THIS REPORT RELATES COUNCIL TO ITEM 18 ON THE AGENDA

STIRLING COUNCIL CHIEF EXECUTIVE

11 SEPTEMBER 2008 NOT EXEMPT

TWINNING AND OTHER INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIP ACTIVITIES

1 SUMMARY

1.1 Changes to Stirling Council’s approach to twinning and other international partnership activities are considered. ‘Traditional twinning’ and other international partnership activities are distinguished. A community-led approach to traditional twinning is proposed. At the same time the Scottish Government’s International Framework suggests concentrating international partnership activities, led by the Council, on links where the local economic benefits are most significant. The Framework also recognises the benefits of international partnership activities in support of international development.

1.2 Implications of the proposals are assessed. The recent visit to Nova Scotia is considered. Development of international partnership activities with Galway in Ireland and Malawi are proposed.

2 RECOMMENDATIONS

Council is asked to:-

2.1 Agree to develop, in consultation with communities, a community-led approach to traditional twinning through financial and other support for local Twinning Associations and other community organisations who wish to undertake twinning activities, and to identify the appropriate budget(s) through which this can be resourced.

2.2 Agree that the Scottish Government’s International Framework should serve as a basis for Council-led international partnership activities and that an International Action Plan should be developed in consultation with Community Planning partners.

2.3 Agree to the development of international partnership activities including a possible formal twinning link with Galway, Ireland.

2.4 Agree to the development of international partnership activities including a possible formal twinning link with a suitable area of Malawi.

N:\DEMSUPP\NEWDECISIONS\SCOUNCIL\REPORTS\SC20080911ITEM18INTERNATIONALACTIVITIES.DOC 2.5 Agree the proposed future focus for the Council’s existing twinning and friendship links as set out in Appendix 3.

2.6 Note the success of the recent visit to Nova Scotia, and proposed future international partnership activities with Nova Scotia.

3 CONSIDERATIONS

Background to the report

3.1 In August 2004 Council agreed that a civic international links strategy would be developed and operated by the Provost’s Panel. Criteria were established under which existing links were evaluated and proposed links are assessed. These criteria are listed at Appendix 1.

3.2 At that time Services indicated a willingness to continue to develop the twinning link to Villeneuve d’Ascq and to maintain the less formal ‘friendship link’ to Dunedin, Florida. Subsequently the Panel agreed to the development of a friendship link to Summerside, Canada and a twinning link to Obuda, Hungary. An informal but active link to Nova Scotia has developed recently.

3.3 In July 2008 the Provost’s Panel considered approaches to twinning by other Scottish Councils and in particular “decentralised” twinning. The Panel also considered the Scottish Government International Framework published April 2008. Council Management Team has proposed that the International Framework should be used for a review of the Council’s twinning policy.

Overview of approaches to twinning across Scottish Local Authorities

3.4 A review of Councils’ approaches to twinning suggests a distinction can be made between ‘traditional twinning’ and ‘twinning‘ as a reference to wider international partnership activities. Traditional twinning is focussed on cultural exchange and mutual understanding. Links are established around a formal agreement between geographical areas e.g. villages, towns, districts. Traditional twinning may have a strong civic basis revolving around visits by civic leaders (Provost, Mayors etc.) and/or a community focus involving exchange visits by groups, families and schools.

3.5 Traditional twinning has decreased in recent years across . Reasons for this include constraints on Council expenditure and concerns about negative publicity related to twinning expenditure. Increased mobility may have led to decreased interest at community level. Across Scotland some traditional twinning links have a good level of civic and community support.

3.6 Many areas operate a decentralised approach to traditional twinning activities. Developing and maintaining links is often undertaken through local Twinning Associations; constituted bodies, independent from the Council and run by local citizens. Typically the objectives of a Twinning Association will be around promoting friendship and understanding between local residents and those of the twinned town/village and encouraging visits around the cultural, recreational, educational and social activities of the communities. Community organisations such as churches, sports and social clubs may undertake twinning activities either through Twinning Associations or in their own right. 3.7 Perceived benefits of a decentralised approach to twinning include the view that community links have more long-term success. There is the view that a decentralised approach lets the community decide the priority to be given to traditional twinning. This helps to address negative perceptions of Council involvement in such activities. A decentralised approach could be helpful for accessing funding through the “Europe for Citizen’s” EU programme, which encourages active citizenship, town twinning and exchanges across the EU.

3.8 In some Council areas a decentralised approach to traditional twinning led by local communities operates alongside international partnership activities led by the Council. Council led twinning links are often considered as one strand of the international partnership activities a Council will be involved in. Such activities will also include lobbying in Europe, accessing European funding, exchange of best practice, raising the profile of an area overseas and development of international trade and economic development links. The extent to which traditional or Council-led twinning will form the basis of, or contribute to, these other aspects of international partnership activity will vary between Council areas, and between particular links.

3.9 Angus Council, for example, supports (through funding and other means) six community led traditional twinning links. At the same time the Council takes the lead in one link to the municipality of Yantai in Shandong Province, China. This ‘sister city link Agreement’ has been the basis of a number of active trade missions between the two areas with tangible benefits to many local businesses as a result. Other Councils do not support any Council-led twinning while supporting community-based traditional twinning activity.

Scottish Government’s International Framework

3.10 The Scottish Government International Framework launched in April 2008 is available on the Scottish Government website at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2008/04/23150847/0

3.11 The framework “sets out the context and rationale for co-ordinating the Government’s international activities and shows how international work contributes to the Government’s purpose of increasing sustainable economic growth.” The framework set out the Scottish Government’s plans to better co- ordinate and facilitate the work which it does in influencing people to choose Scotland as a great place to live, learn, visit, work, do business and invest.

3.12 The Framework also refers to Scotland’s new international development policy suggesting, “Development work is less about our own economic prosperity than it is about articulating …that we will be stronger as a nation by working with developing countries”. The Framework also recognises that finding ways for Scotland and young Scots to learn from the experience of those in other countries is a key part of preparing young people for success in a globalised world.

3.13 The Framework is intended to inform the work not only of the Scottish Government but also of key partners in the public sector. Stirling Council’s Management Team has suggested that the Framework be used as the basis for a review of the Council’s current policy on ‘twinning’, and recommends that once the review is completed, each existing twinning link be assessed against the criteria in the Council’s approach. Proposed amendments to Stirling Council twinning policy

3.14 It is proposed that a community-led approach to traditional twinning through local Twinning Associations and/or existing community organisations who wish to undertake such activities should be adopted. At the same time the Government’s International Framework should form the basis on which the broader international agenda, led by the Council, should be taken forward. Council led international partnership activities should concentrate on those links where the local economic benefits are greatest. The Council may still maintain, develop or initiate twinning or friendship links but such links will have different objectives than the community-led traditional twinning links and will generally be focussed on economic outcomes. Some international partnership activities will occur outwith any formal twinning or friendship links.

Implications for Stirling Council: decentralised twinning

3.15 The success of any decentralised approach to twinning in the Stirling Council area would be dependent on community interest and support. Experience in other areas suggests that community interest and support for such activities has decreased in recent years. It should be recognised that there are already school and community based international activities going on in the Council area outwith any formal traditional twinning arrangements. These include, for example, the – Likhubula link to Malawi, various Primary and Secondary school links and the various rural projects and activities undertaken through the European funded LEADER programmes for innovative and pilot rural projects.

3.16 One reason for pursuing formal traditional twinning links is that European funding opportunities are available to support formal twinning links between European countries. There would however still be financial implications for the Council. Details of these are given at Paragraph 4.2.

3.17 In addition the Council will often still have an important role in relation to non- financial support for these activities. This may include supporting the development and running of local twinning associations and hosting official visits. Further details on the activities that Councils are involved in to support decentralised approaches to twinning are provided at Appendix 2.

3.18 It is suggested that, in the first instance, it will be appropriate to consult with communities via Community Councils and Community Development Trusts on this proposed approach to highlight successful approaches to decentralised twinning in other areas, gauge the level of interest and to help determine what organisations and activities should be supported.

Implications for Stirling Council: Scottish Government International Framework

3.19 The Government’s International Framework is particularly focused on the contribution that international activities make to the Government’s Economic Strategy. Reference is made to education and cultural identity and heritage, within the context of their contribution to the Government’s overall purpose of increasing sustainable economic growth. This is a tighter focus on economic outcomes than the Council’s criteria outlined at Appendix 1. The exchange of good practice, as well as direct trade and tourism business, is an important element of the economic theme. 3.20 It should be noted that there are restrictions on the role of local authorities in relation to international promotional and economic development activities. Inward investment is the domain of Scottish Development International. Councils must have prior approval, to carry out inward investment promotional activity. In relation to international tourism promotion/ marketing, Councils must work in liaison with Scottish Government and VisitScotland.

3.21 Beyond coordination with Scottish Government and its agencies it will be appropriate to develop international activities with Community Planning partners. Recent partnership activities in relation to Nova Scotia suggest there are benefits from working on these activities collaboratively. The University of Stirling is, for example, developing agreements for student exchanges with universities in Nova Scotia from recent partnership activities.

3.22 The international framework suggests that educational links, in relation to further and higher education, and cultural identity and heritage (in relation to tourism and international events) will contribute to economic objectives. There may be some instances where educational and cultural/heritage links are of interest and are pursued even when the overall economic benefits are less clear-cut. The economic benefits of primary and secondary school international links may be indirect and long–term; but there will be broader benefits to pursuing such links and they should be encouraged.

3.23 Appendix 3 considers and makes recommendations for the future focus of the Council’s current twinning and friendship links in relation to the above proposals.

Visit to Nova Scotia

3.24 The international partnership visit to Nova Scotia and Summerside undertaken in June/July 2008 could serve as a model for future international partnership activities, in line with the proposals outlined above. Areas of reciprocal benefit have been identified and the benefits to the Stirling area are likely to be seen in return visits from Nova Scotia and Summerside in particular in relation to Homecoming 2009. Further details on the background to the visit and the outcomes from it are set out at Appendix 4 to this report.

Proposed link to Galway, Ireland

3.25 The Provost has proposed that a new international partnership link should be established with the Galway on the west coast of Ireland. Galway City is adminstered by Galway City Council. Galway County Council is responsible for the surrounding area of County Galway. Galway City is Ireland’s fastest growing city with a population of 72,000 (2006). It is considered of particular relevance to Stirling because of its extensive cultural programme, with cultural events and festivals attracting visitors throughout the year. It is suggested that Stirling could learn from the experience of Galway in developing its own cultural activities. It is anticipated that European funding could be utilised to develop events to exchange experience and ideas on these issues. A visit from relevant parties to Stirling is currently being planned.

3.26 Stirling rural communities have existing links to Ireland’s west coast, funded through the European funding LEADER programmes. Through the Shamrock Thistle Rural Action Partnership (STRAP), the Strathard community has worked with the Tochar Valley in South West Mayo, as well as communities in Northern Ireland to develop a development project for B & B providers in the three areas. A subsequent project was focussed on e-business training.

Proposed link to Malawi

3.27 The Council’s Sustainable Development Strategy includes an action to “investigate a twinning opportunity with a developing country” in relation to considering the impact of our everyday actions on communities overseas. The Strategy also commits the Council to developing eco-schools international links, and developing fair-trade activities.

3.28 A report to the Provost’s Panel in May 2008 outlined Stirling’s existing community links to Malawi. These offer potential for development of further partnership activities in relation to schools, fair-trade, transporting surplus equipment, supporting local projects through fundraising. The Panel noted that the Scottish Government has reconfirmed its commitment to Malawi. The Panel proposes that partnership activities and a possible formal twinning link with a suitable area of Malawi should be pursued in collaboration with local community groups and schools who have existing links to Malawi.

Next Steps

3.29 If the proposals outlined in this report are adopted then the proposed next steps will be consult with communities on the proposals to develop a community led approach to traditional twinning and for the Council to develop an International Action Plan in consultation with Community Planning partners. This will set out how International Activities can contribute to the outcomes sought through the Council’s Strategic Plan and Single Outcome Agreement and the Stirling Community Plan.

4 POLICY/RESOURCE IMPLICATIONS AND CONSULTATIONS

Policy Implications Diversity (age, disability, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation) Yes Sustainability (community, economic, environmental) Yes Strategic/Service Plan Yes Existing Policy or Strategy Yes Risk No Resource Implications Financial Yes People Yes Land and Property or IT Systems No Consultations Internal or External Consultations Both

Policy Implications

4.1 The Council’s International Development Activities have the potential to contribute to outcomes identified in Shaping Stirling, Stirling Council’s Strategic Plan 2008 –2012. In particular:-

• The development of international business and trade links; the promotion of Stirling as an international tourism destination and its use as an international events venue will contribute to the outcomes sought under the Strategic Topic - Making Stirling a place with a vibrant economy that is open for business.

• Fostering tolerance and understanding between international communities can serve as a mechanism for creating mutual understanding and overcoming prejudice that will contribute to the diverse communities that are sought under the Strategic Topic - Making Stirling a place with jobs and opportunities for all.

• Devolving responsibility for traditional twinning activities to local twinning associations is in line with the Strategic Theme of encouraging participation and responsibility.

• The opportunity to identify and replicate good practice in service delivery from around the world can contribute to the Strategic Theme of Making services better.

• Considering the impact of our everyday actions on communities overseas will contribute to the Strategic Theme of Making Stirling more sustainable.

Resource Implications

4.2 In relation to decentralised twinning, while there should be an emphasis on encouraging local communities to access external funds and sponsorship and to undertake fundraising activities in support of these links there will be resource implications for Stirling Council. These are difficult to quantify before the level of interest in establishing local twinning links is known. A budget will need to be established to which applications can be made for support. If the typical support elsewhere of £500 per Association per annum is taken as a starting point, and estimating interest/ take-up by five communities (roughly based on typical number of links in other areas), a budget of £2500 to support these activities may be appropriate in the first instance. If every local community wants to twin then costs could be much more significant, and a competitive bidding process might need to be introduced. Additionally there would be staffing and civic office time commitments involved if the Council was to undertake the activities outlined at Appendix 2.

4.3 Budgetary provision exists with the Corporate Services budget to develop the civic agenda on international links. Some officer resources, foreign language skills and European funding expertise exist within the Chief Executive’s Office to facilitate this work. There has previously been some success in obtaining external funding from public and private sources to support specific projects under the Council’s Civic International Links Strategy.

Consultations

4.4 External consultation has taken place with other Council areas on their approaches to international activities. Internal consultation has taken place with Environment Services (Economic Development), Community Services (Communities and Culture) and with Children’s Services (Learning and Development).

5 BACKGROUND PAPERS

5.1 Update on Civic International Links - Report to the Provost’s Panel, 2 May 2008.

5.2 Civic International Links Strategy – Report to the Provost’s Panel, 6 November 2007.

5.3 International Links – Review and Proposals on Next Steps, Report to the Provost’s Panel, 8 March 2007.

5.4 Developing New Civic Links- Obuda, Report to the Provost’s Panel, 14 December 2005.

5.5 New Civic International Links – Update, Report to the Provost’s Panel, 10 May 2005.

5.6 Villeneuve D’Ascq Workplan 2005/6, Report to the Provost’s Panel, 10 May 2005.

5.7 Civic International Links, Report to the Provost’s Panel, 11 November 2004.

5.8 Civic International Links, Report to the Provost’s Panel, 2 September 2004.

5.9 Civic International Links, Report to Stirling Council, 24 August 2004.

Author(s) Name Designation Tel No/Extension

Andrew Pont Policy Officer 3338

Approved by Name Designation Signature

Keith Yates Chief Executive

Date 2 September 2008 Reference

APPENDIX 1 Current criteria re twinning links

In August 2004 Council agreed that a civic international links strategy would be developed and operated by the Provost’s Panel. Criteria were established under which existing links were evaluated and any proposed links are assessed. These criteria are:-

The international link should:- 1. Assist in the development of Council strategic objectives 2. Be developed out of demand for a link 3. Be viable in terms of ease of transport connections 4. Provide opportunities for internet based activities 5. Provide opportunities for enhanced cultural and sports links 6. Be developed through EU or other funding opportunities 7. Be based on historical links and/or similarities to Stirling 8. Be viable in terms of language considerations 9. Cement existing local partnerships and initiatives 10. Promote tolerance and provide learning opportunities 11. Facilitate improved service delivery 12. Have clear and transparent aims and objectives 13. Involve the wider community.

APPENDIX 2

Activities undertaken by Councils in support of decentralised twinning arrangements

• Signing of a document acknowledging the twinning link in an official capacity, often at a ceremony involving the provost, civic head of the twinned town/village and community reps. Such official recognition is required in order to access European funding opportunities.

• Providing receptions attended by the Provost and appropriate elected members, particularly when official visitors such as Mayors etc. are visiting.

• Providing support and advice to communities interested in developing a link, including supporting the development of new twinning associations.

• Providing funding, sometimes directly on an annual basis for administrative costs and/or through community grant schemes to which twinning associations can apply for funding for specific events. South Lanarkshire Council works in partnership with its local Twinning Associations to offers local community organisations travel grants for development of exchanges. In some areas grant allocation has been devolved to Area Committees or Forums. Angus Council referred to assistance with provision of village welcome roadsigns saying “twinned with…” .

• Assisting with development of applications for external funding, sponsorship and/or other fund raising activities.

• Facilitating twinning forums at which representatives of different local twinning associations will come together to exchange information on their activities and plans, discuss funding opportunities etc.

APPENDIX 3 Review of Stirling Council existing and proposed twinning and friendship links

Link Type of Link Review of link in relation to Scottish Government International Framework and Recommendation re future of Council proposals re decentralisation link Villeneuve d’Ascq Twinning In relation to Villeneuve d’Ascq there appears to be limited potential for generating Concentrate Council led efforts in relation economic outcomes from the link. The most recent activity undertaken in relation to the to the Villeneuve d’Ascq link on schools Villeneuve d’Ascq link was in relation to advising teaching staff from Villeneuve d’Ascq activities. about our Eco-schools activities in October 2007. It was hoped that this might lead to further collaborative activities around environmental activities. Some schools (Braehead Community interest in pursuing and Primary, Primary and Balfron High) continue to have active links to developing the link at a community level to Villeneuve d’Ascq and others have expressed an interest in developing links. be encouraged.

Obuda, Hungary Twinning In relation to the link to Obuda, Hungary the most recent activity has been a successful Further twinning activities at a Council level seminar on business opportunities in Hungary in the Council Chambers in November should only be undertaken where clear 2006 and a subsequent officers visit connected to a trade study tour in March 2007. The local economic benefits can be identified. current Mayor of Obuda has not been to Stirling. A proposal to take an exhibition on Stirling’s architecture was based around previous links and interest in architecture and Community interest in pursuing and design between Scotland and Hungary. developing the link at a community level to be encouraged.

Nova Scotia and Nova Scotia – No The Framework identifies a number of priority countries that are important to fulfilling the Take forward activities developed through Summerside, Canada formal link overall objectives. Key trade and tourism markets are the US and Canada. Those the recent visit including activities related to countries and which are likely to contain Scotland’s important and influential Diaspora Homecoming 2009, in particular Nova Summerside – include Canada. The importance of the Year of Homecoming of 2009, which the Council Scotia Week. Friendship link is already involved in, is referred to.

The partnership visit to Nova Scotia and Summerside undertaken in June/July 2008 could serve as a model for future international activities. Clear objectives for the visit were identified and are reported on elsewhere in this report. Areas of reciprocal benefit have been identified and the benefits to the Stirling area are likely to be seen in return visits from Nova Scotia and Summerside in particular in relation to Homecoming 2009.

Dunedin, Florida Friendship link The link to Dunedin, Florida could be seen as a link to the key trade and tourism markets Previous involvement of Stirling in Tartan of the US and North America. While there may have been some economic outcomes from Week in the USA generated significant the link to Dunedin these are not likely to have been substantial and have not been media coverage and interest in Stirling and measured. contributed to raising the profile of Stirling in the USA. Further involvement in similar activities, if available, is likely to have more impact than twinning/friendship activities with particular locations in the USA.

The link to Dunedin should not, therefore, be actively pursued.

Proposed link to To be determined The Framework identifies countries with economic success stories from which Scotland Link should be pursued with an emphasis Galway, Ireland can learn. These include Ireland. on learning from best practice in relation to cultural events and festivals and their contribution to the local economy. Proposed link to To be determined Agreement by the Provost’s Panel in May 2008 to investigate possible twinning links to Link should be pursued at a Council level, Malawi Malawi would continue to be appropriate under this new focus. Scottish links to Malawi subject to strong community and school are specifically referred to under the Government’s Framework. It suggests that a new interest and support. Scottish Government international development policy “will provide a stronger focus to [international development] work including the strengthening of the relationship to Malawi”. Schools with links to Malawi are Primary, Dunblane Primary, St. Mary's Primary Dunblane, Newton Primary, Balfron High and Dunblane High.

APPENDIX 4

Outcomes from visit to Nova Scotia June/July 2008

Visit to Nova Scotia and Summerside, Prince Edward Island, Canada, 26 June – 6 July 2008

Background The visit to eastern Canada followed visits to Stirling from Canada over the last 2 years. A trade and development mission from Nova Scotia led by Fred Whalen the Warden (Mayor) of King’s County, Nova Scotia, accompanied by 3 Nova Scotia Cabinet Ministers and involving around 25 local business leaders stayed in Stirling during a visit to Scotland in June 2007 and undertook local meetings and activities. This followed a similar visit to Stirling in October 2006.

In July 2006, the Mayor of Summerside, Prince Edward Island, Basil Stewart visited Stirling and a formal ‘friendship link’ between Stirling and Summerside was agreed. The Provost was invited to visit Summerside to “solidify the relationship” and explore business-networking opportunities between the two cities. A specific invitation was made to the Provost to act as the official Chieftain to the Highland Games in Summerside in June 2007 but this was not possible. This invitation had been extended to June 2008.

A reciprocal visit by Stirling Council was approved in principal by the Provost’s Panel in November 2007. The general aim was to take forward the links that had been established and develop further cultural, community and business links with practical and tangible benefits for the wider communities. Subsequent discussions agreed to invite a number of local partners to participate in the visit.

Delegation The delegation was as follows:

Provost Fergus Wood Councillor Scott Farmer Brian Devlin, Director of Environment Services Fiona MacLeod, Head of Governance Jean Houston, PA to the Provost and Civic Events Co-ordinator Dr. John Rogers, Director of Research and Enterprise, University of Stirling Ken Thomson, Marketing Manager, Stirling District Tourism Ltd Bridget Jones, Senior Access Officer, Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park. Robert Graham, Managing Director, Graham Dairies,

Objectives of the visit Prior to the visit a number of objectives were established. These are set out below along with details of the extent to which the objectives were achieved:

Objective Extent to which objectives were achieved

The Provost to act as local Ambassador for • Widespread provincial coverage of the visit Stirling raising the profile of Stirling and its • Provincial and national television coverage image internationally • Increased number of visits to Stirling Council website from Canada cf this time last year • Six members of the Provincial government attended the Gala Dinner in Halifax • The replica Wallace Sword attracted a good deal of media interest.

To further develop links with King’s County, • Plans underway to develop Nova Scotia Week when Nova Scotia and Summerside people of Nova Scotia will be encouraged to visit Stirling/Scotland. Visitor numbers of 300+ to Stirling have been discussed. Development of civic, cultural, community, • A wide range of cultural, business, and local business and tourism links government links were established through visits to businesses and projects.

To raise profile of Stirling as a business • A number of meetings involving business location representatives took place. The University hopes to develop joint business projects as a result of discussions. To raise profile of Stirling as a location for • The University of Stirling is developing a formal studying student exchange agreement with Dalhousie University and has had initial discussions with Acadia University. To raise the profile of Stirling as Scotland's • 1000 Homecoming 2009 leaflets distributed vibrant and historic heart - a tourism destination and a location for large-scale events. To learn from Nova Scotia's high levels of • Stirling District Tourism Ltd identified a number of customer care and experience in destination learning points from the visit in relation to strategic development planning for tourism, visitor information, industry engagement and involvement, product development, management information, accommodation licensing. • A Tourism and Economic Development Trade Show/ Mission from Nova Scotia is planned for May 2009 To develop schools links • The visit took place after the schools had closed for summer holidays. However interest shown and contacts can be made. To explore and develop links between Scots • Contact established at the College of Piping and traditional music and the traditional music of Celtic Performing Arts as well as with individual Nova Scotia and to explore opportunities for performers. The Tolbooth is looking into some form traditional music exchange. of exchange involving young musicians from Scotland and Cape Breton in response to strong linked history of music between the two countries.

Follow up activities

As outlined above a number of follow –up activities are planned in particular:

• Nova Scotia Week involving a large number of visitors to Stirling in September 2009 as part of Homecoming 2009, is under development. • The University of Stirling is actively pursuing a number of student exchange and research links. • Stirling District Tourism Ltd. is in discussion with Destination Southwest Nova Scotia Association about a Tourism and Economic Development Trade Mission to Scotland May 2009.

APPENDIX 5

International Links and Activites – Children & Young People in Stirling

Schools International Activities School INTERNATIONAL LINKS Aberfoyle Primary Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Faroe Islands. All teachers involved and different stages of pupils involved. E-mail, International Website, visits from colleagues. In Jan/Feb ’04 4 students to visit. Allan’s Primary Nairobi, Kenya. Letters photos with Peter (sponsored friend).

Balfron Primary Sponsor a child in Kenya

Bannockburn Primary No International Links Borestone Primary No International Links

Braehead Primary France, Villeneuve d’Asq video conferencing, visits, letters e-mails.

Bridge of Allan Primary Japan Buchanan Primary No International Links Primary No International Links Primary Links with Paris school in 19th arrondisement. Joint project – e-mail, photo, exchange, celebration exchange and doll exchange. Douglas Bear from Scotland and Madeleine from France. Joint St Andrew’s Day celebration and exchange of photos. HT Callander visited Ecole Elementaire B Paris. Cambusbarron Primary Villeneuve D’Asq, France Primary Embarking on another new Comenius project with schools in Belgium, Italy, Spain and Germany. The project is based on the “arts”. The school has also registered with Global Gateway looking for a partner in a developing country. The HT is a member of the British Council Education and Training Advisory Committee Schools Forum. The HT is the Primary representative for International Masterclass. The school staff have had the opportunity to visit Belgium, Poland, Italy, Spain and Finland through previous Comenius projects. P7 children have visited partner school in Finland. Children have been taught basic Spanish and about to learn Mandarin during spring 2007. Cowie Primary No International Links Primary No International Links Primary College En Bagatelle, France – E-mails, letter, send postcards and Teddy Bear exchange dressed in National Costume. Children encouraged to correspond about each bear’s adventures. Doune Primary France with upper primary through e-mail. Proposed joint twinning with Doune and Pionsat. Gervais Project – Haiti supporting 2 rural primary schools. Gambia skills workshop. E-mail and letter writing to Australia due to Commonwealth Games link – HT visited in summer. Primary No International Links Dunblane Primary Malawi, Nansato School – penpals and staff correspond with staff in the school. Fundraising for the school. We sponsor 2 children in Africa through Action Aid and World Vision for children in India East Primary Latrikunda Yuinganga Lower Basic School, Gambia – photo exchange and DVD made. Fundraising for the school Fallin Primary Japan – letter writing

Fintry Primary Sambel Kindu School, Gambia – 3 films made, 6 staff exchanges, project planning, monitoring, links to universities and creation of charity and teacher training institute. Primary Primary Pakistan by e-mail. Photograph exchange. Financial support through sale of apples from orchard. Visit from Dougals Waley, Charity Manager, in January leading to closer links and a fundraising event. Primary No International Links

Killearn Primary Sweden – P7

School INTERNATIONAL LINKS Primary Wisconsin, USA visit by colleagues. Pupil correspondence with teacher hoping to progress to pupil to pupil letter exchange. Kincardine-in-Menteith Kenya – Rekero conservation project and Romania. Letter writing and exchanging gifts Primary and e-mails. Primary Kikambala, Kenya South Africa – letter exchange

Lochearnhead Primary Newton Primary Penpal project Likhubulu, Malawi.

Our Lady’s Primary No International Links

Port of Menteith Primary No International Links Primary Links with USA e-mail and letters. Tanzania letters, pictures and cash support for equipment.

Riverside Primary No International Links St Margaret’s Primary No International Links St Mary’s Belarus – groups of children from Belarus visit the school and spend some time with the children St Mary’s Episcopal Malawi, Nansato School – penpals and staff correspond with staff in school. Fundraising for Dunblane the school St Ninians Primary USA Primary 7 by e-mail and bear exchange

Strathblane Primary Eritrea via member of staff doing VSO – sending old text books to schools. Fund raising for children in Malawi and letters to a French school. Primary Gambia letter writing

Thornhill Primary No International Links

Trossachs Primary Norway –HT visit to Norway 2003 and links with school in Oslo. Yosemite Valley School, California through John Muir award McLaren High Africa –links through music Stirling High Port Vendres - about to start an email/letter exchange with this school English department are writing to pupils in the secondary department of a school in Guyana. This link has come through a former pupil, Simon Cleary, who is teaching there in his gap year. Currently looking into setting up a global link, perhaps in Malawi Modern Studies link with Atherton High School, Flint, Michigan Yearly visit to Malta with Choir Yearly Football trip to Valencia FC Wallace High Czech Republic with all years –(Mrs L Smith) – Exchange visit in 1996 and 2 Czech pupils attended Wallace High in August 2003. Japan with S1&S3 – Mr Lees – letter contact. Zambia S5/S6 Ms K Curwen by letter. Dunblane High No International Links

Balfron High France, Villeneuve d’Asq, College Arthur Rimbaud – pupil exchanges Ukraine, Gymnasium 315 Kiev- video conferencing and potential exchanges, Malawi. Bannockburn High Scuola Leonardo Da Vinci, Cerreto Guidi, Italy. Pupils exchange e-mails, letters in preparation for home to home exchange. St Modan’s High No International Links

Youth Services International Activities

LEOplus project

Youth Services is involved in a Strategic Project, funded directly by Brussels, looking to make recommendations on improving transnational mobility amongst young people involved in vocational training and preparation. The Scottish partnership group, led by SFEU, is working with similar groups in Finland and Sweden to exchange practice and jointly make recommendations to improve the range, volume, and uptake of transnational exchange opportunities.

Joyce Petrie Service Manager, Youth Learning represented the partnership in development meetings and study visits to both Lithuania and Sweden in 2007.

In March 2008 we hosted part of a study visit from our Swedish and Finnish Partners. This included a joint meeting with members of the Compass Partnership and visits to Cultenhove Youth Space, young people undertaking workbased training in a local nursery, and a presentation on the National Park Apprenticeship Developments. In April Compass Partnership members participated in a study visit to Helsinki in Finland.

Delegates included:-

• Des Friel, Head of Support for People, Stirling Council • Heather Tytler Team Leader Careers Scotland • Christine Kennedy, Team Leader, Youth Services Stirling Council • Bob McGowan Schools Service Manager Stirling Council • John Cunningham, Rural Apprenticeship Development Worker, Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park,

Delegates were given a general overview of school/college/vocational system in Finland. They also gained an insight into Apprenticeship systems and comparisons with Scotland and Stirling with reference to scale, funding, and content.

They found the Finnish approach to generic skilling in the construction industry of particular interest and noted the importance of linkage between personal and vocational development. They were very impressed with the quality and scope of the skills competition which was mounted entirely by industry sponsorship.

They explored Joint arrangements to support transnational activity between Finland and Stirling in the future, an issue that requires further discussion and agreement. The project will present its concluding report to a Brussels conference in late September.

In July last year 9 young people were supported to raise funds and attend a youth exchange in Sweden. Along with other young people from France, Poland, Sweden, Scotland and England they took part in 10 days of activities aimed at supporting learning about other cultures and breaking down cultural barriers.

In May this year a member of Youth Services staff was supported to attend a pan-European conference in Poland on supporting disabled young people.