Press Release

Derry to Learn from Toledo Experience

Tuesday, 02 November 2004

Members of a high profile Toledo delegation that is in Derry for a six-day visit as part of the Northern Ireland Centre for European Co-operation's (NICEC) cultural and social regeneration programme, will be participating in a series of seminars and meetings.

During their visit, the group will attend a series of events showcasing cultural and social aspects of the region, as well as explore the role of policy in promoting active citizenship. They will meet with representatives from key institutions, networking organisations, regional and local
Government, entrepreneurs and non-governmental organisations.

Today, the group will discuss economic and physical regeneration opportunities for the city. The event starts at 9.30 am and continues throughout the morning: it features a host of guest speakers such as the Derry City Council, Chief Executive and Town Clerk, Mr. Tony McGurk, Ric Reinhard from Ilex and Derry City Council's Economic Development Officer, Mark Lusby.

Representatives from the Toledo delegation will also talk about the Toledo foundation and the potential plans for developing partnership strategies between the two cities. The group will visit a number of local economic and physical regeneration sites such as the Ebrington Barracks and the Waterside Development sites at Tullyally.

Brendan McMenamin, the Council's Acting Visual Arts Organiser said the group were very impressed with Derry and have enjoyed their visit to date.

"The group are amazed at what we have to offer. They attended the Banks of the Foyle Halloween Celebrations and were amazed at the huge numbers of people who dressed up and participated in the Carnival. They really enjoyed the experience and are looking forward to a busy schedule for the rest of the week," he said.

On Wednesday the group will participate in the NICEC's Best Practice Seminar, which will address Culture Regeneration "Culture at the Heart of Regeneration in Northern Ireland". The seminar is aimed at looking at how Derry can learn from the lessons of Toledo and Castilla La Mancha and how they can apply to regeneration in Derry and in Northern Ireland in general.

Among the guest speakers at the event will be Professor Tom Fraser, University of Ulster, and John Hume.

Dr Fionnuala McKelvey, Director, NICEC, said: "There are opportunities for Derry to learn lessons from the way things are done in Toledo, and I'm sure Toledo can also learn from us. We are particularly pleased to have such a high-profile group of visitors and I know they will come away with positive impressions of the city.

" Part of NICEC's role is to establish and build on networks that lead to a sharing of information with a wide range of groups. This visit will look at ways of putting cultural activities and heritage at the heart of regeneration here in Derry and the rest of Northern Ireland and the benefits this can bring."

The delegation includes D. José Manuel Tofiño -President of the Provincial Government of Toledo; Dña. Angeles Díaz Vieco - manager of the Culture and Sports Foundation; D. Angel Nicolás - President of the Toledo Businessmen-Foundation; D. Juan Ignacio de Mesa -Director of Toledo Real Foundation; D. Eugenio Sánchez - General Secretary of the Federation of Municipalities and provinces of Castilla-La Mancha.

NICEC is a unit of the University of Ulster and is based at the Magee campus, and is funded under the EU's Peace II programme through the Office of the First and Deputy First Minister.

Ends

Photo Opportunities

Tuesday, 02 November

11 am - Millennium Forum
Toledo delegates and representatives from Ilex and Derry City Council

2.30 - Site visit at Ebrington Barracks

Wednesday, 03 November

1pm – Millennium Forum
Toledo delegates and guest speakers including John Hume.

6pm – University of Ulster, Magee
Toledo group to have a walking tour and meeting with Provost.

Ends

For additional information contact:

Press Office

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