reinventing itself on numerous occasions and our ambition to use

design to drive urban regeneration and growth, from the V&A Museum of Design Dundee to

using the power of design to engage and develop our citizens and communities.

Membership of the UNESCO Creative Cities network will enable us to share experience,

knowledge and resources with like-minded cities to promote the value of design and

creative industries and to foster world-wide cooperation for sustainable regeneration and

development, offering the perspective of an average sized world city to the network. Other

design members include: Buenos Aires, St-Etienne, Berlin, Seoul, Nagoya, Montreal, Helsinki,

Turin, Bilbao and Beijing. For more information please see here.

Study visits

Dundee regularly hosts study visits from other cities across Europe. Last November saw the

University of Abertay and Dundee City Council hosting colleagues from Orebro in Sweden

who were looking at the social innovation agenda, the outcome of which is a bid to Horizon

2020, and this month, the City Council hosted guests from Berlin who were looking at

sustainable urban mobility.

FALKIRK COUNCIL

Since its establishment in 1996, Falkirk Council has successfully engaged with the European

agenda. European funding has been used to lever in additional monies to the area and

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helped to deliver a diverse range of initiatives, from large-scale tourism infrastructure

projects, local business development and growth, to employment and training programmes

that support the most disadvantaged people in our communities. Engagement with EU

partners has also helped to develop and promote town-twinning, provide additional learning

and exchange opportunities for both young people and adult learners and enabled the

exchange of best practice between teaching professionals. These are aspects the Council

wishes to continue and build upon.

Twinning examples

Falkirk Council area has 2 twinning partners: Creteil, a large cosmopolitan town south of Paris

and the Odenwald, a rural region in South West Germany. The Falkirk District Twinning

Association and The Odenwald Association promote twinning with these areas. Twinning

activity helps to promote a greater understanding of cultures between different areas within

the EU and helps support exchange of ideas and best practice that will have a positive

impact for the Council area. Successful exchanges have taken place with our twinning

partners and we would envisage this activity to continue in the future, particularly as future

funding programmes are placing greater emphasis on partnership working.

European funding

Falkirk Council has been the lead applicant in 46 projects during the programme from 2000

to the present day. During this time additional funding accessed through the European

Social Fund (ESF) has assisted 580 unemployed people who are the most disadvantaged in

the labour market to access employment and training support. A further 180 young people

will be supported into employment through targeted interventions and gain a vocational

qualification. Falkirk also participated extensively in the last LEADER programme, which

developed and managed several projects in the Falkirk area, and will engage with the new

LEADER programme, taking the accountable body role for the first time. Falkirk will also be

involved in delivering its part of the Business Gateway-related Structural Fund 2014-2020

intervention for Scotland.

Project examples

Education exchange with Sweden and Norway

Kinnaird Primary School participated in a project with schools in Sweden and Norway,

funded by the European Union’s Comenius programme. Pupils took part in a TV programme

called “TV Europa”, showcasing key features of each country’s culture. The use of ICT has

enabled the three schools to regularly share work. A core part of the programme is visits to

partner schools and the partnership involved three planning meetings, one held in each

school, giving all staff a chance to engage with their counterparts from their partner schools.

Interreg Young SMEs Project

SMEs are vital part of a successful economy but research shows that most new firms do not

appear to survive beyond their 5th year and only 46% of businesses survive for 5 years

(Eurostat, 2013). Therefore, Falkirk Council, alongside partners from Spain, Ireland, Malta,

Hungary, Germany, Lithuania, Greece, Slovenia and Poland developed a project - via the

INTERREG IVC Programme - to understand why SMEs are failing at this age and what can be

done to help reverse this situation. The ERDF Interreg IVC Young SMEs Project developed a

model of best practice taken from examples from across the partner countries which was

refined into a “Young SMEs Road-map” to be used as a tool by policymakers across Europe

and as an aid to developing and implementing local and regional action plans specifically

to support young SMEs. As a result, other European regions can now benefit from the

roadmap to help them transfer and develop specific support to help the survival and growth

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of young SMEs. It is intended that policymakers from across Europe will use this document to

help them develop and integrate targeted support specifically for SMEs aged 3-5 years into

regional action plans by following the steps identified in the roadmap model.

FIFE COUNCIL

Fife’s local community is very active in the field of twinning and Fife Council always has,

whenever requested, played a very supportive role. The twinning associations deliver their

agenda with an emphasis on youth, economic and community development, encouraged

by Fife Council. Fife currently has 20 twin and partner towns. Twinning associations in Fife see forging these links as a long-term commitment which will

benefit future generations. The experience has been a successful driver to help young

people to understand for social and cultural differences and as a means to address racism or

exclusion. It has also been a driver to transfer local knowledge thus generating a pride for

people living in Fife, giving them a sense of ownership and “belonging”. It is about

discovering that people have many things in common all over the world. Projects have led to finding work placements for youngsters from disadvantaged areas, or

helping young artists to have the experience of exhibitions abroad, or for musicians to

perform in front of a big audience. In Fife, activities have taken place among all the twin towns involving individuals, groups,

organisations and businesses. Schools, voluntary organisations, local associations, elderly

people, youngsters, retail associations, residents, firefighters, health groups and sports clubs

have all benefited from twinning activities. Their projects have been mostly self-funded or

supported by the European Commission and by other sources of funding (lottery, community

grants schemes, youth funding, Fife Council grants) etc. Several years ago Fife Council

started to organise exchanges of officers between local authorities to share the expertise or

to give some officers work experience in a different cultural environment. Areas of work have

included the integration of travelling people into the local community, planning and building

control regulations and education methods.

Twinning examples

Myeloma twinning group

Several people who had Myeloma (a very rare form of incurable cancer) formed a group in

Fife. At the time, Fife had the highest number of people with Myeloma in Scotland and the

group was aware of different treatments which existed in various parts of Europe. Via

twinning, Myeloma Fife approached other groups affected by the disease in order to

exchange information on different treatments and effects encountered when in treatment.

This interaction lasted for three years and helped to raise awareness of the condition. Some

of Fife’s twin towns provided additional support to the initiative by writing articles in local and

regional newspapers calling for more support and providing information on the condition.

Historical twinning arrangements

Some examples of historical note include the twinning arrangement with Trondeim in Norway

with Dunfermline which was signed on 6th May 1945 and will celebrate 70 years next month. Culross is twinned with Veere in the Netherlands, which was formerly the port through which

its export goods entered the Low Countries, and this relationship goes back more than 400

years.

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Lower Largo in Fife was twinned with Robinson Crusoe Island in Chile in 2004, which is part of

the Juan Fernandez Islands in the Pacific Ocean. It is where Alexander Selkirk – who was born

in Lower Largo - spent 4 years as a castaway from 1704 and who is said to be the real-life

inspiration for Robinson Crusoe.

(For more detailed information on Fife’s twinning arrangements, please see Fife’s Council

separately submitted written evidence).

PERTH AND KINROSS COUNCIL

Twinning activity

There are several twinning arrangements within the Perth and Kinross area, including with

towns in France, Canada, the USA, Germany, Poland, Russia, Australia and China.

The most high-profile twinning arrangement in the region is that of Dull, a Perthshire town of

85 residents, with that of Boring in Oregon, population 10,000. The difference in population

means that they cannot be officially twinned, nevertheless cultural connections between the

two towns are strong. After forging the link in 2012, the governor of Oregon officially declared

9 August as Boring and Dull Day across the entire state and they celebrate it annually,

including by holding a party with a Scottish twist. The pair was joined in 2013 by Bland, a farm

community in New South Wales, creating not a "twinned town" relationship but a "League of

Extraordinary Communities” as a means to encourage travel and to promote all three

places. The coming together of Dull, Boring and later Bland attracted widespread national

media coverage in all three countries.

EU project examples

Storytelling in French and English and creating language resources

This Comenius project was a collaboration between several primary and secondary schools

in France, Perthshire, and Perth and Kinross Council. The project used storytelling as the

vehicle of the production of twelve stories in French and in English for primary and early

secondary pupils. Pupils in both France and Scotland were involved in the planning, writing,

enacting and recording the stories. The planned activities included classroom observations

by French teachers in Scotland and by Scottish teachers in France. The final product is an

interactive CD Rom that has been distributed to participating schools. The product has been

well-received and has been used as a teaching resource in primary and secondary schools

in both countries.

STIRLING COUNCIL

Trade relations with Turkey

Stirling has made strong relationships with Turkey at very senior levels. The benefit of the

relationship that the Provost has formed is now being shared across Scotland in a trade

mission which will take place at the end of August 2015. Whilst Stirling will have a strong

facilitation role, the invitation to companies will be national, to ensure best use is made of

that relationship - not just locally but across the country. This is a great example of where

civic relationships play a role in broadening Scotland's international networks for the benefit

of all.

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Languages and education

In Education, with the "A 1+2 Approach to Language Learning" strategy, Stirling Council is

ensuring that it continues to build strong, strategic links with cultural organisation partners:

l'Institut Francais, the Spanish Embassy and the Goethe Institute. For example, the Council is

developing a programme of professional learning for Secondary Modern Languages

teachers with the support of the Spanish Embassy which will culminate in growth of

professional exchange programmes for teaching staff along with cultural exchange

opportunities for our children and young people. Links with Lille continue through l'Institut

Francais but with a tighter focus on building teacher capacity in integrating the learning and

teaching of French through Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM), along with

the development of Scots-French resources to allow children and young people in Lille to

celebrate the Scots language. Stirling Council is very keen to ensure that its provision for the

learning and teaching of German continues to be a main part of its languages provision in

the authority through working with the Goethe Institute.

Twinning activity

Stirling has twinning arrangements with Dunedin in Florida, Óbuda in Hungary, Summerside,

Prince Edward Island in Canada and Villeneuve-d'Ascq in France.

For more information, please contact:

Joanne Scobie, EU Officer

East of Scotland European Consortium (ESEC)

County Buildings

Market Street

Forfar

DD8 3WD

Email esec@angus.gov.uk

Website www.esec.org.uk

Twitter @esec2

SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT EUROPEAN AND EXTERNAL RELATIONS COMMITTEE

Connecting Scotland Inquiry How Scottish organisations engage internationally

Aberdeen City Council – Twinning & International Partnerships Twinning Aberdeen Twinning Aberdeen maintains and develops the relationships with Aberdeen's twin cities and international partnerships. These projects are based on cultural, educational, social and economic exchanges. The International Partnerships Officer can help connect groups between twin cities, facilitate communication and relationships and build on strengthening existing twinning projects to create lasting legacy. Additionally the Officer can help support and organise hosting international delegation visits to Aberdeen. Our Twin cities participate in Aberdeen's Events, giving these occasions an international dimension, increasing awareness of Aberdeen's strong international links and providing locals and visitors the opportunity to see a different culture. Twinning Aberdeen acts as an excellent platform for promoting the vibrancy of Aberdeen, opening economic opportunities and stimulating interest in Aberdeen as a destination to invest in, live in and visit. International Twinning Grant The International Twinning Budget is grant money to help support Aberdeen City groups or organisations in twin city projects and exchanges. The money for the International Twinning Budget comes from the Common Good Fund. Grants of up to £7,000 are available and applications can be submitted throughout the year. Project Examples: Europe for Citizens Aberdeen City Council has successfully applied for EU funding from the Europe for Citizens Programme twice within the previous two years. The first project was for a three day conference titled ‘The Impact of the Great War on Aberdeen and her Twin Cities’. Delegates from Aberdeen’s twin cities of Clermont-Ferrand, Regensburg and Gomel were in attendance. Delegates were comprised of upper secondary school pupils and visiting speakers. Two school events and a public conference were arranged as part of the project: Local and international speakers presented on the impact WWI had on various sections of

their community, such as propaganda art in Russia and healthcare in the UK, at a free public event which attracted an audience of over 150 people; secondary school pupils also met with these speakers at more informal learning stations during the first day of the conference; local and international pupils then engaged in a debate facilitated by Europe Direct about how the war currently impacts upon their lives. The event was a great success with participants engaging in lively debate about historical and cultural issues. Secondary school partnerships within the city have since been established with schools in other cities as a direct result of this project. Twinning Aberdeen also successfully applied for funding for a project that will take place in Autumn 2015. ‘Cultural Connections’ is a cultural networking event designed to create dialogue between cultural organisations in Aberdeen, Clermont-Ferrand and Regensburg which will increase future projects and partnerships between the cities. Delegates from all three cities will present on projects in their cities to a public audience. A networking event will be organised for the evening with the aim that it will provide an informal opportunity for delegates to meet and discuss ideas for future collaborative work. International delegates will also tour the cities venues and cultural organisations to promote the opportunities that are available with groups in Aberdeen City. Aberdeen Festivals The International Twinning Grant has also supported the participation of groups from cities at key festivals in Aberdeen which enhances the city’s cultural calendar: Sound Festival created an innovative partnership with Musiquee Demesurees in Clermont-Ferrand which resulted in the world premiere of a new work in Aberdeen; Aberdeen International Youth Festival successfully applied for support for a group from Bulawayo; a band from Clermont-Ferrand performed at the Aberdeen Jazz Festival; and the Twinning & International Partnerships Officer arranged for delegates from partner organisations in Stavanger and Regensburg to visit TechFest and DanceLive to see the vibrancy of these events in Aberdeen and discuss future collaborative projects. Both visits resulted in the development of projects which will come to fruition in 2015: Young Norwegians will participate in TechFest’s 2015 programme and collaborate with local young people through a Heroes of Tomorrow programme; and young dancers from Aberdeen and Regensburg will collaborate and perform in public performances in both cities during summer 2015 as part of 60th twinning anniversary celebrations. Cultural Projects The Write Aberdeen-Write Regensburg project was launched in May 2014. Citizens of both cities were invited to submit short written works inspired by their city. The project was supported with free writing workshops at Seventeen by esteemed local writers, such as Professor Alan Spence. The selected works are being translated into Doric and Bavarian

and will be launched in a new publication at the University of Aberdeen’s 2015 May Festival. Court Metrage in Clermont-Ferrand is one of the world’s largest short film festivals. Groups and individuals from Aberdeen have been involved with projects with the festival in recent years: A Creative Learning Officer created a project for local primary schools to work with a director to create their own short films to be submitted at the festival and distributed to local primary schools in the French town to initiate future partnerships; the University of Aberdeen’s Film Studies Department have been to the festival and created a dialogue with the Festival Director who will present at the Director’s Cut series in September 2015; and a selection of shorts from Court Metrage was exhibited at the local independent cinema at a free public event. School partnerships The Twinning and International Partnerships Officer works closely with local schools and colleagues in the Education Department to increase the awareness of international cultures and languages, as well as to foster new and existing international links. ‘Global Citizenship’ is a core strand of the Curriculum for Excellence. Opportunities to participate in twinning exchange projects enables local young people to actively engage with global citizenship. The Scottish Government has also embedded a new strategy into educational policy which makes it mandatory for all young people to be exposed to learning two additional languages by the time they reach secondary school. Throughout 2014-15, the Twinning & International Partnerships Officer has worked closely with the Education Development Officer for Modern Languages to develop opportunities for pupils and support for teachers. At the beginning of 2014-15 two active school exchanges existed between schools in Aberdeen and twin cities. Manor Park Primary School and Kincorth Academy continued their exchanges with schools in Clermont-Ferrand and Gomel with pupils from Aberdeen visiting the twin cities. Staff and pupils from Kincorth Academy also began a new exchange with Albertus Magnus Gymnasium in Regensburg. A delegation of teachers from Von Mueller Gymnasium visited Aberdeen in February with the aim of establishing new educational partnerships. This was met with enthusiasm from schools in Aberdeen and teaching staff from Harlaw Academy are planning a reciprocal visit in June 2015 to further develop the partnership. Pupils from Seaton Primary School are also in correspondence with pupils from Von Mueller Gymnasium to prepare them for visiting Regensburg this summer. Several primary schools in Aberdeen have made contact with primary schools in Clermont-Ferrand in preparation for an interactive music exchange project in June. Aberdeen Music School have also made contact with a music school in Stavanger and are in discussions to develop future projects. Furthermore, discussions are currently taking place between the University of Aberdeen’s Education Department and ESPE Blaise

Pascal regarding the provision of a partnership which will support primary education students in the teaching of modern languages within schools. For more information please contact: Laura Paterson, Twinning and International Partnerships Officer Aberdeen City Council Marischal College Business Hub 4 Ground Floor North Broad Street Aberdeen AB10 1AB

Email: LaPaterson@aberdeencity.gov.uk

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SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT EUROPEAN AND EXTERNAL RELATIONS COMMITTEE

Connecting Scotland Inquiry How Scottish organisations engage internationally

April 2015

TWINNING IN FIFE

Fife’s local community is very active in the field of twinning and Fife Council has always, whenever requested, played a supportive role. The twinning associations deliver their twinning agenda with an emphasis on youth, economic and community development, and are encouraged by Fife Council.

The External Relations Coordinator provides, on request, advice and information on what is twinning, then guides the new partnerships through writing a Constitution, applying for funding or organising some joint inward or outward visits involving members from the local community together with Fife Council officials. The twinning associations also receive guidance through the official twinning process.

Fife has understood that twinning can bring many benefits to people from the community here and abroad. Bringing people together from different parts of the world gives an opportunity for citizens to share problems, to exchange views and to understand different viewpoints on any issue where there is a shared interest or concern. Many twinning associations in Fife see twinning as a long-term commitment which will benefit future generations.

Members from the local community often contact fife Council’s External Relations officers to seek advice on how to go about finding a twin town and how to form a successful partnership. The following should be taken into consideration:

Twinning can take place between even the smallest villages of similar sizes in terms of area or population but needs careful preparation in order to succeed;

Participants need to take into consideration the similarities between the two areas such as: o Number of inhabitants o Size, geography and area (rural or urban) o Shared activities (social, economic and environmental) o Shared history o Similar issues or assets

This is in order to ensure that each town shares the same aspirations and is able to sustain their twinning relationship, involving the communities year after year.

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In the experience of Fife Council, twinning has often been a successful driver to help young people to understand social and cultural differences, as a means to address racism or exclusion. It has also been a driver to transfer local knowledge thus generating a pride for people living in Fife, giving them a sense of ownership and belonging. It is about discovering that people all over the world have many things in common.

The future of a strong twinning partnership relies on involving both communities at all levels, providing the means and knowledge through which they are able to engage with other people, and become and remain active participants.

In Fife, many activities have taken place among all the twin town relationships involving individuals, groups, organisations and businesses. In Fife, many schools, voluntary organisations, local associations, elderly people, youth, retail associations, residents, firefighters, health groups and sports clubs have benefited from twinning activities. Their projects have been mostly self-funded or supported by Fife Council grants, the European Commission and other sources of funding (lottery, community grants schemes, youth funding) etc.

Several years ago we started to organise exchanges of officers between local authorities to give them work experience in different cultural environments and to look at specific issues in order to share expertise, in turn building their personal and professional confidence. All the work placements were successful and led to the individual feeling stronger and ready for new challenges. The areas of work which they studied were varied, and included the integration of travelling people into the local community, planning and building control regulations, methods of education or cemetery maintenance.

For many years we also had a Twinning Forum, where the Chairs of the twinning associations convened to present their activities, projects and ideas to their counterparts. New partnerships joined the Twinning Forum in order to receive support towards creating a twinning association. On occasion, the Forum invited speakers such as those from business or MSPs. This was a great medium to generate ideas and to share information about twinning, for example on new activities, funding or fundraising ideas. The forum met every two months and was eventually replaced by email correspondence to circulate information faster and more frequently, and to save on travel costs and time.

Several years ago a group of people who had Myeloma (a very rare form of incurable cancer) formed a group in Fife. At the time, Fife had the highest number of people with Myeloma in Scotland (13 individuals) and the group was aware of different treatments which existed in various parts of Europe. Via twinning, Myeloma Fife approached other groups affected by the disease in order to exchange information on different treatments and effects encountered when in treatment. This interaction lasted for three years and helped to raise awareness of the condition and provided the participants with strength and comfort. Some of Fife’s twin towns provided additional support to the initiative by writing articles in local and regional newspapers calling for more support and providing information on the condition. Sadly, in the intervening years, many of the group has passed away.

3

Other successful projects have led to finding work placements for young people from disadvantaged areas, have helped young artists gain the experience of involvement in exhibitions abroad, or have enabled local musicians to perform in front of large audiences.

A list of all the twinning and partnerships can be found in the annex of this briefing. Some of the links are dormant or have disappeared as indicated. Also in the annex is an example of the information we suggest to submit in a profile about a twin town, providing the information to officials involved in a twinning visit (twinning association and Fife Council).

For more information please contact:

Dominique Robertson External Relations Coordinator Communications & Marketing Customer Service Improvement Dominique.robertson@fife.gov.uk ANNEX

I. Fife twinning arrangements Fife has 20 twin and partner towns (both dormant and active) as follows:

TOWNS STATUS DATES FORMED 2015

ALBUFEIRA (Portugal) with DUNFERMLINE

Dormant link May 1995

BAPAUME (France) with ANSTRUTHER

Twinning Oct 1991 5th Sept 1992

BÖBLINGEN (Germany) with GLENROTHES

Twinning 30 June 1971

BRUGES (Belgium) with Levenmouth

New partnership One twinning association in each country

Starting in 2015

CORTE FRANCA (Italy) with ABERDOUR

Twinning 31st July 2004

ENCONGOLWENI (Malawi) with Dalgety Bay

Bond of Friendship 7th September 2009

FLEKKEFJORD (Norway) with BURNTISLAND

Twinning 24th February 1946

HOLZMINDEN (Germany) with LEVENMOUTH

Twinning now closed 27th June 1986

GANSU (China) with FIFE

Partnership - Not active

1989

INGOLSTADT (Germany) Twinning 1962

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with KIRKCALDY

LOCHES (France) with ST ANDREWS

Cultural partnership 1995 in Loches 1996 in St Andrews

20TH

LOGROÑO (Spain) with DUNFERMLINE

Dormant twinning link

1990

ÓCSA (Hungary) with Dalgety Bay

Twinning link to be formalised this year

Robinson Crusoe Island (Chile) with LOWER LARGO

Twinning link 10th Sept 2004

Ste MÉNEHOULD (France) with CUPAR

Twinning 16th October 2010 5th

SARASOTA (USA) with DUNFERMLINE

Twinning 23 August 2001

TRONDHEIM (Norway) with DUNFERMLINE

Oldest twinning link 6th May 1945 70th

VEERE (The Netherlands) with CULROSS

Partnership at community level only

More than 400 years old

VICHY (FRANCE) with DUNFERMLINE

Partnership Since 1990 15TH

WILHELMSHAVEN (Germany) with DUNFERMLINE

Twinning 24 th August 1979

ZOLOTAREVO (Ukraine) with NEWPORT-ON-TAY

Twinning 20th July 2002

II. Requested information for new twinning arrangement Twin town name / Fife town

1. TOWN

Address of Municipality

Tel: Fax: E: Mail: Website:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

2. LOCATION

Number of residents (+ number of people in the district or region) Where is it situated?

3. MAIN ACTIVITIES

(E.g.: tourism, agriculture etc.)

5

4. PARTICULAR ASSETS / PROBLEMS

(E.g. assets such as important factories, geographic location, easy access, or issues such as unemployment etc.)

5. NEAREST INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

(In kilometres and miles or in minutes or hours)

DESCRIPTION OF TOWN COUNCIL OR MUNICIPALITY

6. RANGE OF COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES

(e.g. education, planning etc.)

7. HIGHER AND/OR LOWER TIER OF GOVERNMENT

Region or District name (plus functions)

8. NUMBER OF COUNCILLORS

Please indicate date of last local election or future election if you already know it.

9. POLITICAL BALANCE

List or political parties and number of Councillors representing each political party.

10. CIVIC LEADERSHIP

Name of Mayor and date of last and future election Name of other senior figures (and same as above) (Please specify which political party for each)

11. NAMES OF POLITICIANS AND OFFICERS (responsible for twinning and overseas links)

Name(s) (please indicate languages spoken, including English) Tel: Email:

12. CONTACT NAME AND NUMBER OF INDEPENDENT TWINNING ASSOCIATIONS

Abroad and in Fife Email:

INVOLVEMENT IN EUROPEAN PROGRAMMES AND INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS

13. JOINT EUROPEAN PROGRAMMES

(E.g. Objective 1, 2, Etc.) - N/A outside Europe

14. SPECIAL EUROPEAN OR INTERNATIONAL FUNDED PROJECTS

(E.g. Leonardo, Socrates etc.) -

15. MEMBERSHIP OF INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS

(E.g. AER - Assembly of European Regions, NSC - North Sea Commission… )

6

SOCIAL AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES

16. MAJOR ANNUAL FESTIVITIES OR TRADE FAIRS

All year round activities: 1- Names in the local language 2 - Brief description 3 - Dates

17. WHAT TO SEE AND DO

Museums, galleries, exhibitions, events etc.

18. HISTORY OF THE TOWN

Summary You may also want to include a web site address (tourism office etc.)

19. FAMOUS PEOPLE

For example writers, scientists, actors, musicians etc.

TWINNING AND PARTNERSHIP DETAILS

20. OTHER TWIN AND PARTNER TOWNS

Names and countries

21. HISTORY OF LINK WITH FIFE

Signature in Fife + date Signature abroad + date How did the partnership begin? Please give as many details as you can.

22. LINK ANNIVERSARY

Forthcoming important anniversary e.g. “The 15th anniversary of the partnership will take place in 2018”.

23. SUMMARY OF INWARD AND OUTWARD VISITS

Please list the visits that have taken place between the 2 towns this last year (at community level, youngsters, businesses etc.)

24. SCHOOLS

Primary, secondary, universities etc.

25. TWINNING LINK OFFICER IN FIFE

To be filled in by External Relations Coordinator

26. FIFE TWINNING FORUM

To be filled in by External Relations Coordinator (Summary of its function and frequency of meeting Name of Chairman, Secretary + their contact details)

27. STUDENT PLACEMENTS

Nature of work placement (paid, unpaid, training, exchange) and with which service.

7

28. WORK EXCHANGES

Please indicate if an exchange of employees has taken place and with which business, service, etc. and for how long + generic description of tasks undertaken.

29. NUMBER OF YOUNGSTERS INVOLVED THIS YEAR (2004/05)

Visits, e-mails, youth projects etc.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

30. CURRENCY AVERAGE EXCHANGE RATE

Use Universal Currency Converter web site

31.

32.

33.

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Connecting Scotland – how Scottish organisations engage internationally Written evidence from Gillian Walsh, International Officer, Lord Provost’s and International Office, Glasgow City Council

TWIN CITY PROJECTS 2015

PROJECT

OUTLINE

CONTACT (GLASGOW)

CONTACT (CITY)

TO DO

BUDGET SPEND

NUREMBERG

Erasmus Plus Main partners include Lochend Secondary, Schlau Initiative and International Education, GCC

Awaiting agreement on dates for next partnership meeting in Glasgow

LGBT Exchange project between LGBT and Fliederlich

Awaiting confirmation of dates for prep visit to Nurnberg

Berufschule 9 Placement project between Berufschule 9 and City of Glasgow College

Meeting due to take place with City of Glasgow College to explore possibilities of placement/exchange

Partnerschaft Art exhibition in Nurnberg by Glasgow artisit

Exhibition to take place in Jul/Aug

Nurnberg/Glasgow Concert at Cottiers

Joint concert between Nurnberg and Glasgow at Cottiers Theatre

Concert to take place in June

GSA Art exhibition in Nurnberg curated by GSA

Exhibition to take place in May 2015

Early years exchange

Exchange between Berufschule 9 and selected Early Years establishments

Awaiting confirmation of dates for next group of students

Football Exchange between Croftfoot United FC Visit to Nurnberg planned for 4-11

2

exchange and Junior football team in Nurnberg April 2015 - currently identifying appropriate team in Nurnberg

Glasgow Uni and Hochschule fur Musik joint concert

Joint concert in Glasgow Uni with Hochschule fur Musik

Plans are underway – concert scheduled to take place in November 2015

STEP-UP Energy project between GCC and Stadt Nurnberg

Next visit to Glasgow to take place in Jan 15

G-Stars Participation of Nurnberg youth group in Glasgow based event – G-Stars

Identifying youth group in Nurnberg to participate

Hospitality exchange

Exchange between Berufschule 4 and City of Glasgow College/Gleneagles Hotel

Placement at Gleneagles scheduled to take place in April 2015

GHA/Tank Technical exchange of knowledge between GHA and Youth Services in Nurnberg looking at outdoor play

Awaiting confirmation of dates for prep visit

Sunny Govan Radio and Radio Z

Ongoing collaboration involving band performances, DJ exchange, joint album. Visit by Glasgow based grouip, Suspire to perform series of gigs in Nuremberg, part sponsored by Radio Z

Musikzentrale Nurnberg - band competition Planning visit to Radio Z

DALIAN

Badminton exchange project

2nd leg of exchange between Glasgow School of Sport (GSOS) and Dalian International Tennis Centre

GSOS will host a group of young players from Dalian in Jul/Aug

MALAWI

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Visit Sept 2015 Focus on Blantyre – IT installations and training; will include projects in Lilongwe, Dedza and Mangochi. Progress new premises on behalf of Sight Aid International. Exploration of potential fish farm project with agricultural college

Oversee preparation of IT equipment, take delivery of medical equipment and supplies; organise container for shipment in May. Identify participants, book travel, accommodation and internal transport, plan programme of visits

MARSEILLE

7s Rugby

Rugby tournament in April. Programme outlined in file

Waiting on confirmation of team selection

Glasgow Sculpture Studios / Triangle

Continuation of artist exchange – 3 months residency for each artist in Marseille and then Glasgow

Kick Out 2 Erasmus+

Youth project – September in Marseille

Awaiting European funding approval

Storytelling Competition AF

Alliance / LPIO launched a storytelling competition. Winner goes to Marseille for week long French studies

Waiting on applications

Mela Festival

JC looking to bring over Marseille music group for Mela

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Education Aix-

Marseille

2 officers to do 2 week intense workshadow with Inspectorate and International Education

Awaiting Dates

Education – Teacher placements

Marseille teachers – 2 weeks placements

WW1 Youth Project

Erasmus+ Glasgow application – John

ERASMUS Sports Project

Awaiting confirmation on funding

French Film Festival 2015

Marseille film to be shown. Confirmation of film and Director

Lochend Creative Writing Visit

Head of English wishing to take a number of students to develop their creative writing.

Put on hold due to lack of funding

French World Music

JC looking to secure Marseille Artist for Celtic Connections 2016

Details to be developed

Int Youth Fayre

Invitation to Marseille young people to participate

Awaiting response

Student work

4 – 4 week work placements from

Waiting to hear back from GCT as to

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placements Feb 2016

Marseille vocational high school Jean Baptiste Brochier

where these can happen

Hospitality Students

City of Glasgow College / Lycee Hotelliere continuing their student exchange programme

TURIN

WASPS / Acca Atelier

Artists Exchange – June in Turin (4 Glasgow artists) October in Glasgow (4 Turin Artists)

M. making artists selection from Glasgow artist applications

Horizon 2020 – Glasgow Community Safety

European project – on Community Safety Awaiting outcome

Awaiting outcome

Marcus Roche Theatre piece

Marcus touring Italy with his production and looking to work with a Turinese company and actor

Dates to be confirmed

Turin Shroud

Archdiocese planning on taking a delegation to Turin Shroud in June. RC looking for us to make contact with Turin City Council for civic Reception if possible

June

Royal Institute of Architecture

2016 Year of Architecture Conference in Glasgow. Both organisations looking to

Details t.b.c.

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for Scotland / OAT

develop a partnership

Gruppo del Cerchio

Looking to bring over a piece for MELA Festival 2015

Discussions with JC

Int Youth Fayre

Invitation to Turin young people to participate

Awaiting response

European City of Sport Conference

Invitation for Glasgow to speak at this conference – Sport in Europe

Awaiting response from Glasgow Life

BETHLEHEM

Education – St Paul’s Twinning / Terra Sancta

School Twinning partnership

Projects ongoing

NHS Glasgow / Bethlehem University

Both organisations developing a diploma for Oncology Nursing. Practical placements to take place.

First practical visit in May in Glasgow. Another visit to Bethlehem planned for September

Education Psychological Services / Bethlehem GTC

Both organisations looking to develop exchange of practice / projects

First practical visit in May in Glasgow. Another visit to Bethlehem planned

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for September

Training for Transformation

support community workers in the area - the topics are wide ranging from political economics, spiritual activism, gender reconciliation, popular education, transformative development, leadership, strategic thinking and finally organisational development to enable the community workers in Bethlehem to strengthen their local community organisation

D working with Glasgow University to identify practitioners to become involved in this programme

Mayor visit

Invitation sent to Mayor – 28.1

Awaiting response

Scottish Cultural Week

Cultural delegation to accompany in September visit to Bethlehem

Details to be worked on

Int Youth Fayre

Invitation for Bethlehem Young people to participate

Waiting on response

ROSTOV

Gymnast Project GSS / Rostov

Continuation of partnership with gymnasts

Awaiting dates for Glasgow visit from Rostov gymnasts

YDance

IL – Rostov Choreographer working with YDance. Work shadowing and looking

Ongoing

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to develop a partnership with Rostov Dance company

WWII Concert and Schools programme

Russian Cultural Centre organising a concert and schools programme 9th May to mark the 70 year end of WWII

Ongoing

Don State Technical University of Rostov / North Glasgow College

Looking to continue partnership

Awaiting info on potential dates

Rostov State University of Civic Engineering

Looking to develop partnerships with Glasgow Universities on a number of themes

May visit

Artist Exchange Cara Crawford

CC looking to host a Rostov Artist in 2015

Details to follow

LAHORE

School partnerships

Glasgow schools developing Lahore school partnership

Mela Festival

JC looking to secure Lahore group to perform at Mela

To be discussed

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HAVANA

Havana Glasgow Festival

A music / art / film festival in Glasgow to be based at the CCA & Glasgow Film Theatre. Cuban film makers / musicians / photo exhibition

Royal Conservatoire / Matthew McAllister

Looking to develop links with Havana. Travelling to Havana with his Album which features music by some of Cuba’s prominent composers

MS SOCIETY CUBA, M.S FEDERATION UK

To set up a link between M.S. sufferers/societies and medical practitioners in Havana and Glasgow

To be developed

Glasgow’s International andEuropean Strategy

2009 to 2012

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Contents

Foreword 3

1 Introduction 4

2 Assessment of former Strategy “Scotland’s International Capital” 6

3 Current External Situation 12

4 Strategic Objectives 18

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Foreword

It is our pleasure to commend Glasgow City Council’s latest InternationalStrategy 2009 to 2012 “Glasgow: Commonwealth City”.

Glasgow has always been a city that is proud of its international standingand has confidence in its international image as a welcoming yet competitivecity. In the global economy we recognise that we must compete to attractresources, both human and financial, Glasgow has strong inward investment,steady inward migration and consistently high tourism figures. Glasgowhas considerable expertise in international affairs and the Council’s international function is at the heart of the civic leadership agenda.

Two of the key areas of the Strategy that deserve particular attention asthey represent specific achievements and opportunities for Glasgow andfor the Council. The first is the momentum gained with international relationssince the launch of the Council’s first International Strategy in 2004. The second is the awarding of the 2014 Commonwealth Games to the City.

The first Strategy set out a range of programmes to meet its stated aimsand this document provides an appraisal of those programmes and theirimpact on the City and Council.

The Strategy broke new ground in that it specifically placed the internationalpolicy of a major UK city in the context of competitiveness policy.

It also consolidated the Council’s international twinning links and spanneda period when three new twin cities were created to bring the City’s total toeight. It gave a greater focus to the Council’s international partners withinthe city in the fields of academia and business and helped demonstrate thevalue of working on a global front to promote Glasgow. The new Strategywill build on these significant first steps and continue to guide howGlasgow seeks to position itself to its maximum advantage in a fast changing world.

The Council’s most prominent current Commonwealth Activities lie with thedeveloping countries of Malawi, South Africa and Sri Lanka and we will continue to work with these and other developing nations to our mutual benefit. We will also maintain our links with such countries as Pakistan,Canada, Australia and New Zealand which have strong Scottish andGlaswegian diaspora populations with whom we can sustain importantsocial, educational, cultural and economic links.

The Council’s achievements in international affairs can add real value to thelegacies from the Commonwealth Games and whilst Glasgow will aim for maximum benefit from the Games, the Council can and must take a lead inmaking a major contribution to the Commonwealth.

In our respective roles we will work together with partners, colleagues andstaff to ensure Glasgow’s future as a Commonwealth City is assured.

Councillor Steven Purcell Leader of the Council

Lord Provost Bob Winter

Councillor Hanzala MalikExecutive CommitteeMember for InternationalLinks

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1 Introduction

Glasgow’s first International Strategy, “Scotland’s International Capital”, has now been updated and revised to take account of the City’s latestInternational initiatives and aims for the next four years. This Strategy“Glasgow: Commonwealth City” will run to 2012 and will build on the lessonslearned previously to expand the Council’s capacity to take further steps internationally and to deliver an ambitious, practical, and achievable series ofInternational Objectives.

It is acknowledged in the urban policy community that the relationshipbetween cities and the wider international scene are crucial for their futures. In this sense alone, Glasgow’s initiative to launch the strategy “Scotland’sInternational Capital” was a significant step. Of course many other cities arerealising the importance of an international perspective. This is likely toincrease as globalisation accelerates.

In the UK, the English Core Cities are celebrating their international links.Similarly, Glasgow’s European twin cities are pursuing progressive internationalpolices. Marseilles, Nuremberg and Turin all have strong international objectiveswhich are set out clearly on their respective websites.

The case for active and progressive international policies will vary for differentcities: these may be predominantly historical, predominantly geographical;predominantly economic and so on. However, they all have in common thatthey see their city as needing to establish and maintain their place in the widerworld. Glasgow’s revised international strategy signals the same intent.

1.2 Executive Summary

The 2009 to 2012 Strategy “Glasgow - Commonwealth City” comprises thefollowing material.

> An account of the Council’s performance in relation to the earlier Strategy “Scotland’s International Capital”. This is set out in terms of a questionnaire based evaluation; an assessment of the quality of Glasgow’s twin city relationships according to a set of criteria known as the Bonn Index; and an account of successful operations in the areas of networks (above all in Eurocities) major transnational projects funded through EU programmes; and international development. The conclusions are formulated in terms of strengths and weaknesses.

> An account of the current external environment in which the new Strategy must be operate. This is set out in terms of the impact of the 2014 Commonwealth Games; and in terms of the challenges faced in the coming period, so as to take into account political, economic, social and technological factors. This includes a commitment to support and complement other relevant strategies in the City such as the Council Plan, the new Economic Strategy, and Glasgow’s Cultural and Tourism Strategies.Conclusions are formulated in terms of opportunities and responses to threats, acknowledging the background of the financial crisis and continuing economic recession, which began in 2008.

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MALAWI

Funded by the Scottish ExecutiveInternational Development Fund, Angela Porter Director GlasgowSchool of Sport visited Malawi to set up athletics scholarships.Despite finding very basic facilities and resources the youngpeople were passionate aboutsport. Starter athletics resourcekits were shipped to Malawi and4,000 school children acrossMzuzu and Lilongwe participatedin weekly sessions. This was followed by regional competitions,the issue of athletics equipmentbags to the top 15 schools andcoach education workshops delivered by GSOS coach NorrieHay. Six talented athletes, accompanied by two teachers,completed a two-week athleticsscholarship in March 2008 following the timetable, trainingand schooling of a GSOS athleticspupil.

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To meet these challenges with the capacity identified, the Strategy is constructed around three high level objectives as follows.

> To build Glasgow’s role as host city for the 2014 Commonwealth Games bydeveloping relationships with Commonwealth countries.

> To enhance the City’s image, impact and presence internationally.

> To play a full role in the Internationalisation Strand of the “Step Change for Glasgow” economic strategy.

Delivery of these main aims will be primarily the responsibility of the LordProvost and International Office (LP&IO) in conjunction with others.

The Strategy sets out the business case for participation in international relations, especially in the case of Council Services, giving concrete examples.

Delivery itself will come about primarily through the workings of three specificprogrammes:

> Commonwealth and International Development. This will reflect the Council’s emphasis on the Commonwealth and build on established links, for example those with Malawi and with South Africa. This programme will obviously relate directly to the Commonwealth Games, and the declared intention of Glasgow to contribute to development goals as part of its commitment as Host City after 2010.

> Twin Cities and Global Citizenship. This will seek to build on and strengthen the twin city programme and to continue to support internationaldelegations and visitors. In particular the Council will welcome the opportunity to support incoming delegations from emerging democracies which address governance issues.

> Global Glasgow. This will promote international networking and developing the city’s international relationships. It will therefore include inputs to the competitiveness and globalisation agendas as Glasgow seeks to expand its profile, including into crucial markets such as North America and China. Internally, Council services will be informed of opportunities for participation in international projects and programmes, especially those attracting EU support, and networks such as EUROCITIES and its forums.

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MUSEUMS WORK INWESTERN CAPE

Funded by Glasgow City Council’sInternational Office, Mark O’Neill,Head of Arts and Museums, spenta week in East London at the invitation of the Heroes ParkMuseum. A group of voluntarycommunity leaders had secured a site for a museum celebratingthe heroes of the Eastern Cape, the birthplace of many famousSouth Africans. Mark usedGlasgow’s experience of developing briefs for major projects to work with the committee to clarify their visionfor the museum, to outline a business plan and to identify the steps to implementation. This plan provided the basis for a successful grant application to the SA government for thedevelopment of the museum.

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BUILDING A HIV/AIDS CLINIC IN MALAWI

At Chikwawa District Hospital,located in the Rift Valley, a team of nine experienced tradesmenfrom City Building LLP (Glasgow)constructed a much neededHIV/AIDS Clinic and helped toextend office facilities. They worked alongside Malawiancolleagues and passed on theirskills as well as leaving behindvaluable tools and equipment foruse by the Malawians after theyleft. Much of the building materialsfor the project were donated byCompanies contracted by CityBuilding LLP.

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2 Assessment of former Strategy “Scotland’s International Capital”

2.1 Stakeholders’ Questionnaire

Following the Council election of May 2007, with the strategy having been inoperation for three years and following the merger of the International Officewith the Lord Provost’s Office, it was timely to undertake a review of theEuropean and International Strategy. To assist in this process, an online questionnaire was developed. This sought to:

> establish stakeholder views on the relevance of the existing strategy,

> obtain feedback about the service provided by international staff and

> provide comment on the future requirements of stakeholders.

There was a general feeling of satisfaction with regard to the Council’s teamresponsible for developing Glasgow’s position in Europe. Most organisationsfelt they benefited from the assistance and practical advice they received fromthe Council’s dedicated staff. Overall respondents generally felt the workGlasgow City Council had done recently contributed positively to the city’sposition in relation to European and International affairs. They expressed the view that this work had enhanced the city’s profile, helped create new networks and strengthen present networks.

Generally respondents agree that the international programme followed since2004 contributed positively to change the City’s international profile.

2.2 Activity Report Findings

Following the publication of the Strategy “Scotland’s International Capital” inJune 2004, two activity reports were published (2005 and 2007) as elementsof an appraisal scheme for the Strategy.

These reported a record of solid achievement in each of the five programmes.

In the Competitive City programme, Glasgow lived up to its reputation as oneof Europe’s top cities for urban regeneration. The activities of this programme,and the policy contribution made by the former International Office to thedeveloping new Economic Strategy, were recognised as an important componentin that process.

The Twinning Programme had seen two major anniversaries: in 2005, Glasgowand Nuremberg celebrated 20 years of twinning, and in 2006, this milestonewas also achieved by the relationship between Glasgow and Rostov-on-Don.Glasgow also signed three new twinning agreements, with Bethlehem(Palestine), (Marseilles (France) and Lahore (Pakistan).

The Networks and Services Programme had progressed by combining twoformer programmes. The main network activity was again through EUROCITIESand through the EU’s URBACT programme.

The Small World programme had progressed with the Commonwealth LocalGovernment Good Practice Scheme (LGGPS) funded project in Amathole,South Africa: the hallmark was good partnership working.

The Planning and Resources Programme included major projects. The largestof these was the EU Institution Building Partnership Programme (IBPP) projecton drugs misuse, which made an impact in Rostov-on-Don and its widerregion. This had brought considerable benefits to Glasgow as well as toRostov (see p20).

The conclusion of these Activity Reports was that of a solid record of achieve-ment towards the objectives set out in 2004. As well as covering that activity,they highlighted the work of the Council in international projects and net-works, and outlined the many benefits.

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ATLAS SCOTLAND

This project was granted £5.3 million European Social Fund monies in 2001 to 2007through the Equal CommunityInitiative, rounds 1 and 2. The Council led a partnership of16 local and national organisationswith the aim of developing modelsof integration so that asylumseekers are well positioned toseek employment, should theybecome eligible.

A key element of the project wastransnational cooperation with five other partners from acrossEurope including Austria, Lithuania,Italy, Finland and Poland.Transnational products weredeveloped including two CDs, two Workbooks and a website intime for the final disseminationmeeting held in June 2007 inWarsaw. Staff exchanges were amajor feature of the transnationalpartnership and 106 people working with asylum seekers participated in the staff exchangeprogramme which provided aninsight at a local level to theworkings with the target groupacross the six countries.

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2.3 Twinning

The Town Twinning Movement started in Europe after the Second World War.The initial objective of the movement was to increase mutual understandingbetween cities and countries, and to promote respect and tolerance betweendifferent cultures. It has since broadened out in scope but still has a focus, asexpressed by the European Commission of “providing the opportunity to findout about the daily lives of citizens in other European countries, to talk tothem and exchange experiences, and to develop joint projects on issues ofcommon interest, such as local integration, the environment, economic development and cultural differences”

Twinning is not just an official agreement to be made and archived, but a permanent commitment of both parties to work together to their mutual benefit. Increasingly however cities are seeking to develop more ‘added value’from twinning links and it is now generally seen as a means of promotingpractical co-operation projects (eg in regional and urban development, governance, culture, education, exchanges of knowledge and good practice etc).

TWINNING IN GLASGOW

Glasgow entered the twinning movement relatively late in 1983 However,since then Glasgow’s Twin City Network has developed significantly. It is setwithin a wider context of formal and informal contacts both within the Counciland with other Glasgow institutions.

The approach taken by the Council to twinning has been to set the followingcriteria for choice of twin cities:

> Value added

> Comparability

> Complementarity

> Compatability

Glasgow has eight formal Twins: Nuremberg, Rostov-on-Don, Dalian, Turin,Havana, Marseilles, Lahore and Bethlehem. (Of these, Bethlehem wasdeclared by the Council as a specific case due to its position in the occupiedWest Bank.)

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ROSTOV-ON-DON, RUSSIA

A twin-city of Glasgow for 23 years, Rostov-On-Don hoststhe Olympic Reserve School No 2established to produce Olympicchampions in the sport of ArtisticGymnastics. With the aim of learning from the best in the world and raising standards of performance as 2014 approaches,Glasgow School of Sport havedeveloped an exciting exchange programme with the ORS.Launched in May 2008, GSOShosted six Russian gymnasts andthree coaches who shared theirskills, techniques and methodsthrough joint training sessions, displays and workshops.In October nine top gymnasts from GSOS, the City of GlasgowGymnastics Club, accompanied by two coaches and Director GSOS travelled to Rostov for 10 days to live and train at theORS. A return visit from the Rostov Gymnasts to GlasgowSchool of Sport took place in June 2009.

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MEMORANDA OF UNDERSTANDING

The recent use of Memoranda of Understanding has been increasingly important to support bilateral relationships with other cities.

In addition, in the cases of Marseilles and Lahore, these were drawn up as aprecursor to full twinning agreements. In the case of Amathole (South Africa), a Memorandum of Understanding has been used to define the objectives andlimits of a technical partnership based on economic development projects andthe availability of third party funding, specifically Commonwealth LocalGovernment Good Practice Scheme.

In Rostov-on-Don the Lord Provost and Mayor signed a Memorandum ofUnderstanding in September 2007, which is now leading to new projects inareas such as roads, traffic planning and physical urban regeneration.

In these ways, Memoranda of Understanding can provide added focus andrenewed momentum to existing twinning commitments, and can make clearthe aims and scope of other bilateral relationships.

2.4 Twinning: the Bonn Index

The “Bonn Index” is an assessment system based on the use of a set of criteriaset up by Bonn to assess its twinning relationships. Scores are determined byan annual subjective assessment by officers of the following criteria.

> Seriousness of interest in co-operation

> Experience in the execution of joint projects

> Existence of a driving force or project champion on each side

> Support of third parties

> Possibility to attract third party funding (e.g. EU, private sponsorship)

> Political support

> Possibility to use for strategic purposes (i.e. in line with other Council priorities)

The key findings for 2006 to 2007 were:

> Nuremberg was Glasgow’s most developed twinning relationship.

> Havana was Glasgow’s least developed twinning relationship.

> Marseilles and Lahore owe their current position to the commitment resulting from their comparative newness.

> The four “mature” twin cities of Nuremberg, Rostov, Dalian and Turin represent a solid core of effective twinning activity.

> It is too early to assess the relationship with Bethlehem in this system.

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TRUST - STRATEGIC WATERMANAGEMENT

Glasgow City Council were keypartners in the TRUST project,funded through the Interreg IIIBprogramme. Completed in 2008,this project brought together 5 innovative projects from acrossEurope that use water in spatialplanning. The projects, involvingpartners in Scotland, England, the Netherlands and Belgium,were part of wider strategies on special planning and water management that aim for the economic regeneration of the area involved.

Development and RegenerationServices became involved in theTRUST project to benefit fromtransnational experience in managing surface water andfocussed on the redevelopment of the Ruchill area as a directresult of previous flooding duringheavy rain. A demonstration project was constructed to illustrate the best method of managing surface water in thatparticular area of the City whilehighlighting the benefits ofimproved water quality andrenewable energy sources.

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2.5 Transnational Projects and Networks

Glasgow City Council has an excellent record of participation in InternationalNetworks and Transnational Projects, with active involvement in the networks/projects. This has included securing major international recognition for theCity (e.g. through its leading positions in EUROCITIES Forums) as well asfunding (e.g. major projects on drugs misuse treatment in IBPP).

Glasgow has also contributed to standing networks of cities, including LesRencontres; Si Tous Les Ports Du Monde; and especially EUROCITIES.

The latter is the major organisation of large cities in Europe (i.e, those over250,000), in which the City has played made a major role in the KnowledgeSociety and Economic Development Forums (FSF and EDF). In both cases,Glasgow hosted Forum meetings. In the EDF, Glasgow has acted as Chair cityfor two years and has led the key Working Group on economic migration.

Glasgow’s strengths are also shown by success in such initiatives as those pursued by Land and Environmental Services, e.g. European Mobility Week,where has achieved a leading position for Glasgow in successive years; theInternational Rose Trials, which involves rose societies from 30 countries (11 of which are in the Commonwealth); and the consolidation of the City’sworldwide reputation with regard to the Botanic Gardens (in education andcollections) and Pollok Country Park (declared Best Park in Europe 2008).

2.6 International Development

The first Strategy included a commitment to an international development element within the Competitive City programme (“Small World”). As thisevolved, it became clear that it was substantial enough to stand alone as aprogramme in its own right. This became the case particularly following thedevelopment of links with Malawi, South Africa and Sri Lanka.

Therefore the most prominent current Commonwealth activities undertaken inthe Council’s international development programme are links with Malawi, andthe technical partnership with Amathole, in the Eastern Cape, South Africa.The Council has also worked in Sri Lanka with the Hikkaduwa Area ReliefFund and is participating in the Chevening fellowship scheme wherebyCouncil departments, in conjunction with NGO partners, host professionalsfrom developing counties to increase their competences and thereby theireffectiveness on their return to their own countries.

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RE: FOCUS AND MAISHATRANSNATIONAL PARTNERSHIP

Funded by the European EQUALProgramme, the RE:FOCUSDevelopment Partnership, led by Glasgow City Council, was theimplementation arm of the EqualAccess Into Employment Strategy,

The aim of the partnership was to help people with health andsocial care needs to integrate or reintegrate back into the labourmarket. With 22 projects and 96 partner organisations, this was one of the largest in the UK. A critical element was thetransnational cooperation withpartners in Pesaro, Italy andHamburg, Germany, to form theMAISHA partnership (MoreAmbitions, Integration, Skills andHigher Ambitions). The partnership had the commonaim of working together to developEU approaches to combatdiscrimination in the labour marketthat could be transferred intopractice and policy. The partnershipsuccessfully developed threeapproaches looking at early intervention, skills developmentand diversity in the workplace.

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Working with the Scotland-Malawi Partnership, and other partners, theCouncil has been instrumental in aid and development activities in Malawi,sending staff to construct consulting rooms for AIDS/HIV patients; a pharmacyand office facilities; and an office extension and training suite in ChikwawaHospital. In 2008, a further project created Malawi’s only prosthetics andorthotics clinic, to be operated in conjunction with the Scottish-based charity500 Miles. Further valuable partnerships have been established betweenMalawi and Glasgow schools (including Holyrood and Govan High Schools)and universities.

The work with Amathole in the Eastern Cape is funded by the CommonwealthLocal Government Good Practice Scheme (CLGGPS), and comprises trainingand support for local economic development, especially in East London andButterworth. The Leader of the Council has signed a Memorandum ofUnderstanding with the Mayor of Amathole which commits the Councils tofurther engagement.

In Sri Lanka, the projects funded included reinstatement of the local fishingfleet; school refurbishment; tourism development; and an arts-based reconstruction programme.

Current plans for Malawi include pilot solid waste management schemes inLilongwe and Blantyre, funded through the Scottish Government’sInternational Development Fund.

In Lahore, there have been aspects of the twin city relationship which have astrong international development aspect. In this respect, the contributions ofStrathclyde Police, Strathclyde Fire and Rescue and the Royal Hospital forSick Children at Yorkhill have been significant in providing expertise in publicand emergency services.

Education Services has secured external funding for 2 secondary and 2 primary schools to work with 6 schools in Pakistan. Shawlands Academyhas received DFID Global Schools Partnership funding for work with LahoreLyceum; Bellahouston Academy, Annette Street and Holy Cross PrimarySchools have received funding from the Connecting Classrooms Initiative towork with 5 schools in Islamabad.

These schools will work on joint curriculum projects of common interest, withthe aim of assisting young people in both countries to develop as global citizens; to increase knowledge and understanding of each other’s society;and build a sense of the world which celebrates diversity and multi-culturalism.

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LAHORE

Two Secondary Schools and twoPrimary Schools in Glasgow havereceived external funding to workwith six schools in Pakistan.Shawlands Academy has receivedfunding from the DFID GlobalSchool Partnerships programme to work with their partner schoolLahore Lyceum. BellahoustonAcademy, Annette Street Primaryand Holy Cross Primary havereceived funding from theConnecting Classroom Initiative towork with five schools in Islamabad. The schools will work on joint curriculum projects of commoninterest. Working cooperativelyacross national boundaries willassist the children and young people to develop as global citizens, will foster greater unitywithin the two countries, increaseknowledge and understanding ofeach other’s societies and build asense of the world that celebrates diversity and multiculturalism.

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Conclusions

STRENGTHS

The following strengths following the strategy “Scotland’s International Capital”can therefore be identified:

> Commitment to an international strategy, which puts Glasgow into the same bracket as other comparable and competitor cities in Europe and beyond.

> Capacity to formulate policy, and the practical know-how which grows from confidence and determination to succeed as a major centre of international competitiveness.

> Effectiveness with which the International Strategy has been pursued, asproven by the survey of stakeholders and other opinion formers in the city.

> Expertise of the staff concerned, demonstrating a significant resource in terms of personnel and commitment. (This is also witnessed by a strong record in the execution of major projects, for example the IBPP drugs misuse treatment project with Rostov-on-Don.)

> The twinning programme, which shows thriving relationships where conditions are favourable, suggesting the capability to recognise and develop opportunities where these arise.

> The ability of councillors and staff to maintain Glasgow’s reputation asa reliable partner and, by implication, a good place with which to do business. This is especially demonstrated by the effectiveness of the three “top twins”.

> Glasgow City Council’s record in international networks and programmes, which has benefited the Council and the City by accessing and contributing to world-class expertise.

> Glasgow’s record and expertise in international development projects, which has established a track record for assistance to some of the world’s poorest countries and regions.

> The remit to develop Glasgow’s role in relation to Commonwealth countries in the build up to the 2014 Games

WEAKNESSES

Similarly, the following challenges became apparent in the strategy:

> Clarity should be sought concerning the scope and ownership of the strategy to involve a wider range of stakeholders.

> There should be a more systematic approach to the alignment of the Strategy with internal council policy processes such as the Council Planand Best Value reviews.

> Efforts should be made to reach out to Glasgow’s business and commercial factors. This would again support the objective of “creating the best possible conditions to grow Glasgow’s European and internationaleconomy.”

> There should be a more approach to involvement of Services in European and international networks. Whilst recognising that Service priorities must remain primarily focussed on delivery locally and will changethrough time, the benefits of International networking encouraged further.

> Particular difficulties with resources in the cases of Havana and Bethlehem should be acknowledged: in Havana because of the extreme economic problems of Cuba, and in Bethlehem because of the restrictions on the quality of life in the occupied West Bank.

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INDIE INITIATIVE

Five Glasgow schools have beenparticipating in the new BritishCouncil INDIE initiative: Inclusionand Diversity in Education. The purpose of this project is todevelop culturally inclusiveschools that raise attainment anddevelop school students as youngleaders. Shawlands Academy, All Saints Secondary, Hillhead High School and HolyroodSecondary and Lourdes Secondaryhave all taken part in this influential project which has aremit to influence Europeanschools, subject to a white andgreen paper in Brussels.

10 young people from each schooltook part in training activities foryoung leaders, before 1 youngperson from each school wasselected to go to Brussels to discuss the delivery and composition of the “EuropeanYouth Charter on Inclusion andDiversity” with their peers fromother European schools. A teacher from each school wasalso invited to the conference. A 9 point European Charter wasagreed which was presented tothe policy makers, who will discuss the issues raised and, inresponse to the student voice,make a declaration on the management of diverse and inclusive schools at the EuropeanParliament. The schools in Glasgoware now working in a cluster withschools from Portugal, Spain andGreece. In May 2008 representatives of all of the 17 schools involved met togetherat the San Isidro School in Madridto discuss their joint project proposals arising form the Charter.The schools will work togetherover a two year period.

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3 Current External Situation

3.1 Commonwealth Games

The Commonwealth Games bid began to be developed in September 2004,shortly after the launch of the 2004 to 2007 strategy “Scotland’s InternationalCapital.” Nonetheless, there were clear links between the two, both in theirlevel of ambition and in their implementation, for example, the decision to participate in the Commonwealth Local Government Good Practice Scheme.

Above all, the qualities in the City as then outlined in “Scotland’s InternationalCapital” are those that secured the Games for Glasgow: world-class facilities;a strong internationalist outlook; the readiness to take a national lead(“Scotland’s Bid”); and above all the ambition to put and keep the City on theglobal map. The award of the Games to Glasgow in November 2007 was amagnificent achievement, and confirmation of these strengths.

The process of bidding for the Games helped to significantly strengthen theCity’s links with Commonwealth countries. The great majority of CommonwealthGames Associations and Commonwealth Olympic Committees have, forinstance, now visited and spent time in Glasgow as part of the bid processwith the overwhelming feedback being very positive. These links will be furtherstrengthened as we approach 2014.

Links with Delhi will particularly improve as we move towards their hosting ofthe 2010 Games and the ceremonial handover from Delhi to Glasgow that willform a key part of the closing ceremony in 2010. This handover is in itself amajor cultural event and will enable Glasgow and Delhi to work more closelytogether over the next few years.

In addition Glasgow will stage the Commonwealth Games Assembly in 2013and 2014 and will have the opportunity to establish closer links with theCommonwealth institutions including the Commonwealth Games Federation,the Commonwealth Secretariat and the Commonwealth meetings of Ministersand Sports Ministers.

As other Commonwealth cities start to think about bidding for 2018 they will undoubtedly start to visit and form closer links with Glasgow in the same waythat Glasgow strengthened its cultural, sporting and political links withMelbourne during the bid process.

Manchester (2002) and Melbourne (2006) formed highly successfulCommonwealth Business Clubs aimed at strengthening economic and business links with key Commonwealth countries. Glasgow can learn fromtheir experience. The City has already established some educational linksthrough programmes such as the Commonwealth Scholarship Programmeand other programmes operated by the British Council.

It will be possible to build on the success of the two Commonwealth SportsDevelopment Conferences by developing exchange programmes and seeking opportunities for shared learning with some of the key sports developmentprogrammes that are taking place in countries such as South Africa, Kenyaand the Caribbean countries. These type of programmes are primarily aboutusing the power of sport to address wider social issues and will be part of theoverall legacy of the Games.

The award to the city of the Commonwealth Games 2014 is clearly one of themost significant events for Glasgow in many years. The impacts of the Gameswill not only be on the sporting field, or even in the associated tourism aspects;they will give a focus and context to a wide range of projects in the areas ofinfrastructure, regeneration and development and all the Council’s policies.

It is also envisaged that the Games will leave a legacy of improvements to theCity which will prove beneficial to biodiversity, as the Glasgow LocalBiodiversity Action Plan is implemented.

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As well as researching conferences that Glasgow shouldbid for, staff in the ConventionBureau at Glasgow City MarketingBureau regularly travel overseasto promote the city.

The team attends the annual conference, events, exhibitions and business meetings EIBTM inBarcelona and IMEX in Frankfurt,and has regular face to face meetings in cities such asBrussels and New York with theinternational associations thathost large conferences.

Other Convention Bureau activities including speaking at ortaking a booth at major industryshows such as the InternationalCongress and ConventionAssociation (ICCA) to profile thecity.

The Bureau’s ConferenceAmbassador Programme is a one-stop shop that offers adviceto anyone locally - includingCouncil staff - with internationalbusiness or academic links who is thinking about bidding for aconference.

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The relationship which Glasgow will develop with the Commonwealth family ofnations is of key importance to the Council and the Lord Provost has beenasked to take on the responsibility for this aspect of City’s Commonwealthcommitments.

The Games will self-evidently have a sports focus, based on the delivery agencies including the operating company. In the same way, the office of Lord Provost (as Lord Lieutenant) will be in a unique position to provide adiplomatic focus or hub in Glasgow, with responsibility to welcome HighCommissioners and other dignitaries.

3.2 External Environment – Political

The last international strategy was set against a background of a rapidlydeveloping international political scene, which was reflected at every levelfrom the domestic to the global. Since then, the process of change has continued. At a Council level there has been a significant shift in the politicalrepresentation as well as changes in operational and managerial practices.

Following the Scottish Parliament election of May 2007, the ScottishGovernment has continued a number of the international policies of the formeradministration, and is seeking to raise the international profile of Scotland stillfurther. For example, there is a continuing China policy. For Scotland Week inthe USA in 2008 and 2009, the Scottish Government concentrated onWashington DC and a wider range of cities in the USA and Canada, ratherthan New York City. In these years, Glasgow was represented in New York,Chicago, Toronto, and New Hampshire, in 2009 in support of the ScottishGovernment’s Homecoming initiative..

The Scottish Government has also published its International Framework, inwhich it describes its international objectives to be:

> “Creating the conditions for talented people to live, learn, visit, work and remain in Scotland…

> “…the promotion of Scotland abroad…

> “managing Scotland’s reputation as a distinctive global identity, an independent minded and responsible nation…confident in its place in the world.”

The Scottish Government will seek to achieve these objectives by a number of means, including greater use of Scotland’s international reputation and promotion of the country’s educational assets, including schools, FE and HE institutions. The Government recognises the international importance offinancial services, life sciences and food and drink. Tourism is a further prioritysector, with an extra commitment to generate a legacy from major events.Glasgow City Council and other local authorities can and do provide assistanceand support to many of these objectives.

This is also the case in the Scottish Government’s commitment to internationaldevelopment, which is set out in a further policy statement (ScottishGovernment International Development Policy), and is substantially focusedon Malawi. Local government services and governance principles can make aparticularly important contribution to the Millennium Development Goals andthe Council will seek to continue to work with the Government in Malawi,other Commonwealth countries and beyond. This point was made by the LordProvost at the United Nations Mayors Forum in September 2008, where itreceived widespread support, from a number of national governments,including the UK.

The Government has indicated in its Action Plan on European Engagementthat its main priorities are either at EU level (budgets, energy and justice) orrelate to specifically rural or fisheries issues. The issue of the future of EUstructural funds, however has significant implications at all levels – Scotland,West of Scotland – and the Council will continue to work through the West ofScotland European Forum and its European Officer in Brussels to maximisethe benefits from European Union funds and initiatives to the City and the city-region.

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Glasgow’s key overseas marketsfor leisure tourism are the USA,Germany and France, with Canadaexpected to gain ground on Italy,Ireland, Australia and Spain (infourth, fifth, sixth and seventhpositions, respectively) as a resultof the Homecoming celebrations in 2009.

Glasgow City Marketing Bureau(GCMB) works in close conjunctionwith a number of strategic partners to address these markets,most notably airlines, VisitScotlandand VisitBritain. A good example of this is a recent direct mailpiece that GCMB produced in collaboration with VisitScotlandand US Airways to highlightHomecoming Scotland 2009. More than 25,000 people of Scotsdescent living in Pennsylvaniawere mailed a copy of theHomecoming events brochure with introductory remarks byGlasgow Lord Provost, Bob Winter.

The city brand, Glasgow: Scotlandwith style is central to all thisactivity, providing consistent messaging, look and feel.

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Finally, the Scottish Government seeks to further develop bilateral work withEuropean partners. In the past, Glasgow has offered support to these aims,especially in relation to Bavaria through the Nuremberg twinning link, and willcontinue to do so.

At the UK level, the new Prime Minister’s government appears to have maintained similar foreign policy objectives, for example, by continuing itshigh profile international development programme though DFID in support ofthe Millennium Development Goals.

The European Union has completed a further stage of enlargement since June 2004, to add to that which had taken place in May of that year, bringingmembership to 27 countries. As important is the fact that the majority of newmember states are in central and eastern Europe, and were formerly WarsawPact, controlled societies and economies, or - as in the case of the BalticStates – part of the former USSR. Their accession has brought with them anumber of challenges. These include a massive backlog in industrial and civilinfrastructure; lack of commercial and social capital; and significant problemsresulting from the relative newness of their legal codes and frameworks.

The EU therefore faces significant challenges in trying to meet the demandsplaced upon it. Most importantly for Glasgow, the need to invest in these newmember states will mean that Structural Fund programmes for the west ofScotland may be phased out after 2013. In the meantime, the new fund JESSICA which will be established for infrastructure investments and theSeventh Framework programme which funds Research and Development maybe suitable for Glasgow.

3.3 External Environment – Economic

Since 2009, it has been clear that the previous unprecedented period of continuous economic growth had come to an end. In contrast, all forecastsfor the following period are now for a perhaps extended and significant recession. It must be acknowledged that this will bring with it considerablechallenges for Glasgow, including low economic growth (or even contraction),rising unemployment and weak domestic and export markets.

At the same time, Glasgow’s position differs from that in earlier recessions and indeed from that of some other cities, in having an established record ofregeneration and recovery. In addition and more importantly, the City is fortunate in having secured a business infrastructure and investment whichshould support a strong recovery when the upturn comes in the wider economy.

There is also the possibility that some features of the downturn will benefitsome sectors of the Glasgow economy: for example, exchange rates mayincrease the advantages of the City as a retail and tourist destination.

The international outlook of the City has played its part in its record of regeneration and will continue to do so, as the worldwide will require globalresponses. In this context, those cities with international strategies will againbe well positioned when the upturn arrives. More than ever an essential part ofthe development of the International Strategy is the way that it is set withinthe overall policy context of the city; this is clearest in the case of the neweconomic strategy A Step Change for Glasgow which itself recognised theimportance of the external economic context:

Step Change Theme: International positioning

Glasgow is increasingly subject to global competition. To be successful,Glasgow has to compete for international flows of investment and talent.Glasgow has a strong tradition of internationalism that dates from the city’stransformation to a major trading and then industrial centre. The industrieswhich made it globally famous however, are no longer the driving forces of its

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In October 2008, Glasgow CityMarketing Bureau organised areception in Paris to highlightGlasgow’s creative, business andstyle credentials to media, corporate clients and opinion formers and to publicise easyJet’sservice from Charles de Gaulleairport.

The Bureau’s PR and Marketingdepartments, and ConventionBureau worked together to addressthis important overseas market and guests included alumni of the universities of Glasgow andStrathclyde, Paris-basedGlobalScots, cultural contacts of GCMB Vice-Chair, Bailie Liz Cameron, plus representativesof UNESCO, VisitScotland andVisitBritain.

Guests enjoyed a whisky tastingand music provided by theRSAMD, and short films wereshown on Charles RennieMackintosh, museums and galleries, shopping, contemporaryart, and the work of the Glasgow:Scotland with style DesignCollective.

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economy. Today, there is less evidence of international presence in most ofGlasgow's business and institutions.

Glasgow must compete - and learn from - other major UK and internationalcities.

Competition is fierce in the conference tourism market where Glasgow hasshown it can compete on an international basis. Elsewhere, this awareness isless obvious: Glasgow's profile is generally low, and where it is known, it is all-too-often for outdated or negative reasons. It is important that Glasgowthinks harder about its economic role and positive profile in the world.

Glasgow must consider its place in a wider world and be aware of how otherssee it; it needs to address weaknesses and make better use of its strengths.The city has a strong asset in its successful brand, Glasgow: Scotland withStyle, and a platform on which it can build. In short, Glasgow must survive inan economic environment which is both globalised and “virtualised” – onewhere businesses and their transactions are worldwide and frequently conducted through ICT. This offers considerable opportunities for initiativessuch as Glasgow’s International Financial Services District.

The Glasgow Tourism Strategy to 2016 complements these aims and its objectives include the following:

In line with the city’s economic development strategy, A Step Change forGlasgow, the key objective is to maximize economic growth for the benefit of Glasgow’s citizens, while at the same time creating a more attractive environment for visitors and investors. The strategy complements GlasgowCity Council’s key objectives and agenda for social renewal. It also embracesScottish Enterprise’s tourism priorities of innovation, product development,business leadership development, and destination development.

To achieve the vision for tourism, four key priorities have emerged from aprocess of research and consultation with stakeholders and industry representatives.

The four strategic themes are:

Image and Brand: a positive and unique image is a key influencer.

People: Glasgow’s citizens are the city’s greatest asset and must benefit fromtourism’s growth.

Place: place attractiveness, accessibility and quality of environment are competitive drivers for a successful tourism destination.

Product: this must be fresh, distinctive, innovative and appealing to targetmarkets.

These four themes will be underpinned by the cross-cutting themes of sustainability, innovation, collaboration and market research.

3.4 External Environment – Social

The current Council Plan set out the following objectives which comprise acomprehensive set of social policy guidelines.

We have focused our programme over the next three years on delivering fivemain aims which we call our key objectives. These are:

> improving the efficiency and effectiveness of our services;

> increasing access to lifelong learning;

> making Glasgow a cleaner, safer city;

> building a prosperous city; and

> improving health and wellbeing.

Key results from the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) show thatdeprived areas in Glasgow are generally improving, but that it remains thecase that the city contains Scotland’s largest numbers and concentrations ofsuch areas. Some parts of Glasgow have, in comparison to other UK cities,

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the highest percentage of the working age population unable to work throughincapacity. Those with low skills become trapped in low paid insecure jobswhich particularly impacts on child poverty: sustainable employment is essential in order to address the inequality gap and lift peopleout of poverty.

There is substantial and consistent evidence to show that better health is inextricably linked to a buoyant economy: for example life expectancy trendsin low income areas are much lower than those in higher income areas. The Council is dedicated to ensuring that the improvements ongoing in theCity have a positive impact on all areas. The international business, academicand cultural links supported by this strategy will aid in this process.

A further major social factor in Glasgow with a particular relevance to international policy is that of migration, which can be split into three categories:economic migration, above all from EU countries; other EU migration; andasylum seekers and refugees. These have all contributed to the stabilisation ofGlasgow’s population numbers, despite the historic demography whereby anageing population has not been balanced by new births.

The contribution of the economic migrants to Glasgow’s labour market is now probably essential in terms of numbers and skills. It is also the case thatthere are social costs in terms of public services and the management of community relations, both of which are more complex due to the greater number of cultures, languages and religions increasingly represented.However, the overall impact is that Glasgow is now a city with a younger, morediverse and vibrant population.

Finally, two of Glasgow’s longstanding social issues continue to play a strongnegative role in any analysis: those of worklessness and alcohol and drugsmisuse. In both UK and international terms, these remain at high level. As a result, the Council and its partner agencies have great experience andconsiderable capacity in dealing with the consequences of these issues.

3.5 External Environment – Technological

The economic environment described above is a direct result of the continuingtechnological revolution in which telematics and other communications technologies have emerged as fundamental sources in the reorganisation ofeconomic space. The way in which business is done is now based on the internet and computer capacity; and this is reflected in the office accommodationand staff needs of companies.

At a Council level, Services can both learn from, and contribute to, the development of innovative service delivery, through networks and transnationalprojects, such as Land and Environmental Services commitment to POLIS,regarding Intelligent Transport Systems.

At a city level, the International Financial Services District has already established itself in terms of attractiveness to inward investors both in thetechnological specification of new commercial developments, and in urbanand streetscape design. Participation in international networks will assist inthe City retaining this edge.

The technological transformation of the global economy also continues tobring new products to market, creating knowledge-based industries and highlevel employment. In cities across the world, this has created interlinked andmutual support between city authorities, academic institutions and industrialinvestors. Supporting such partnerships will be vital in future.

The acknowledgement of the effects of fossil fuels on climate change and theprospect of increasing costs for those fuels is now acting as a significant driver of new technologies and products to make full use of renewable energysources. Scotland has the potential to make progress in the renewables sector,and Glasgow has the opportunity to benefit proportionately.

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3 Current External Situation

HOLYROOD LEARNING COMMUNITY

In June 2008, 23 senior pupils,accompanied by the Head teacherand four teachers visitedZingwangwa Township in Malawi.The group worked with the localpeople and the Charity 'ScottishInternational Relief' to build threenew classrooms, one of whichwas purpose-built for pupils withadditional support needs. Holyrood has a very active FairTrade and Enterprise Group whosuggested a backpack project forMalawi. The idea was simple,pupils were asked to fill an oldschool bag with everyday essentials and a cup, plate, spoon,pencils, jotter, ruler, a toy, an old'T' shirt and short etc. 10 Primary Schools, three NurserySchools and two Special NeedsSchools in the community allworked together on the project.Holyrood Learning Community hasnow formally partnered with asecondary school and two primaryschools in the township in Malawiand has received funding from the British Council for the firstyear of their project. They areusing their partners in Malawi asa vehicle to embed a 'globaldimension' in the curriculum,which raises awareness of themany issues and challenges faced by developing countries.They hope to obtain funding for afurther two years from the BritishCouncil in 2009. In addition to the Malawi project, HolyroodSecondary School has a strongInternational Education dimensionthrough their Modern Languagesdepartment, which includes: A French theatre group, a modernlanguages ICT group, Italian workexperience for upper school, a Spanish school exchange, a S6visit to the European Parliament in Strasbourg and participation inBritish Council's International –Inclusion and Diversity project.

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Conclusions

OPPORTUNITIES

The following opportunities could arise from the political, economic, social andtechnological conditions described:> Commonwealth Games 2014 host city status as an opportunity to increase

Glasgow’s global prestige and influence> Relationship with the Scottish Government and its international policy,

in respect to Glasgow’s place as Commonwealth Games host city, Malawi and international development.

> Scotland Week in North America, including expansion beyond the New York City base.

> DFiD and the Commonwealth Local Government Good Practice Scheme, leading to further international development and civic diplomacy opportunities in pursuit of the UN MDGs.

> EU expansion, creating opportunities in 12 new member states, mainly in eastern and central Europe, with large potential markets.

> EU funds, including Research and Development programmes that have had their budgets substantially increased for the 2007 to 2013 period.

> Recognition in the City’s Economic Strategy of the role that a strong commitment to a comprehensive international dimension can play in growing the City economy.

> Build on success in conference and tourism markets, and the Scotland with Style brand.

> Progress in urban regeneration, which is in its own right a world class product.

> Growth potential of skills and dynamism of diverse and dynamic population, boosted by economic migration and other new Glaswegians.

> World class expertise in tackling worklessness, drugs misuse etc.,from long experience and established good practice.

> New products and applications of technological excellence in universitiesand industry.

> Benefits of innovative technology-based applications in Council servicesand other public sector management

> Potential to develop new fuel efficient products and services.

THREATS

The following threats and challenges could arise from the political, economic,social and technological conditions described:> The post-2008 recession could continue, with lasting and profound

effects on the local, national and international economies. > EU expansion presents new competitors for global resources.> EU Structural Funds will be cut from Glasgow and transferred to the

newer member states.> International competition will grow as globalisation increases.> Failing international presence of Glasgow’s industries> Outdated or negative image threat to international profile> Persistent deprivation, worklessness and drugs misuse, threatening to

hamper international performance> Social costs of migrant populations regarding health, education etc.> Possible transient benefits from economic migrants, who may return to

their country of origin leaving skills and personnel shortages> Threat of increased costs due to high fuel costs and requirements for

lower carbon emissions, and increased import penetration from more advanced producers.

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ST TIMOTHY’S PRIMARYSCHOOL

In Glasgow and beyond St Timothy’s Primary School isknown as “The InternationalEducation School of Excellence”.

Situated in the East End ofGlasgow, it draws its pupils from a wide and varied catchment area,including some of the most socially deprived sections ofGlasgow.

The school has won numerouslocal and external prestigiousawards in which internationaleducation has featured. They were the first primary schoolin Scotland to gain the BritishCouncil International SchoolAward. They won the DiamondAward for Enterprise, MotorolaAward for Enterprising Education,and Investors in PeopleCertification. They have beenawarded the Glasgow “ExcellenceAward in International Education”and have won the Primary SchoolInternational Quiz twice.

In St Timothy’s InternationalEducation is as much part of thecurriculum as mathematics or language. It has been included intheir School Improvement Plan for years and is now firmly imbedded in the learning experiences offered to children.They firmly believe that as ….

“Young people will spend theirlives as citizens in an increasinglyinternational world.” They must be equipped to make correct lifechoices and take life chances!

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4 Strategic Objectives

There is a sound and proven business case for international work by theCouncil, both in conjunction with partners and through its own Services.

At a strategic level, the most obvious advantage is to project a dynamic andoutward looking image to the world: Glasgow’s original position of prosperitywas founded on global trade, as the “Second City of the Empire.” Involvement in international programmes, network and projects has the benefit of keeping the City’s profile high for the right reasons, thereby contributing to competitiveness.

For example, the programme of inward delegations reinforced the messagethat Glasgow has one of the leading urban regeneration programmes inEurope. Likewise, the visits of the EUROCITIES Knowledge Society andEconomic Development Forums attracted over 100 experts in their respectivefields.

The Commonwealth Local Government Forum (CGLF) has identified the following advantages for councils to be involved in international development

> Sharing skills and good practice

> Improving working relations with local communities

> Honing interpersonal skills of staff

> Developing educational skills

> Promoting trade

> Increasing awareness of cultural diversity

> Improving partnerships with ethnic groups

Many of these apply equally to the broader international agenda. Moreover,Glasgow is quoted by the CLGF as an example of good practice in this context, and the SOLACE journal carried an article by LP&IO staff putting thatcase in the light of the Council’s experience. At a service level, this articledemonstrates the value to the Council and its partners, for example, the ITstaff from the Chief Executive’s department which visited Africa to installdonated equipment and train local people in its use, as the following extractshows.

IMPROVING SERVICE DELIVERY

> IT and building trades staff involved in the project reported an improvementin partnership skills, managing relationships and problem-solving.

> Sharing information and experience with overseas partners helps local authorities improve the quality and cost-effectiveness of their own services.

STAFF DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING

> Council officers who worked on challenges associated with resolving technical issues…reported an improvement in their own understanding of different cultures. This has enabled them to work more effectively within their own community.

> Staff appreciated the innovative training opportunities and experienced an improvement in a number of subject areas ranging from management development to practical skills.

PROMOTING STRONGER COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS

> The project included visits to a number of community partnerships in Glasgow. The interest shown by the (African) officers in the work being undertaken by local people encouraged those involved to look more closely at their achievements and helped to boost civic pride, community self esteem and personal confidence.

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Roads to Equality

Shawlands Academy has beeninvolved with Comenius 1 since1999. ‘Roads to Equality’, aComenius 1 School DevelopmentProject, ran from 2003 until 2006.

Prior to that the school coordinated‘Different Languages – One Spirit’and, finishing in 2007, ‘ActiveCitizens of a Clean Europe’.

‘Roads to Equality’ highlightsincluded the provision of RaceEquality training for headteachersfrom five European schools andin-service training for ShawlandsAcademy Staff delivered by members of the Comenius development group and also bytwo students from their partnerschool in Norway. The project was also showcased and presentedby two pupils at the launch of theComenius Lifelong LearningProgramme at the Foreign Officein January 2007.

The initiative also produced policyguidelines for the development ofbilingualism and race equality ineach partner school and thedevelopment of materials todevelop thinking skills inGeography.

One significant highlight was theinstallation of a ceramic mural inone of the partner schools in theCzech republic: ‘The Water ofLife’. The mural reflected the jointco-operation and aims for unityand working together within theComenius programme.

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The same outcomes are shown in the involvement of Social Work Services inthe EU’s Institution Building Partnership Programme (IBPP), where drugs misuse staff were able to learn from Russian colleagues. The SWS teamleader reported as follows:

There have been a number of spin-offs for Glasgow City Council. These haveincluded:-

A refocusing on family-based therapies in the city of Glasgow as part of ourcommitment to recovery and rehabilitation. Family-based therapies are thecornerstone of the Russian approach, but in the UK and European Union havediminished in their importance and been somewhat neglected. In Glasgow, we now intend to use our cross-learning to renew our interest in and developevidence based family focussed therapy services as part of our carers strategy;

The use of telephone helplines and outreach services to engage with youngpeople at a much earlier stage in the development of drugs and alcohol misuse. Glasgow is re-visiting how we use such measures as part of our Out-of-Hours and Assertive Outreach strategies within the Addiction Service.

The next phase of our Partnership will involve a second wave of potential professional development exchanges which will be largely self-financing.These include exploring the potential of a joint venture between the RoyalCollege of Psychiatrists and the State University of Rostov, Medical Schooland a joint venture between the University of Glasgow, Centre of ContinuingAdult Education and the Rostov Pedagological Institute which is responsiblefor the professional development training of Psychological and Social Servicesstaff.

The above has been an excellent example of levering in external resourcesthrough the European Union, building capacity in emerging democracies, suchas in the Russian Federation and utilising Glasgow’s expertise in this field withits Twin City partners in Rostov-on-Don. The spin-offs for both Rostov-on-Donand Glasgow City are extensive and work continues to plan a second phaseof wider Partnership work with a more diverse range of stakeholders.

The business case for the International Strategy is therefore based on concreteoutcomes which benefit Glasgow and the services which its citizens receive,delivered on a cost-effective basis, especially using resources levered inthrough mechanisms such as IBPP and the Commonwealth Local GovernmentGood Practice Scheme.

4.1 Objectives

Glasgow City Council can continue to build on its strategic approach and itspractical record in international relations to support its social, economic, cul-tural and sporting aims. In doing so, it will address the issues and challengesset out in the analysis shown earlier, and will provide support to the City’swider internationalisation objectives.

The following three high level objectives will help develop this approach:

> To build Glasgow’s role as host city for the 2014 Commonwealth Gamesby developing relationships with Commonwealth countries.This objective explicitly defines the Council’s role in relation to its position of host city; the timescale for its delivery; and acknowledges the importanceof the Commonwealth member countries as well as of the 2014 Games. It is therefore the root of the new Strategy’s title: “Glasgow: CommonwealthCity.” This will involve a range of relationships, as will be most appropriate in the case of specific countries. It will acknowledge that the City can offer support to and learn from less developed Commonwealth nations through its international development activities whilst also seeking to cement relationships with other Commonwealth nations which are now home to prosperous Scottish and Glasgow immigrant communities.

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WOODACRE NURSERYSCHOOL

Woodacre Nursery School is pioneering International Educationby embedding it into every area of the pre-5 curriculum. The school has been involved inan e-Twinning project for the pastthree years with a school in Milanand this has resulted in a varietyof life experiences being sharedbetween the two countries. Each annual project enabled theschool to further embed international education in the curriculum, for example, sharinginformation on the cultural festivals celebrated, knowledge of the different types of foodeaten, the differing curricularactivities undertaken in eachschool, the changing weather patterns and many more. Due tothe age group of the childreninvolved (3-5 years) the use of ICT equipment helped to bridgethe gap between the countriesand helped the children to appreciate that they were conversing with another country.Furthermore the use of mascotshas enabled the children to understand that their ‘friend’ was living life in another country.The children visited the BearFactory in Glasgow to create anew friend that they namedHamish. He was given a warm set of clothes and a kilt and sentoff to Italy to meet the Italianschool children. They then sentRaffaella, an Italian cuddly toy.This immediately facilitated thesharing of information as the children were able to relate to theescapades of their ‘friend’ abroad.”This resulted in a wide range ofactivities that depicted life in Italyor Scotland and helped to fosterthe children’s understanding of the world and Scotland’s place init.

The children have been using avast range of technology withinthe project for example email,webcams, digital photographs,scanning pictures and creatingsimple PowerPoint presentationsoften enhanced with audio clipswhich is an excellent medium ofcommunication for early yearschildren.

EDUCATION

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SOCIAL WORK SERVICES

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> To enhance the City’s image, impact and presence internationally.This objective remains from the 2004 to 2007 strategy. It remains a strategicaim to continue to pursue the same goal of competitiveness and generally to ensure that Glasgow is known to deliver in the global economy. It remains the case that the City’s performance in terms of the number and quality of international transactions undertaken by its institutions (including Further and Higher Education) and businesses will be important. The City Council can assist in this process both in terms of its own activities and of offering civic leadership through the offices of Lord Provost, Leader of the Council, and other senior elected members. For example, the City Council can also add prestige to international events and visits by continuing use its assets, (eg City Chambers, Kelvingrove, the Burrell, art venues and architecture) and the provision of appropriate civic hospitality, as a way of making any visit to Glasgow memorable. In addition, it is expected that these aspects will be aligned with wider Council objectives as set out in the Council Plan 2008 to 2011.

> To play a full role in the Internationalisation Strand of the “Step Changefor Glasgow” economic strategy. This final objective makes explicit the relationship with the ten-year economic strategy “A Step Change for Glasgow”. This was published in November 2006, and acknowledges that: “Like other ambitious and far-sighted organisations, Glasgow needs to devise a comprehensive internationalisation strategy…it is much more than simply a strategy for marketing existing products and services…” The subsequent draft action plan to support the Step Change strategy identified the potential for a city-wide partnership to pursue this internationalisation agenda. The Lord Provost and International Office has the expertise to support any such partnership.

Delivery of the appropriate policies and programmes to achieve these aims willdepend upon several important factors. Externally, these are the key internationalrelationships, for example with key twin cities and important international networks;internally, they are the policy and delivery expertise of the Council itself.

4.2 Programmes

The former International Strategy was based on five programmes which supported its three high level objectives. These were as follows:

> Competitive City

> Twinning

> Small World

> Networks and information

> Planning and resources.

For 2009 to 2012, the programmes have been adapted to meet the needs ofthe new objectives and will be as follows:

> Commonwealth and International Development will succeed the former Small World programme, reflecting the specific commitment of the Council that Lord Provost will have responsibility for relations with Commonwealth countries, supported by the LP&IO. It will reflect established relationships with Pakistan, Malawi, Sri Lanka and South Africa, and will make the best possible use will be made of such resources as the Commonwealth Local Government Good Practice Scheme and the Scottish Government’s International Development Fund. In doing so, it will also seek to create beneficial relationships between the more and less prosperous cities of the Commonwealth. This programme will also reflect the Lord Provost’s status as Lord Lieutenant and the Queen’s representative, who is the key diplomatic representative of Glasgow. In addition, it will it will use the Lord Provost’s civic role to make links with the residents of Glasgow with backgrounds, and to support their involvement.

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4 Strategic Objectives

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> Twin Cities and Global Citizenship will succeed the former Twinning programme. It will include activities to meet the Strategy’s objectives in conjunction with Glasgow’s eight twin cities. In addition, it is intended that the programme will continue to support inward delegations and study visits from other countries and cities wherever possible. The programme will also include activities to promote good governance and civil society in newly emerging democracies.

> Global Glasgow will operate in succession to the former Competitive City and Networks and Information programmes. It will therefore include external relations to the new Step Change strategy and inputs to the globalisation agenda as Glasgow seeks to expand its profile, especially into crucial markets such as North America and China. In the important area of business tourism, the Council will support the conference and congress operations by continuing to provide appropriate welcomes and hospitality.

The Council will also seek to work with business and academic partners tofoster and promote Glasgow’s global reach in their respective fields.

The Council will also seek to confirm its international standing through seekingsuch acknowledgement as World Heritage (Antonine Wall, Charles RennieMackintosh) and UNICEF (City of Music) status. Internally, Council serviceswill be informed of opportunities for participation in international projects andprogrammes, especially those attracting EU support, and networks such asEUROCITIES and its forums.

4.3 Action Planning

This International Strategy to 2012 Glasgow – Commonwealth City is a setof corporate objectives to be carried out by City Council Services and, whereappropriate, its partners.

The three programmes – Commonwealth & International Development; TwinCiites and Global Citizenship; and Global Glasgow – will be supported byaction plans, which will be developed by those Services and partners. Thesewill then form a key part of the monitoring, evaluation and transparencyprocess, contributing to website and activity reports.

4.4 Monitoring, Evaluation and Transparency

Monitoring and evaluation of activity will be achieved through:

> Bonn Index updates

> A second on-line survey will be developed and completed in 2011 which will provide a measure of change against the previous survey which will become a baseline. This will also provide a useful tool for advising the drafting of the subsequent Strategy.

> Appropriate pages on the Council’s website will be developed, to ensure that the Glasgow public and the wider world are aware of the activities undertaken in pursuit of the Strategy. This could also be constructed with web links to the sites of partners, thus becoming a portal to Glasgow’s international activity.

> A final Activity Report will be prepared at the termination of the strategy period in 2012. In other years, the website will offer a less formal but comprehensive summary of activity.

> Further development of monitoring information, based on project outputs and programme outcomes will be carried out where appropriate and published in the activity reports and on the website.

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NOTES

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NOTES

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Glasgow’s International and European Strategy

2009 to 2012 is published by the Lord Provost's

and International Office, Glasgow City Council,

City Chambers, George Square, Glasgow G1 1DU.

Phone +44 141 287 4276 Fax +44 141 287 5705

Email laura.lambert@glasgow.gov.uk

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COMMONWEALTH AND INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT / TWIN CITIES AND GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP / GLOBAL GLASGOW /

www.glasgow.gov.uk

ACTIVITY REPORT 2009/2012

Malawi South Africa Nuremberg Dalian Marseilles Turin Bethlehem HavanaRostov-0n-DonLahore Toronto Chicago New York

This Activity Report is the first which has been produced subsequent to the publication of Glasgow’s International and European Strategy to cover the 2009-2012 period. It is also the first International Activity Report which has been produced following the merger of the former International Office with the Lord Provost’s Office.

2 COMMONWEALTH AND INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

ACTIVITY REPORT 2009/2012 3

COMMONWEALTH AND INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENTThis programme reflects the Council’s emphasis on the Commonwealth and builds on established links, for example, those with Malawi and South Africa.

4

Funding for the Council’s work in Malawi comes primarily from a share of the monies raised at the Lord Provost’s annual Burns Supper. The following amounts have been donated since 2009: (2009) £24,240.50, (2010) £47,293.92, and (2011) £35,277.85 - totalling £106,812.27

Since 2004, Glasgow City Council has shipped approximately 1200 items of medical equipment, 4300 boxes of medical supplies and more than 1000 desktop computers to Malawi.

The following projects were some of the highlights of 2009-2011:

2009n Creation of a Library and IT learning centre

at Kamuzu Central Hospital in Lilongwe. This was done in partnership with the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons, Glasgow.

n Delivery of a programme of IT training to medical and administrative staff at Kamuzu Central Hospital in Lilongwe.

n Installation of IT equipment in a selected number of primary schools in Lilongwe, identified by the local Education Authority. PC’s supplied by Access (Glasgow) LLP.

n Delivery of a programme of IT training to teaching staff in Lilongwe, identified through the local Education Authority.

Glasgow’s relationship with Malawi has gone from strength to strength since its beginnings in 2004. The collaborative nature of the partnership ensures that all projects are planned and delivered in partnership with Malawi organisations. The Council is also a member of the Scotland- Malawi Partnership and has made several presentations on Glasgow’s work in Malawi at awareness raising events organised by the Partnership.

MALAWI

COMMONWEALTH AND INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

5ACTIVITY REPORT 2009/2012

2010

BUILDING PROJECTS

n Construction of new prosthetics and orthotics workshop and clinic and refurbishment of existing Clinic in partnership with the charity, 500 Miles.

Working in partnership with the charity 500 Miles and following extensive discussions with the Ministry of Health, a decision was taken to build a new larger prosthetics and orthotics workshop and clinic in Kamuzu Central Hospital. This was as a result of the outstanding success of the existing clinic, built by City Building (Glasgow) LLP in 2008.

The new clinic is now up and running and has enabled a greater number of patients to be fitted with prosthetic and orthotic devices.

IT PROJECTS

n Cabling of new hospital teaching block and nurses’ accommodation and installation of IT equipment at Daeyang Luke Mission Hospital in Lilongwe. This was undertaken by staff from Access (Glasgow) LLP.

n Creation of an IT learning centre at Dzaleka Refugee Camp near Lilongwe.

n Delivery of a programme of enhanced IT training to teaching and technical staff in Lilongwe and Dedza City Assemblies.

n Delivery of a programme of enhanced IT training to medical and technical staff at Daeyang Luke Mission Hospital and Kamuzu Central Hospital.

n Installation of IT equipment at Dedza City Assembly.

n Delivery of IT training to local government employees, identified by Dedza City Assembly.

6

2011

IT projects/vehicle maintenancen Installing IT equipment at Teacher

Development Centres and in a selected number of primary schools in Lilongwe, identified by the Ministry of Education. PC’s supplied by Access (Glasgow) LLP.

n Installing IT equipment at Dzaleka Refugee Camp near Lilongwe.

n Delivering a programme of enhanced IT training to teaching and technical staff in Lilongwe and Dedza.

n Delivery of IT training to local government employees, identified by Lilongwe and Dedza City Assemblies.

n Delivering a workshop in vehicle maintenance to mechanics from Lilongwe City Assembly by Field Service Engineer, HEIL Europe (company who supplied refuse collection vehicles at reduced cost which Glasgow City Council shipped to Malawi in 2008). In the spirit of partnership, the costs for bringing engineer from HEIL were met by Lilongwe City Assembly.

n Updating Library and IT learning centre at Kamuzu Central Hospital in Lilongwe.

n Creation of a second IT learning centre at Kamuzu Central Hospital in Lilongwe.

n Visit to Hansen’s Disease management centre at Liwonde to discuss ongoing and future support.

n Monitoring visits to orphan feeding programmes; previous IT installations and projects currently being funded through the Lord Provost’s Malawi Fund.

n Progressing a pilot solid waste management project with Lilongwe City Assembly.

n Meeting with the Health Ministry and relevant hospital officials at Kamuzu Central Hospital to discuss and plan for a capital build project in 2012.

n Meeting with YOSSA (Youth Support for Social Advancement) to discuss future support.

The Lord Provost’s Malawi Fund has also supported the following projects in Malawi:-

n Mary’s Meals.

n Education Services (Malawi Leaders of Learning – a teacher training initiative).

n Visits by staff and pupils from Holyrood Secondary to assist with the refurbishment and building of schools.

n Exchange between Glasgow Scottish Youth Parliament members and the National Youth Council of Malawi.

COMMONWEALTH AND INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

7ACTIVITY REPORT 2009/2012

n The Freedom of the City awarded (in his absence) to Nelson Mandela in the City Chambers by the Lord Provost in 1981.

n The Launch of Glasgow to London walk to free Mandela. Oliver Tambo, Archbishop Trevor Huddleston and the then Lord Provost attended a huge rally in Glasgow Green in 1988.

n Nelson Mandela collects the Freedoms of all UK Cities in person at a special ceremony in the City Chambers in 1993.

n City Chambers acts as polling station for South African exiles to vote in April 1994.

In 2005, Glasgow entered into partnership with Amathole District Municipality on the Eastern Cape to undertake a project, funded through the Commonwealth Local Government Good Practice Scheme (CLGGPS). Senior officers from Glasgow City Council worked with colleagues from Amathole to assist in the establishment and strengthening of Amathole’s Local Economic Development Agency and their Urban Renewal Programme.

The project drew on the skills and expertise of both partners to find sustainable solutions to local problems and aimed to impact on other councils in South Africa facing similar situations.

In November 2007, the project culminated in a technical partnership, signed between Glasgow and Amathole and aimed at strengthening the relationship between the two authorities. This was effected through a Memorandum of Understanding (M.O.U.), which set out the objectives and scope of the Partnership.

Following on from the success of this project, in 2010, Glasgow City Council was awarded a further £40 000 from the CLGGPS to work with Amathole on establishing:-

n A joint Marketing and Tourism agency.

n Developing Community Benefit clauses.

n Developing a Credit Union.

n The creation of a sustainable lighting project.

The partnership was also extended to include Buffalo City Municipality on the Eastern Cape.

Glasgow has a long and proud tradition of support for the people of South Africa. Highlights of the Council’s support have included:-

SOUTH AFRICA

8

TWIN CITIES AND GLOBAL CITIZENSHIPGlasgow’s twinning programme continues to grow in strength, both in terms of the scope and range of activities and the individuals involved. The increasing number of projects involving different sectors of the City illustrate the way in which Glasgow and its people continue to value and support twinning activities.

9ACTIVITY REPORT 2009/2012

NUREMBERG

Glasgow celebrated 25 years of twinning with Nuremberg in 2010. The year was marked by a series of projects all celebrating the long lasting friendship and cooperation between the two Cities.

10 TWIN CITIES AND GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP

These included:-

n a collaboration between fashion and design students from North Glasgow College and the Berufschule Nuremberg which culminated in joint fashion shows in Glasgow and Nuremberg.

n “Augenblicke/Moments“ – this joint project, between photography students from Glasgow Metropolitan College and an adult education class in Nuremberg documented, through photography, events and cultural life within the two city centres. This photo documentary of Glasgow and Nuremberg was exhibited in Glasgow and Nuremberg.

n In October 2010, Glasgow welcomed a cross party delegation from Nuremberg, led by the Lord Mayor of Nuremberg, Dr. Ulrich Maly. The delegation visited a number of twinning projects and also took part in a policy summit is aimed at stimulating discussion between Glasgow and Nuremberg on how local authorities are dealing with the impact of the recession.

Image:Photography exhibition – Nuremberg

Nuremberg Burns Supper/ Glasgow Cultural Weekend

January 2011 marked 20 years of Nuremberg hosting a Burns Supper. In the spirit of partnership, Glasgow brings the musical entertainment to Nuremberg, in the form of local musicians and dancers and the all important haggis and Nuremberg supplies the enthusiasm and love of all things Scottish. The weekend is a celebration of Scottish cultural life and an opportunity for Glasgow to showcase its attractions. The venue is the Grand Hotel in Nuremberg who provide very generous sponsorship every year. Glasgow plays its part by sourcing a whisky company to provide the liquid refreshments and promote one of Scotland’s most successful exports. The annual event also enables the Lord Provost to meet with his counterpart, the Lord Mayor of Nuremberg and discuss issues of mutual interest.

11ACTIVITY REPORT 2009/2012TWIN CITIES AND GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP

Interpretation for Mrs Song was provided by Ms Hao Chen who provided translation at the Beijing Olympics and by Jenny Chang who teaches Mandarin at Hillhead High School (a Confucius Hub).

The coach spent two weeks at the Glasgow School of Sport delivering badminton coaching to pupils and offering a coaching masterclass for the benefit of staff.

It is hoped that this visit will be the start of a partnership between the Liaoning Table tennis and Badminton Management Centre in Dalian and Glasgow School of Sport which will ultimately lead to young players from GSOS spending time in Dalian being coached by world champion badminton players.

DALIAN

Following up on a promise made by the Mayor of Dalian, during a successful visit to Dalian in 2008, led by the Lord Provost of Glasgow, Councillor Bob Winter, Glasgow welcomed world-class badminton coach, Mrs Qinghua Song from Dalian to Glasgow in September 2011. Mrs Song has previously coached 2004 and 2008 Olympic ladies single champion Zhang Ning and 2008 Olympic champions Du Jing and Yu Yang.

12

MARSEILLES

Education Partnership

As part of the Memorandum of Understanding signed by both Education Departments in Glasgow and Marseilles, in both 2009 and 2010, Glasgow welcomed a number of Marseilles teachers through the Jules Verne Programme, initiated by the French government. The programme aims to encourage and facilitate French teachers taking a year’s leave of absence to work in an educational establishment abroad.

The teachers are not necessarily language specialists, though do have a good command of English. Their subject expertise is therefore a secondary field in which they can offer service. Interdisciplinary working is very much facilitated by having such dual experts. We see within a programme like this Curriculum for Excellence in action, with the added benefit of international education at its core.

Glasgow was delighted to welcome two secondary and two primary teachers to Glasgow. Holyrood Secondary Hillhead High.

St Brigid’s Primary and Hillhead Primary. All schools were very impressed by the professionalism and commitment of these teachers. They integrated very well and took part in the life of the schools they attended.

Whilst Glasgow has gained enormously from having these teachers, there is also the expectation that they return to France with increased skills and knowledge which will be a benefit to their own schools and authorities.

One of the benefits of this partnership is the social, cultural and human aspects it brings. The two cities can share so many perspectives on vision and strategies in the fields of education and training pedagogical and cultural areas which aim to develop fruitful educational links between the communities and the staff who work to further pupil’s life chances and the opening up of our schools and our education systems to Europe and the world.

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13ACTIVITY REPORT 2009/2012

Comenius Regio 2011-2013

Glasgow has been successful in securing £90,000 funding from the Comenius Regio European funding programme.

The project will seek to enhance teaching practice for migrant, newly arrived young people through the exchange of best practice and expertise in both Local Authorities with respect to primary /secondary transition for newly arrived students in Glasgow and Marseilles. It will devise a new Teacher Education component within the post graduate diploma in education at the University of Glasgow in conjunction with the university of Aix en Provence.

It will utilise and disseminate nationally the experience of second language teachers and Local Authority policies on anti discrimination to enhance policy and practice with respect to inclusive methodology in schools. The initiative will equip teachers to better meet the needs of pupils within a diverse European school community. The model will be transferable and applicable to various contexts and will include opportunities for student teachers at devised seminars in both Local Authorities.

The initiative will introduce pupils to active learning opportunities through which they gain an understanding of tolerance and respect and the benefits of working in a cooperative way with peers from other cultures. These methods will form a holistic framework, improving classroom practice for migrant, bilingual pupils within diverse European schools in the context of identified school inspectorate action points.

Metropolitan College / Hotel Lycee

In 2010/2011, Glasgow Metropolitan College and the Lycee Hotelliere in Marseilles developed an exchange programme, Students and staff took part in a visit to Glasgow which involved attending Glasgow Metropolitan and seeing their facilities, working in Scholars Kitchen and Jamies Italian. The return trip saw students from Glasgow visit Marseilles’s Lycee Hotelliere and a course in making the Marseilles speciality of Boillabaisse, visiting the cities fish and meat markets with a cultural programme included.

It is intended to continue this exchange programme as both the students and staff found the project to very worthwhile and contributed greatly to their coursework and experience in their hospitality and catering course

They hope to develop this exchange beyond their catering school to look at Tourism and to make this a long term partnership securing European funding through Leonardo.

TWIN CITIES AND GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP

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TURIN: 2010/11

TORINOver SOS Planet was a worldwide exhibition’s project created through the partnership between the twin cities Glasgow and Torino. The exhibition was also hosted in other foreign countries for a one year period duration.

n One exhibition in Torino and Glasgow with big installations and site specific works, at San Pietro in Vincoli place and Porta Nuova metro stations, and at Trongate 103 and Buchanan Station.

n Another project, called 1YEAR MESSAGE!, a video art project with 20 international artists, which involves many different metro stations:

Torino – Glasgow Lille Cologne Nagoya Salt Lake City Sestriere

The main exhibition’s topic dealt with environment and all its aspects - the language of art, with its strong communicative impact, has the power to reach individuals and prompt them to rethink their habits and lifestyles so as to eventually lead towards a comprehensive improvement of the current situation. The exhibition aimed to reveal possible new scenarios, dwell on simple issues and topics, promote a campaign of awareness through different places and peculiar situations such as the underground of many worldwide cities.

The entire project consists of two different parts:

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15ACTIVITY REPORT 2009/2012

SMART Cities

Glasgow City Council is in discussions to develop a partnership with Turin, through the Covenant of Mayors agreement and the SMART cities initiative.

Glasgow’s Lord Provost addressed the Covenant of Mayors Conference & Signing Ceremony on the theme of Sustainable Glasgow at the European Commission in 2010. Under the Covenant of Mayors initiative, Glasgow submitted a Strategic Energy Action Plan (SEAP) which has now been officially approved by the Covenant of Mayors.

Like Glasgow, Turin took part in the initiative of the European Commission Covenant of Mayors, being one of the first Italian Cities to commit to this.

Glasgow was the first UK city to win a grant from the IBM Smarter Cities Challenge initiative. The grant provides Glasgow with access to IBM’s top experts to analyse and recommend ways the city can become an even better place in which to live, work and play.

The IBM Smarter Cities Challenge is a competitive grant program in which IBM is awarding a total of $50 million worth of technology and services to 100 municipalities worldwide over the next three years.

Glasgow hopes to maximise the tremendous opportunities to develop low-carbon energy technologies, efficient homes, the provision of affordable heat and the creation of sustainable communities. By reducing energy costs and helping to tackle fuel poverty for poorer sections of our community we hope to have a real impact on improving people’s health and quality of life.

Similarly Turin launched a local initiative, Torino Smart City, devoted to enhancing their local sustainability policies. The City Council approved

the Sustainable Energy Action Plan which sets out actions that could lead to innovate and produce high technology, to reduce energy consumption of buildings, to promote clean transport and improve the overall quality of life of its inhabitants, increasingly limiting emissions.

Both cities are looking to develop partnerships with other European cities to enhance their local sustainability policies within a major European framework and will discuss the potential of funding opportunities through the European Commissions DG Energy and the Smart Cities & Communities Initiative.

150 Year Unification of Italy celebrations

2011 saw Italy celebrate 150 years of its unification, which led to the creation of the Italian nation. Glasgow’s twin city of Turin had a year-long programme of events to mark this important date in Italian history.

Glasgow was invited to participate in these celebrations and held a Glasgow day. This was a great opportunity for the City to be showcased with information on the city, a photo exhibition, musicians, dancers and performing artists.

Glasgow City Council worked with a number of partners to ensure a successful programme and to take full potential of promoting Glasgow to an international audience.

The Lord Provost has accepted an invitation from the Mayor of Turin to visit Turin in November 2011.

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BETHLEHEM

Education Programme

From 2010 Glasgow has established a number of partnerships with schools in Bethlehem. Following a Christmas Card Exchange between the schools, both cities are developing further educational links and building stronger partnerships with the schools.

Due to mobility constraints, the most practical way to develop these partnerships was through using IT and the Web. Glasgow’s International Education Office is encouraging the schools to develop the links through the E-TWINNING initiative through the British Council.

The teachers and pupils work through a number of subjects and areas such as;

n Introductory letters / emails for the pupils to get to know each other.

n Geography; Google maps, describing where they live, looking at where their cities and countries are situated.

n Developing a presentation on My City.

n Cookery; health & wellbeing.

n Music.

n History.

n Free time and social activities.

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17ACTIVITY REPORT 2009/2012

Faten Nastas visit

The city hosted Faten Nastas, an artist and lecturer from our Twin City of Bethlehem to participate in a series of visits and talks throughout the City.

Faten studied contemporary art at Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design in Jerusalem and is currently the Chairperson of the Visual Arts Department at Dar al-Kalima College in Bethlehem.

During her visit Faten visited a number of schools already linked with Bethlehem and was looking to strengthen these partnerships and take as much information back to the schools in Bethlehem.

TWIN CITIES AND GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP

A lecture also took place at St Mungo Museum. The lecture gave an overview of the concerns of contemporary Palestinian artists and cultural centres, with a highlight about the Diyar Consortium.

Glasgow was also keen that Faten met with arts organisations (Trongate 103 / Sculpture Studios / Wasps / Glasgow School of Art) and artists throughout the city to discuss potential partnerships and projects between the two cities. It is hoped that the Centre for Contemporary Art and Trongate 103 can have a Palestinian Artist as part of their Artist in Residence programme.

18

Tengo Frio 2010 – Residency and Exhibition

Tengo Frio is a Scottish based artist led group. With funding assistance from the Lord Provost & International Office they organised a residency and exhibition for three Cuban Artists in Glasgow during the summer of 2010. The aim of the project was to bring to Glasgow contemporary work that has originated from a culture where collaboration and collectivism have been intrinsic to its artistic identity. The artists - Lester Alvarez Meno, Elizabaht Cervino and Jose Eduardo Yaque Llorente arrived from Havana on June 30th 2010 and took up their artist’s residency at the Glasgow School of Art.

After making new work in the studios of the art school the three artists exhibited at WASPS Hanson Street Space. The exhibition was called Parabolas Del Agua, or Parabols of the Water.

The preview was on the 31st July and there was a good turn out due to good press coverage. There was also an exhibition produced along with the exhibition that had essays written by Lester Alvarez Meno, Elvia Castro and the directors of Tengo Frio, Florrie James and Maria Paz Gardiazabal. All texts were translated in Spanish and English in the catalogue.

HAVANA

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Images:Cuban artists at work in Havana and at the Wasps Hanson Street Space.

19ACTIVITY REPORT 2009/2012

Guantanamera: Cuba and Miami. Two film producers from Glasgow School of Art (Ross Birrell and David Harding) received funding from the Lord Provost & International office and the Scottish Arts Council to make a film of the most famous of Cuban songs, Guantanamera. The film was shot on location in Cuba and Miami (January 2009).

The original lyrics to the song Guantanamera (lit: ‘the woman of Guantanamo’) are derived from the Versos Sencillos of the Cuban national poet, revolutionary and martyr, José Martí (1853-1895). An inspirational nationalist hero who fought to liberate Cuba from oppression, José Martí is claimed by both pro-Castro and anti-Castro Cubans alike.

In Cuba the song was recorded in Guantanamo by the Changui singer Jose Andres Ramirez (Changui Guantanamo) and broadcast on the Il Proposito cultural programme on Foxa radio station in Havana. In Miami the song was recorded by the famous Cuban-American singer, Renee Barrios and was attempted to be broadcast on the right wing Government station, Radio Marti to mark the anniversary of Marti’s birth. After permission had been denied, at the last minute the song was broadcast on the US-Cuban radio station, La Poderosa who devoted an hour-long phone-in show to the project.

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ROSTOV-ON-DON

The gymnastics project that was established in 2008 between Rostov-on-Don and Glasgow has been a great success and will continue at least until the Commonwealth Games in 2014. The Olympic Reserve School in Russia was founded in 1948, this school specialises in the sport of artistic gymnastics. Its focus is to produce gymnasts who will compete and win at the Olympic Games and it does just that! Olympic Prize Winners include Elena Produnova (Olympic Prize Winner 2000) and Maria Kruychkova (Olympic Prize Winner Athens 2004). This Olympic Reserve School is regarded as one of the best gymnastic complexes in Russia.

The Glasgow School of Sport is Scotland’s national sports school based at Bellahouston Academy in Glasgow. This exchange programme provides a unique opportunity for Glasgow to learn from world leaders in the sport of artistic gymnastics. It is a partnership of excellence that has already raised the standards of performance both within Glasgow and Scotland.

World Leaders in Artistic Gymnastics Establish Exchange Programme with Glasgow.

TWIN CITIES AND GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP

Image:Young gymnasts arriving in Glasgow from Rostov-on-Don’s Olympic Reserve School Num 2.

21ACTIVITY REPORT 2009/2012

Celtic-Cossack Connections The twinning connection between Glasgow and Rostov-on-Don proved again to be the stimulus for an 18 month music project between the two city conservatoires. Funded by a major EU grant from the Institution Building Partnership Programme, Celtic-Cossack Connections was an ambitious, collaborative programme of musical and educational exchange between Scotland and the Don Region of Southern Russia. The programme of activities was delivered by a partnership which included the Rostov State Rachmaninov Conservatory, the Rostov State Musical Theatre, the Russian Cultural Centre, Glasgow, Scottish Opera and the Rostov Jazz School, the project was led by the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama.

A core feature of the collaboration was the staging of joint and reciprocal performances in a range of musical disciplines including opera, strings, traditional music and jazz. In the development of the project, emphasis was placed on the staging of productions which could not be undertaken by any one institution acting alone, and on the showcasing of repertoire less familiar to the

TWIN CITIES AND GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP

Image:Celtic Cossack Connections.

students of the two conservatoires and the audiences of Glasgow and Rostov-on-Don. The resultant programme featured new scores by young composers and the world premiere of the original version of Sergei Prokofiev‘s opera ‘War and Peace‘, reconstructed from manuscript sources by Dr Rita McAllister, a Prokofiev scholar of international repute.

The students, graduates and staff of the two conservatoires also benefited from an extensive exchange programme. Based on common and complementary specialisms in musical training and performance skills, the exchanges provided teaching and learning opportunities through a mixture of one-to-one mentoring; master classes; workshops; peer appraisal; ensemble rehearsal and productions. A series of innovative, multi-disciplinary workshops was delivered for students of schools and music colleges in the Don Region and Central Belt of Scotland.

For Scotland and Russia, the project provided an international platform to promote national cultural and educational assets.

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LAHORE

Both cities have identified a number of key areas for potential collaboration between Scottish Academia and establishments in Lahore. One area under discussion is training the trainers on the use and integration of social media in core business activities.

This is an ongoing process involving building partnerships with UK Institutions both academic and non academic.

TWIN CITIES AND GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP

23ACTIVITY REPORT 2009/2012

NORTH AMERICA

Toronto April 2011.

The visit to Toronto was a trade mission by SCDI, which has responsibility for Glasgow’s international trade programme. The mission was joined by a number of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), all of which had interest in Toronto and Canada.

The companies were all very appreciative of the Lord Provost’s presence. Business to business follow-ups to the meetings on the mission have now identified potential orders in the region of £1 million for the companies concerned. This was widely reported in the Scottish and Glasgow press.

While in Toronto, the LP and the trade mission members met David Mundell MP, Scotland Office Minister, who welcomed the initiative. Together, the Lord Provost and trade mission with Mr Mundell attended a detailed briefing by the UK Consulate’s Commercial Attaché, who described current trade conditions with Ontario and Canada as well as future potential opportunities. These include those which may arise from ongoing talks between the Canadian federal government and the European Union regarding a possible bilateral trade agreement; NAFTA regulations may also provide access to wider North American markets, especially in the USA.

The Lord Provost was interviewed by the Toronto Post, which carried a half-page photograph and interview article on 5th April, in which the Lord Provost was able to make the following points:

n The strength of links between Canada and Glasgow.

n How their common heritage should be used to develop stronger business relationships.

n The common interest in the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

n Glasgow’s record of regeneration.

The visit to Toronto also included a Tartan Day dinner held by the Scottish Studies Association, which was a first class opportunity to engage with the expatriate and diaspora Scottish communities.

The Lord Provost was guest of honour and gave a speech of greetings which was well received.

Lord Provost Visit to North America, April 2011.

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Joined up approach to selling Glasgow 11 April 2011

Last week a twelve strong delegation of Glasgow companies visited Toronto with the Scottish Council for Development & Industry during Scotland Week and flew the flag for the promotion of our city.

Glasgow has a long standing relationship with Toronto and there are a number of synergies between our economies including financial services, sustainability, creative design, business tourism, education and construction.

During the week we had the opportunity to meet with representatives from the Toronto Municipal Government, UK Trade & Investment and a number of Canadian entrepreneurs and business people with connections back to Scotland. These networks are vital to helping small businesses to open doors in this expansive market.

A major key to success was the participation of the Lord Provost of Glasgow, Cllr Bob Winter as Leader of this visit. The Lord Provost is a great ambassador and asset for the city of Glasgow and his presence with us ensured media profile for our group in market and has facilitated a number of introductions to high profile individuals who can support us to achieve our ambitions and create jobs and opportunities for Glasgow. Some companies on the trade visit received grant support from the City Council, which goes towards a small portion of the costs of doing business abroad. The real investment for Scottish SMEs is their time away from their desk and normal day-to-day business. The delegation is very positive about future business with Toronto, noting that one good deal could negate the cost of the entire trade visit.

For Glasgow to be a successful and outward looking city it is vital that businesses and local government work in partnership. The visit last week has demonstrated that this model can work and we look forward to continuing to work in partnership with Glasgow City Council to achieve our ambitions internationally both as businesses and as a city.

John McCormack, CFO, Fruit Mobile Colin Maclean, Director, China Club HQ Laurie Clark, Director, ASC Concrete Stephen Telford, Managing Director, High Voltage Instruments Will Gunn, Director of Architecture, Wilson and Gunn Architects

TWIN CITIES AND GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP

25ACTIVITY REPORT 2009/2012

Chicago 6 -8 April 2011

The visit to Chicago was a follow-up to the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding last year, which committed the two cities to co-operation.

In particular this outlined 5 immediate possible areas of mutual benefit for co-operation:

n Young offenders and criminal justice.

n Exhibition on influence of Scots in Chicago.

n Art museum exchanges.

n Golf-related trade and tourism opportunities re Ryder Cup (Chicago 2012, Gleneagles 2014).

n General trade missions.

Further contact will be made with the incoming Mayor of Chicago to advance the relationship. In the meantime, advisory groups have been set up in Chicago and Glasgow, each comprising influential individuals as well as agencies which will be able to advance the programme of co-operation between the two cities.

New York City - April 2011

In New York City, the Lord Provost again met Mr David Mundell, and also Deputy Presiding Officer Alistair Morgan MSP and Jim Mather MSP, Scottish Government Minster for industry, energy and tourism. Working together, the quartet comprised a well-received and effective representation of Scotland’s and Glasgow’s interests.

The visit to New York City was to accept the invitation of the New York National Tartan Day parade for the Lord Provost to act as Grand Marshal of the Parade.

This was the first time a Lord Provost had been chosen to do so (others in the past have included Sir Sean Connery, and Presiding Officers of the Scottish Parliament) so this was great honour for the City as well as for the LP. The Parade was a great success and the LP was a very popular Grand Marshal.

The Lord Provost also met with 15 S1 pupils from Shawlands Academy who had travelled to New York for an educational excursion, as the only school in Scotland invited to visit local schools and take part in Scotland Week events and the Tartan Day Parade. Funding was provided by the Southside Central Area Committee and the Lord Provost’s and International Office.

TWIN CITIES AND GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP

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What is International Education?

‘In a fast changing , globalised world, education need to help people understand the wider world around them and make the global connections between issues such as poverty or climate change and their own lives. It should prepare them to live and work in a global society and economy and engage them to make the world a better place’.

The International Education Office’s Development within the Glasgow Local Authority looks at a systemic approach working alongside the British Council, Glasgow University, Schools, Masterclassers, HMIE, the Lord Provost’s & International Office, Learning Teaching Scotland and the International Education Strategy Group.

Research demonstrates that effective practice in International Education is an interdependent system and an effective system will involve the following component parts;

n Community of teachers.

n Professional development.

n External funding.

n Context specific.

n Sustainable / ecological.

n Impact on the Curriculum.

International Education has a number of benefits for the Curriculum;

n Critical and creative thinking.

n Self-awareness and open-mindedness towards difference.

n Understanding of global issues and power relationships; and

n Optimism and action for a better world.

INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION

Developing the International Dimension within Schools

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27ACTIVITY REPORT 2009/2012

Current International Education Programme ongoing in Glasgow Educational establishments;

n International Inspirations – Turkey.

n Global School Partnerships – Trinidad.

n Comenius – Europe.

n eTwinning – Europe.

n Connecting Classrooms – Pakistan.

n Connecting Classrooms Europea Poland, Spain, Bosnia Herzegovina.

n Five Nations – Northern Ireland.

n School Exchange Programmes – South Aftica, Sub Saharan Africa, Asia, Europe.

n Comenius In-Service Training – Turkey.

n Global Exchange Programme – Kenya.

n LTS SCIPD.

n Confucius Classrooms – China.

n Comenius Regio – Marseilles.

n Delhi Ambassadors – Bcouncil INDIE.

Partnership from Govan High Pupils

What difference has the partnership made to you personally?

Student 1 – “It’s an extraordinary experience to be here. When I go back to Scotland, I am going to change the way I live. Like electricity. You don’t realise how much electricity it means to you. We take it for granted over in Scotland. Here people don’t have electricity. Even in the hotel, we didn’t have electricity this morning, but people here still manage.”

TWIN CITIES AND GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP

GLOBAL GLASGOWGlobal Glasgow promotes international networking and the development of the city’s international relationships. Within this programme, Council activity in networks aims to give each Council Service opportunities to participate in international projects and programmes, especially those attracting EU support.

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EUROCITIES is the network for large European cities. Its main activities are exchange of expertise; policy development; and lobbying at an EU as the voice of those cities and

urban policy makers. Membership is a Council policy, in that the EUROCITIES representative is a formal Council appointment to an outside body.

EUROCITIES is organised through a range of Forums covering a wide range of topics relevant to city authorities. The current forums are:

n Culture.

n Economy.

n Environment.

n Knowledge Society.

n Mobility; and

n Social Affairs.

Beneath each Forum there are series of working groups who look at the detail of relevant EU policies and undertake specific pieces of work or small scale projects. While the Forum is chaired by an elected member typically the working groups are chaired by senior officers with expertise in the subject.

For the Council, its value is that all Services can participate on a single central subscription: if Glasgow is to continue network activity, it can act as the “network of default”, i.e., there may be little point in Services holding membership of other networks if EUROCITIES is already adequate.

Glasgow also participates in the EUROCITIES Working Group on Cohesion Policy, ensures that the City is well placed to make a serious contribution to the debate on post 2013 EU Cohesion policy. In turn it is important that Glasgow plays an active role in shaping the network’s policy position. Continuity of participation is required if the Council is to make a real impact on Eurocities’ work on this priority topic.

A recent beneficial development is that the Lord Provost has signed up the EU Covenant of Mayors on committing the city to a reduction of carbon emissions greater than current European targets. Involvement in this international initiative opens access to significant EU funding targeted at low-carbon programmes. EUROCITIES will play a major part in shaping the structure of future funding in this area. It is essential that to develop the City’s profile within the Covenant and promote the Sustainable Glasgow initiative within Europe that the Council maintains strong linkages with EUROCITIES. Glasgow’s Sustainable Development team attended the EUROCITIES Environment Forum in Helsinki, where they were invited to present Sustainable Glasgow in September 2011.

29ACTIVITY REPORT 2009/2012

EUROCITIES

GLOBAL GLASGOW

Glasgow is currently leading on two LUCI funded projects and is participating in a number of other projects and initiatives as summarise below:

LUCI Funded Projects being led by Glasgow:

n Research commission on the financial and cultural benefits of Lighting Festivals and other events to cities. Research is being undertaken by Cambridge Policy Consultants and the final report was made to 2011 AGM.

n Glasgow/ Amathole Lightlinks project sponsored by Thorn Lighting. Working in partnership with Amathole Municipality in South Africa, Thorn Lighting and with support from the LUCI organisation, this lighting project aims to contribute to the development of urban lighting in disadvantaged communities by encouraging cities from high and low income countries to partner together, empowering them to better their own urban lighting solutions.

Two locations have been identified, the City Hall in East London and the Arts Centre in Mdanstane township. It is anticipated both projects were realised in spring 2012.

LUCI

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Glasgow City Council has been a member of LUCI Association (Lighting Urban Communities Initiative) since its formation in 2002.

Glasgow was elected President in 2010, is Chair of the Executive Committee and Chair of the Light Festivals Workshop (formerly known as the Culture Commission). Glasgow will hold the position of President until autumn 2012 and is normally represented by Bailie Stewart with officer support.

Glasgow’s membership complements the international profile of the City, allowing for exchange of experience, sharing of ideas and new technologies in the field of lighting, including lighting as an art form, to place Glasgow at the forefront of international best practice. There is an extensive programme of meetings and conferences held throughout the year that are available for officers to attend.

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Involvement in other projects / activities resulting from membership of LUCI:

n Contribution to the development and publication of the LUCI Charter on Urban Lighting, lead city is Leipzig. Glasgow will be using this charter to guide work undertaken in Glasgow.

n Participation in an expert workshop held in Berlin at WZB (www.wzb.eu) Social Science Research centre on 25/26 November 2010 entitled “Urban Light Planning: Evaluation, Evidence and the New”.

n Chair of Phillips City People Light Award International Judging Panel held in Glasgow at the Lighthouse in Summer 2010 for award presentations made at LUCI AGM in Chartres and contained within LUCI/Phillips publication on City People Light.

n Participation in an expert interview and questionnaire in August 2011 for Phillips Urban Futures research programme. This will compare approaches internationally and involve future panel discussions and a publication.

32 GLOBAL GLASGOW

SUSTAINABLE GLASGOW

Past or present projects or partnerships on a European or International level which have taken place between the period 2009-2012.

EU

Covenant of Mayors

Lord Provost addressed the Covenant of Mayors Conference & Signing Ceremony on the theme of Sustainable Glasgow at the European Commission in Brussels on 4 May 2010.

Under the Covenant of Mayors initiative, Glasgow submitted a Strategic Energy Action Plan (SEAP) which has now been officially approved by the Covenant of Mayors.

33ACTIVITY REPORT 2009/2012

International

IBM Smarter Cities Initiative

March 2011: Glasgow has become the first UK city to win a grant from the IBM Smarter Cities Challenge initiative.

The grant provides Glasgow with access to IBM’s top experts to analyse and recommend ways the city can become an even better place in which to live, work and play.

The IBM Smarter Cities Challenge is a competitive grant program in which IBM is awarding a total of $50 million worth of technology and services to 100 municipalities worldwide over the next three years.

Teams of specially selected IBM experts will provide city leaders with analysis and recommendations to support successful growth, better delivery of city services, more citizen engagement, and improved efficiency.

Gordon Matheson, Leader of Glasgow City Council, said: “This is fantastic news and will help Glasgow as we move forward with our aim to become a European leader in environmental, social and economic sustainability.

“Through IBM’s Smart Cities initiative we hope to maximise the tremendous opportunities for Glasgow to develop low-carbon energy technologies, efficient homes, the provision of affordable heat and the creation of sustainable

communities. By reducing energy costs and helping to tackle fuel poverty for poorer sections of our community we hope to have a real impact on improving people’s health and quality of life.

“We are delighted that the IBM Smart Cities Challenge has recognised the work underway in our city and want to work with us to enable Glasgow to be a smarter and more sustainable city.”

IBM selected cities that made the strongest case for participating in the Smarter Cities Challenge. During these engagements, IBM technical experts, researchers and consultants immerse themselves in local issues and offer a range of options and recommended next-steps.

IBM received several hundred applications from more than 40 countries for the 2011 grant programme. The review team were “highly impressed” by the Glasgow bid, which is one of 24 cities worldwide to be selected to receive a Smarter Cities Challenge grant.

Through the Smarter Cities Challenge initiative, IBM’s consultants and technology specialists will help the winning cities analyse and prioritise their needs, review strengths and weaknesses, and learn from the successful strategies used by other municipalities worldwide.

34 GLOBAL GLASGOW

Roma Net Project

Glasgow is taking part in the EU project Roma Net, which is a transnational partnership of 9 European cities – led by Budapest - aiming to tackle the social exclusion of the Roma population throughout Europe. The partnership is funded by the URBACT II programme of the European Union the objective of which is to promote sustainable urban development in cities.

The purpose of the project is to exchange learning with other European cities on the issues faced by the Roma population. With 10-20 million Roma in Europe and the highest levels of deprivation and poverty, they are the most socially excluded and discriminated group in the European Union.

It is estimated that there could be as many as 3000 Roma living in the Govanhill area. They are experiencing very poor housing conditions, unemployment and low educational attainment. Glasgow is committed to improving their living standards and to fully integrating their community into Scottish society.

The Roma Net partners are:

n Almeria – Spain. n Bologna – Italy. n Budapest – Hungary (Lead Partner). n Glasgow – Scotland. n Heraklion – Greece. n Karvina – Czech Republic. n Kosice – Slovakia. n Torren – Spain. n Udine – Italy.

Glasgow is in the process of formalising a Local Support Group who will produce a Local Action Plan to highlight the priorities for the Roma in the local area.

Glasgow City Marketing Bureau

The Lord Provost has worked with the GCMB to secure a number of very significant conferences for Glasgow in coming years.

These include:

n Societie Internationale d’ Urologie (September 2014) valued at £4m, gained against competition from Prague and Lisbon.

n European Association for the Study of the Liver (Oct 2014), valued at £11m, gained against competition from Vienna and Copenhagen.

n World Artistic Gymnastics Championships (2015), valued at £5.8million, gained against competition Paris and Orlando: the largest gymnastics event in the world with approximately 600 competitors from around 80 countries compete with worldwide television coverage.

n World Irish Dancing Championships (2016), valued at over £14m, gained against competition from Belfast, London , Killarney, Dublin, Maryland and Montreal: more than 4,000 competitors with approx 10,000 accompanying spectators.

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Lord Provost and International Office Corporate Services City Chambers Glasgow G2 1DU

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Connecting Scotland – how Scottish organisations engage internationally

West of Scotland European Forum (WOSEF)

INTRODUCTION The West of Scotland European Forum (WOSEF) welcomes the opportunity to contribute to the Committee’s Inquiry on “Connecting Scotland”. The Forum brings together the 12 local authorities in the West of Scotland together with a number of other regional organisations, for example Strathclyde Partnership for Transport. The Objectives of the Forum are: a) to identify EU issues of particular relevance to Western Scotland,

b) to enable partners to work together to represent Western Scotland interests on EU legislative and policy initiatives;

c) to promote joint working by Forum partners in accessing financial and other support from relevant EU programmes;

d) to form working relationships with other organisations and networks at Scottish, UK and EU levels where by doing so the interests of Western Scotland can be furthered; and

e) to raise the profile of the West of Scotland with EU institutions and other regions within the EU

In practice the Forum’s current workplan, adopted in2010, has focussed almost exclusively on the 2014-20 Structural Fund Programmes (including however the relevant transnational and interregional structural l fund programmes) and the review of the European Commission’s Regional Aid Guidelines The Forum has committed to reviewing its workplan in2015/16 hence this inquiry is very timely. The Forum is currently chaired by Cllr Tony Buchanan (East Renfrewshire Council) with Cllr Jim Clocherty (Inverclyde Council) acting as Vice Chair. Glasgow City Council acts as lead and support authority to the Forum whose annual budget is around £50,000. This includes some provision for officer coordination of the work of the Forum.

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INQUIRY QUESTIONS What international activities are happening now in your sector and/or

organisation? Please describe how and why these activities take place. Are

other sectors or organisations involved? What do these activities contribute or

achieve?

From the previous section it will be evident that the Forum as such has very limited capacity to engage in European activity – by definition it does not participate at all in broader international activity. Generally speaking the European (and in some cases international) activities of local authorities in the West of Scotland can be grouped under 4 broad headings: Twinning activity School based activity European/International networks Transnational EU funding programmes. It is not possible to present a comprehensive gazetteer of all Local authority activity within these headings but it is possible to give some illustrative examples under these headings. Twinning: Most local authorities in the West of Scotland have a long standing tradition of actively supporting twinning activities. As far back as September 1980 for instance Kilmarnock and Loudoun District Council (now part of East Ayrshire Council) was presented with the Council of Europe Flag of Honour; this was followed in August 1989 by the Plaque of Honour which is second only to the Europe Prize itself. In addition East Renfrewshire Council, as well as being twinned with Albertslund, a suburban town on the outskirts of Copenhagen in Denmark, is also part of the International Twinning Partnership Network of towns across Europe. South Ayrshire Council has adopted a formal document outlining its approach to town twinning policy and practice School based Activity: This is another long standing area of European/International activity for West of Scotland local authorities much of which was supported by the EU in the 2007-13 period through the Lifelong Learning Programme. Within this programme the Comenius Initiative was set up re to enhance the quality and reinforce the European dimension of school education, in particular by encouraging transnational cooperation between schools and contributing to improved professional development of staff directly involved in the school education sector, and to promote the learning of languages and intercultural awareness. In the final (2013) round of projects approved for multilateral school partnerships Glasgow City Council was awarded no fewer than 9 grants covering 5 primary, 3 secondary and 1 special needs school. Activities of this type are

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continuing to receive support in the 2014-2020 period through the ERASMUS + programme. European/International Networks: Given the growing impact of EU policies and legislation on local authority operations, a need to influence EU decision making at source has been identified. Much of this has been carried out on behalf of Scottish local authorities as a whole via COSLA which, in addition to maintaining a Brussels Office, is an active member of the CEMR (the Congress of European Municipalities and Regions) – the Europe wide umbrella organisation for national local authority associations. In addition some individual local authorities in the West of Scotland are members of EU networks dealing with specific issues or types of authority. As an example, Argyll and Bute Council is involved in an international network of European regions, the CPMR (Conference of Peripheral and Maritime Regions), which work together to ensure their common interest and unique geographies are taken into account by the EU institutions and national governments. The policies include regional policy, competition policy and state aids, transportation and fisheries. Within the CPMR, Argyll and Bute Council is also a member of the Atlantic Arc geographic sub group which also hold an annual General Meeting each year in a member region.

Transnational EU Funding Programmes: Many EU funding programmes (in addition to the Education themed ones referred to above) are set up on a transnational basis. For instance in the 2007-13 funding period about 2.5% of the Structural Funds budget was allocated to “European Territorial Cooperation” (INTERREG Programmes). The West of Scotland region was eligible for the following programmes within this objective:

The Ireland/Northern Ireland/Western Scotland Cross Border Programme (Ayrshire and Argyll only eligible)

The North West Europe Transnational programme (whole region) The Atlantic Area Transnational Programme (whole region); The Northern Periphery Programme (Argyll and Clyde islands only) The EU wide cooperation programme INTERREG IV and URBACT II

The Forum has played a full role along with other stakeholders in publicising the opportunities provided these programmes. In recent times this activity has been carried out under the auspices of the Scottish Network on European Territorial Cooperation, a fairly informal grouping chaired by the Scottish Government with participation from a number of agencies including Scotland Europa as well as local government.

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Among the projects involving WOSEF Members were:

The Sail West Project under the Cross Border programme. This involved North and South Ayrshire Councils together with Argyll and Bute Council (plus Highland and Dumfries and Galloway Councils from other parts of the eligible area in Scotland). The ultimate goal of the project is to create a marine leisure centre of excellence in the coastal zone that will help to rejuvenate local communities through the provision of new employment opportunities;

The ICMA (Improving Connectivity and Mobility Access) project approved

under the North West Europe Transnational Programme. Strathclyde Partnership for Transport was a partner to this project. The project aimed significantly to affect modal choice at the beginning and end of a journey, so reducing the environmental footprint of transport. It also aimed to provide accessible solutions where and when they are needed, fostering equitable and socially inclusive transport for all. The aspiration was to see more sustainable and competitive transport provision on the first and last miles, which meets citizens' expectations.

The Roma Net project approved under the URBACT programme had

Glasgow City Council as a partner. This transnational partnership of 9 European cities – led by Budapest - aimed to tackle the social exclusion of the Roma population throughout Europe. The work carried out by the Council in the context of this project was recognised by it being awarded the best team award in the 2014 COSLA Excellence Awards.

Successor programmes to all the above for the 2014-2020 have been prepared and have either been approved or are expected to secure approval by the European commission by the end of 2015. Do you think your sector and/ or organisation is effective in participating in

international activities? If not, what would help you to make improvements?

What prevents you from making improvements now?

Despite the very real benefits from all the activity types listed above there are a number of constraints that limit the capacity of local authorities in the West of Scotland to engage in European and International work. First and foremost are capacity issues – not just financial but also in terms of human resources. For example planning a transnational EU funding bid will typically involve a lot of work in advance of submission in terms of identifying suitable partners in other countries and in negotiating what are sometime complex proposed work

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packages. This can often take over a year with no guarantee of success at the end of the process. The relative peripherality of the West of Scotland also is a factor. It generally takes longer and cost more for organisations in the West of Scotland to take part in multilateral based activities in contrast to partners based in mainland Europe (or close to the Channel Tunnel rail link in the south of the UK) Finally press and public scepticism about the value of European and International activity is also a factor. Despite considerable rationalisation for the 2014-20 funding period there are still a very large number of transnational EU funding programmes each with its own detailed rules, eligibility criteria, timetables and web sites. The recent launch of the Scottish EU funding Portal by Scotland Europa is a welcome step in moving towards a “one door” approach to finding out about these programmes. The Forum is one of partners who have made a financial contribution to this initiative. What should organisations in Scotland do to be effective internationally? Are

you aware of any good examples of this from Scotland or another country?

Obviously to be effective internationally any organisation needs to exhibit:

High level management/elected member commitment to work of this type A clear up front appreciation of the resources required and the risks that may

arise; Sustained support for this activity over a period of time – there is often a

considerable time gap between undertaking the activity and realising the practical benefits “on the ground”;

The Forum is not aware of any good practice from other countries in this regard and would be very interested in any light the Committee investigation can throw on this subject. April 2015

Connecting Scotland – how Scottish organisations engage internationally

South of Scotland Alliance

Officer Note on European Cooperation The South of Scotland Alliance which comprises Scottish Borders Council, Dumfries and Galloway Council and Scottish Enterprise recognises the importance of European funding and co-operation to support its aims of developing the economy of the South of Scotland. The European Funding Programme for 2014 – 2020 is just getting underway and the South of Scotland Alliance and its partners have been focusing on maximising their participation in the Scottish European programme in order to access assistance from the European Regional Development Fund, European Social Fund, European Agriculture Fund for Rural Development Fund including LEADER and the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund. In the previous European Funding Programmes 2000- 2006 and 2007 - 2013 the South of Scotland Alliance and its partners have been involved in a range of European cooperation programmes. Dumfries and Galloway Council was able to take advantage of the Interreg IVA 2009 – 2013 Programme for Northern Ireland, the Border Region of Ireland and Western Scotland. This included the very successful Sail West project. This was a marine tourism project led by Donegal County Council designed to promote the west coast of Scotland, Northern Ireland and North West Ireland as a world class sailing destination. The project had 20 partners from across the area, with funding of €7 million secured in 2010 for a series of projects. The project included the development of shore support facilities such as shower and toilets at Stranraer. Dumfries and Galloway Council is currently involved in discussions about its involvement in the Interreg IVA 2014 – 2020 Programme for Northern Ireland, the Border Region of Ireland and Western Scotland. CREATE (Connecting Rural Enterprise for A Transnational Economy) is an innovative new project joining a group of like-minded organisations spanning public sector authorities, private sector representative groups, and business development agencies. The six partner organisations are from France, the UK, Ireland and Belgium, who share a joint vision of encouraging economic development. Herefordshire Council is the Lead Partners and Scottish Enterprise is the Scottish partner. The project ends in the summer 2015. The project was awarded European funding through the INTERREG IVB North West Europe programme in 2013, to develop and pilot best practice techniques which encourage rural small to medium enterprises (SMEs) to take up and fully exploit the potential of faster broadband. CREATE can also help SMEs identify opportunities to work with other small rural businesses across North West Europe to share best practice and learning. The South of Scotland has been involved in this project.

CREATE looks to overcome the barriers to growth and competitiveness experienced by SMEs in predominantly rural areas. These barriers include geographic isolation, lack of infrastructure, lack of scale, poor joint working opportunities and critically, lack of ICT expertise. Faster broadband and advanced ICT have the potential to overcome these barriers and transform the productivity of rural SMEs. Both Scottish Borders Council and Dumfries and Galloway Council have been involved in European cooperation initiatives through LEADER Rural Development Programmes. Scottish Borders Council has been involved in a partnership initiative with the Sjuharad area (near Gothenburg) in Sweden. This initiative resulted in a number of youth development and tourism projects funded under the Scottish Borders LEADER+ Programme. The funding for the new LEADER Programmes up to 2020 has just been announced and opportunities are being investigated for further European cooperation. The South of Scotland Alliance has limited capacity in terms of staff resources and match funding to be involved in European trans-national projects. It recognises that are European innovation and research and development cooperation programmes such as Horizon 2020 could provide considerable potential benefits to the South of Scotland. The Alliance is keen to get more commitment from national agencies to give equal consideration to the needs of the South of Scotland in the development of transnational and research & development projects being put forward for European Funding. The South of Scotland Alliance is a member of Scotland Europa and is working with this body to look at opportunities for more involvement in European cooperation projects. Douglas Scott Scottish Borders Council On behalf of the South of Scotland Alliance 6 May 2015

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Connecting Scotland – how Scottish organisations engage internationally

Highlands and Islands Council

Questions What international activities are happening now in your sector and/or organisation? Please describe how and why these activities take place. Are other sectors or organisations involved? What do these activities contribute or achieve? The Council engages on the international stage primarily via:

Highlands & islands European Partnership (HIEP); membership and involvement in European networks inward investment activities; culture and tourism; Management of European Programmes; project work; and twinning and trans-national links

Highlands & Islands European Partnership. The Council is a member of and currently chairs the Board of the Highlands & Islands European Partnership (HIEP). The Partnership comprises the seven local authorities in the Highlands & Islands, Highlands & Islands Enterprise (HIE) and the University of the Highlands & islands (UHI). Although increasingly active in Scotland and the UK, the primary focus of Partnership activity remains Brussels where it has an office in Scotland House. The Partnership was established to ensure a distinctive Highlands & Islands presence in Brussels; to ensure that the voice of the region was heard in the development of European legislation and funding initiatives and to maximise the benefits of the EU to the region. European Networks. The Council is of the firm belief that the voice of the Highlands, and indeed that of the Highlands & islands will have greater impact if it is heard with others of common cause. To this end it retains membership of:

Conference of Peripheral and Maritime Regions (CPMR); Euromontana; and North Sea Commission (NSC).

In seeking to shape the agenda of these organisations and that the position of the Highlands is prominent in opinions they promote, the Council has sought and currently holds the following positions:

CPMR – Councillor Drew Hendry is vice President , the UK member on the ruling Political Bureau and leads the Conference’s Climate Change portfolio;

Euromontana - Councillor George Farlow is a Board member; North Sea Commission

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- Councillor Jimmy Gray is Chair of the Energy and Climate Change Thematic Working Group;

- Councillor David Alston is the vice Chair of the Culture & Tourism Thematic Working group and alternate Scottish member on the Executive Committee

Engagement with other EU wide lobbying networks such as the Atlantic Arc Commission, Islands Commission, Eurada, and University of the Arctic is achieved via the memberships of other partners of HIEP. Priorities change with time but at present, the Council is actively lobbying on:

accessibility – both physical and digital; energy generation and the development of an integrated meshed grid; climate change as it impacts on regional development; waste management; indicators for determining eligibility of future allocations of EU funding;

and regional policy.

Inward Investment. The Council also acts with others in pursuit of developing Highland as one of the most attractive environments to do business in Scotland. As part of the Scottish Cities Alliance the Council has been working in partnership with Scotland’s cities, promoting Inverness and the Highlands in international arenas. This raises the profile of the area to International investment and developer markets. Recently the Council has been active in promoting the University sector to potential partners throughout Europe. The Council along with the University of the Highlands & islands (UHI) recently attended an international event in Gorizia, Italy designed to encourage economic and research opportunities between UHI and Croatian Universities in Dubrovnik and Zadar. Links have also been made with First Scandinavia aimed at learning from the Norwegian “Newton Rooms” concept and how this can be used to encourage young people to explore career opportunities in STEM subjects. This is being reinforced by developing workforce openings locally to take these opportunities forward commercially. Work is also undertaken in partnership with HIE and the Scottish Development International (SDI) to support inward investment to the Highlands. Culture & Tourism. The Council is a member of Cruise Scotland and uses this platform to promote cruise destinations to the international market.

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Management of European Programmes. The Council sits on the Monitoring Committee of the 2014-20 Northern Periphery and Arctic Programme and chairs the Regional Advisory Group. Project Work. This has declined in recent years but is subject of review as how to encourage more involvement in trans regional project work. Twinning and Trans-national Links. Twinning is very much led by the individual communities with limited support from the Council. However the Council has supported an exchange of young people from Augsburg who have had work placements with the Council during the exchange period. Highland is also developing links with Arges County in Romania. This is at an early stage of development. Why. These activities take place in order to:

contribute towards local, regional and national objectives to help grow the economy as part of the Scottish Government’s Economic Strategy;

to develop and promote Highland as one of the most attractive environments to do business in Scotland;

raise awareness among SMEs of the opportunities of international trade;

raise the profile of the Council and of the Highlands as players on the European stage so that the European institutions are more likely to take cognisance of the views from the region in the development of EU funding initiatives and legislation ;

facilitate opportunities for the Council and regional stakeholders to learn from others via the networks that the Council has membership of.

Open doors Do you think your sector and/ or organisation is effective in participating in international activities? If not, what would help you to make improvements? What prevents you from making improvements now? Effectiveness can be measured at different levels. In terms of achieving recent goals of eligibility for regional funding and regional aid eligibility, the Council (in partnership) has been very successful. At a political level, the Council operates at the decision-making end of the organisations it is involved with. Lobbying can be a long term game and the results of current activity will only be known in future years. Learning from others as how to better delver services is an area that warrants greater focus.

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There is a view that working in Europe is difficult and the dissemination of good practice and benefits of working on the European and wider international stages would be beneficial. The pro-active support from the Scottish Government would assist get the message over that it is actually beneficial for Council’s to co-operate and work at on the international stage as long as it is in line with Council objectives and Government strategies and delivers benefits. Budget reductions have reduced the ability to undertake this activity. What should organisations in Scotland do to be effective internationally? Are you aware of any good examples of this from Scotland or another country? Work together to share experience. The current Scottish Territorial Co-operation Network (SCONE) for example has the possibility to bring together actors in the field of European inter-regional co-operation to share experience as how to best apply for Interreg funds and to deal with the attendant administration. As above, messages of support from the Scottish Government would help. May 2015

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Connecting Scotland – how Scottish organisations engage internationally

Aberdeen City Council

1. What international activities are happening now in your sector and/or organisation? Please describe how and why these activities take place. Are other sectors or organisations involved? What do these activities contribute or achieve?

Aberdeen City Council undertakes international activities focused on the following four main areas:

a) Business, Trade and Investment support for SMEs (Small and Medium Enterprises)

b) Culture c) European Policy and Funding d) Community Development (twin city links)

Business, Trade and Investment support for SMEs

The economic development service supports SMEs to trade internationally and increase their turnover from exports. It does this by:

hosting inward business delegations (hosted 24 delegations in 2014) organising trade seminars on how to do business in key target markets organising overseas trade missions (involved in 7 missions to 5 countries in

2014) attending, addressing or hosting industry events and conferences, eg

Offshore Europe; Offshore Technology Conference in Houston; Offshore Northern Seas in Stavanger

promoting the strengths and capabilities of Aberdeen’s businesses at events facilitating direct business to business introductions and links gathering and disseminating market intelligence maintaining strategic international alliances such as Aberdeen’s six

Memoranda of Understanding (bilateral economic cooperation agreements) with other key energy cities/regions in Brazil, Canada, Faroe Islands, Kazakhstan and Mexico

developing new strategic links with emerging or target markets to pave the way for company market entry (eg Mozambique oil and gas; Japan renewable energy)

being active members of the World Energy Cities Partnership – a 22-strong global network of cities that host energy industries www.energycities.org

coordinating business support activities with partner organisations through the North East Scotland Trade Group http://www.aberdeeninvestlivevisit.co.uk/Invest/Business-Services/International-Trade/NESTG/North-East-Scotland-Trade-Group.aspx

These activities take place in order to:

ANNEXE B

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contribute towards local, regional and national objectives to help grow the economy

build on Aberdeen’s position as a global centre of excellence for the energy industry

raise awareness among SMEs of the international trade opportunities that exist in key target markets

open doors into key target markets, especially those where civic, diplomatic, city-to-city or local government links are particularly useful

help increase the number of SMEs exporting help increase SMEs’ % of turnover from exports

Other organisations involved include North East Scotland Trade Group partners:

Aberdeenshire Council Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce University of Aberdeen Robert Gordon University Aberdeen City and Shire Economic Future Scottish Development International/Scottish Enterprise Scottish Council for Development and Industry UK Trade and Investment Subsea UK

These activities provide tailored and targeted support to businesses whose continued success underpins Aberdeen’s economic performance.

Culture

Aberdeen City Council’s Education, Culture and Sport service is closely involved in a significant amount of wide-ranging international activity, some examples of which are listed below:

1. Aberdeen International Youth Festival - Aberdeen City Council invests over £130,000 per year in Aberdeen International Youth Festival to bring some of the best young theatre, dance and music performers to Aberdeen from throughout the world each summer. www.aiyf.org

2. Lively Cities - The Lively Cities Project (LICI) was a 3 year European partnership, supported through the Interreg IVB North West Europe programme .The project looked at alternative ways of strengthening communities by 'reclaiming public space for public use'. Aberdeen along with nine other partner cities including La Louviere, Lille, Eindhoven and Brighton, each developed and piloted collaborative solutions to the challenges of place management within urban settings. Aberdeen City Council, as a project partner, focused on developing the city through public art.

LICI project supported a unique transnational knowledge exchange, alternative insight into analysing public spaces, development of collaborative solutions and to pilot these solutions in order to provide evidence which will inform future policy and

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actions. The work undertaken has laid the foundations for on-going cultural exchanges, such as the SPECTRA Light Festival, as well as informing local planning and policy development. Projects such as LICI are essential for Aberdeen, not only to identify collaborative cost-effective solutions but also to be recognised on a bigger platform, for best practice and our unique strengths and assets as a forward-thinking, progressive city.

3. Energy cities culture partnership - Aberdeen City Council in partnership with Robert Gordon University has established an ongoing partnership with the cities of Calgary, Houston, Stavanger and Toronto. This partnership is built upon the development of arts and culture within an energy cities context and, in the case of Toronto, learning from a global cultural capital. The collaboration has taken different forms. Firstly, in October 2014 delegates from each of the cities were invited to Aberdeen to participate in an international conference on the role and development of arts and culture in the context of an energy centre. In addition, each delegate spent time with various organisations and attending different sessions including a specific network meeting with the Chamber of Commerce. From this initial visit, we have retained regular communication (through emails and skype calls) as a form of knowledge exchange, while specific joint initiatives are now being developed. This includes a creative exchange programme with Calgary Arts Development which is being launched later this year. This will support young artists to travel and participate in residencies and different programmes to support their development.

The aim of this collaboration was firstly as a form of learning and knowledge exchange but is now evolving to practical programmes. There are many distinctions between Aberdeen and these cities, however there are also distinct similarities from which we can learn. Aberdeen is in the process of developing a renewed strategy for arts and culture, a process that each of these cities has recently been through and the learning from this has been very beneficial.

4. Europe Direct Aberdeen – The Central Library hosts a Europe Direct service that provides:

Information about the European Union (EU) in any of the official EU languages

Internet access to EU websites EU resources for teachers Copies of publications, brochures and guides to take away An annual Schools Debate on EU-relevant themes A series of leaflets allowing citizens to find out about the role of the European

Union and their rights in various key areas of European policy

http://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/Library/information_service/lib_information_europedirect.asp

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5. Museums and Galleries - The Museums and Galleries section, a member of the North Sea Museums Network, loans works of art throughout the year to international museums and galleries and also displays both loaned and its own international collections. During the redevelopment of Aberdeen Art Gallery, the City Council’s collections will be exhibited in a number of venues, nationally and internationally. These include a large group of paintings by the “Glasgow Boys” on show at the Drents Museum, Assen in the Netherlands and French Impressionist works by Monet, Renoir and Sisley in ARoS, Kunstsmuseum, Aarhus in Denmark.

Recently, the City Council’s “ Study after Velázquez's Portrait of Pope Innocent X”, by Francis Bacon was a key part of the exhibition, “Francis Bacon and the Art of the Past” at the State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg in Russia. Jointly developed with the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts, and University of East Anglia, the exhibition took place within the framework of the UK-Russia Year of Culture in 2014. Aberdeen’s contribution to the exhibition was the only one from a local authority museum or art gallery in the UK.

6. Arts Development twin city programme (see also Community Development section below) - Arts Development has an established role developing cultural partnerships with Aberdeen’s twin cities as well as further afield. This work plays a vital role in strengthening the city’s relationships with its European partners and raising the cultural profile of Aberdeen to a wider audience. Recent examples include:

Connections – Inter-generational creative writing, oral story-telling and drama project with Regensburg on memories of the Second World War, resulting in a bilingual publication produced by older people and a play performed in both cities by young people.

Fairytales in the Landscape – This was a £3million pound project being held as part of Stavanger’s European Capital of Culture 2008 programme. The young people in Aberdeen had mainly been taught traditional musical theatre so this project exposed them to new and experimental way of working with theatre professionals. The group of 6 young people spent 2 weeks in Stavanger performing daily in the project, an amazing opportunity which received much media coverage in Stavanger. As part of the legacy of the project, the site where the performance took place has now been bought by the city of Stavanger as a public park, which now stages regular theatre experiences.

7. ATLAC (Arts as a Tool for Learning Across the Curriculum) - The Arts Education service has a long-standing partnership with the University of Aberdeen School of Education in the joint delivery of Arts as a Tool for Learning Across the Curriculum (ATLAC), funded by Creative Scotland.

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Working on the BEd3 and BEd4 programmes, professional artists and lecturers co-deliver sessions to develop the knowledge, skills and aspirations of student teachers in using creative approaches to teaching and learning across the primary curriculum.

The University of San Andrés in Buenos Aires made an approach to Creative Scotland to learn more about the Aberdeen model. Professor Pete Stollery, Head of the School of Education in Aberdeen, made a research visit to Buenos Aires in 2011 where proposals for professional exchanges and conferences were developed.

A number of exchange visits have taken place on sharing best practice in the field of arts, learning and communities. There is a Memorandum of Understanding between the 2 cities focused on these themes. In addition, partners in Buenos Aires have set up 'ABC Buenos Aires,' an artists’ training programme and new ways of working in schools based on the Aberdeen ATLAC model. 'ABC Buenos Aires' is now an official project of the city government and is beginning to expand to other provinces.

European Policy and Funding

Aberdeen plays an active role in the North Sea Commission, Energie Cities and other European organisations. Activity includes influencing, participating in and leading trans-national projects and disseminating information about policy and funding.

For further information, please see http://www.aberdeeninvestlivevisit.co.uk/Invest/Aberdeens-Economy/Policy-and-Funding/Policy-and-Funding.aspx

Community Development

Aberdeen has very active relationships with its five twin cities (Regensburg, Germany; Clermont-Ferrand, France; Bulawayo, Zimbabwe; Gomel, Belarus; and Stavanger, Norway) encompassing sport, education, culture, health, community engagement etc. Some examples are provided in section six above.

For further information, please see http://www.aberdeeninvestlivevisit.co.uk/Visit/TwinningAberdeen/Twinning-Aberdeen.aspx

2. Do you think your sector and/or organisation is effective in participating in international activities?

Aberdeen City Council demonstrates its commitment to international engagement by participating in, leading and driving activities that strengthen Aberdeen’s profile internationally and enhance the city’s quality of life locally. This international presence emphasises that Aberdeen is a highly-attractive location of choice in which to invest, live, work, study or visit.

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Connecting Scotland – how Scottish organisations engage internationally

Angus Council

ANGUS INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITY

Background

The Angus International Framework was adopted in December 2013 to consolidate council wide international activity into a Framework with an associated action plan to ensure that activity across the council was coordinated, focused and linked to council priorities.

The aim is also to ensure that council officers and elected members are aware of the opportunities and issues that relate to international perspectives, in terms of policy and that we identify and maximise opportunities to become involved in projects and partnerships that enhance and add value to our current activity and objectives . In addition this will then allow us to identity funding streams to add value to current resources.

In our work to grow, support and sustain the local economy, international markets and international profile are essential. For Angus and Scotland, international engagement is a key component in our strategy to secure our common future. Jobs, prosperity and quality of life will all be enhanced by our collective efforts to engage with the wider world.

Examples of activity:

Partnerships:

member of East of Scotland European Consortium (ESEC) and current host authority working at an EU level to influence policy; project development and partnership engagement

Chair of ESEC is an Angus elected member, Cllr Mairi Evans, who is actively involved in CEMR and in particular active at an EU level on youth engagement

Membership of ESEC also brings membership of Scotland Europa and active engagement with them

Recently the Scottish EU Funding Portal was launched which ESEC supported

Working closely with agencies such as Scottish Enterprise, Scottish Development International, Visitscotland and Scotland’s Food and Drink to support opportunities for businesses

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Supporting the development of an EU action plan through Scottish Government’s European Relations Team.

As part of the Scottish Enterprise Tayside Regional Advisory Board Angus Council is supporting the key priority of Internationalisation. The Tayside International Conference was held in December 2014 as the launch of a three year Internationalisation Plan to support businesses in Tayside to become more competitive in the international market.

Internationalisation is a planned topic of the forthcoming Angus Business Week in September 2015 including Global Scot involvement

Export activity and ambitions form part of the annual business survey in Angus to ensure that a programme of support can be developed in response to business needs

Working on an east coast basis with other local authorities to promote the east coast of Scotland at national and international events eg EXPO and Golf Shows in Germany and Sweden

First UK member of ENRICH to promote the culinary heritage of Angus at an EU level

Policy

Aligning the International Framework to relevant Scottish Government policy and strategies to demonstrate clearer alignment to national priorities

Early identification of and response to emerging EU policy to ensure the council is prepared for new legislation

Providing input into consultations for the Europe 2020 strategy, maritime transport strategy and the white paper on transport

Establishing a cross council State Aid group to ensure compliance, raise awareness of State Aid issues and implications of non compliance. Hailed as best practice and now shared with other councils.

Projects

Identification of projects to address objectives and successfully securing funding to deliver these

Lead partner of 3 year ERDF project Rural Tourism Business Support supporting SMEs across the east of Scotland in key sectors of golf, food and drink, outdoor tourism and heritage and partner in ERDF funded East Coast Renewables project. Under this project we organised a learning journey to

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the world Sustainable Energy Days Conference in Wels Austria and took a number of companies

Lead partner for Rural Tayside LEADER Programme 2007-13 delivering a £2.8 m programme and lead partner for new Angus LEADER Programme 2014-2020.

Worldwide exposure to Golf in Carnoustie Country area through international press coverage, attendance at events, events in the area including the World Hickory Championship in 2014

Angus Market Development Grant has been continued but simplified and promotion of this improved to encourage businesses to apply for funding to help with exploring new markets at home and abroad

Proposed activity

Developing new long term relationship with Vastmanland region, Sweden to build on experience of Angus and Sweden in key sectors of heritage and food drink with shared learning utilising new IT development, webinars etc as well as learning visits.

A number of funding bids currently submitted in preparation particularly transnational bids to support our objectives in the fields of social innovation, schools and learning and agrifood and civil society.

Invited to submit a bid along with Mercy Corps to support development of Rural cooperation and Development in Georgia on basis of experience in LEADER delivery

April 2015

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Connecting Scotland: how Scottish organisations engage internationally

Argyll and Bute Council International Networking The Council’s Economic Development section is involved in an international network of European regions, the CPMR (Conference of Peripheral and Maritime Regions), which work together to ensure their common interest and unique geographies are taken into account by the EU institutions and national governments. The policies include regional policy, competition policy and state aids, transportation and fisheries. The CPMR have an annual General Meeting which takes place each year hosted by a different member region, and likewise. Within the CPMR, Argyll and Bute Council are also members of the Atlantic Arc geographic sub group which also hold an annual General Meeting each year in a member region. Twinning Arrangements Argyll and Bute is twinned with Amberg-Suzback in Germany. A youth group from Amberg-Sulzbach visited Argyll and Bute two years ago. The Council organised a number of activities for those participating in the visit. The Council are currently planning further activities with Amberg-Sulzbach. Youth Exchanges In addition to the above, Argyll and Bute Council have been involved in the organisation of various youth exchanges in recent years:

Spain – the theme was Youth Democracy and involved groups from both countries looking at examples of youth democracy structures in their each other’s communities. They also held joint training in youth participation skills, including presentation and marketing.

Poland – the theme for this exchange was facilities for young people. It led to a campaign by young people from the North Argyll Youth Forum to introduce a local alcohol tax, with the proceeds going to services and facilities which will offset the damage caused by alcohol misuse.

Both Oban and Rothesay are in the very early stages of planning exchanges for next year. Location Promotion Film in Argyll and Bute is part of the Scottish Film Locations Network which is a partnership with the Scottish Film Commission. Through this we have links to the European Film Commission and work internationally to promote Argyll and Bute to and answer screen enquiries from Europe and wider. This often leads to productions from Europe and wider, using Argyll and Bute as a location. Support for local organisations to engage internationally Argyll and Bute Council were the lead partner for the Argyll and the Islands LEADER European funding programme. Through this programme, a number of local organisations were assisted in the development of international

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projects which, following support by the Local Action Group, received LEADER funding. These include: Fifteen Hundredth Anniversary International Exchange: this project which was hosted by Luss Parish Church, Argyll and Bute and involved exchange visits and information sharing between the communities of Roviga in Italy and Luss. Together, the groups explored common problems such as the lack of affordable housing in rural communities and the relationship between the environment and encouraging tourism. Columba Challenge and Festival of the Sea: this project involved the Inishowen Development Partnership from Donegal and South Islay Development, Argyll and Bute. This involved a series of regattas, awareness raising events and workshops in each area. Local Produce: this initiative involved Skand Nordvaste Sodre and Skane Nordvaste Nodre Local Action Groups from Sweden and Tarbert and Sknipness Community Trust, Kintyre Environmental Group, Bridgend Community Centre Group and the Isle of Gigha Heritage Trust from Argyll and Bute. The project which centred around local food production provided resources to increase production, access to local markets through training, volunteering and employment in local food projection as well as increasing capacity for the long term sustainability of these community resources. If you require further information on any of the above, please do not hesitate to get in touch. Mary Louise Howat Senior Development Officer Argyll and Bute Council April 2015

Connecting Scotland – how Scottish organisations engage internationally

East Lothian Council

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Current International Activity

How and why does this activity take place?

What other organisations or sectors are involved?

What does this activity contribute or achieve?

Twinning

East Lothian has 5 very active twinning links. East Lothian as a county has been twinned with the region of Kreis Spree Neisse in Germany since 1999. The town of Haddington has been twinned with Aubigny-Sur-Nere, France since 1965 as both towns share historical links with Mary Queen of Scots and the Scottish-French Auld Alliance. Musselburgh has been twinned with Champigny-sur-Nere, France since 1967 and also with Rosignano Marittimo, Italy since 1983. Champigny was already twinned with Rosignano, so a three-way link was considered advantageous. Dunbar has been twinned with Lignieres, France since 1994 and is also twinned with Martinez, California since 1973 as John Muir who was born in Dunbar, is Father to its National Park system. (continued overleaf)

East Lothian Council supports these twinning links in partnership with each of the towns twinning associations.

The purpose of these activities is to establish and maintain friendly relations with each other and, through that friendship, pursue the promotion of cultural, educational, social, economic, tourist, youth and sporting exchanges, in the interests of the inhabitants of their communities.

Connecting Scotland – how Scottish organisations engage internationally

East Lothian Council

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The newly established link is between the Preston Seton Gosford schools cluster who has been twinned with Barga, Italy since 2006 as a result of a mutual interest in the work of artist, John Bellany) Regular communication and visits take place between each twin town and their counterparts including sporting and cultural activities, schools, scholarships and Council-to-Council exchanges.

Connecting Scotland – how Scottish organisations engage internationally

East Lothian Council

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Current International Activity

How and why does this activity take place?

What other organisations or sectors are involved?

What does this activity contribute or achieve?

United Nations Habitat Project: Planning and development Support to Palestinians in Israeli Controlled Area C of the West Bank

Study Visit to the UK: Learning on Local Governance in Scotland and on the Planning System in Scotland as it affects populated rural areas.

Palestinian Government – Ministry for Local Government

This was a one off study visit to East Lothian as part of a week long UK study visit by the UN Habitat Project team in March 2015. It contributed a greater understanding of the current Scottish Planning System, and local governance arrangements in Scotland. This was particularly relevant for the UN Palestinian delegation who, in Area C of Palestine, still operate under a version of Jordanian Planning Law from the 1960s and three Regional Outline Plans produced by the British in the 1940s that are still legal documents. The study delegation were particularly interested in planning of villages in East Lothian; in how we prepare a development brief for a site and in how strategic environmental assessment is undertaken.

Connecting Scotland – how Scottish organisations engage internationally

East Lothian Council

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Current International Activity

How and why does this activity take place?

What other organisations or sectors are involved?

What does this activity contribute or achieve?

Links with Rwanda as part of the Commonwealth Games 2014 Legacy

East Lothian was aligned with Rwanda as part of the “Support a Second Team” initiative for the Commonwealth Games 2014. The county hosted the Rwandan team for a pre-games training camp, and this has led to a more lasting link whereby both sides have committed to further develop their relationship.

SportScotland It has begun to highlight the range of actions and opportunities for the partners to work together, particularly in relation to sport and sports education. A recent visit to Rwanda by East Lothian representatives and SportScotland involved discussions with the Rwandan Sports Minister and officials, a number of school and community projects, and the delivery of coach education to Rwandan rugby coaches.

Connecting Scotland – how Scottish organisations engage internationally

East Lothian Council

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Schools Activity Current International Activity

How and why does this activity take place?

What other organisations or sectors are involved?

What does this activity contribute or achieve?

Athelstaneford Primary school (School link)

Letters between pupils in French school and pupils in ours. Two of our present pupils have come to us from the French school. We sent PowerPoint presentations to French school. Viewing each other’s websites.

French school Develop skills in reading and writing French; partnership; understanding another culture.

Athelstaneford Primary School St Kitt’s Commonwealth Games team met with pupils and parents during the summer holidays.

Event took place in summer 2014 in front of school and provided an opportunity to promote partnership.

Beach Allan Primary School from St Kitt’s and Nevis St Kitt’s and Nevis Commonwealth Games team

Opportunities for children to meet competitors from another country.

East Linton Primary School Link with school in Kenya

Through a marine biologist (parent ) our current P7 class compare information about coastal habitats

School in Kenya Enhances delivery of science Experiences and Outcomes as well as Global citizenship aspects

Humbie Primary School Has international contact through charity fundraising.

Connecting Scotland – how Scottish organisations engage internationally

East Lothian Council

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Current International Activity

How and why does this activity take place?

What other organisations or sectors are involved?

What does this activity contribute or achieve?

Innerwick Primary School Send My Friend campaign

Global campaign highlighting the number of children still not attending school. Different activities each year, when pupils make friends/teachers to send to local MP, then to Prime Minister.

Global groups. Develops empathy, understanding, teamwork and many other attributes in our pupils.

Innerwick Primary School Neema School

Raising funds for our chosen charity. Neema is an orphanage in Kenya. We raise funds to continue the building of the school.

The school is now building its 5th classroom. Pupils communicate by letter.

Innerwick Primary School Raising funds for Lifestraw

LifeStraw is a water filter designed to be used by one person to filter water so that they may safely drink it.

Rotary Clubs. Highlights importance of clean water and illnesses incurred when this is a concern.

Connecting Scotland – how Scottish organisations engage internationally

East Lothian Council

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Current International Activity

How and why does this activity take place?

What other organisations or sectors are involved?

What does this activity contribute or achieve?

Prestonpans Infant School Shares an interest with Campie Primary School in Child Development Centre school in Maw Sot, Thailand

This is a school for Burmese migrant children. It is supported locally by the Maitri Trust.

Preston/Seton/Gosford Primary Schools Aquabox – providing equipment for safe water

Schools fill boxes with equipment for safe water (plus other useful items such as toothpaste) which are then distributed to people in India and Africa.

Rotary Clubs. Helps provide safe water for people in other parts of the world; helps pupils develop as “Responsible Citizens” in terms of the Curriculum for Excellence.

Sanderson’s Wynd Primary School UNICEF - Day for Change

Hosting International Visitors. Curricular Studies Fundraisers for charities that work across the Globe eg Red Nose Day.

Whitecraig Primary School Early Learning of Chinese Project

Four Chinese students come to school for an hour a week to teach Mandarin in P1/2 and P2/3.

Edinburgh University; Bilingualism Matters; Education Scotland (evaluation)

Children are exposed to (and learn) another language in a fun and interesting way, delivered by Chinese students. This develops metalinguistic awareness.

Connecting Scotland – how Scottish organisations engage internationally

East Lothian Council

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Current International Activity

How and why does this activity take place?

What other organisations or sectors are involved?

What does this activity contribute or achieve?

Musselburgh Grammar School Seeking to form links with a school in Burma.

They have had a strong relationship with Campie Primary School for many years. The Head of Education from Burma visited our school this week.

In addition, the “whole-school” responsibility for our new Principal Teacher of Modern Languages will be Learning for Sustainability.

Committee’s question: “Do you think your sector and/ or organisation is effective in participating in international activities? If not, what would help you to make improvements? What prevents you from making improvements now?” Comment: In the current financial climate it can be difficult not just to finance programmes of activity but also to commit resources to organising their development in the first place. We are proud of colleagues and pupils for their involvement and we believe we are effective to the extent we can participate. In the past some of our international work has been funded by EU programmes such as INTERREG, or programmes funded by the government of the visiting country. For example, in 2013 the Council hosted an expert study visit on tourism from Kreis Spree Neisse whose participants were funded by a German federal government programme (LAURIN) to aid communities in the former East Germany; the Council’s participation was not externally funded. A year later we received a request to host a further study visit on a different topic but had to decline due to lack of resource. In addition, there is limited scope to return study visits, despite enthusiastic invitations, which tends to deprive the relationship of reciprocity. It is noticeable how well many of our visitors (from different countries) speak English, and we do not have the same level of skill in the various different languages of our international partners. April 2015

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Connecting Scotland – how Scottish organisations engage internationally

Glasgow City Council

Education Services in Glasgow City Council has a number of links with Malawi and we also have a very wide range of international activity through partnerships supported by British Council, such as Comenius and Connecting Classrooms. These are extensive across the city and change and evolve each year which is why I have not submitted a list, although the British Council recognises Education Services as one of the UK’s leading authorities for international education. We would be happy to contribute through our international officer should further information be required. I am attaching a link to our 2014 progress report and in 2015 we were successful in attracting funding from the International Development Fund to support our work in Malawi. Maureen McKenna Executive Director of Education April 2015 Progress Report 2014: Malawi Leaders of Learning Improving Learning and Teaching in Glasgow and Malawi

Connecting Scotland – how Scottish organisations engage internationally

North Ayrshire Council 

I refer to your email dated 20 March 2015, and attach a table which outlines areas in which North Ayrshire Council engages internationally. North Ayrshire Council International Engagement

Name of initiative Brief Description Contact for further details

Largs Town Twinning Largs is twinned with Andernos-les-Bains in France. Since the twinning agreement was signed in 2009 there has been extensive interactions including visits, twin town games and engagement across schools.

info@largstowntwinning.com

Irvine Town Twinning Irvine is twinned with Voisins in France. Since these towns were twinned in 2005 several reciprocal visits have taken place between residents of the 2 towns allowing citizens to share friendships, traditions and cultural interests.

ghamilton@north-ayrshire.gov.uk

Policy advice on community planning

The council has hosted visits from Mid and East Antrim District Council who are keen to learn from our Community Planning experience. A NAC staff member also visited the Mid and East Antrim Council to provide additional advice.

Morna Rae Tel 1294 324177

North Ayrshire Council International strategy

Development of a strategy on Inward Investment and Export activity Matt Strachan Tel : 01294 225165

Planning Committee training

As part of the Peace Dividend, responsibility for Planning is being returned to the Councils in Northern Ireland. The Council has hosted training and networking events with Councils from both Mid Ulster Council and Lisburn and Castlreagh City Council on planning training and Member engagement in the planning procedures.

jamesmiller@north-ayrshire.gov.uk

April 2015

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Connecting Scotland: How Scottish organisations engage internationally

Outer Hebrides LEADER Local Action Group QUESTIONS

1. What international activities are happening now in your sector and/or organisation? Please describe how and why these activities take place. Are other sectors or organisations involved? What do these activities contribute or achieve?

This response is on behalf of the Outer Hebrides LEADER Local Action Group (LAG). The LAG is a public-private partnership which manages and administers the local LEADER programme on behalf of the Outer Hebridean community. The LEADER approach is about proactive ‘animation’ (‘animating a territory’) and developing links between actions for the development of the rural economy. In this way the LEADER approach builds social and economic capital and is also about the added value that flows from the bottom-up and partnership approach with better identification of local needs and local solutions, more engagement on the part of local stakeholders and greater scope for innovation. A key feature of this is the co-operation element of the programme. Transnational and inter-territorial cooperation have become increasingly important aspects of LEADER and assists with expanding the knowledge of rural stakeholders by working in partnerships to find innovative solutions to common issues that the group might not have considered previously. As the ENRD (European Network for Rural Development) website states ‘Transnational cooperation (TNC) is more than just networking. It encourages and supports a Local Action Group to undertake a joint action with another LEADER group, or with a group taking a similar approach, in another region, Member State, or even a third country. The general objective of TNC is to help rural actors to improve the potential of their local areas.’ In Scotland, especially in the 2014-2020 LEADER Programme, there is going to be a greater emphasis on Co-operation as each Local Action Group are required to commit at least 10% of their local LEADER funding allocations on this action. Projects take place when two groups with similar aspirations and not hailing from the same county or country wish to develop a project innovatively. The groups visit each other’s bases, take part in activities and meetings to identify what skills can be transferred, how groups can learn from each other’s practices and traditions and how to work together in the future. Knowledge transfer, developing new systems and processes, becoming more efficient, environmentally sustainable and economical are some of the benefits that arise from groups and businesses being involved in Co-operation projects. LEADER would support projects wishing to undertake international co-operation in any sector however by way of illustration in the 2007-2013 Programme the Outer Hebrides LEADER LAG supported one project with Ceolas (a local cultural, heritage and arts organisation) who have strong links with the islands diaspora and they were

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investigating similar Oral Song Traditions in Finland and Brittany against the Gaelic traditions in Uist and therefore heritage and language were the main components of this co-operation. Another example was the support that ‘Outer Hebrides Tourism’ received to develop a Nature Tourism project with tourism groups in Finland, Hungary, France, Portugal, England and Cape Verde. In this project each area held an international conference inviting the partners to transfer their knowledge, view how similar actions are undertaken in other countries and provide opportunities to all learn from each other. This was also a highly successful co-operation project.

2. Do you think your sector and/ or organisation is effective in participating in international activities? If not, what would help you to make improvements? What prevents you from making improvements now?

The 2007-2013 Scottish LEADER Programme was not as effective in undertaking co-operation projects as previous programmes however as previously mentioned this is changing for the 2014-2020 Programme. Where 10% of each area’s grant allocation requires to be committed and spent on Co-operation Projects. The Scottish Government, through the Scottish Rural Network, are also committing more resources to supporting LAGs through the process by employing dedicated personnel to assist with developing Co-operation projects. They will also cover up to 100% of any preparatory costs when designing and developing the projects before its roll-out. Both these resources will be invaluable to LAGs to ensure that the Co-operation is successful and beneficial. LEADER LAGs also receive support through ELARD (European LEADER Association for Rural Development) and ENRD (European Network for Rural Development) who provide useful information and opportunities to view potential links and co-operation partners on a dedicated transnational co-operation portal.

3. What should organisations in Scotland do to be effective internationally? Are you aware of any good examples of this from Scotland or another country?

LEADER is an excellent mechanism to enable co-operation to take place between groups who would otherwise not have known about each other, their similarities and common interests and can therefore learn from each other. To be able to effectively co-operate internationally groups and organisations require to be more confident in their products, services and idea’s to enable them to share their knowledge and experiences with others and be open to learning from other groups from other countries and not to be afraid of change. This not only fosters opportunities to develop innovative solutions but to also allow them to integrate new practices learned from other countries into their structures. Examples were provided in Question 1. April 2015   

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European and External Relations Committee

8th Meeting, 2015 (Session 4), Thursday 14 May 2015

Annual Report

Background

1. Under Rule 12.9, committees are required to report on their activities during the previous parliamentary year. The report must include “details of its meetings” and the number of times it has met in private. The report must also explain how the committee has taken account of equal opportunities in its work.

2. The Conveners Group has previously agreed to recommend that committees adopt a standard approach for these reports, including a word-limit of 1,500 words and some standard headings. The report has therefore been drafted to take this into account.

Decision

3. The Committee is invited to consider and agree the attached report for the previous parliamentary year.

Katy Orr

Clerk to the Committee

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Introduction

The Committee reports to the Parliament as follows—

1. This report covers the work of the European and External Relations Committee during the parliamentary year from 11 May 2014 to 10 May 2015.

Inquiries and reports

Scottish Government’s proposals on an independent Scotland’s membership of the European Union

2. The Committee concluded its inquiry into the Scottish Government’s proposals on an independent Scotland’s membership of the European Union, publishing its report on 23 May 2014. A committee debate was held in the Chamber on 4 June 2014.

3. The Committee also held three roundtable evidence sessions on the Scottish Government’s White Paper on independence. These focused on the Scottish Government’s proposals for international development; citizenship and immigration; and membership of international organisations in an independent Scotland.

The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP)

4. The Committee conducted an inquiry into the implications of TTIP – the trade agreement currently being negotiated between the European Union and the United States. As part of this inquiry the Committee held roundtable evidence sessions with key stakeholders, and then took evidence from the European Commission’s Deputy Chief Negotiator, the UK Government Minister for Trade and Investment and the Scottish Government’s Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Constitution and Economy.

5. The Committee published a report on 17 March 2015. The report included a number of conclusions and recommendations for the European Commission, the UK Government and the Scottish Government in relation to TTIP. The Committee also agreed to continue its work on TTIP for the remainder of the parliamentary session, particularly in relation to proposals for Investor State Dispute Settlement mechanisms and the impact of the eventual agreement on public services. A debate on the Committee’s report was held in the Chamber of the Scottish Parliament on 29 April 2015.

Connecting Scotland: how Scotland can engage most effectively in a globalising world

6. The Committee launched a major inquiry into how Scotland can engage most effectively in a globalising world. The inquiry will have four strands: how the

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Scottish Government and its agencies engage internationally; how Scottish organisations engage internationally; Scotland’s physical, virtual and social connectivity with the world; and the value of membership of international organisations to Scotland and Scotland’s relationship with them.

7. The Committee launched a call for evidence and took oral evidence on the first strand of the inquiry on how the Scottish Government and its agencies engage internationally. It also launched the second strand on how organisations in Scotland engage internationally.

The European Union Structural and Investment (ESI) Funds

8. The Committee kept a watching brief on the ESI funds as the Partnership Agreement between the UK and the European Commission was finally agreed and the operation programmes finalised. The Committee considered two updates from the Scottish Government on ESI funds in June and December 2014. The Committee intends to undertake fact-finding visits at an appropriate time on the implementation of EU funded programmes across Scotland.

The Scottish Government’s draft budget

9. As part of the annual budget process, the Committee scrutinised the Scottish Government’s proposals for the Europe and External Affairs (EEA) portfolio in the Draft Budget 2015-16.

10. In its report on the Draft Budget 2015-16, the Committee welcomed the achievement of the Scottish Government in spending its entire budget for 2013-14, and called on the Scottish Government to ensure that this continued in future years without significant transfers being made out of the EEA budget. The Committee also concluded that it would welcome more evidence in future years on value for money, outcomes, and priorities for the EEA budget line.

Convener and Committee members with HE Andris Teikmanis, Ambassador of the Republic of Latvia in the UK

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EU Presidency evidence sessions

11. The Committee held an evidence session on 9 October 2014 with the Italian Ambassador to the United Kingdom, HE Pasquale Terracciano, on Italy’s priorities for its Presidency of the Council of the European Union and their relevance to Scotland. On 12 March 2015, the Committee took evidence from HE Andris Teikmanis, Ambassador of the Republic of Latvia in the UK, on Latvia’s priorities for its six-month Presidency of the Council of Ministers.

Scrutiny of the Scottish Government on EU issues

12. A key aspect of the Committee’s role is to scrutinise the Scottish Government’s engagement on EU issues. The Committee therefore sought to complement the EU Presidency evidence sessions by taking evidence from the Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Europe and External Affairs on the Scottish Government’s priorities for each six-month presidency period.

13. The Committee receives a number of reports every six months from the Scottish Government on the Horizon 2020 programme for research and innovation; an area of major focus in previous years and an area of continuing interest for this Committee. The Committee also considers updates every six months on the transposition of EU legislation, ensuring effective scrutiny of the Scottish Government’s progress in transposing EU directives within the required timescale and providing the opportunity to raise questions with the Scottish Government if there is a delay in transposition.

Engagement and Innovation

14. The Committee has sought to engage widely on the EU and international relations issues. The Convener has hosted and spoken at a number of events, including, for example an event organised by the Hansard Society and the European Parliament on TTIP. The Committee’s Connecting Scotland inquiry has a strong engagement element, with the Committee planning external visits and meetings as part of the inquiry.

Convener Christina McKelvie hosts an event on TTIP organised by the Hansard Society

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15. The Committee has continued to develop its use of social media by engaging with its followers on its Twitter account, and has also engaged via the Parliament’s Facebook and Twitter account.

Scottish Parliament European Union strategy

16. 2014 saw elections to the European Parliament and the appointment of the new College of Commissioners for the European Commission. The Committee therefore agreed to consider the implications of the changes in the political makeup of the European Parliament, the focus of the Scottish MEPs for the next parliamentary session and the approach of the new College of Commissioners as part of the annual EU strategy. It took evidence from some of Scotland’s MEPs and from the Head of the European Commission representation to the UK to inform its consideration of the new European Commission work programme and its priorities.

17. Under the EU strategy, the committees reported on their EU scrutiny for the previous year and identified their priorities for the forthcoming year. The Committee published its report on the EU engagement and scrutiny by the

parliamentary committees over the last year and priorities for EU engagement

in the coming year on 12 March 2015, and the report was debated in the Chamber of the Scottish Parliament on 22 April 2015.

Equalities

18. The Committee continued to mainstream equalities issues throughout the parliamentary year as part of its ongoing work. For example, it launched the second strand of its Connecting Scotland inquiry with Indepen-dance, an inclusive dance group at Scottish Ballet’s headquarters in Glasgow.

Christina McKelvie, Convener, and Hanzala Malik, Deputy Convener, launch second strand of the Connecting Scotland Inquiry with Indepen-dance at the Scottish Ballet, Glasgow.

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Meetings

19. During the reporting period, the Committee met the Committee met 18 times and nine meetings were held partly in private and two wholly in private. 13 items were taken in private, six to consider draft reports, four for consideration of approaches to inquiries and three to consider the Committee’s work programme. All meetings were held in Edinburgh.

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European and External Relations Committee

8th Meeting, 2015 (Session 4), Thursday 14th May 2015

Brussels Bulletin

Introduction

1. The latest Brussels Bulletin – Issue 2015/6 - is attached in annexe. Recommendation

2. The Committee is invited to indicate whether it would like any follow-up

actions for any of the items contained in the Brussels Bulletin and to agree to

forward it on to relevant committees for their consideration.

Katy Orr Clerk

Issue 2015/6 This issue includes news from 20 March 2015 to 6 May 2015 Contents

General, Cross-cutting & Institutional Affairs .............................................................................................. 2

Economy, Energy and Enterprise ................................................................................................................. 3

Transport and Infrastructure .......................................................................................................................... 7

Environment, Climate, Rural and Fisheries ................................................................................................ 7

Employment, Skills and Education ............................................................................................................... 8

Health and Sport ............................................................................................................................................. 8

Justice and Home Affairs ............................................................................................................................... 9

Regional Policy .............................................................................................................................................. 10

Upcoming Events and Meetings ................................................................................................................. 11

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General, Cross-cutting & Institutional Affairs

Scottish EU Funding Portal On 1 April, a partnership between Scotland Europa, Scottish Government, East of Scotland European Consortium and West of Scotland European Forum jointly launched the Scottish EU Funding Portal. The Portal is a new free on-line resource for organisations and businesses interested in EU funding and transnational project collaboration. It has been developed in response to demand from Scottish stakeholders to establish a single source of information on EU funding programmes for which Scotland is eligible. With increased emphasis on SME participation in EU programmes in the 2014-20 programming period; on supporting the whole innovation chain from research to getting good ideas to market; and the more pronounced presence of financial instruments; the Portal will be a useful tool to help businesses and stakeholders access this funding. The portal has a number of objectives: Improving and broadening knowledge of EU programmes leading to a greater variety and

uptake of EU funds. Increasing regional, national and transnational project collaboration and knowledge exchange Creating a higher profile in Europe for Scottish organisations and businesses, and their areas of

expertise

The Scottish EU Funding Portal provides information to registered users about opportunities in the EU Programmes and guides users to contacts and organisations which can provide support with the development of an EU project. It also includes a Partner Search area, and a blog allowing all users to share news, publications and details of events. The Scottish EU Funding Portal is a partnership project between Scotland Europa, Better Regulation The European Commission will present a new strategy for ‘Better Regulation’ during May. A leaked draft of the strategy has provided some indication of the strategy’s potential content. The leaked draft includes: The establishment of a web portal where each legislative initiative can be tracked More opportunities for citizens to provide feedback and suggestions on draft legislation New integrated Guidelines on Better Regulation Applying the “Think Small First” principle more thoroughly A new and reinforced Regulatory Scrutiny Board to take the place of the Impact Assessment

Board A new stakeholder platform on the Commission’s Regulatory Fitness (REFIT) initiative, chaired

by First Vice-President Frans Timmermans

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The leaked document also suggests that the Commission will call on the European Parliament and Council to: Carry out an impact assessment on any substantial amendments they propose during the

legislative process Ensure that laws already in effect have been properly evaluated, to see whether existing tools

could be used to do the job before considering any new initiatives Include monitoring and evaluation provisions in every new law Urge Member States to avoid ‘gold plating’ of EU rules

The above is subject to change when the final strategy is published.

Economy, Energy and Enterprise

European Fund for Strategic Investments On 23 April, the European Parliament and Member State governments began negotiations on the proposed European Fund for Strategic Investments, the main strand of the European Commission’s new Investment Plan. The Plan aims to mobilise €315 billion in investment in the European economy over the next three years, undertake targeted initiatives to ensure this investment meets the needs of the real economy, and provide greater regulatory predictability and remove barriers to investment. On 13 January, the Commission published a proposal for a Regulation establishing a European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI), the main strand of the Investment Plan. The proposed EFSI would comprise €16 billion from the EU budget (half of which in the form of a guarantee), and a commitment of €5 billion from the European Investment Bank’s own reserves. Member State governments adopted their position on the EFSI in March and on 20 April, the European Parliament’s Economic and Budget Committees adopted the Parliament’s negotiating position EFSI. 69 MEPs voted in favour of the position with, 13 against, and six abstentions. The Parliament’s position favours preserving the budgets for the Horizon 2020 and Connecting Europe Facility funding programmes and instead seeking to take advantage of EU budget flexibility to ensure that the EFSI’s guarantee fund reaches €8 billion by 2022. The Member States support the Commission’s proposal of cutting €2.7 billion from Horizon 2020 and €3.3 billion from the Connecting Europe Facility in order to fund the guarantee, with it reaching €8 billion by 2020. Another area of contention is European Parliament control over the governance of the EFSI. MEPs are seeking powers to approve the investment committee (which will decide which projects the EFSI invests in), annual vetting of the EFSI’s operations by the Parliament, and a scoreboard of the EFSI’s macroeconomic performance. The Parliament also states that third parties financing EFSI (such as national promotional banks) should not be guaranteed votes on the steering board (which will define the EFSI’s risk profile and

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investment guidelines). The Member States’ negotiating position proposes limiting steering board membership to representatives of the European Investment Bank and the European Commission, rather than allocating members and votes based on financial contributions, as was proposed by the Commission. The European Parliament’s Industry, Research and Energy Committee had proposed earmarking €5 billion for energy efficiency projects, and a further €5 billion for SME projects. Following discussions between Committee Chairs, this did not make it into the Parliament’s final negotiating position, and will not be on the table in negotiations with the Member States. In the first negotiating round, MEPs and Member State representatives committed to reaching agreement as quickly as possible, to allow for a final adoption of the EFSI in the summer. Initial discussions focused on the working method for the negotiations. The main sticking points in the negotiations are likely to be the funding of the EFSI and cuts to funding programmes; Parliament’s oversight of the EFSI; and the scope of the projects to be financed (the principle of ‘additionality’, which Member States emphasised). The Commission is seeking to show its commitment to the EFSI by sending a Vice-President to represent the institution (which plays a supporting role in the negotiations) in each round of discussions. In the first round Budgets Vice-President Kristalina Georgieva stood in for Jobs, Growth, Investment and Competitiveness Vice-President Jyrki Katainen. Digital Single Market On 6 May the European Commission published its Digital Single Market Strategy, including 16 initiatives to be delivered by the end of 2016. The Strategy has three overarching aims: Enabling better access for consumers and businesses to digital goods and services across

Europe. Creating the right conditions and a level playing field for digital networks and innovative services

to flourish. Maximising the growth potential of the digital economy. Forthcoming initiatives include: Harmonised rules on contracts and consumer protection when buying online A review of the Regulation on Consumer Protection Cooperation More efficient and affordable parcel delivery Ending unjustified ‘geo-blocking’ An antitrust competition inquiry into the e-commerce sector Legislative proposals before the end of 2015 on copyright law A review of the Satellite and Cable Directive Reduced administrative burden due to different VAT regimes An overhaul of telecoms rules, including incentives for investment in high-speed broadband and

more effective spectrum coordination A review of the audiovisual media framework

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Analysis of the role of online platforms (search engines, social media, app stores, etc.) in the market

A review of the e-Privacy Directive A proposed partnership with industry on cyber-security A proposed ‘European free flow of data initiative’ A European Cloud initiative Defined priorities for standards and interoperability in critical areas such as e-health and

transport planning A new e-government action plan Accelerated roll-out of e-procurement Heads of State or Government will discuss the Strategy at the European Council Summit on 25-26 June. Defence industry European Commissioner for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs Elżbieta Bieńkowska has established a high-level group to advise on research to support the future of the European defence industry. The first meeting took place on 30 March. Biofuels On 28 April, the final text proposal by the Council of the EU on the Directive relating to biofuels and indirect land-use change (ILUC) was accepted by the European Parliament at its plenary session in Strasbourg. The proposed legislation amends the 2009 Renewable Energy Directive and the Fuel Quality Directive and is the outcome of tough negotiations between the Council of the EU and the European Parliament that took place in March 2015. The main aim of the draft Directive is to support the transition from conventional biofuels from food crops to advanced biofuels from wastes, residues and other non-food crop sources through a legislative framework that, among other measures, places a 7% cap on conventional biofuels in the transport sector which can be counted towards 2020 renewable energy targets. The new law also requires Member States to set national targets for conventional biofuels with an indicative level set in the Directive of 0.5%. The final text will be reviewed and then will be formally adopted by the Council, possibly under the Latvian Presidency and the Directive will enter into force in 2017. Fossil Fuel Subsidies The European Commission’s Directorate-General for Economic and Financial Affairs, has published a policy discussion paper comparing the scale of pre- and post-tax fossil fuel subsidies around the globe. The report argues that current low energy prices present a chance to start smoothly reforming fossil fuel subsidies, which could facilitate stronger fiscal positions and improve growth through a decrease in economic distortions and alleviation of climate change due to lower CO2 emissions. Generalised pre-tax subsidies are still found mostly in developing countries and have been gradually phased out in advanced economies. Furthermore, the report suggests that a reform

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process of the removal of fossil fuel subsidies should be planned and communicated cautiously, as it is crucial that such reform is supported by the electorate and that those who suffer from energy poverty are protected with suitable countermeasures. Renewable Energy According to the 2014 edition of the EurObserv’ER report on renewable energy in the EU, there is a marked difference between Member States in their progress towards the EU’s 2020 renewable energy target (a collective target of sourcing 20% of the EU’s energy from renewable sources, which is broken down into differentiated, individual national targets for each Member State). Whereas Bulgaria, Estonia, Lithuania, Romania and Sweden had already reached their renewable energy targets for 2020 by 2013, the three Member States with the largest energy use are making slow progress, with France achieving 62.5%, Germany 67.8% and the United Kingdom only achieving 34.5% of their individual targets. In light of this, the report argues that a large proportion of the outstanding efforts required to reach the EU’s collective target of sourcing 20% of energy from renewables will have to be made by the Member States with the greatest energy use. The report also highlights Scottish strengths in ocean energy. Capital Markets Union European Commissioner for Financial Stability, Financial Services and Capital Markets Union Jonathan Hill recently took part in a web chat on Capital Markets Union. Capital Markets Union refers to a range of forthcoming legislative and non-legislative measures to boost the single market for non-bank financing in the EU. Hill made the following points: CMU aims to increase the availability of capital for businesses of all sizes, at all stages of their

development; overcome barriers to cross border investment; and support existing local ‘eco-systems’.

Through the CMU consultation, the Commission hopes to learn more about how best to foster equity market integration, crowdfunding, venture capital, and environmental, social and governance investments.

Pension funds can provide a significant source of capital and help to deal with the EU’s demographic challenges.

New technology is changing the face of financial services and will be an important driver in the integration of capital markets.

The stock market should be as large as companies need it to be. Businesses need stability. The Commission will reduce the volume of new financial regulation

and examine the cumulative impact of existing legislation. A consultation on Capital Markets Union closes on 13 May. A Capital Markets Union Action Plan, partially based on consultation responses, will be published by the end of 2015.

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Transport and Infrastructure

Sustainable transport On 23 April the European Commission announced the creation of a new forum to draw together national authorities, public bodies and private organisations with responsibilities in developing and deploying alternative fuel and energy infrastructures across the EU. The Sustainable Transport Forum (STF) will aim to guide the implementation of the Directive on the Deployment of Alternative Fuels Infrastructure, which came into force in October 2014. Besides facilitating the implementation of this Directive, the aim of the STF is also to support the Commission in the wider application of its Clean Power for Transport strategy. In particular, the role of the STF will be to provide advice to the Commission on the development and implementation of legislation, policies, projects and programmes in the field of alternative transport fuels and contribute towards an energy-efficient, decarbonised transport sector. The body is also expected to facilitate exchanges of information on initiatives, projects and partnerships dealing with alternative transport fuels.

Environment, Climate, Rural and Fisheries

Forests At a meeting of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council on 20 April, Ministers adopted the EU’s position for the Eleventh Session of the Union Nations Forum on Forests, which is taking place from 4-15 May. The conclusions state that a post-2015 International Agreement on Forests should: Build long-term high level political commitment to forests Strengthen a common international understanding of the concept of sustainable forest

management. Enhance policy coherence. Foster links between the global forest agenda and the post-2015 development agenda. Galvanize the interest and support of the private sector and other stakeholders in the global

forest agenda.

The UK was represented at Council by Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Farming, Food and Marine Environment Rupert de Mauley. Milk and fruit in schools The European Parliament’s Agriculture and Rural Development Committee has adopted its position on a proposed Regulation merging existing schemes providing milk and fruit for schoolchildren. MEPs want: To extend the list of foodstuffs eligible for EU funding to include local milk products with proven

beneficial effects for children’s health.

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Member States to earmark 10-20% of the EU funding they receive for educational activities, for example to promote healthy eating.

An additional €20 million a year for the measures covering milk, bringing annual funding for milk and milk products up to €100 million, with €150 million for fruit and vegetables.

A fairer distribution of EU funds, with two core criteria: the proportion of six to ten year old children in the population and the degree of development of the region within the Member State.

Once the Member States have reached their position in the Council, negotiations can begin with the objective of adopting the final legislation. In June 2014, Ministers discussed the following issues in relation to the proposal: The legal basis The balance between the basic act and the delegated powers The overall scope of the schemes The financial provisions and potential administrative burden

Employment, Skills and Education

Social Investment A European Commission-commissioned report by the European Social Policy Network has found that Member States have made progress towards modernising their social protection systems, buts there is still work to be done. The 2013 Social Investment Package called on the Member States to prioritise investments in human capital and to modernise their welfare states in response to the effects of the global financial crisis. The UK is found to be part of a group of Member States, without an established or explicit social investment approach to social welfare, but which have shown an increasing awareness of social investment in a few specific policy areas. In addition, the report highlights that the UK has seen a decline in the development of social policy due to the economic crisis, with a policy emphasis on reducing public budget deficits. In particular, the UK continues to see social policy as focused on protecting those in disadvantaged situations rather than on producing policies to prevent them from being in such situations.

Health and Sport

Alcohol On 28 April, the European Parliament adopted a resolution calling on the European Commission to launch a new alcohol strategy to enter force in 2016. The resolution emphasises prevention and education for young people, and the importance of more informative drinks labelling. MEPs also call on Member States to carefully consider the appropriateness of introducing national policies

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aimed at preventing the sale of very cheap alcohols. The EU’s current alcohol strategy was launched in 2006. It was intended to assist Member State governments and relevant stakeholders in coordinating their efforts to reduce harm caused by the misuse of alcohol, putting forward guidance on issues such as underage drinking and drink-driving, but did not initiate specific EU legislation. The European Commission is currently reviewing the potential of updating the alcohol strategy.

Justice and Home Affairs

Justice The European Parliament’s Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs Committee has adopted its position on a proposed Directive to ensure the right to a fair trial by setting out common minimum standards on certain aspects of the presumption of innocence and of the right to be present at trial in criminal proceedings. MEPs want to: Ban public authority statements that presume guilt before a final conviction or before or after a

final acquittal Cover legal persons in these EU rules Ensure that the burden of proof rests with the prosecution and that “any doubt always benefits

the suspect or accused persons” Ensure that suspects or accused persons are not considered guilty simply because they

exercise their rights to remain silent, to not incriminate oneself, and to not cooperate Stress that any evidence obtained in violation of suspects’ rights or by torture is inadmissible

MEPs also deleted from the proposal a provision that would have made it possible in limited cases to “compel” a suspect or accused person to provide information relating to charges against them. The Member States adopted their position on the proposal in December 2014, allowing negotiations to start between the institutions, with the objective of adopting final legislation. Once adopted, governments will have a certain time period in which to transpose the Directive into national legislation. Migration On 23 April 2015, European Leaders convened for a special meeting of the European Council to discuss the issue of migration. European leaders acknowledged that the Mediterranean is one of the deadliest routes on the globe, following the deaths of more than 800 people, who died on 19 April in an attempt to reach the EU. During the meeting, European Leaders stated that preventing more people from dying at sea is currently an immediate priority for all EU Member States. Leaders committed to tackling the issue of human trafficking. In particular, they agreed that the EU

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will actively support the efforts carried out in Libya by the UN aiming to establish government authority, as the current instability in this country creates the perfect conditions for criminal actions of traffickers. Leaders agreed to address conflict and instability as key push factors of migration, including Syria. Leaders also committed to strengthening the EU presence at sea, by tripling the financial resources of EU Operations Triton and Poseidon for the years 2015 and 2016. They also agreed that traffickers should be fought according to international law, focusing in particular on the disruption of trafficking networks and destruction of vessels before they can be used for trafficking purposes. Strengthening dialogue and cooperation with the African Union was another point agreed during the meeting. In this regard, Egypt, Tunisia, Sudan, Mali and Niger will benefit stronger support from all EU countries in the process towards their political stabilisation. Other important measures discussed during the European Council special meeting concerned the EU’s internal responsibility and solidarity. In this regard, European leaders called for the implementation of the Common European Asylum System, in order to achieve the same standard all over Europe and urged Member States to organise emergency relocation on a voluntary basis.

Regional Policy

Rural, remote and mountainous areas On 12 March, a new Rural, Mountainous and Remote Areas (RUMRA) Intergroup of the European Parliament was officially launched at an event in Strasbourg, opened by Italian MEP, former President of the Committee of the Regions and Chair of the intergroup Mercedes Bresso. The main aim of this new Intergroup is to represent the views of citizens and businesses located in non-urbanised areas of the EU within the legislative process. The intergroup will consist of six subgroups, including: Resource and financing for rural integrated development; RURBAN (Rural and urban interrelations); Climate change and Energy; Living nowadays in rural areas (community, Rural Tourism); Territorial quality products; and Ultra peripheral and remote regions.

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Upcoming Events and Meetings

May June 11-12 Agriculture and Fisheries Council 1-2 Informal Agriculture and Fisheries

Council 12 Economic and Financial Affairs

Council 8-11 European Parliament Plenary

18-21 European Parliament Plenary 8 Energy Council 18-19 Education, Youth, Culture and Sport

Council 9-10 Informal Cohesion Council

18 Foreign Affairs Council 11-12 Justice and Home Affairs Council 19 General Affairs Council 11 Transport Council 26 Foreign Affairs Council

(Development) 12 Telecommunications Council

28-29 Competitiveness Council 31 Informal Agriculture and Fisheries

Council 15 Environment Council

16 Agriculture and Fisheries Council 18 Employment Council 19 Health Council 19 Economic and Financial Affairs Council 22 Foreign Affairs Council 23 General Affairs Council 25-26 European Council Summit