» Play Clip

Timeline – Thematic Forum 2

Thematic Forum 2 meeting – Gmünd, 22nd March 2007

“Cross-border University Cooperation and Labour Mobility”

The Thematic Forum 2 meeting held on 22nd March 2007 in Gmünd was focused on labour market and qualification in border regions. Host of the meeting was the Provincial Government of Lower Austria represented by Dr. Bernhard Köhle. He opened the meeting by shortly characterising the current situation of the Lower Austrian labour market. While facing three different labour markets (Czech Republic, Slovak Republic, Hungary), Lower Austria is challenged to find a joint and mutually supported approach which satisfies different interests and needs. This, in turn, requires adequate strategies as well as economic understanding which should be illustrated in the framework of this Thematic Forum.

The first insight into the Lower Austrian labour market situation was given by Mr Mario Danler (Lower Austrian Labour Market Service) by presenting the labour market policy in this border region. He pointed out that one of the remedies found to the high unemployment rate is the co-foundation of various socio-economic enterprises or of the qualification network "cross-border employees". The major aim of this network is to support companies doing business with neighbouring countries, like e.g. the Czech Republic. Especially the employees should be promoted by getting joint vocational training, personal development and language courses in English and Czech. This prospering project underlines the significance and importance of the life-long learning process, not only as regards the personal level, but also the economic one. (Presentation)

Another interesting topic was introduced by Mr Walter Reiter (L&R Social Research) presenting Expert Academies (EA) in the field of cross-border labour market policy. EA are bilateral programmes to encourage and stabilize cross-border cooperation in different areas of labour market policy. These programmes not only target the development of sustainable networks on both sides of the border, but also the preparation for the future labour market challenges of an integrated region. (Presentation)

In this context, Ms Vera Vyskovsky (ecoplus) presented CENTROPE, a cooperation between the four EU member states Austria, Hungary, Czech Republic and Slovak Republic. This project tries to gain attractiveness and visibility of the Central European Region on an international scale and to achieve sustainable integration on the basis of diversity. Thus, one picture of the labour market situation of this region should be portrayed. (Presentation)

This focus was again picked up during the study visit to the cross-border industrial park Gmünd/Ceské Velenice located on the Austrian-Czech border, a concrete example of cross-border labour mobility across the border.

Further interesting labour market issues were raised e.g. by Ms Barbara Maschin (Regional Management Industrieviertel) who vividly illustrated LAGERA as a regional cross-border initiative for the preparation of the free Austrian-Hungarian labour market (Presentation) , whereas Dr. Giorgos Mavrommatis (Hellenic Migration Policy Institute), expert from the region of East Macedonia Thrace, talked about the effects of circular migration on the labour market situation at the Greek-Albanian border region. (Presentation)

Finally, a presentation on cross-border cooperation in vocational education in the Euregio Meuse-Rhine called "Euregio Competence Strategy" was held by Mr Michael Hall-Brunton (Euregio Meuse-Rhine). (Presentation)

Although this Thematic Forum showed that already a lot of projects supporting cross-border labour market and qualification have been realised, still a lot of services and institutions on both sides of the border need to be coordinated and socio-economic disparities need to be overcome.

Thematic Forum 2 meeting – Karlstad 1st February 2007

“Cross-border University Cooperation and Labour Mobility”

The Thematic Forum 2 meeting held on 1st February in Karlstad was focused on the development of labour markets in border regions giving concrete examples of cross-border cooperation along the Swedish-Norwegian border. Host of the meeting was the County Administrative Board of Värmland (Sweden). One of the main targets of cross-border cooperation in the region of Värmland is to improve the development of a better integrated cross-border labour market by dismantling border-related barriers.

In this context, Mr. Alvar Löfskog (Karlstad University) presented the "University Alliance Inner Scandinavia" (UNISKA), a cross-border cooperation within the framework of a formalised network of Swedish and Norwegian academic institutions. Due to globalisation and internationalisation processes leading to an increasing demand on the educational level, the UNISKA mainly focuses on networking and education in order to strengthen the position of individual members and to get a more distinct presence on a regional, national but also international level. (Presentation)

A further example of cross-border university cooperation at the Swedish-Norwegian border was presented by Dr. P. O. Norell (Karlstad University) by introducing the "Master of Public Administration" (MPA) as a competence and leadership development programme in Inner Scandinavia. This programme is mainly focused on social aspects and networks among the participants as well as within society and has achieved very positive results so far (97% would recommend colleagues to apply for the next programme). (Presentation)

An overview on the study programme "Master of Innovation Management" was given by Mr Peter de Souza (Hedmark University College), another interesting presentation on cross-border university cooperation focusing on innovation processes and systems. The superior aim of this cooperation is a better understanding and promotion of innovation processes by creating the appropriate conditions, establishing new networks and exchanging experiences between and within different societal sectors. This project mainly targets leaders and co-leaders in the private sector, but also in sectors of public administration involved in economic growth. (Presentation)

In the framework of cross-border university cooperation, the support of the INTERREG programme helped to realise many cooperation projects so far, e.g. the Fisheries Research Institute in the Thracian Region, Greece, presented by Dr. Evridiki Boukouvala (Fisheries Research Institute, Kavala) or the Laboratory of Atmospheric Pollution and Pollution Control Engineering at the University of Thrace introduced by Prof. Dr. Spyridon Rapsomanikis (University of Thrace). The Fisheries Research Institute mainly concentrates on research in the fields of marine molecular biology as well as aquaculture. However, the laboratory of the University of Thrace focuses on cross-border atmospheric pollution loads and the relation between greenhouse gases and local but also global climatology.

After having discussed various aspects of cross-border university cooperation and labour mobility within the scope of this Thematic Forum, the participants' particular interest was finally sparked in the related study visit showing concrete examples of cross-border labour mobility at the Swedish-Norwegian border, like e.g. the project "GrenseTjänsten" located in Morokulien, an area across the border. This project helps people who intend to emigrate from one country to another to get along with the various problems occurring and provides support by giving advice to private persons and companies working and operating in a cross-border context. The aim is to identify concrete border-related barriers by notifying the appropriate political authorities in order to be able to finally help dismantling these barriers. For more information, please see: www.grensetjansten.no.

Thematic Forum 2 meeting - Papenburg 16. / 17. 06.2006

“Tourism and cultural / natural heritage - new tourism strategies for border regions”

More than 35 tourism experts and representatives of the RFO "Change on Borders" and its partners participated in the meeting which dealt with "Tourism and natural / cultural heritage in border regions". Host of the meeting was the Ems Dollart Region (EDR), a cross-border organisation, which supports cross-border cooperation in the Dutch-German border region.

Mr Franz-Josef Sickelmann, Head of "Regierungsvertretung Oldenburg" opened the Thematic Forum and welcomed the participants on behalf of the Federal State Lower Saxony. He referred to the good experiences in cross-border cooperation at the German-Dutch border when he mentioned the financial contribution of Dutch partners to the finalisation of the motorway A 31 which runs - although close to the border - solely on German territory.

Mr Michael Schnaider (Executive Director of the Dienstleistungsgesellschaft it.emsland) discussed the contribution of tourism to the implementation of the Lisbon Strategy (presentation). There is a strong link between the European economy and the tourism industry: 4 % of the gross domestic product of the EU is dedicated to tourism and 7,3 Million (is equivalent to 4 %) employees are working in this sector. Although the contribution of the tourism sector to the Lisbon Strategy is considerable and although the tourism industry is still growing, it should be taken into account that there are challenges resulting from globalisation, transformation towards an information society, changes in the demand of tourists and from demographic changes. According to Mr Schnaider, the European Union is aware of the importance of tourism and supports adequate financial possibilities in order to promote a sustainable growth in the tourism industry.

Many different actors are working in the field of tourism in the Ems Dollart Region. Mr Hollmann (dwif consulting) gave several examples of the coordination of tourism development in rural areas (presentation).

With the support of the INTERREG programme many tourism projects have been realised in the Ems Dollart Region, like e.g. the International Dollard Route (presentation), presented by Mr Kurt Radtke from Ostfriesland Touristik GmbH. A cross-border bicycle route with a length of 204 km has been implemented and is very popular with German and Dutch bicycle tourists. Its success is also related to additional services, like package offers for hotels along the route, luggage transfer to the hotels, kiosks with regional products (e.g. milk refreshments) along the route, etc. The offers have been continuously improved and expanded corresponding to the demands of the tourists. Mr Carli (Emsland Touristik GmbH) presented another example of cross-border bicycle tourism: the "United Countries Tour (UCT)" (presentation). He demonstrated in a very vivid way the challenges and problems that occurred during the implementation of a cross-border bicycle route and showed the solutions found.

Further examples of successfully implemented tourism concepts were presented by Mr Wiebe Brandsma from the Province Groningen (presentation) and Mr Frits Schuitemaker from the organisation "Erfgoedlogies" (presentation). Mr Brandsma spoke about the German-Dutch cooperation in the development of new waterways in the Ems Dollart Region and the transformation of old peat transport routes into routes for leisure cruising and water sport. Mr Schuitemaker reported on the wide range of new functions for old farmhouses that are transformed and now used e.g. as a sport studio, museum, gallery or as a restaurant.

Another interesting presentation came from the border region in Lubelskie (Poland). Mr Tomasz Grodek presented the Polish-Ukrainian work for implementing a cross-border bicycle route (presentation). It became obvious, that there are similarities in the approaches of the Lubelskie Region and the Dutch-German border region in the efforts to promote the project.

The participants were particularly impressed by the visit to the Meyer shipyard that not solely provided insight into shipbuilding, but demonstrated the close connection between tourism and technology. Since many tourists are only coming into the region in order to visit the shipyard, Papenburg is making a lot of effort to get these tourists also into the town centre and making them stay for another day or at least for a restaurant visit. For example, all tourists have to pick up their tickets for the visit to the Meyer shipyard in the town centre; no tickets are sold at the shipyard. Further information about the Meyer Shipyard is available here.

Thematic Forum 2 meeting – Syros, 22 March 2006

“Regional and interregional cooperation of SMEs”

The region of East Macedonia Thrace (GR) hosted a Thematic Forum 2 meeting which took place on 22nd March 2006 on the island of Syros. Katherina Kalkavoura (South Aegean Region) welcomed the participants of this meeting and gave a short overview on the South Aegean Region. Almost 300.000 people live in this region, the unemployment rate is decreasing while the population is growing. The local economy is shaped by tourism to a large extent.

Mr Elias Koukous who is repsonsible for European projects in the South Aegean Region, emphasized that apart from the INTERREG IIIC project "Change on Borders" the region is also involved in other European programmes like EQUAL, INTERREG IIIB and INTERACT. In the framework of "Change on Borders", the South Aegean Region is actively involved in the Sub-theme Working Groups (SWGs) "Youth 4 Innovation" and "MENT". The SWG "Youth 4 Innovation" mainly targets the improvement of the cross-border exchange between schools and universities whereas the sub-project "MENT" deals with cross-border tourism marketing of the regions involved.

Another interesting presentation dealt with innovations in the context of sustainable tourism. The region will try to market touristic destinations even more in the future spotlighting new concepts for sustainable tourism.

A representative of the Chamber of Industry and Commerce of Dodcanese highlighted the fact that companies of the second and third sector have merged in order to jointly participate in European programmes and investment initiatives. In this connection, tourism plays a decisive role as well. In order to strengthen local development and entrepreneurship, the instrument of "mentoring" is, amongst others, being reverted to. In this context, experienced companies should support company's founders by referring their experience to them.

Other border regions also presented concepts on how to promote innovation through a closer cooperation between science/research and SMEs.

Combined Thematic Forum 2 + 3 meeting – Nijmegen 09. - 11.06.2005

"Change on Borders" - regions came to Nijmegen to exchange experiences on innovation in the field of cross-border health care

From 9 - 11 June 2005 many "Change on Borders"-Partners came to Nijmegen (NL) to exchange experiences in the field of "innovations in health-care" and "cross-border health care systems".

The subject "health care" has a close relation to the hosting region, as cross-border health care activities in the Dutch-German border region are well advanced. This region has the objective to offer its citizens an optimum of health care facilities, no matter on which side of the border supply or demand arises.

Cooperation between the Netherlands and Germany on health care issues was established in 1997 and is based on a cooperation agreement signed by more than 30 German and Dutch partners. These are for example Dutch and German health insurance funds, hospitals, doctors, pharmacists or patients' organisations. Within projects, the requirements of cross-border health care are implemented.

During the three-day meeting the participants were presented different project examples. Mr Scheres, the coordinator for a cross-border health care project in the Dutch - German border region talked about cooperation initiatives between hospitals in Maastricht (NL), Aachen (DE) and Liège (B). The project's aim is to build up a complementary network of excellence in the health care sector in order to secure high quality and specialised care facilities in the border region.

Mr Smits from the University Medical Center of Nijmegen presented an initiative on the cross-border use of an air ambulance, which is a milestone in the cross-border situation. In order to realise such a project, an international agreement was essential to get air rights on both sides of the border. Ms Dwars, director of a Dutch-German Euregional Health Servicecenter, informed about her work and experience in building up working relations of health care stake-holders across borders. Also a project example of the Andalusian - Portuguese border region dealing with the use of Information & Communication Technologies in health care was presented.

The presentations showed that, even though the cooperation between service providers in the field of health care has significantly improved in the past ten years, a lot of practical problems still need to be solved. There are many differences in the national health care systems of the two countries and it is still a long way to being able to offer an integrated "care chain" of health services across the border.

Most of the speakers stressed the need for harmonisation and standardisation of health care offers in border regions. A lot of training and communication between professionals working in this sector is necessary in order to understand different administrative and technical systems and ways of proceeding for example in emergency cases. Nevertheless all participants agreed on the potential of cross-border cooperation in order to improve the situation.

Thematic Forum 2 meeting – Enschede 27. – 29.01.2005

The first “Thematic Forum 2” meeting was titled “Science to Business / Business to Science” and took place in Enschede (NL) on 27 – 29 January 2005 (agenda). In the centre of the discussion was the “Lisbon Strategy” which refers to a meeting of the Heads of State and Government of the European Union in Lisbon in 2000 where the Member States decided to make the European Union “the most dynamic and competitive knowledge-based economy in the world” by 2010.

In Enschede everybody agreed that in a knowledge-based economy technology and innovation have a close correlation. Some speakers pointed out, that there is a wide gap between technology and innovation or – to be more specific – between science and business in many of the EU Member States. The development of different models in order to bridge this gap was the main part of the discussion.

In this context the idea arose, to initiate a sub-project referring to the gap between science and business. An SWG could be taken as a good opportunity to exchange information and experience, build a new network and develop new methods for technology transfer from one (border-) region to the other.