List of events organised by Scottish Government EU Office (SGEUO) in Brussels.
Scotland Week in Brussels
Scotland Week in Brussels 2009 consisted of a series of events to mark St. Andrew's Day and the end of the Year of Homecoming. The events linked into the European Union Year of Creativity and Innovation.
- On 30 November in Scotland House, Scotland Europa began the week with the annual St Andrew's Day Lecture with guest speaker Professor Tom Devine OBE from the University of Edinburgh. Professor Devine delivered a lecture entitled: 'A puzzle from the Past: Why did Scottish Enlightenment happen?'.
- On 1 December, The First Minister opened the 'As Other See Us' photograph exhibition in Scotladn House conference. This exhibition marked the 250th anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns and was part of the National Celebratory year of Homecoming Scotland 2009. Some of today's most noteworthy Scots are featured in the exhibition as they reflect on the significance of Scotland's most famous poet. Musical entertainment was provided by the BBC Radio Scotland's Young Traditional Musician of the Year 2009, Ruairidh MacMillan.
- On 2 December, in Scotland House, the first of two policy events entitled 'European Festivals: Driving Success Through Culture' was hosted by the Minister for Culture and External Affairs, Fiona Hyslop. This event explored existing and potentially innovative approaches of collaboration between national and regional government and the arts sector.
- On the evening of 2 December, was a performance of the play 'Midsummer', written by the celebrated Scottish playwright David Greig and Ballboy singer/songwriter Gordon MacIntyre. Midsummer is part of the Made in Scotland programme, and delighted the public and critics alike at the Traverse Theatre during the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2009. This event took place in L'Arsenal venue.
- The final event of the week on 3 December was a policy event, entitled: 'EU Research & Development: Share Today to Win Tomorrow' which was chaired by Professor Anne Glover, Chief Scientific Advisor for Scotland. This event promoted collaborative research and innovation as key elements of the development of a sustainable economy and was an opportunity for officials and researchers to become more directly engaged in EU level policy decisions on collaborative research.
For the duration of the week, the European Parliament hosted an art exhibition, sponsored by Struan Stevenson MEP, titled 'Edge: Hebrides' by artist-photographer and environmental academic Patricia Macdonald with Angus Macdonald. The exhibition, which had been on display within Scotland House for most of 2009, forms part of Macdonald's larger ongoing project entitled 'Changing Environments'. Using a combination of imagery from aerial and other viewpoints, on sea and land, as a means by which to investigate and experience current ideas of environment and community and the connections between them, particularly in a Scottish context.
10 November
Remembrance
Flanders
A group of representatives from the Scottish Government EU Office and other EU institutions attended a series of services in Flanders to commemorate Scotland's war dead. This included a visit to the Scottish Memorial Cross in Zonnebeke and a visit to the graveside of Robert Affleck, a former Scottish Insurance Commission employee killed at Passchendaele. The day culminated in a torchlight procession through the village of Passchendaele along with representatives of Canada, Germany and Flanders. Before the procession, Donald Henderson made a speech commemorating a Scottish soldier who died at Passchendaele.
7 October
Celtic Connections
La Tentacion
The highly talented Scottish folk group Breabach performed at a cultural event. The event was organised by the Celtic Connections Brussels partnership, which includes the Scottish Government, Scotland Europa and the Highlands & Islands European Partnership. This was a first time venture to bring up and coming acts from the Celtic Nations to perform together in Brussels and the evening also featured acts from Galicia, Ireland and Wales. This hugely successful event was held at La Tentacion, the Galician Cultural Centre in the heart of Brussels, where over 300 guests attended and were provided with plenty of foot-stomping entertainment. The event was timed to coincide with the Committee of the Regions Open Days when representatives of the 213 European regions and cities gathered in Brussels for a week of events.
28 September
Seminar about Scottish Government's strategic approach to LGBT equality
Scotland House
The Scottish Government hosted a seminar concerning its strategic approach to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender equality. The event participants included representatives from the governments of Netherlands, Flanders, Republic of Ireland and the UK, as well as community activists from Belgium, Italy and Germany and a number of respected academics from Belgian and Dutch Universities. The European Commission and the Equality and Human Rights Commission (Scotland) were also represented.
28 September
Water Policy Event
Scotland House
The Scottish Government in conjunction with Scotland Europa and the European Innovation Research Network (ERIN) hosted a conference "Water Framework Directive: Clear Solutions". The aims of the event was to exchange best practice and experience on implementation and consider how to adjust river basin plans to take account of the challenges posed by climate change. Over 40 delegates participated in the event (including a number of Member States, Regions and the Commission). Scottish Government Director John Mason gave a keynote presentation on implementation from the perspective of a water rich country and there were also presentations from the Commission and SEPA as well as perspectives from Norway, Holland and Scotland.
15 September
MEP Information day
Strasbourg
The Scottish Government, Welsh Assembly Government and Northern Ireland Executive Brussels offices collaborated to host a joint MEP Information day in Strasbourg which allowed them to build links with key MEPs in the Parliament including committee chairs and vice chairs. SGEUO officials were also able to discuss the key policy priorities for Scotland.
8 September
Launch Reception for the Publication of the Government's Europe and Foreign Affairs National Conversation paper
Scotland House
The Minister for Culture, External Affairs and the Constitution, Mike Russell hosted a launch reception for the publication of the Government's Europe and Foreign Affairs National Conversation paper. The event also had a financial element to it looking at Scotland's Financial Future. News release.
24 June
EU Green Week 'Climate Change - Act and Adapt'
Scotland House
In conjunction with the European Commission's "Green Week" Scotland House hosted a seminar on 'Connecting to the power of the regions'. The SG's Environment Director John Mason opened and chaired much of the event which brought together a high level panel of experts including an advisor to the US Government, the Scottish Government, European regional partners from Spain and Germany and the Climate Group. Brussels based journalist Rory Watson chaired a lively podium discussion involving some of the key speakers. The event which explored the important role that States and Regions can play in climate change adaptation and mitigation attracted around 60 participants including officials from the EU institutions, NGOs and Regions.
In addition to the Green Week seminar, the 24 June also marked the opening of a new exhibition of aerial photography in Scotland House. Patricia and Angus Macdonald's "Changing environments" project focuses on the vibrancy of the Hebridean landscape as well as the effect climate change is having on Scotland's woodlands.
The Scottish Government's Environmental Protection Directorate also arranged for the Children's Parliament Climate Change Mural to be on display in Scotland House during Green Week. Ben (12) and Christie (11) both Members of the Children's Parliament (MCPs) from Fife, were on hand following the Green Week seminar to talk about how the 7m long mural was made and the ideas behind its creation. The timing was particularly apt as they spoke of their aspirations for the Climate Change Bill as the Bill itself was being passed at the Scottish Parliament.
11 May
Edinburgh International Festival Cultural Event and Reception
Scotland House
The Scottish Government, in conjunction with the Edinburgh International Festival and Festivals Edinburgh, organised a cultural event and reception hosted by Cabinet Secretary Fiona Hyslop. The event featured two world-class Scottish acts performing in this year's Edinburgh International Festival: Alyth McCormack and Concerto Caledonia.
24 April
Scottish Reception and Ceilidh at La Tentacion during European Seafood Exposition
La Tentacion
The Scottish Government, in conjunction with Seafood Scotland and SDI, organised an evening reception and ceilidh during the annual European Seafood Exposition. The large, showcase event was hosted by Richard Lochhead and Roseanna Cunningham. Around 400 guests attended from the European Commission, Council and Parliament, Member States Perm Reps, EU Regional Offices and from the Seafood/food and drink industry. The event also fostered networking amongst key trade contacts and helped to raise Scotland's profile in Brussels.
3 March
Joint Poetry Event
Passaporta bookshop, Brussels
A joint poetry event in Brussels was organised by The Scottish Government, The Welsh Assembly Government, The Northern Ireland Executive and the British Council. The event featured the Scottish poet Aonghas MacNeacail as well as poets from Wales, England and Northern Ireland.
10 February
Event for Scottish MEPs' Assistants
Scotland House
A networking event involving the Assistants of the Scottish MEPs was held at Scotland House.
9 February
EU Sustainable Energy Week
Scotland House
Three policy events and an evening reception were held in Scotland House, as part of the official EU Sustainable Energy Week programme. These included a workshop on the Saltire Prize for Technology, a debate about marine renewable energy technology and a workshop on carbon capture and storage.
27/28 January
Burns celebrations and launch of Homecoming Scotland 2009
Scotland House
On 27 January a Burns Supper was held to mark the Czech Presidency of the EU. Several key, high level Czechs from the European Parliament, Commission, Council and Permanent Representation enjoyed an traditional burns supper hosted by Robert Gordon, Director General for Justice and Communities, and Dr Rachel Aron, British Ambassador to Belgium.
The celebrations continued on 28 Jan with the opening of "Scottish Makars" exhibition in Scotland House. The collection, from the Scottish National Portrait Gallery, contains images of 25 contemporary Scottish poets and one new work depicting the Bard himself. Two of the poets featured in the exhibition, Jennifer Daiches and Robert Crawford, were on hand to read a selection of their own and other contemporary works, as well as a selection of Burns. The event was very well supported by a variety of different groups - Brussels based Scots; Commission, Council and Parliamentary Officials and staff from various Permanent Representations.
On the evening of the 28th there was a Burns Concert in Scotland House featuring a performance by Scotland's tenors, Caledon. The sell out performance was followed by a buffet of Haggis, neeps and tatties.