News and events from CCBS / ICLRD
ICLRD Staff Changes
Congratulations and best wishes to Caroline Creamer who, welcomed baby Oran at the end of May. Caroline is currently on maternity leave. Andrew McClelland has taken on Caroline’s responsibilities at ICLRD. Andrew recently completed his PhD in Planning, History and Architectural Heritage at the University of Ulster and has previously assisted ICLRD during the CroSPlaN programme in the years 2010-2011. Contact Andrew at NUI Maynooth
New addition to the CCBS team
CCBS is pleased to announce the addition of Thomas Haverty to the CCBS team. Having proved himself to be an invaluable member of the CCBS family as an intern, Thomas was appointed as Research Assistant following a competitive recruitment process. His skills and experience will no doubt assist CCBS to continue to cement its position as leading provider of quality cross-border research.
CCBS gives evidence to the Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement
On the 26th June 2014, CCBS gave evidence during a formal session of the Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement. Speaking on the current state of cross-border cooperation on the island of Ireland, Ruth Taillon, the Centre’s Director, stated: “We are very concerned that the political stability and the progress made towards increased cross-border mobility and cooperative relationships across social, economic and cultural life will be eroded without continued support, both financial and in public policy”.
Among its recommendations to the Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement, the Centre for Cross Border Studies stated that “it is essential that cross-border cooperation be mainstreamed within public policy and budget lines on both sides of the border”.
Read the full submission
CCBS responds to consultation on Draft National Risk Assessment 2014
CCBS has provided a written response to the Irish Government’s consultation on the Draft National Risk Assessment 2014. In its response, CCBS stressed the need to place risk assessment and mitigation efforts on a firm all-island footing, including the design and implementation of relevant policies and strategies, as well as the need for a stronger cross-border perspective in the collection and management of relevant data.
Read the full response The John Hewitt Society
CCBS is a proud supporter of the John Hewitt Society, which has developed a range of literary and cultural activities aimed at breaking down parochialism, narrow and exclusive concepts of identity, and hostility towards the ‘other’.
The John Hewitt Society annual International Summer School takes place from Monday 28th July until Friday 1st August 2014 in the Market Place Theatre, Armagh. This year’s Summer School is themed ‘Regionalism: The Last Chance?’ It will look not just at political issues surrounding local identity in a globalised world, but creative and cultural explorations of issues relevant to Northern Ireland’s divided society.
CCBS sponsors an annual talk as part of the John Hewitt Society’s International Summer School. This year’s speaker is Ross Martin, Chief Executive of the Scottish Council for Development and Industry. In light of the upcoming Scottish independence referendum, Ross Martin will address the key issues facing the Scottish economy and the potential points of policy discontinuity represented by the referendum. This will take place on Thursday 31st July 2014, at 9:45 am. To book tickets
Mr Andy Pollak, former Director of CCBS, Broadcaster C.L. Dallat, and Journalist Peter Geoghegan will participate in a debate on Regionalism on Tuesday 29th July 2014. The debate will consider the relevance of Hewitt’s view of regionalism in an increasingly globalised world. Are we seeing a resurgence of interest in local identity, as in the Scottish Independence debate? Or has globalisation diluted regional identity? To book tickets
For more information about the Summer School
Joint Co-operation Ireland / ICLRD Seminar: The Role of Development and Area Plans in Economic Growth and Regeneration
In partnership with Co-operation Ireland’s All-Island Local Authority Forum, ICLRD held a one-day seminar on Thursday 26 June 2014, at the Armagh City Hotel. Attended by political representatives, academics and key figures from local and central government, the seminar addressed the opportunities for local government to support economic growth and regeneration through the creation of effective Development and Area Plans, particularly given the reform of local government on the island of Ireland. The seminar was opened by the Northern Ireland Minister for the Environment, Mark H. Durkan MLA, and the Republic of Ireland’s Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, Fergus O’Dowd TD.
For more information on the event and to download the programme
Sector News & Events
European Matters
Commission calls on 13 Member States, including the United Kingdom and Ireland, to enforce rules on cross-border crime
European Commission reports have found 13 Member States; including the United Kingdom and Ireland have not implemented common rules on fighting cross-border crime. The common rules aim at increasing the protection of victims and society by ensuring citizens are not convicted twice for the same crime, and also making the fight against cross-border crime more effective. They ensure good coordination between Member States, and that criminal proceedings are conducted in the best placed Member State. The European Commission urges all those Member States which have not yet done so to take swift measures to implement these EU laws fully.
For more information on the common rules
European Commission ‘Europe in My Region’ Photo Competition 2014
The third annual 'Europe in My Region' Photo Competition takes place this summer. The aim is to raise awareness of projects which have received funding as part of European regional policy. The European Commission wants to see how EU investments are being used and celebrate projects that are making a real difference to local communities.
The competition is run through the European Commission's Facebook page. To enter the competition, all you need to do is take a photo of a project receiving EU funding you know or have seen. The picture should include the plaque or billboard with funding information and the EU flag. Entries will be accepted until Monday 25 August 2014 at 12:00 pm. The prize is €1,000 to spend on digital camera equipment and a trip for two to Brussels in October 2014.
For more information about the competition
Holiday Time: European Health Insurance Card
The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is available free of charge. It gives you access to receive medical treatment that becomes necessary on a temporary stay in any of the 28 EU countries, Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. The treatment is under the same terms and cost as nationals of that country. The EHIC cannot be used to cover planned medical treatment in another country.
You can obtain a card by contacting your national health institution where you live. In the UK this is the National Health Service and in Ireland the HSE.
Further information on applying for EHIC
If you need to use your EHIC on your travels and it is not accepted by Hospitals that provide public health services, you should contact the relevant health authority in the country you are visiting. Failing that you should request support from your home country's health authority. If you still encounter difficulties, you should contact the European Commission. The European Commission can investigate this and raise the issue with the authorities of the country concerned.
Read for more information about the EHIC and to download the EHIC app
In order to increase awareness of the EHIC, the European Commission is launching a competition for video storyboard proposals. It is an opportunity to express creative ideas and show your experience with the European Health Insurance Card. The competition is open until 17th August 2014.
For more information about the competition, including how to enter and the prizes
Social entrepreneurship: new standard to measure social impact
A new standard to allow social enterprises of all sizes to better measure and demonstrate their social impact and help them in their discussions with partners, investors, and public sector funders has been published by the European Commission. The standard, featured in a report on social impact measurement has been endorsed by an expert group on social entrepreneurship (GECES) set up by the European Commission.
For more information on the standard, download the report Funding Opportunities
Reconciliation and Anti-Sectarianism Funds
The Reconciliation fund awards grants to non-governmental organisations (NGOs), community groups, and voluntary organisations. This is to support reconciliation and to create better understanding between people and traditions on the island of Ireland and between Ireland and Britain.
The Reconciliation Fund Strategy 2014-2017 was launched on 9 June 2014. The strategy outlines the priorities for the Reconciliation fund. The Anti-Sectarianism fund has been merged into the Reconciliation fund.
Read for more information about the fund and how to apply
Read the Reconciliation Fund Strategy Cross-Border News
Prescriptions: Costs and charges in the UK and Republic of Ireland
The Northern Ireland Assembly Research and Information Service produced a paper providing a brief overview of prescription costs and charges in Northern Ireland. It compares these costs and charges with other jurisdictions in the UK and the Republic of Ireland.
For more information download the paper
Life along the Irish Border
In advance of the Scottish referendum on Independence BBC Scotland explored what life is like along the Irish border and what lessons Scotland might learn. This examined cross border co-operation, experiences of those living in a border area and the border economy. Ruth Tallion, Director of CCBS, contributed to the piece on cross border co-operation.
Read the full article Peacebuilding
Clones Community Forum PEACE III Befriending Project
Clones Community Forum befriending project ‘Face to Face’ will build upon previous successful peace themed projects the Forum has delivered. Volunteers will visit people at an agreed time, for a coffee and chat or social event. The volunteer is not a home help or counsellor, but takes on the role of a friend - ‘Befriender’. The volunteer will receive a travel allowance during the course of the project, which will run until 30th September 2014. Throughout the project there will be a short training course and various social events, volunteers and their befriender will be invited to attend.
If you are interested in becoming involved in the project, or know someone who would like to take part, please contact Dianne McPhelim on 00353 47 52997 or email
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Next Issue
If you would like to include a cross-border event, research or news item in the next issue of Border-Zine please send to Claire Toner by Thursday 31st July.
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