Solidarity in Social Inclusion Project
The project « Solidarity in Social Inclusion » was funded with the support of the European Union under the Programme "Europe for Citizens"
Applicable to the Strand 2 – Measure 2.1 "Town-Twinning”
Participation: The project involved 26 citizens, notably 22 participants from the city of Châteaudun (France),
4 participants from the city of Aberystwyth. (United Kingdom) and 45 participants from Arklow Twinning Association, Company Limited by Guarantee.
Location/ Dates: The event took place in Arklow, Ireland from 17/05/2018 to 21/05/2018
Short description:
The day of 17/05/2018 was dedicated to a Civic reception with the groups, host families, twinning committee and Arklow Municipal District councillors. Local newspaper photographer was present.
The day of 18/05/2018 was dedicated to a tour of French pharmaceutical factory, Servier, with lunch offered by Servier. The afternoon was dedicated to a round-table discussion on "Social Inclusion and the European Dimension" with the participation of 7 Arklow Social Inclusion agencies, members of Arklow Municipal District and the twinning committees of both Arklow and Châteaudun, who all made contributions to the discussion.
Local photogapher was present.
The Mayor of Aberystwyth and three twinning Aberystwyth committee members arrived as did the Deputy Mayor of Châteaudun, M. Sid Ahmed Rouidi.
The day of 19/05/2018 was dedicated to a Seminar: "How can twinning improve our knowledge and appreciation of European values at local level?" The seminar was attended by the full group, including Deputy Mayor of Châteaudun, Mayor of Aberystwyth, Les Amis d'Europe, Le Comité de Jumelage de Châteaudun, Aberystwyth Twinning Committee, 2 secondary school principals, 2 students from Lycée Jean-Félix Paulsen, Châteaudun, on work experience in Arklow, who gave a powerpoint presentation and 3 students from St Mary's College who presented their award-winning project on the history of Arklow-Châteaudun twinning. The conclusion reached at the seminar was that town twinning, by its very nature, fosters European values at local level
There followed a group visit to stately home, Russborough House in Wicklow.
The day of 20/05/2018 was dedicated to a morning group photo session at Châteaudun Promenade and viewing of the Riverwalk Ceramic Project (a joint Arklow/ Châteaudun initiative).
The evening was dedicated to a gala farewell dinner in the Arklow Bay Hotel. Exchange of gifts and speeches underscored the importance of the 35 yearlong twinning bonds between Châteaudun and Arklow. Much reference was made to the European dimension at local level and to the social inclusion theme of the project; there was a declared intention by the participants to engage more closely with social inclusion agencies in our towns, to share best practice and ensure the future of the project.
On 21/05/2018 the groups departed.