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Timeline – Thematic Forum 3

Thematic Forum 3 meeting – Basel 1st December 2006

“Education and Training in border regions”

The Thematic Forum meeting on the 1st December in Basel was focused on education and training across borders. Host of the meeting was the REGIO BASILIENSIS (Northwest Switzerland), a regional association which supports cross-border cooperation in the German-French-Swiss border region. One of the main targets of cross-border cooperation in the Upper Rhine region is to improve the chances for economic development of the border regions as well as the development of a better integrated cross-border labour market by dismantling border-related barriers.

Dr. Guy Morin, member of the government of the canton Basel-City, opened the Thematic Forum and referred to the fact that the REGIO BASILIENSIS is Europe-wide one of the first organisations which got professionally involved in overcoming system frontiers. Since then, the German-French-Swiss Upper Rhine region is seen as the model region for cross-border cooperation.

In this context, Dr. Beat Münch (University of Basel) presented the cooperation initiative of three universities called EUCOR (European Confederation of Upper Rhine Universities). In this framework, several cross-border projects are carried out, like e.g. REKLIP (Regional Climate Project) and ELTEM (Eucor Learning and Teaching Mobility). Dr. Münch underlined that the success of such projects very much depends on a close and efficient cooperation between the cross-border countries. (Presentation)

A further example of a successfully implemented education and training concept was presented by Ms Margaret Oertig-Davidson (Fachhochschule Nordwestschweiz). She presented the "International Business Management" studies which is a cooperation between the border regions (Alsace, Baden-Württemberg, Basle) in each of which all students spend parts of their studies. This concept focuses on the international approach which is furthermore given by staying one semester abroad and attending one live project in a non-trinational country. Ms Oertig-Davidson very concretely explained the importance of intercultural communication in this context and put emphasis on the main challenges of this study course which are closely linked to the differences in the three education systems.

Another interesting presentation was held by Martha Schwarze (REGIO BASILIENSIS) by giving a short introduction to the Upper Rhine School and Teacher cooperation. The superior aim of this cooperation is to overcome language barriers by developing the regions' potential for multilingualism. She gave three examples of cross-border educational projects which are the TRISCHOLA, a programme for Upper Rhine cross-border school operation, the Bilingual Upper Rhine School Manual, a manual aiming at enabling pupils and teachers to use a common pedagogical tool, and the Upper Rhine Teachers Day, a teachers' conference focusing on current topics related to cross-border educational every day life. (Presentation)

Further examples of cross-border education and training were given by Andy Schär (Fachhochschule Nordwestschweiz) presenting the project E-Twinning as an online school partnership in the border region (Presentation) and Martin Kohlbrenner (Task force of the Upper Rhine Conference) explaining the significance of the EUREGIO-certificate which should help to encourage internships in the neighbouring countries. (Presentation)

The participants' interest was particularly aroused by the visit to the ExpoTriRhena, an exposition on the history of the Upper Rhine border region Germany-France-Switzerland. In this permanent exhibition, the life of the population of all three states is compared with each other, national differences are analysed and the impact of borders on the life of the people in these regions is vividly illustrated.

Thematic Forum 3 meeting – Strasbourg 30th November 2006

"Education and Training in border regions"

The region Alsace organised a Thematic Forum 3 meeting focusing on “Education and Training in Border Regions” which took place on 30th November in Strasbourg. Mr Pierre Meyer, Director of the Department for Co-operation and International Relations of Alsace, opened the meeting and pointed out that the work done by the RFO-network should be used as a contribution of European regions to EU policy while preparing the next programming period 2007 – 2013.

The first presentation held by Mrs Arlette Bothorel from the Marc-Bloch-University dealt with methods and results of a survey which was recently conducted in Alsace in the context of the sub-project "Language Bridges". The survey was conducted in order to better understand how subjective factors influence the motivation of young people in learning languages. Therefore, about 20 pupils were asked to give their opinion on their language preferences and knowledge. The results of this survey confirmed that although pupils recognise the importance of learning other languages, they hardly make use of their foreign language knowledge or of foreign media like radio and TV in their daily life. This behaviour clearly shows that the fact of living in a border region has no influence on the way how the youngsters use and further develop their language skills outside the school. (Presentation)

Bilingual education provides an opportunity to improve the teaching and knowledge of foreign languages in particular. The Advisor of the President in Language Matters in Alsace explained that many measures have been taken in Alsace in order to promote bilingual classes: several bilingual schools have been established, exchanges of students take place regularly and efforts have been made in order to introduce teaching of languages at the age of 3. However, bilingual teaching is not that easy as most of the teachers are monolingual.

Another interesting topic was presented by Mr Jacques Sparfel, Secretary General of EUCOR (European Confederation of Upper Rhine Universities) who presented the aims and results of the university co-operation within EUCOR which was founded in 1989. This cooperation primarily focuses on promoting cross-border co-operation in research and studies. Seven universities from France, Switzerland and Germany co-operate within the framework of EUCOR in order to intensify the exchange of students and lecturers, to implement joint research projects and to facilitate the mutual acknowledgement of diplomas. (Presentation)

In this context, Mrs Delphine Rault gave an overview on the cross-border confederation of teacher training institutions in the Upper Rhine region called COLINGUA. The most important current project of COLINGUA is the introduction of a tri-national Master-Course in Multilingualism giving students from France, Germany and Switzerland the opportunity to obtain a diploma which is acknowledged in all three countries. Mrs Rault and Mr Sparfel explained that the main difficulties and challenges in such projects are the different accreditation and education systems in the three states. Further information about COLINGUA is available at www.colingua.org.

Thematic Forum 3 meeting - Düsseldorf, 28 September 2006

"Risk management and prevention in cross-border areas"

On 28th September 2006 a Thematic Forum 3 meeting hosted by the region North Rhine-Westphalia (DE) took place in Düsseldorf. Ms Ingeborg Puschmann, from the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy, North Rhine-Westphalia (DE) welcomed about 50 participants and stressed the importance of cross-border risk management along the 500 km Dutch-German border. She pointed out that today's themes for cross-border cooperation are multisided but they all serve the economical and social development of theborder area, the improvement of the infrastructure, cross-border healthcare and labour market provided that public safety in the cross-border context is guaranteed.

Dr. Hans-Georg Fey, head of department risk and hazard prevention within the Ministry of Internal Affairs North Rhine-Westphalia, presented some practical experiences on crossborder cooperation in the field of natural/ technological risks and disaster management. He explained that the region NRW uses of a standardised security system for all events of damage or loss which is characterised by the integration of all public authorities involved in the prevention of hazards. Another lecture concerning cross-border cooperation in the field of security and crime prevention was given by Mr Norbert Spinrath, department of international police cooperation also from the Ministry of Internal Affairs North Rhine-Westphalia. The lately approved subproject "Risk & Innovation" was presented by Mr. del Cura from the Chamber of Commerce of Seville (ES). He underlined the project's focus on cross border cooperation related to risks which are affiliated to globalisation and innovation processes. A clear link between two running INTERREG IIIC projects which both cover the theme "risk prevention" was established by the presentation of Mr Albert Deistler, City of Cologne (DE). He provided information on local risk management and cross-border interdependencies in the framework of the INTERREG IIIC operation SETRIC (Security and Trust in Cities).

In the afternoon session, mainly practical experiences were presented as e.g. by Mr Alois Niecholat from the Joint Centre for German-French Police cooperation. Partners from the cooperation between Dutch and German police authorities and prevention centres in the field of drugs abuse reported on their experiences during common border controls within the execution of the INTERREG IIIA project "Drug usage of teenagers within leisure time and traffic". All in all, there was an intense discussion on how to reach a balance position between legislation, duties and rights on the one hand and the practical needs on the other.

Thematic Forum 3 meeting Seville - 25 - 26 November 2005

“Ecological tourism in border regions”

The regional government of Andalucía organised a meeting on 25 - 26 November 2006 in Seville, Andalucía (ES), which was focused on ecological and sustainable tourism across borders. The region is well known as a coastal and cultural tourism destination. In addition, the region is aiming to develop its potential for ecological tourism in rural areas and is therefore also cooperating with its neighbouring countries.

During the meeting, for example, the ambitious "transcontinental biosphere reserve" project between the Andalucían Provinces Malaga and Cadiz and the North of Morocco was presented by Fernando Molina Vázquez of the Regional Ministry for Environment of Andalucía.

The project, involving several Ministries on both sides of the border, seeks to develop a common biosphere reserve with UNESCO standards which should help to jointly conserve biodiversity (including maritime areas), secure environmental protection and promote sustainable tourism as a basis for rural economic development. The Mediterranean regions involved are characterised by similar and complementary geographical and cultural features which are the basis for a joint development strategy and cooperation plan. Some challenges still have to be solved e.g. regarding different protection levels and cooperation in the maritime parts which is more problematic.

Also experts from the Provinces Gelderland and Overijssel as well as Limburg (NL) and the Region Värmland (SE) had the opportunity to share their experience gained in cross-border tourism projects with the participants. In this context Mr Aad Blokland (Limburg) presented cross-border experiences with tourist cooperation within the INTERREG IIIA project "Three-Countries Park" (DE, BE, NL). The park within the so called city network "MHAL-region" (Maastricht, Hasselt, Aachen, Liège) is considered as a joint long-term development concept combining nature protection, eco-tourism and recreation facilities in the Dutch-Belgian-German border area. More information about the project is available at: www.3landenpark.org.

Thematic Forum 3 meeting – Bayreuth 06.10.2005

“Good Neighbourhood - Intercultural Competence”

Bavaria was host of the Thematic Forum meeting “Promotion of socio-cultural integration” with more than 30 participants, representing 9 countries and 4 Euroregions on 6 October 2005. The meeting, which took place at the District Government of Upper Franconia in the city of Bayreuth, was focusing on “cultural competence, good neighborhood, and cross-border 'people to people'-activities”.

Upper Franconia is situated in North-East Bavaria, adjoining the German federal states of Thuringia and Saxony as well as the new EU member state Czech Republic. With regard to the border between Bavaria and the Czech Republic, two neighbouring regions with a common cultural background have been separated due to political reasons for more than 4 decades. Knowing only little about one´s neighbour leads to a certain reluctance and reserve among the people living in the border region.

The meeting therefore dealt with key cross-border issues and challenges which are relevant to the hosting region, but also had a look upon the cross-border cooperation between Bavaria and Austria:

• Increasing the social cohesion in the border regions
• Reducing the mental barriers and intensifying the socio-cultural contacts among the citizens
• Reducing the competition of border regions and creating a common awareness for the need of working together to face globalisation
• Improving the cross-border cooperation of the public authorities on different levels

After a warm welcome by Mr Angerer (president of the district of Upper Franconia), Mr. Prof. Goppel from the Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs, Infrastructure, Transport and Technology explained that border regions have always been in the focus of regional planning in Bavaria, due to the guideline philosophy of equivalent living and working conditions in all parts of the country.

Ms. Dr. Birgit Seelbinder, lord mayor of Marktredwitz and president of the Working Group Bavaria of the Euregio Egrensis presented the “Cross-border State Garden Show Marktredwitz - Eger” as an example for good neighbourhood relations. More information is available under: www.marktredwitz2006.de.

A concrete cross-border project in the hosting region was presented by Ms. Professor Dr. Gabi Troeger-Weiß, University of Kaiserslautern. She informed about the project “Good neighbourhood in the Bavarian-Czech border region” (www.gute-nachbarschaft.org). The guiding principle of this project is the belief that “understanding is the essential basis for friendship”. This is implemented by cross-border children and youth programmes in order to reduce mental barriers or through information management and intercultural workshops, etc.

Mr. Walter Haas, Regional Manager of the Euregio Salzburg - Berchtesgadener Land - Traunstein described the history and prospect of this region, emphasising the traditionally close cross-border relation between Bavaria and Salzburg.

“How to impact intercultural competence” was the topic of an interactive workshop led by Ms Christine Koch and Dr. Fritz Audebert from ICUnet. The workshop dealt with intercultural awareness and the question about how to intensify socio-cultural contacts. It was combined with an exhibition on the topic, discussions and an exchange of experience. The participants agreed that an intercultural training may help to increase the mutual understanding of people with different cultural backgrounds.

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 3 meeting – Bolzano 26. – 27.11.2004

The first meeting within “Thematic Forum 3” was held under the title “Multilingualism in border regions: trends – needs – best practices” and took place on 26-27 November 2004 in Bolzano (agenda). Besides several Main Partners and experts from different regions, representatives of the Autonomous Province of Bolzano and of the sub-project “LABS” attended the meeting.

The common ground of the discussion was the location of two or more linguistic communities in their area. All participants agreed that in border regions linguistic and cultural diversity are important aspects of daily life. However, the multilingual situation is often considered as a problem, that obstructs cross-border mobility and job chances. The discussion about how to solve this problem was one of the main-objectives of the meeting (minutes).