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La Manche- Jersey stand at the Agricultural show

For the third consecutive year, Jersey and La Manche shared a joint stand on the Normandie area of the International Agricultural show. A fantastic showcase to highlight once again the island’s iconic products, demonstrating the range available and their great qualities through tastings and promotional materials.

Economic Development Minister, Senator Lyndon Farnham visited the stand on 28 February, and the Chief Minister Senator Ian Gorst attended the official launch on 1st March, reaffirming the wish to work closely with the Department of La Manche and the Region of Normandy to the promotion of our régions.

 

2016 Victor Hugo in Guernsey Festival

From 2nd April 2016 to 10th April 2016, Guernsey will host the Victor Hugo in Guernsey Festival. This festival is organised to commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the publication, in 1866, of Toilers of the Sea, a worldwide famous novel written by Victor Hugo while in exile in the island (from 1855 to 1870).

The festival is organised by the “Victor Hugo in Guernsey Society”, and is supported by “Visit Guernsey”, the “Guernsey Art Commission” and “Hauteville House”.

The island wide festival will offer a range of activities from exhibitions to a seminar or artistic performances. The Festival will also associate schools, with a series of competitions related to art and Victor Hugo from January to April.

For more information on the events, please have a look at the programme here

St Brelade’s Bay, one of the nicest beach of the UK

Saint Brelade’s Bay, gets 3rd place in the Travellers choice Award for Uk Best Beaches, in 2016. This top 25 is organised by Tripadvisor and rewards, among other things Hotels, Beaches, Islands, attractions, museums, and restaurants, all around the world. The selection is based on the quality and quantity of traveller reviews and ratings on a 12 months period.  Jersey was also elected the 2015 Best British Island.

Visit to the islands to boost cooperation in education

Monique Gourdy, in charge of European and International Relations at Caen Rectorat came to Jersey, Guernsey and Alderney. The objective of the visit was to discover the educational system in the Channel Islands, visit sites and meet with school teachers and head teachers. This visit enabled to identify ideas of cooperation at the primary, secondary and technical education.  

Meeting with Breton partners of Ille et Vilaine

In the wake of the cooperation with the Department of Ille et Vilaine, the External Relations Minister Sir Philip Bailhache and Education Minister Rod Bryans visited Rennes on 21 December. President Jean Luc Chenut hosted the delegation. The meeting enabled to discuss the cooperation to date and the vision for the future, taking into account the priorities of each jurisdiction and the reform of the French law (called NOTRe) which will have consequences on the competencies of the Departmental councils. Next meeting will be the annual summit and will take place in June 2016 in Jersey.

 

First assembly of the Regional council of Normandy

At the invitation of Hervé Morin, representatives from the Channel islands attended the first assembly of the regional council of the newly reunified Normandy.  Sir Philip Bailhache, Jersey’s Minister for External Relations, and Sir Richard Collas, Bailiff of Guernsey (both representing their respective Chief Minister) were in Rouen on 4 January for this special occasion. A symbolic and historic moment for Channel islands representatives. Indeed, until the Duchy was attached to the

 

Solidarity with Paris and France

Channel islands authorities wish to publish a message following the terrible terrorist attacks perpetrated in Paris on Friday 13th November.

Following this act of barbary, numerous peoples have lost their lives and political and civil representatives would like to address to the Victims families, the injured and the whole French population their sincerest and deepest condolences. Attacking innocent individuals is coward and the Channel Islands firmly condemn these terrorist acts.

By solidarity, the Channel Islands have organized many vigils and gathering ceremonies so the French community of the islands receives all the support they need from us. It is important that we all share the French sorrows for “our friends, our cousins”.

“We have to remain united and to stay together to preserve and defend our shared values of Freedom Liberté Egalité Fraternité which are so important against hatred and terrorism” agreed the Jersey and Guernsey Chief Ministers

Tour de France 2016 au départ de La Manche

The Chief Minister of Guernsey Jonathan LeTocq and the Chief Minister of Jersey Ian Gorst attended the official launch of the 2016 Tour de France in Paris, at the invitation of Philippe Bas, President of the Department La Manche. La Manche is one of the island’s longstanding partner and will host the Grand Départ as well as the two following stages which is a first in the history of the Tour that one single county hosts three different race stages. Indeed, the world’s most prestigious cycling race will start on the islands’ doorstep next summer from the Mont Saint-Michel on Saturday 2 July. Full itinerary here Given the partnership with La Manche, the islands are welcome to submit any project (educational, sport, cultural, etc) in relation to the Grand Depart of the Tour de France, before the 18 December. Please contact BIAN for further information.

Grand Depart website

Assemblée Parlementaire de la Francophonie- APF in Jersey

The 28th European regional assembly of the APF was held in St Helier, Jersey between 12 and 15 October 2015. Various topics were discussed during the three day event, covering the promotion of the Francophonie in Jersey, a rather Anglophone island; the economic strategy for the Francophone Europe; and freedom of expression and of the press, following the tragic attacks against Charlie Hebdo earlier this year.

The conference, which brought together Parliamentarians from 16 Sections of the APF Europe region, was a great success.