Europe Day - 9 May 2008
On 9 May 1950 the first move was made towards the creation of
what is now known as the European Union. At the Milan Summit in 1985 EU leaders decided to celebrate 9 May as Europe Day. It is
now an annual celebration of the cultural diversity within Europe
and provides an opportunity to learn more about the
European Union.
To mark this year's Europe Day there will be various celebratory events held in the South West, please see below for details.
A selection of informative websites
Europe Day 2008 website at
http://europa.eu/abc/symbols/9-may/euday_en.htm ESF News March/April at http://www.esf.gov.uk/_docs/502261_esf_ezine_marapr_aw.pdf
Foreign & Commonwealth Office Britain in Europe site at http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/fco-in-action/institutions/britain-in-the-european-union
Regional Events
Pop in to the Central Library in Plymouth and join Europe Direct Plymouth in celebrating Europe Day with free cups of Continental coffee and tea with tasty treats in the library from 10.00-12.00 noon. See what resources your Europe Direct Relay can offer for planning holidays in Europe, improving language skills, studying or working abroad, or funding learning and business ventures. Find out, too, about European cultural resources - books, film, music - all from your local Europe Direct relay. Contact europedirect@plymouth.gov.uk. Telephone 01752 305923 for more information
'Do You Speak European?' - An AER Youth in Europe Competition at County Hall, Taunton from 10.00 to 13.00 on 9 May 2008
The Assembly of European Regions’ (AER) 'Do You Speak European?' competition, gives young people the opportunity to explore for themselves what it means to be a part of Europe. ‘Do You Speak European?’ is a public speaking and personal expression contest which gives teams of young people between the ages of 14 and 18 the opportunity to prepare and present their views on the question: ‘What does Europe mean to you?’. The competition is taking place across Europe and the winners of the Somerset heat will go on to compete in the national competition in October, with the House of Lords being a possible venue. The winners of each national competition will then take part in the European final held in Brussels on 3 December 2008.
This competition provides a unique opportunity for young people to be influential in shaping European issues for Somerset. Entries are now closed but look out for the regional winners after 9 May and remember for next year!
Cornwall Works WISE Awards 9 May
This prestigious lunch event at Watergate Bay near Newquay has been organised by JobCentre Plus, the LSC and the Objective One Partnership to recognise and celebrate excellence in Employment and Skills activity in Cornwall. Inspirational speakers from Cornwall and across the UK will mark the success of ESF and look foward to the opportunities afforded by the new ESF Convergence programme. This is now fully booked, but a report of the event will be posted on this site after 9 May.
ESF 2000-2006 Programme successes...
Apprenticeships - Working with Schools (EC DVD Library)
The Cornwall Education Business Partnership are now winding up what has been a very successful project linking schools and work-based training providers to provide an enhanced work related curriculum and support within the school for a seamless and timely progression to apprenticeships. Schools are encouraged to have a greater sense of ownership and investment in the post 16 apprenticeship programme. The closer links between schools and work-based training providers helps to raise the level of participation as well as providing students with relevant vocational skills and thus improved employability. The project was selected by the European Commission in 2007 for inclusion in their DVD library.
Visit http://ec.europa.eu/employment_social/emplweb/video/media_en.cfm?id=8&flv=esn_uk_vuk_h264 to download the film.
