Dorsten, Germany

Originally established in 1988, the link with our German counterparts has become very productive, especially over recent years.

The civic link has now been extended to incorporate potential cultural, community and business exchanges. These visits will continue to explore mutual interests, identify best-practice opportunities and create further benefits for each area.

Dorsten and Newtownabbey will also meet with representatives of Rybnik (Poland) to assess the feasibility of a tri-European economic development link.

In keeping with the Council's aim to develop stronger economic links with its twinning partners, Newtownabbey Borough Council has hosted a number of Best Practice visits which have focused on Enterprise Development for representatives from Dorsten in Germany and Rybnik in Poland.

During a visit in 2001, involving a delegation from Germany and Poland, the Council used the opportunity to demonstrate the strong business infrastructure of the area and the importance of the education and community sectors by arranging visits to Mallusk Enterprise Park, Cybervalley, East Antrim Institute of Further and Higher Education and Nortel Networks.

Rybnik, Poland

Newtownabbey was introduced to Rybnik by Dorsten and delegates from Rybnik have visited Newtownabbey three times.

In keeping with the Council's aim to develop stronger economic links with its twinning partners, Newtownabbey Borough Council has hosted a number of Best Practice visits which have focussed on Enterprise Development for representatives from Rybnik in Poland and Dorsten in Germany.

During a visit in 2001, involving a delegation from Poland and Germany, the Council used the opportunity to demonstrate the strong business infrastructure of the area and the importance of the education and community sectors by arranging visits to Mallusk Enterprise Park, Cybervalley, East Antrim Institute of Further and Higher Education and Nortel Networks.

In September 2002, a delegation from Rybnik, Poland visited Newtownabbey for 1 week to learn about our Enterprise Support Network. The delegation was made up of representatives from The Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Rybnik, Rybnik's Zone of Economic Activity Ltd, the District Work Office and the Chamber of Craft, Small and Medium Size Enterprises in Rybnik.

The delegation was engaged in intensive business start training provided by the Council and Mallusk Enterprise Park. The visit was funded through the European Union's Leonardo da Vinci Programme and also included meetings with Invest NI, Northern Ireland Business Education Partnership, the Princess Trust, Shell Livewire and NI-CO. Rybnik also participated in the Antenna shop in Dorsten.

As an area which is about to join the EU, Rybnik requested a formal twinning arrangement which was signed in Mossley Mill on Thursday 16th October 2003. The delegation from Rybnik included; Adam Fudali, City Mayor of Rybnik; Ewa Ryszka, Vice City Mayor of Rybnik; Michal Smigielski, Chairman of City Council of Rybnik and Wojciech Grzonka, officer in department of City Development, Economic Promotion and European Integration.

The aim of the partnership agreement is to expand the economic development and investment opportunities available to both communities and to enhance their exposure in today’s ever growing global economy.

Gilbert

The American connection with Gilbert is progressing very well. The official twinning took place in November 1998 through the Sister Cities Programme and has produced a number of mutually beneficial opportunities for both regions.

So far, representatives from the business, cultural sporting and youth and community sectors have all partaken in events in Gilbert and Newtownabbey.

• The University of Ulster and Arizona State University have developed an Exchange Programme for academics and graduates.
• The Council's Wider Horizons Programme allowed 21 unemployed young people to travel to Gilbert for a 4 week programme of Work Experience and training in June/July 2001.
• Monkstown Boxing Club has visited Gilbert to participate in a Boxing competition.
• Local schools have been involved in a Pen Pal programme for a number of years.

The Council has also organised a cross - community Youth Exchange Programmes since 2000 providing opportunities for young people to explore the differing cultures of both America and Northern Ireland. The programme sends two local teenagers to Gilbert, Arizona for three weeks to promote Newtownabbey to local schools and community groups and highlight how young people live and contribute to the development of Northern Ireland. In addition to this, two American teenagers visit Northern Ireland in order to experience life in the Newtownabbey area. In addition to their stay in Newtownabbey, their programme includes a tour of Parliament Buildings and visits to other top attractions in Northern Ireland such as the Giant's Causeway and the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum.

In an effort to develop the economic aspects of the link with Arizona, the Council has met with a variety of delegates including members from the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Greater Phoenix Economic Council to highlight the importance of Newtownabbey as an area for future inward investment. In December 2003 a number of businesses from Newtownabbey will be traveling to Gilbert to take part in a trade mission.

Dungloe

The Ballyclare May Fair Festival and The Mary From Dungloe International Festival are part of a unique partnership twinning arrangement which was initially funded by Co-operation Ireland within their Special Support Programme for Peace and Reconciliation (cross border business and cultural links).

Over the past number of years the relationship has given many groups and organisations with a common interest from both areas, the opportunity to share ideas and experiences. This was made possible through the provision of a grant of £50,000 from the EU Peace & Reconciliation Fund which was used to broaden the co-operation between the two established cultural events.

As a result, many valuable links were established between Ballyclare and Dungloe which continue to flourish. The festivals also continue to benefit from the arrangement, with Dungloe getting more street pageantry courtesy of Ballyclare and the Mayfair borrowing some of the tourism expertise from Donegal.

The Dungloe festival includes a spectacular carnival parade and street pageant and culminates with the selection of the Mary From Dungloe winner. The winner is chosen from a field of international entries, including the Ballyclare Mayfair Queen representing County Antrim.