Author: Elise Meerpoel

Channel Islands Heritage Festival

Written by Elise Meerpoel on 2 April 2015. Posted in Uncategorized. No Comments on Channel Islands Heritage Festival

This is a great event which is being prepared in the Channel Islands, around the anniversary of the liberation. The Heritage Festival, which will take place from 3 April to 11 May 2015 will mark the 70th anniversary of the liberation of the islands, only part of the UK to have been under the yoke of German occupation forces during World War II. The scar left on the islands is important and still visible today with observation towers on the coast, bunkers, tunnels, hospitals and many collections to discover at the various museums. Throughout the five-week festival, historic sites will open their doors exclusively with visits on the theme of the occupation. The highlight of the celebrations will take place on 9 May, the anniversary of the liberation.

Full programme of events available here

Jersey at the Paris Agricultural fare

Written by Elise Meerpoel on 25 February 2015. Posted in Uncategorized. No Comments on Jersey at the Paris Agricultural fare

Jersey was pleased to recently participate in the Paris International Agricultural Salon at the kind invitation of La Manche. On 22 February the Island’s Minister for External Relations, Senator Sir Philip Bailhache, made a visit to the Salon joining Philippe Bas, Senator and Vice Chairman of the General Council of La Manche. On 25 February Jersey’s Minister for Economic Development, Senator Lyndon Farnham, joined Presidents Mayer-Rossignol and Beauvais of Upper and Lower Normandy at the official opening of the Norman stand, “Normandy régale le monde”. On both occasions Jersey’s Ministers joined Norman leaders to celebrate the Island’s important agricultural industry. With approximately 700,000 visiting the Salon, it was clear that the public took pleasure in visiting the Norman and Jersey stands. Jersey’s “tea time” and “after work” themes were well received, particularly the tasting of beers from the Liberation Group that had recently enjoyed success at the International Brewing Awards.

Photo D. Daguier CG50

Signing of cooperation agreement with Normandy

Written by Elise Meerpoel on 22 January 2015. Posted in Uncategorized. No Comments on Signing of cooperation agreement with Normandy

On 22nd January a cooperation agreement was signed between the Channel Islands, Lower Normandy and La Manche The Chief Minister of Jersey, Senator Ian Gorst, the Chief Minister of Guernsey, Deputy Jonathan Le Tocq, Neil Harvey, Chairman of the Policy and Finance Committee, and Conseiller Charles Maitland, Chairman of Sark’s Policy & Performance Committee on behalf of the Chief Pleas of Sark signed the agreement along with President Laurent Beauvais, President of the Regional Council of Lower Normandy and President Jean-François Le Grand, President of the General Council of La Manche. The purpose of the agreement is to develop institutional partnerships and strengthen exchanges in the areas of economic development, tourism, education and culture.

Deputy Le Tocq commented: “I am delighted to be further strengthening our relationship with La Manche and Lower Normandy, and to be doing so not just in partnership with Alderney and Sark but also with Jersey. We have a historic shared culture with our Norman cousins, and many shared interests including business, transport, energy and education.”

Senator Gorst added: “I am very pleased to be signing this agreement on behalf of Jersey. France is our nearest neighbour and it is important that we continue to develop new links and strengthen existing relationships at regional and national levels. Through the successful establishment of a joint Bureau des Iles Anglo-Normandes with Guernsey, we are now well resourced to do this in partnership across both islands.”

For more information please click here

Enseignement du droit: coopération entre Rennes et Jersey

Written by Elise Meerpoel on 15 January 2015. Posted in Uncategorized. No Comments on Enseignement du droit: coopération entre Rennes et Jersey

The Jersey Institute of Law and Ecole Normale Supérieure de Rennes have signed a cooperation agreement on the 15 January 2015. The two higher education institutions will develop joint teaching and research programme in law. The first step has been the designed of a joint certificate in common law. A team of ENS Rennes will participate with 8 other international teams to the moot completion organised by the Institute of Law, Jersey on the 13-15 March. One PhD student in Jersey has already enrolled on the new joint PhD programme. The agreement was signed for the Institute of Law by Sir Philip Bailhache, Chairman of the Institute, and Dr David Marrani, Director, and for ENS Rennes, prof.Patrick Quinton, president of ENS Rennes and prof. Gilles Lhuilier.

For more information, please visit the Institute of Law or ENS

Channel Islands show solidarity with France and victims of Paris shooting

Written by Elise Meerpoel on 11 January 2015. Posted in Uncategorized. No Comments on Channel Islands show solidarity with France and victims of Paris shooting

Following the January 7th terrorist atrocities in Paris the Chief Ministers of Guernsey and Jersey have sent messages of condolence to the President of the French Republic, François Hollande, on behalf of the governments of both Islands. Across the Islands vigils were held, flags were flown at half-mast and Books of Condolence were opened, while police in both Islands joined forces throughout Britain to observe a two minute silence in memory of their colleagues caught up in the attacks. Senator Philip Ozouf, Jersey’s Assistant Chief Minister, attended the Unity March in Paris on January 11th to show the Channel Islands solidarity with France

Further support illustrated here