List of events organised by Scottish Government EU Office (SGEUO) in Brussels.
13 December
Reception for UK Fisheries Industry Stakeholders
Scotland House
During the December EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council, the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment, Richard Lochhead hosted a reception for UK Fisheries Industry Stakeholders in Scotland House.
29 November
St Andrew's Day Celebrations
Scotland House
To celebrate St Andrew's Day in Brussels the SGEUO held a Concert and reception. Phil Cunningham, the legendary ambassador of Scottish traditional music, performed alongside nine students from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama. The performance was followed by a reception showcasing the finest Scottish food and drink - including the full St Andrew's Day menu - and the evening was attended by the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment.
Over 110 external guests, including the UK and Northern Ireland Ministers who had attended the Agri Fish Council, attended from the European Commission, European Parliament, Council Secretariat, Perm Reps and regional offices as well as a number of ex-patriate Scots.
26 November
Scottish Writers Series
Scotland House
The third instalment of the Scottish Writers Series took place, featuring Don Paterson as guest poet. Mr Paterson has twice won the TS Eliot Prize, as well as the Whitbread Poetry Prize and the Geoffrey Faber Memorial Award. The event consisted of a reading of Mr Paterson's latest works and was followed by a Q&A session. The event was chaired by Robin Davies of the British Council.
19 November
Scottish Writers Series
Scotland House
The second instalment of the Scottish Writers Series, featuring John Burnside as guest author and poet took place in Scotland House. Mr Burnside has published twelve collections of poetry, one of which won the prestigious Whitbread Poetry Award. The event consisted of a reading of Mr Burnside's latest works and was followed by a Q&A session. The event was chaired by Roland Gulliver from the Edinburgh International Book Festival.
19 October
Scottish Writers Series
Scotland House
The third Scottish Writers Series was launched in Scotland House, Brussels, with the first of seven instalments, featuring author Andrew Greig. This book reading by the author was followed by lively discussion and book signing. Mr Greig's works includes seven novels, four non fiction books and seven volumes of poetry. The event was chaired by Alan Taylor, journalist and literary editor. This series of instalments will run between October 2010 and February 2011, showcasing the talents of seven of Scotland's most prominent contemporary writers. Scottish writers series brochure.
27 September
Creative Industries policy seminar
Scotland House
A lively policy seminar and interactive showcase on Europe 2020 and the creative industries was held in Scotland House. The Minister for Culture and External Affairs hosted the event and the panel discussion was skilfully chaired by Richard Wilkins. Guest speakers included Caroline Parkinson from Creative Scotland, Pascal Cools from Flanders and Carsten Schierenbeck from the European Commission. Participants shared experiences and discussed how the cultural and creative industries are supported in Scotland, Flanders and across the EU. They also heard from students of Abertay University, winners of this year's Dare to Be Digital competition, who brought their BAFTA nominated ipad game for an exclusive and interactive Brussels showcase.
18-19 July
Flavour for Life Fair
Place St Catherine, Brussels
The Scottish Government, in conjunction with Defra, The Welsh Assembly Government and the Northern Ireland Executive, participated in the 'Flavour for Life' Fair that was organised by the European Commission to coincide with its conference on the Common Agricultural Policy post 2013. Brussels Mayor Freddy Thielemans joined Commissioner Dacian Ciolos and Belgian Federal Minister of Agriculture Sabine Laruelle to open the "Flavour for Life" Fair at Place St Catherine on Sunday 18th July. The Fair included stands with food specialities from each of the 27 EU Member States. The UK stand offered a wide range of award winning food and drink products from Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland. These included a wide variety of regional cheeses, oatcakes, beers, cider, whisky, water, hot smoked salmon, pheasant salami, venison sausage and a range of biscuits, cakes and waffles.
24-25 June
Sub Rosa Event
Scotland House
The Scottish Government, in partnership with Scottish Enterprise and Highlands & Islands Enterprise, hosted a sub rosa strategic discussion on Europe 2020. Sub Rosa is a high-level policy discussion held under Chatham House rules which has enjoyed great success in Brussels over the past ten years, and this year considered the EU2020 strategy under the title 'A New Sustainable Growth Model for Europe?' Conclusions from the event will be circulated amongst participants.
28 April
Fisheries Management Reform: A Regional Approach to Fisheries Management in the EU
European Parliament
The Scottish Government co-hosted a fisheries event in the European Parliament entitled "Fisheries Management Reform: A Regional Approach to Fisheries Management in the EU" together with two of our Scottish MEPs, Ian Hudghton and Struan Stevenson. The Cabinet Secretary, Richard Lochhead and Mike Neilson, Director of Marine Scotland both spoke on the panels in this debate. Speakers also included representatives from Fisheries and Maritime Affairs Commissioner Damanaki's Cabinet, the Danish Government and WWF. News release.
22 March
Sustainable Energy Week
Scotland House
The Scottish Government in conjunction with Scotland Europa, The Scottish European Green Energy Centre and the EU Offshore Energy Association hosted a seminar looking at the challenges involved in developing the Marine Energy sector (wave and tidal power). The Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Richard Lochhead, opened the sell out event which was attended by developers, the European Investment Bank, the European Commission, the Chair of the Scottish European Green Energy Centre and a number of electricity utilities. A number of Scottish Government Energy officials also attended. A great deal of discussion focussed on the absence of public funding to facilitate the deployment and demonstration of marine technologies on a large scale and the need for an Industrial initiative to develop the sector strategically. Officials are discussing how best to take the issue forward with the European Commission.
17 February
Conference on Recognition of Prior Learning and sharing European principles and practice
Scotland House
Scottish Government and QAA Scotland jointly hosted a conference in Brussels looking at Recognition of Prior Learning and sharing European principles and practice. The event was attended by over 70 policy makers, academics and practitioners from across the European Higher Education area. The event was followed by a reception hosted by the Head of the Scottish Government EU Office.
26 January
Burns' Reception
Scotland House
The Scottish Government EU office, in collaboration with Scotland Europa, hosted a very popular Burns' Reception in Scotland House. Students from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music & Drama provided guests with an extremely interesting and entertaining insight into the work of Robert Burns with a performance which included some of his most memorable work. Guests from the EU institutions, and other stakeholders attended.
25 January
Burns' Supper
Official Residence of the UK Permanent Representative to the EU
The Scottish Government EU Office held a Burns' Supper in honour of the Spanish and Belgian Presidencies of the EU in 2010.
15 January
Seminar on Youth Commission process "a groundbreaking approach to engaging young people in policy-making"
Scotland House
Members of Scotland's Youth Commission on alcohol were in Brussels to meet with representatives of the institutions and NGOs. The SGEU Office co-hosted a seminar with the youth commissioners on to explore the Youth Commission process (a groundbreaking approach to engaging young people in policy-making), present the Youth Commission's emerging conclusions and discuss European perspectives with representatives of member states and regions.