NEWSLETTER LETTRE D’INFORMATION

Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of , for the JUNE 2011 - ISSUE 53 Union of the Comoros and the Republic of Seychelles This issue of the newsletter gives an overview of activities and events that took place Inside this issue: in the first semester 2011. Signature of the financing 3 EUROPE WEEK 2011 IN MAURTIUS agreement under the DCP

Sixth Joint Experts Group 4 Meeting of the Africa-EU

New protocol for fisheries 5 partnership between the Seychelles and the EU As it has been the Mauritian first channel. to the grant benefici- Workshop on the European 6 tradition for the aries (Association Development Fund The week started 6 past years, Europe Pour les Enfants Inad- May with the Signa- EU support to the ecologi- 7 Week was marked in aptés de L'Ile Maurice cal preservation and resil- ture of Financing Mauritius with a se- (APEIM), SOS ience in Seychelles’ World Agreement DCP 2 ries of events and Chidrens Village Mau- Témoignage : mon voyage 8 (covered in more in activities organised ritius, Diabetes Par- au cœur de l’Union eu- details on page 2 of the by the Delegation of ents Support Group Newsletter). In the Surveillance des pêches 9 the European Union and Union Park following week, o n taking place from 6 Women Association). Drawing Contest on Gen- 10 Tuesday 10 May 2011, to 14 May 2011, der equality a special ceremony In order to reach out whereby marking an Trinnex Indian Ocean 2011 12 was organised to to the wide range of important date in the award the grant audiences, the semi- history of European beneficiaries under nar : Strengthening unity – 9 May, the EU thematic the Competitive- Europe Day. programme "Non ness and Sustain- All the events were State Actors and ability of Sugar widely covered by Local Authorities in Cane Industries of the major Mauritian development" at the ACP Countries media. Television Ministry of Foreign Af- through Research crews attended al- fairs, Regional Integra- and Development most all the events tion and International was organised in col- organized by the Trade. 4 grants were laboration with the delegation. Events’ awarded to the non ACP Sugar Scientific coverage was broad- state actors. To mark Advisory Group on casted in the evening the award a symbolic Sugar. The objective ISNN: 1831—1930 news of the MBC – certificate was handled of the event that took Page 2 NEWSLETTER 53—DELEGATION OF THE EUROPEAN UNION your story’. The participants were invited to submit the stories relating their volunteering experience. The objective of the competition was to highlight the impor- tance of volunteering activities and reward volunteering. The Delegation has received around 25 stories. Five winners have been selected from stories received. The laureates were awarded during a special ceremony which took place at the Institut Francais in Mauritius. The winners have been awarded a special trophy by the guest of honour - Vice , H.E. Mrs Monique Ohsan-Bellepeau.

Another important event which took place in the con- text of the Europe week was the seminar: The role of European Development Finance Institutions. The Visits to the DCP projects seminar focused on the infrastructure related activities (water, energy, transport, ICT). The guest of honour was Hon. Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, Vice-Prime Minister, place on Tuesday, 10 May 2011, was to present the Minister of Finance and Economic Development. Other research projects on sugar cane and its by-products guests and speakers of the event were the representa- that have been selected for funding by the Euro- tives from Agence Française de Développement and the pean Union. European Investment Bank. The Delegation also seized the occasion of the The Europe Week was concluded with European fairy European Week context to visit two non- tale readings to the younger public. Two professional governmental and civil soci- story tellers read fairy tales ety organisations that have to two panels of children: received funding under Decen- one composed of children of tralised Cooperation Por- 4-7 years of age and the sec- gramme - Phase I. Xavier Du- ond one from 8 to 13. Euro- val, Vice-Prime Minister and Min- pean maps and books about ister of Social Integration and Europe ‘Discovering Europe’ Economic Empowerment was were provided to the chil- accompanying the Head of Dele- dren. Together with the gation at the visit of the two fol- delegation’s staff they learned lowing projects: Association of names of EU Member states Disability Service Providers and their geography. (ADSP) and Society for the Wel- fare of the Deaf. All in all, the Europe Week 2011 was very successful. In the context of the European The Delegation is looking Year of Volunteering and to forward to the next year and mark the Europe Week, the is already picturing the ideas Delegation has also launched a for new, interesting events. contest ‘Volunteers, tell us ‘Volunteers, tell us your story’ Awards Page 3

DECENTRALISED COOPERATION PROGRAMME PHASE II The signature of the financing agreement for the Decentralised Cooperation Programme ‘I look forward to this project contributing to (DCP) took place 6 May 2011 at the Ministry of Social Integration and Economic Develop- make a real difference in ment in presence of the Vice Prime Minister (VPM) and Minister of the Social Integration, the lives of vulnerable Xavier-Luc Duval, the Vice-Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, and groups in Mauritius and I am pleased to inform the Ambassador of the European Union, Alessandro Mariani. The agreement between the that the Government of EU and the refers to the second phase of the DCP programme Mauritius and the EU to fight against poverty in the Republic of Mauritius with the support of non-state actors. are already looking into The second phase is funded by the European Union to the tune of EUR 5.5 million. the possibility to further increase the financial In his speech, the Vice Prime Minister recognised that the fight against poverty is not only allocation of 5.5 million euro’, said Alessandro a national prob- Mariani in his speech. lem but also an international chal- lenge. He acknowledged the role of the development partners such as the EU, the World Bank or the UNDP who offer their support and commitment to the fight against poverty and social ex- clusion.

The implementation of the second phase of the DCP will last four years. The first phase of the DCP, which ended after four years of operation in 2010, was granted a great response from the Non-State Actors (NSAs) and made important contributions towards poverty alleviation in Mauritius. Some Vice-Prime Minister and Minister of finance, Pravind Jugnauth, Vice Prime 240 NGOs received funding to facilitate Minister Minister of the Social Integration, Xavier-Luc Duval and the Ambassador their commendable work. It has allowed of the European Union, Alessandro Mariani the implementation of nearly 340 com- munity-based projects both in Mauritius and , focusing on poverty alleviation, good governance, im- proved business services for small businesses and natural resource management specifically in Rodrigues.

Priority areas in the new DCP will include empowerment and solidarity, support to vulnerable groups like women and children in distress, people facing special challenges and those with special needs. The programme also seeks to strengthen the capacity of NSAs to design, implement and manage and monitor community based projects according to high standards. Therefore, in his speech, Ambassador Alessandro Mariani, encouraged all NSAs to fully seize the opportunities offered under the DCP II.

A substantial part of the EU funds will be provided in form of direct grants to the NSAs for the projects fighting for alleviation of poverty on the local level. Call for proposals and a ‘Small Grant Window’ will be launched in- viting the NSAs to submit their proposals. Page 4 NEWSLETTER 53—DELEGATION OF THE EUROPEAN UNION PUBLIC EXPENDITURE FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY ASSESSMENT FOR MAURITIUS The Public World Bank and the African Development Bank. Expenditure In 2010, the second PEFA assessment was carried out by and Financial a team led by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Accountabil- comprising the World Bank and an expert funded by the ity (PEFA) EU. This second assessment spanned over the period assessment is a standard methodology used to as- October 2010 to February 2011. The Ministry of Fi- sess the soundness and quality of public finance nance and Economic Development and the EU organised management. It is a tool used by the European Un- jointly in February 2011, a workshop comprising all main ion (EU) partner countries and development part- stakeholders involved in public finance, as well as other ners. development partners, where the preliminary findings of In 2007, the first PEFA assessment for Mauritius the second PEFA assessment were presented and vali- had been funded by the EU. The report and its dated. findings had been instrumental in determining the The findings of this second PEFA assessment will be used EU budget support operations in Mauritius as well to support further reforms in public finance management as those of the other key development partners like over the next three years. the Agence Française de Développement, the SIXTH JOINT EXPERTS GROUP MEETING OF THE AFRICA-EU ENERGY PARTNERSHIP The Africa-EU Energy Partnership is one of the eight jointly defined strategic partnerships under the wider political umbrella of the 2007 Joint EU-Africa Strategy. The latter was agreed at the second Africa-EU Sum- mit held on 8 and 9 December 2007 in Lisbon.

The Africa-EU Energy Partnership provides a structure for dialogue among African and European actors. It acts as a dialogue forum to facilitate implementation of priority actions and gives guidance on Africa- EU energy cooperation including reviews of existing finance mechanisms and the mobilisation of additional funds . The 6th Joint Experts Group meeting took place on 17 and 18 March 2011 in Mauritius.

The event was officially opened by Honourable Ahmed , Deputy Prime Minister of Mauritius. Mr. Aboubakari Baba Moussa, Director for Infrastructure and Energy in the African Union Commission, also addressed the audience. In his opening speech the Ambassador of the Euro- pean Union, Alessandro Mariani, stressed among others the importance and history of the cooperation in the field of en- ergy between the EU and Mauritius, Seychelles and Como- ros. He furthermore outlined the ongoing and future energy related projects in these countries. Participants

The two day meeting brought together the Africa-EU Energy Partnership Co-Chairs (African Union Commis- sion, Mauritius, Germany and Austria), participants from nine African and four European Union States, repre- sentatives of the African Union, the European Commission, African Specialised Organisations, a Regional Power Pool and Regional Economic Community among others. Page 5

Participants discussed the report on the implementation of the 2 nd Action Plan. It focused on EU contributions and examples of on-going projects in the six priority areas of the 2 nd Action Plan, which are energy access, energy security, renewable energy and energy efficiency, institutional capacity building, scaling up investment and dialogue . Participants recommended the collaboration with Power Pools, Regional Economic Communities and Specialised Organisations in data collection and highlighted the need for support to these bod- ies in providing appropriate tools in order to handle these activities. This forum served as a preparation for the 2nd High Level Meeting Africa-EU Energy Partnership to be held in Africa.

More information available at: http://www.africa-eu-partnership.org/partnerships/ NEW PROTOCOL FOR FISHERIES PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE SEYCHELLES AND THE EU The Fisheries Partnership Agreement (FPA) proto- col between the EU and the Republic of Seychelles was renewed at the beginning of February 2011. This protocol will cover a period of three years. A Joint EU-Seychelles Committee held in Mauritius on 9 to 11 February 2011 agreed upon the expected re- sults of a multi annual pro- gram co-financed with EU specific contribution for the support and imple- mentation of Seychelles’ sectoral fisheries and Tuna purse seiner vessel maritime policy . amounting to EUR 3,380,000 per increase of the development grant year compared with EUR 4,095,000 provided in the form of sector budget The new protocol takes into ac- per year ‘This tuna protocol support for the Seychelles maritime count a decreasing fishing effort previously. agreement is the most and fishery policy. The development since 2008, due to the growing important one in the region, grant was raised from EUR 1,260,000 This re- since the Seychelles EEZ incidence of piracy. Therefore, in per year to EUR 2,220,000 per year. duction of generally represents 25 % of accordance with the current fish- The total EU financial contribution the refer- the total Indian Ocean ing capacity of the fleet, the maxi- catches of the European represents EUR 5,600,000 per year ence ton- mum quantity of catches of tuna fishing fleet which supplies (5% more than the annual contribu- by European Union vessels in Sey- nage is almost exclusively the local industries of Seychelles, tion under the previous protocol). In chelles’ waters is no longer estab- however Mauritius, Madagascar and addition to this amount, Seychelles more than lished as a reference tonnage at Kenya. This protocol has a also benefit from the ship owners compen- 63,000 tonnes but at a more real- much bigger development licence fees that could represent an- istic estimate of 52,000 tonnes. sated by a component compared to any previous agreement’, said nually approximately EUR 1,3 million . The related financial contribution very sig- Alessandro Mariani. for access rights is consequently nificant Page 6 NEWSLETTER 53—DELEGATION OF THE EUROPEAN UNION WORKSHOP ON THE EUROPEAN DEVELOPMENT FUND Foreign Affairs.

The seminar was opened by the Minister for For- eign Affairs, Regional Integration and Interna- tional Trade, Dr , who emphasised the excellent relations between Mauritius and the EU. He also highlighted the collaborative and constructive spirit that has always prevailed be- tween Mauritius and the EU in the field of coop- eration which was on-going for more than three decades. The future of the EU-Mauritius coop- Alessandro Mariani and Arvin Boolell eration was also raised, with the Minister for For- eign Affairs appealing to the EU to take into ac- The Institute of Diplomacy and Foreign Trade, de- count the real vulnerabilities of an economy when de- pending on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Regional termining the level of development aid. Integration and International Trade organised a semi- nar on 24 February 2011 on the European Develop- The Ambassador of the European Union, Alessandro ment Fund. The objective of the seminar was to sen- Mariani, congratulated the Ministry of Foreign Affairs sitise stakeholders on the sources of funding of on this initiative, which was a first of this kind in Mauri- the European Union (EU) , mainly the European tius. The participants were encouraged to take Development Fund, the modus operandi of various EU maximum benefit of the range of EU instru- instruments, and the funding possibilities open to the ments available bilaterally, regionally and at the government and public sector. ACP level . The instruments of the European Invest- ment Bank were also discussed. Approximately 50 participants, mostly from the public sector but also from various private sector bodies at- The workshop provided an interesting and useful plat- form for exchange on EU instruments and coopera- tended the event. The public sector officials were tion. mostly composed of diplomats from the Ministry of

EIB LOAN TO SEYCHELLES The European Investment Bank agreed to provide a EUR 8 million loan to the Seychelles Cable Systems Company ( SCS) for the installation and operation of the first submarine fibre- optic cable for international connections to the Seychelles. The loan was signed by the EIB vice- president Plutarchos Sakellaris and the vice-chairman of the Seychelles Cable Systems company Benjamin Choppy – who is also principal secretary for information communication technology – at the Ministry of Finance in Seychelles.

The loan will fund a 1,930km cable from the main island of Mahe to the existing Eastern Africa Submarine Ca- ble System in Tanzania and is expected to come into operation by the second half of 2012. The fibre-optic cable is expected to improve not only telecommunications and internet access in Seychelles, but also to reduce the costs of inter- national transmissions. As a result, it will also have a positive influence on other sectors – it will improve healthcare and education links, enhance job opportunities and slow down the emigration of skilled Seychellois.

“The Seychelles to East Africa Submarine Cable will bridge the digital divide and enable much cheaper communications than current satellite links. This project demonstrates the European Investment Bank’s commitment to supporting internet access essential for Page 7 companies and communities in the 21st century .” said Plutarchos Sakellaris, European Investment Bank Vice-President re- sponsible for Africa, Caribbean and Pacific lending operations.

In parallel, the project will also benefit from a EUR 4 million grant from the EU-Africa Infrastructure Trust Fund to support shareholding in the project by the government of Seychelles. A statutory dividend from this equity stake will be used to provide free internet access for schools, libraries, hospitals and other social development-related services.

More information available at: http://www.eib.org/projects/loans/2008/20080549.htm

EUR 767.000 TO SUPPORT ECOLOGICAL PRESERVATION AND RESILIENCE IN SEYCHELLES’ WORLD HERITAGE SITES Ambassador of the European Union of four years. SIF Alessandro Mariani has signed a started the first ac- EUR 766,697 grant contract tivities in February with the Seychelles Islands 2011. Foundation (SIF) to finance a The project is multi- project "In a world confronted with faceted and will de- alarming biodiversity loss main- velop, implement and Climate Change streaming and mainstream a threats, preserving ecological the man- integrity and enhancing strategic programme agement of resilience become more and in which an ecosys- more essential to invasive tem approach will be humankind. Aldabra and species in Aldabra aerial view Vallée de Mai WHS are applied to limit the Seychelles beyond WHS, including a sound renowned high biodiversity spread, and assess and reduce the spots and the European W o r l d management model in place. impact, of Invasive Alien Species Union is pleased to support Heritage the efforts of Seychelles in (IAS). S i t e s In parallel, the activities will aim at preserving these unique consolidating and sharing lessons nature icons". (WHS), i.e. The action will directly benefit learned for national, regional and Aldabra Aldabra and Vallée de Mai WHS as international benefit to generate Atoll and Vallée de Mai on Praslin. well as areas affecting these sites strategic partnerships through the including Praslin National Park, The European Union contribution sharing of best practice models, Mahé and Assumption island, will represent about 79% of the to- raise awareness of IAS issues through an enhanced understanding tal cost of the project which is esti- among stakeholders, enhance in- of complexities and dynamics of IAS mated EUR 972,000 over a period stitutional capacity to address IAS threats, the elimina- threats, and incorporate experi- tion of at least two ence and lessons learned into Sey- IAS threatening chelles IAS management, laws and WHS, control of policies. Finally, Seychelles image major plant IAS in a as an eco destination should bene- core zone of Praslin fit from visibility and the sensitisa- National Park, and tion of tourists to the Vallée de the integration of Mai WHS in Praslin, which is the IAS control and most visited natural site in the management into Seychelles. operations in and Aldabra Giant tortoise © Foto Natura Page 8 NEWSLETTER 53—DELEGATION OF THE EUROPEAN UNION ABOUT EUVP – FACTS AND FIGURES ABOUT A SUCCESS STORY Established in 1974 by the European Parliament and the European Commission, the European Union Visitors programme (EUVP) was originally designed as an invitation programme for citizens of the United States, but has expanded over the past 36 years to in- clude many more countries. In 2010 alone, 215 se- lected participants from over 70 countries around the world visited the Institutions of the European Union in Brussels and Strasbourg.

Each participant is provided with an individual pro- gramme for his/her one-week-long study visit, to gain a greater understanding of the Union, its achievements, prospects, and goals, through first-hand experience . Selection criteria are strict and take into consideration the function and influence of the EUVP candidate, his/her professional background and experience, age, as well as language skills.

Those eligible to participate are government officials (local, state and federal), journalists, trade unionists, edu- cators, officials of non-profit, non-governmental organizations and other professionals in their mid-twenties to mid-forties with career-related interest in the European Union.

TÉMOIGNAGE : MON VOYAGE AU CŒUR DE L’UNION EUROPÉENNE Jean Paul AROUFF, News fer et de verre s’érigent plein Editor de Business Magazine centre de Bruxelles. Avec pas et correspondant de Reuters moins de 30 000 fonctionnaires à Maurice est le premier occupant plus de 80 immeubles, Mauricien à avoir été choisi soit plus de 1,5 million de pour participer à l’European mètres carrés de superficie, Union Visitors Programme. Bruxelles est à la fois capitale Il raconte ses impressions. de la Belgique et de l’Europe.

Vue de Maurice, l’Union eu- Ma participation à l’European ropéenne ne pouvait être qu’un Union Visitors Programme du Jean Paul Arouff devant le Berlaymont— siège de très gros « machin ». Comme le 12 au 16 juillet 2010 est par la la Commission européenne disait le Général de Gaulle à même occasion la première propos de l’ONU. Mais après participation mauricienne à ce pro- exprimer leurs idées auprès des dé- une semaine à Bruxelles dans le gramme depuis sa création. Une cadre de l’European Union Visi- putés, fonctionnaires et représen- expérience enrichissante pour un tors Programme (EUVP), je me tants de l’Union européenne. suis rendu compte à quel point jeune journaliste mauricien. Les participants doivent avoir entre l’ancien homme fort de la France Ce programme s’adresse aux jeu- 25 et 45 ans. Ils sont, dans la plupart avait raison… nes ressortissants de pays tiers de des cas, de jeunes responsables poli- L’Union européenne est effec- l’Union européenne. Les jeunes tiques, des fonctionnaires, des pro- tivement une grosse machine. De sont invités à visiter les institutions fessionnels des médias, des syndica- grands ensembles de béton, de de l’Union européenne et aussi à listes et des universitaires. Ils doi- Page 9 vent être titulaires d'un diplôme sieurs rencontres universitaire ou avoir une forma- à ce sujet au sein tion de plusieurs années. du Parlement eu- ropéen. J’ai eu Mon séjour dans la capitale euro- également l’occa- péenne m’a également permis de sion de faire le tâter le pouls des eurocrates sur point sur la lutte l’état des relations entre l’Union contre la piraterie européenne et Maurice. avec des hauts Là où je me suis rendu notamment responsables de dans différentes directions généra- l’Union euro- Parlement européen, Bruxelles les ou encore au Parlement euro- péenne. péen, Maurice est considéré le secrétariat de l’European Union L’expérience qui m’a le plus mar- comme un partenaire très ac- Visitors Programme sur la base du qué aura été ma rencontre avec tif . Le pays est également réputé Statement of Purpose que j’avais en- John Maxwell de la chaîne Europe pour être un bon élève, notam- voyé avant mon départ comprenait by Satellite. Ce passionné des mé- ment s’agissant de l’utilisation des aussi des rencontres avec des offi- dias m’a fait faire une visite guidée fonds européens. ciels européens pour discuter des des installations de la chaîne au thèmes allant du changement cli- Toutefois, avec la mondialisation, bâtiment Berlaymont qui abrite le matique, du commerce internatio- rien ne demeure statique. Maurice siège de la Commission européen- nal, de la sécurité alimentaire, en- gagnerait à continuer d’innover et ne, le bureau du président et des tre autres. à ajouter de la valeur aux produits commissaires ainsi que leurs cabi- qu’elle exporte vers le marché eu- nets. J’ai eu également la possibilité Grâce à ce programme, j’ai égale- ropéen. d’assister à une conférence de ment eu la chance de me frotter à presse de la Commission euro- des participants de différents pays Je me suis particulièrement inté- péenne. et de partager leurs vues sur le ressé aux Accords de Partena- commerce mondial. riat Economique et j’ai eu plu- Le calendrier de travail élaboré par

SURVEILLANCE DES PÊCHES 3 navires palangriers ont été arraisonnés et sanctionnés pour pêche illégale de requins lors des dernières mis- sions de patrouilles en mer de décembre 2010, du Plan Régional de Surveillance des Pêches conduit par les Etats membres de la Commis- sion de l’Océan Indien . Ces navires détenaient à leur bord des quantités très importantes de requins et d’ai- lerons de requins. Or leur licence de pêche au thonidés, délivrée par les Autorités de Madagascar, ne les autori- sait pas à détenir d’autres espèces, au-delà des propor- tions qui correspondraient à des prises dites « accessoires ». De plus, une résolution de la Com- Inspecteurs COI Page 10 NEWSLETTER 53—DELEGATION OF THE EUROPEAN UNION mission Thonière de l’O- pour déve- céan Indien (CTOI) dissuade lopper un la pratique du « finning » qui système effi- consiste à ne conserver que les cace de suivi ailerons des requins sans da- contrôle et vantage en valoriser commer- surveillance cialement la capture. Il est en des activités effet interdit de détenir à bord de pêche de plus de 5% de poids d’ailerons la région. La par rapport au poids total des coordination requins à bord et il est recom- des missions mandé de relâcher autant que régionales possible vivants ces espèces implique en lorsque non ciblées. effet le per- Pratique du « finnin g » sonnel des centres de surveillance des Les armateurs des navires dé- péenne soutient très acti- pêches de chaque Etat participant, ainsi routés vers le port le plus pro- vement la lutte contre la que leurs inspecteurs habilités à contrôler che se sont acquittés pour cha- pêche illégale, non décla- à terre comme en mer, les navires qui que navire, du montant maxi- rée et non réglementée exploitent les ressources marines de leur mum de la sanction prévue par (INN) dans la région de Zone Economique Exclusive (ZEE) res- la législation de Madagascar, l’Océan Indien . Elle offre un pective. avoisinant 40 000 euros. Ils ont cadre légal et des appuis finan- également dû racheter la valeur Les 5 ZEEs de la région sont régulière- ciers conséquents pour une de leur cargaison saisie, avant ment investiguées en utilisant les derniè- coopération efficace dans le de se voir interdire l’accès aux res technologies qui combinent simultané- domaine du Suivi Contrôle et autres ports des Etats de la ré- ment l’imagerie satellitaire radar, l’éclaira- Surveillance des activités de gion, tous solidaires dans la ré- ge des patrouilles aériennes et le déploie- Pêche. pression et la dissuasion des ment des patrouilleurs et vedettes rapides L’Union européenne participe activités de pêche illégale. pour intercepter les navires à contrôler ainsi à l’exploitation durable dans leur rayon d’action. Les Etats membres de la Com- des ressources thonières et mission de l’Océan Indien La sécurité des équipages et des inspec- stimule les investissements s’emploient depuis 2007 à met- teurs à bord des navires est assurée par dans le secteur dynamique de tre en commun leurs ressour- les forces armées qui contribuent ainsi la pêche qui contribuent beau- ces humaines, les informations également à la lutte contre la piraterie. coup à la croissance économi- ainsi que les moyens nautiques que de la région. Partenaire de la COI, l’Union euro- et aériens dont ils disposent DRAWING CONTEST ON GENDER EQUALITY In 2010, for the fourth year in a row, the European to 10 from all over the world, including Seychelles, Union organised an international drawing com- were invited to participate. Their drawings had to re- petition on gender equality. It aimed at mobilising flect on how girls and boys, women and men, can to- and raising the awareness of both children and adults gether make the world a better place. around the issue of gender equality. Children aged 8 In March 2011, the European Union Delegation, in col- Page 11

BACKGROUND

International Women's Day is celebrated on 8th March every year and dates back to protests in the early 20th century, where women called for better working conditions and the right to vote. The day was made official by the United Nations in 1977. It is celebrated on an international scale as an opportunity to assert equality between women and men, and to take stock of the situation of women. The International Drawing Competition on gender equality has been run by the Commission since 2007 with great success. The Competition aims to mobilise and raise the awareness of both children and adults around the issue of gender equality as well as giving EU Participants and parents Delegations the chance to involve the relevant national and local authorities in the planning and for foreign affairs Jeannette D’Offay, director-general implementation of the competition, in close for schools Odile Octave, first secretary to the EU collaboration with local schools. Children from Africa, Asia, Caribbean, Latin America, delegation Cécile Tassin-Pelzer and parents. In Sey- Mediterranean and Middle East, other European chelles, 22 drawings were submitted. Ten of the 22 Countries including the Eastern Neighbours of the EU drawings were selected and sent to the next round of and Pacific islands will send their drawings to EU Delegations, for a first pre-selection. The final selection the competition, which took place in Brussels. will then be made by a jury of European children of the same age range, in one of the European schools in In her speech, Mrs Tassin-Pelzer said that although no Brussels. drawing from Seychelles won a prize in the finals, they are extremely proud that two drawings were submitted laboration with the Department of Education and to the jury in Brussels for the final round. These were the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, awarded prizes to done by Georgia Ernesta, from Cascade primary school, students who took part in the drawing competition. and Kelly King from La Misère primary school.

During a short ceremony at the Ministry of Foreign As a testimony to their appreciation of the students’ hard work, the delegation of the European Union pro- duced Christmas cards for 2010 with the children’s drawings as the cover.

The prizes comprised art and stationery materials to encourage the creativity of children. In her speech, Mrs Octave highlighted the importance of creativity and artistic activities which can improve chil- dren’s performance in their core subject areas . Mrs Tassin-Pelzer rewards the winners The fifth round of the competition has been launched for the year 2011. The EU delegation has received Affairs’ headquarters, the group of young artists more than 800 drawings from Mauritius, Comoros, and from primary schools around the country received Seychelles. The selection their prizes. The is currently on-going in ceremony was at- Brussels. tended by the acting principal secretary Page 12

TRINNEX INDIAN OCEAN 2011 : HELPING THE PRIVATE SECTOR MAKE THE MOST OF NEW TRADE OPPORTUNITIES The two-day Indian Ocean Re- help stakeholders gional TRINNEX meeting better understand (Trade and Investment Nexus) the Economic Part- took place on 22 and 23 Febru- nership Agreement ary 2011 Trinnex Indian Ocean in (EPA), the related Mauritius. The meeting was enti- challenges and op- tled “ Helping the private sec- portunities, and its tor make the most of new concrete impact on trade opportunities ”. business realities.

The event brought together rep- The Key Note ad- resentatives of private sector in- dress at the opening Participants termediary organisations and ceremony was delivered by the Hon. tion of the region into the world trade officials from the Eastern Dr Arvin Boolell, Minister of Foreign trading system. and Southern Africa / Indian Affairs, Regional Integration and inter- The workshop addressed the con- Ocean (ESA-IO) countries nota- national Trade of Mauritius. The Am- cerns raised by the private sector bly Comoros, Réunion (France), bassador of the European Union, Ales- and government trade officials of Madagascar, Mauritius and the sandro Mariani, also addressed the the ESA-IO region on ways to en- Seychelles as well as representa- participants. In his speech, he under- able the private sector of the re- tives of the European Commis- lined the importance of the regional gion to benefit as much as possible sion, regional intergovernmental integration defining it as the fundamen- from the EPA. organisations and experts, to tal building block of the wider integra- SEYCHELLES CARNIVAL From 4 to 6 March 2011, Seychelles held an international car- nival in its capital Victoria. The city was set to revisit its multi- ethic origins. On the opening night of Friday, March 4, the Seychelles President, Mr James Michel welcomed the partici- pants coming from all four corners of the world of the ‘Carnaval International de Victoria’ as he launched the carnival celebrations. This is the second carnival organised in Seychelles, the first one took place back in 1972 with the title “Festival of the Seychelles” and was held to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the first settlement of Seychelles in 1770.

During the carnival procession on Saturday a total of 65 local The floats of school children holding EU flags and international floats took part. The European Union was represented by 29 school children marching with the flags of 27 EU Member States, Seychelles and the European Union .

Newsletter is issued by the Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Mauritius, for the Union of the Como- ros and the Republic of Seychelles, 8th Floor, St James Court, St Denis Street, P.O. Box 1148, Port Louis, Mauritius, Tel.: +230 2071515, Fax.: +230 2116624, web: http://eeas.europa.eu/delegations/mauritius