| Author (Person) | Connor, Dorothy, Olson, Eva |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Chadwyck-Healey Ltd |
| Series Title | European Access |
| Series Details | No.6 December |
| Publication Date | December 1998 |
| ISSN | 0264-7362 |
| Content Type | Overview |
|
People's Europe and the regions - Opportunities for co-operation in EU information provision: (Principal Officer Business & Technology, Manchester Central Library & Principal Officer Social Sciences, Malmo City Library) The term 'People's Europe' is one increasingly used to express the importance of bringing Europe closer to the citizen and of informing them of EU developments, so they can take part in Europe's democratic processes and enjoy the opportunities that Europe has to offer. It was as far back as June 1984 that the European Council, (then twelve Heads of State or Government) officially endorsed the idea of a 'People's Europe' and set up a Committee which produced two reports putting forward proposals to bring Europe more closely in touch with the ordinary citizen. The theme of 'People's Europe' was more recently referred to by British Prime Minister Tony Blair at the launch of the UK Presidency of the European Union in December 1997, when he said; 'Our joint mission is to make Europe work for the people: a Europe that is closer to the people's priorities: peace and prosperity, progress and partnership'. The importance of bringing Europe closer to the citizen and ensuring access to information on EU issues is well documented - but how can this achieved in reality? For many information providers, it is perhaps obvious - by making Europe a 'local issue' and reaching out to people in local communities. This presents both a challenge and opportunity for EU information providers. In this article the authors will describe regional EU information developments in the UK and Sweden, which are attempting to meet this challenge, using examples of practical activities in the North West of England and in the Skone region of Sweden. The authors' views are from a public library perspective with practical experience in delivering EU information services to the citizens. Addressing the challenge in the UK: The first was held in Manchester in October 1997, hosted by the North West Regional Library System, with the assistance of Relay Europe on behalf of the European Commission's London Office. Speakers and delegates discussed openly and frankly ways in which a co-ordinated approach could be achieved in the region. The outcome of the Conference was that practical Resolutions were put forward: The first was to establish a North West Regional Steering Group; secondly, to conduct a regional EU information resource audit, which would form the basis of a practical North West EU information directory; finally, to explore ways to increase co-operation and co-ordination of EU information provision in the region. It was agreed that these activities would be facilitated by the North West Regional Library System and the European Information Association. Similar conferences were held in other regions of the UK and the outcome of those conferences was similar to the North West of England, which strongly supported a co-operative and co-ordinated regional approach as the way forward. In September 1998 the Third Annual Conference of the UK Network of European Relays organised by the European Commission Representation in the UK, entitled 'Europe & the Regions' provided the opportunity for the different regions to exchange experience and hear from Richard Caborn MP, UK Government Minister for the Regions, Regeneration & Planning. The success of the Conference, further strengthened co-operative EU information activities at regional level, at the same time promoted practical solutions on how to take things forward. The Conference also provided the opportunity for Dorothy Connor of Manchester Public Information Relay to give a presentation on EU information developments in the North West of England since the first regional conference in October 1997. The developments she reported included the establishment of the North West EU Information Co-ordinating Group, of which she is Chair and Howard Patterson, Euro Info Centre North West, Vice-Chair. The Group brings together representatives from the North West Network of European Relays - Michael Dunne, EDC Lancaster University; Paul James, North West Carrefour; Frank Connell & John Fagan, European Resource Centre for Schools & Colleges, Brian Eaton, Government Office North West; Colin Osborne, Local Authority European Officers Group; John Adlen & Helen Pakpahan representing voluntary organisations; Madeline Gunney, Training & Enterprise Councils and Peter Fell from IRISI North West. Deborah Ryan & Susan Walsh represented the North West Regional Library System and Catherine Webb from the European Information Association. The Group meets regularly in venues across the region and has developed an Action Plan. Some action points had been implemented in the first year and others depended on securing support from appropriate agencies. So far, the Group has conducted a North West EU Information Resource Audit. This information will form the basis of a NW EU Information Directory. A North West EU Information Touring Exhibition is currently being compiled. To develop strong links between EU information providers in the region, a North West EU Information Exchange of Experience Scheme has been proposed and invitations for hosts and visitors have been requested. To keep people in the region informed, a homepage for the Group has been constructed on the web. People's Europe North West - partnerships for progress conference, November 1998: The Conference was chaired by Councillor Doyle from the North West Regional Chamber and Alison Hook, Deputy Head of the European Commission's Representation in the UK. Presentations were heard from Alison Hook on 'The European Union and the citizen - current issues'; Lynne Charles, Public Affairs Officer at the European Parliament UK Office spoke on 'Making your voice heard in Europe - the European Parliament Elections'; and Brian Eaton, Economic Intelligence Officer, Government Office for the North West informed participants about 'The Regional Development Agency & EU activities in the region'. Other important issues addressed by speakers were 'The Euro & the North West', by Malcolm Hurst, Vice Chair of the North West Euro Forum; 'Europe & the voluntary sector in the North West' by Gordon Benson, Industrial Common Ownership Movement and 'The Information Society and the North West' by Peter Fell, IRISI North West. Participants were able to discuss the issues in more detail with regard to their different target audiences and identify any information gaps at workshops on: Connecting to young people; The North West & the euro; The European elections; EU information for NGOs; and EU information and IT in the region. The objective was for each workshop to put forward between one to four practical action points for the next twelve months. The outcome of the Conference was many innovative ideas on how to reach out to people in local communities in our region and to make further progress in stimulating the good co-operative and supportive work between EU information providers. Importantly, the voluntary sector and local authority youth leaders are now part of the North West regional network. The next task for North West EU Information Co-ordinating Group is to develop the action points into a practical Action Plan for 1998/99 to take forward these ideas. The conference re-affirmed its support for regional co-operation and co-ordination. Addressing the challenge in Sweden: Experiences from the UK have been shared with colleagues in Sweden and the opportunity for regional co-operation is important. Malmo Public Library took positive steps to begin its own regional co-operation with public libraries in the Skone region. Sweden has been an EU member since 1995. The public libraries took an active part during the information campaign before the referendum in the autumn of 1994. Informing the public about the European Union was organised on three levels: The national level by the Foreign Ministry in Stockholm, the regional level through the county libraries and the local level in every public library in Sweden. Most of the information material produced was unbiased which was important for public libraries. This was the starting point for Malmo Public Library's specialised 'Information Europe' collection, which included an information desk dealing with EU enquiries. At national level, the information office still exists and publishes information sheets, databases and other material. As Malmo Public Library is also the county library for the region, it handles and distributes material all over the region and carries out staff training for all the libraries. Following the referendum and Sweden's membership of the European Union, the Library was keen to develop its EU information service and ensure citizens had access to a wide range of EU materials and so in 1997 became a part of the European Commission's Info Point Network. The Library receives official EU information, which is supplemented by commercial sources in Swedish and English and has access to EU databases. All the material is catalogued and available on the Internet and interlibrary loans are made. Skone Regional Conference: In the Spring 1998, a regional conference on EU information for public librarians in the Skone region was arranged to share expertise and learn about EU information. Presentations were heard from Dorothy Connor on the work of the Manchester Public Information Relay based in Manchester Central Library and of their European activities in the local community. Also about the co-operative developments between the UK Network of European Relays. Conference participants were interested in the training modules organised by Relay Europe for the European Commission's Representation in the UK, which were held in each region. Marian Koren from NBLC and co-ordinator for IPEs in the Netherlands spoke about the democratic right for every citizen to have access to information about the European Union and the task for every public library to embrace this role. In Malmo the City Library is part of the local network of the municipality dealing with EU enquiries. The library is currently looking at ways to reach out to schools and sending material to those working on projects about the European Union. Each year, Malmo Library arranges a series of public lectures on topical subjects. This year the subject was Economic & Monetary Union and the Skone region. There has been much interest in the public lectures and now the lecturers too are part of our network. Bente Knudsen, County Librarian, is very supportive of Malmo Library's EU information activities and keen to stress the importance of providing equal access to all citizens in our region, by giving support to smaller libraries. Our co-operative activities have extended to our colleagues, a short distance away across the water in Copenhagen Public Library and we hope to work with the Info Point in developing co-operative regional activities in the Oresund area. So, those are some of the practical examples from a public library perspective, which illustrate the real benefit of regional co-operation and co-ordination. Others include an increased awareness of EU information services in the region ensuring effective referral of enquiries, opportunities to share experience and expertise, the inclusion of other regional networks involved in EU activities, as well as opportunities for joint activities and events, together with the possibility to access regional funding in the future. Individual members of the relay network can begin the process themselves, by developing practical links within their own network and looking outwards to link in with other relays. In the UK, the practical support from the European Commission Representation in the UK has stimulated and encouraged this process for the UK Network of Relays. Together with important regional developments more generally in the country, this has given the process a dynamic momentum. Most importantly, it does need enthusiastic EU information providers at regional level, who not only 'speak' co-operatively, but 'act' co-operatively too by supporting each other. In stimulating a regional structure to be set up, it does provide exciting opportunities to make Europe a 'local issue' and for local people to enjoy the real meaning of a 'People's Europe'. Contact addresses: Tel: +44-(0)161-234-1996 Eva Olson Tel: +46-40660-85-00 |
|
| Subject Categories | Culture, Education and Research |
| Countries / Regions | Europe |
