Nizza di Sicilia Municipality (SICILY –IT) 04 – 14.06.2014

TITLE: "Active Citizens for a European Dialogue"

Town twinning Citizens' Meetings - Europe for Citizens Program

 

The Town Twinning Project titled Active Citizens for a European Dialogue according to Program's objectives, aimed to bring together people from 6 countries, from East and West part, that represent new and old Europe, in order to strengthening the sense of belonging to Europe and the multicultural dialogue. In according with 2013, European Year of Citizens, the project aimed to improve the importance of European Citizenship and to sustain the engagement of citizens thought a mutual understanding, brotherhood feelings, as spread a culture of a European identity.

The project has involved the Municipalities of Nizza di Sicilia (IT) BIRGU LOCAL COUNCIL (ML), Priekuļi (LV), Curtis (ES), Primaria Valenii de Munte (RO), Nizza Monferrato (IT) and Elena/Lukovit (BG). The event was held in Nizza di Sicilia (IT) from 04th to 14th June 2014.

The program was rich of activities, workshops, seminaries, exchanges of best practices, Intercultural moments, visits and other activities that were opportunities for communication, exchange of methodologies, to promote the exchange of views and also to create a network and a liaison group to ensure the widest possible public participation. Moreover the event was an occasion to create a long lasting cooperation, addressed to a solid friendship development of 7 Municipalities, with a great desire to capture value at European level, to make improvements in the quality of life for every citizen and allow cultural, social, economic growth. Through these activities, the citizens and local entities improved their knowledge and their awareness of the role of EU policies therefore, they will be able to give a contribution to the implementation of the Future of the European Agenda. The project, directly involving citizens, has favoured the process of European integration by promoting intercultural dialogue, exchange of experiences, knowledge and values, constructive comparison of views and mutual enrichment, thus contributing to the definition of common European Rights.

 

 The project "Active Citizens for a European Dialogue – ACED" was funded with the support of the European Union under the Programme "Europe for Citizens"

Applicable to the Action 1, Measure 1.1

"Town Twinning Citizens' Meetings"

 

Participation: The Town Twinning Project “Active Citizens for a European Dialogue - ACED”, promoted by the Municipality of Nizza di Sicilia, involved 60 citizens from all over Europe:16 participants from Priekuli Municipality (Latvia), 18 participants from Concello de Curtis (Spain), 4 participants from Birgu Local Council (Malta), 8 participants from Elena/Lukovit Municipalities (Bulgaria) 14 participants from VĂlenii De Munte (Romania).

 

Location/ Dates: The event of Town Twinning took place in Nizza di Sicilia (Italy) from 04/06/2014 to 14/06/2014

Short description:

Event 1 have been carried out within this project:
The day I - 04/06/2014 was dedicated to the Arrival of foreign delegations in Catania Airport, transfer to Nizza di Sicilia Municipality, Accommodation in the Hotel.

Welcome Ceremony: Welcoming and Greetings by the Mayor, Executive body and Local Council of Nizza di Sicilia Municipality at the presence of citizens.

Welcome Dinner in the Hotel.

 

The day II - 05/06/2014 was dedicated to official Presentation of the project and the Programme “Europe for Citizens” + Guided tour of Nizza di Sicilia.

H 10,00 Municipal Gallery: Official Presentation of the project and the Programme “Europe for Citizens”, as tool to improve the democractic and active participation in UE.

Presentation of Partnership and territories by the foreign delegations.   

Press-Conference.

Lunch

H 16,00 Guided tour of  Nizza di Sicilia. 

Dinner and Sicilian folk music.

 

The day III - 06/06/2014 was dedicated to Visit of Tirrenean side of the province of Messina.

H 9 00: Departure from Nizza to the City of Santa Lucia del Mela. Meeting with the Mayor and citizens.

H 13,00 Lunch in Spadafora

Transfer to Milazzo Municipality - Visit of the Castle, Cathedral of St. Stefano, beach walking and tour around Neoclassic Palace in the down town.

Visit of Monforte San Giorgio Municipality: Medieval Parade “Katabba”. Ceremony of conferment of Honorary Citiznship to the foreign delegations at the presence of the Mayors of Unione dei Comuni delle Valli del Tirreno. Testing of traditional Products.

H 20,00 Come back in Nizza and Dinner

 

The day IV - 07/06/2014 was dedicated Official Ceremony of Signature of Town Twinning Oath.

H 10,00 Official Ceremony of Town Twinning Oath' Signature. Meeting  on "Active Citizens for a European Dialogue" with Mayors of cities involved, General Director of Italian National Agency of Erasmus Plus Programme, schools, citizens. Debate and discussion on European policies and Future of UE. Musical Performance by the School Orchestra. European Anthem.

Signature of Town Twinning Oath by the Mayors of the cities involved. Execution of the National Anthems of the countries involved.

Official lunch.

Preparation of Intercultural Dinner - Multietnic Dinner.

 

The day V - 08/06/2014   was dedicated to Visit of Natural Park “Buticari”.

Visit around the beauties and the varieties of trees of Natural park with the President. Plant of the Friendship  Trees by the Mayors.

Barbecue in the park – Skeet shooting. Meeting with the Consorzium “Limone Interdonato” IGP

Dinner

 

The day of  VI - 09/06/2014 was dedicated to the Visit of Agrò Valley + Meeting with Mayor.

Tour around the towns of Agrò Valley:

1. Casalvecchio Siculo: The museum, SS Peter and Paul Church.

2. Savoca: Tour of God father, catacombs

H 13: Lunch

3. Tour of Forza D'Agrò: Meeting with the Mayor, Presentation of Partnership by the foreign delegations and territories. Exchange of gifts, discussion on future cooperation.

H 20,00 Dinner.

 

The day VII 10/06/2014 was dedicated to Round Table + Interactive Workshop

H 10,00 Round Table: “20 years of European Citizenship - Maastricht Treat" with experts of European Policy.

Lunch

Interactive Laboratory on:  “General aspects of European Projects management”

Dinner

 

The day VIII – 11/06/2014 was dedicated to Free Morning + Workshop

Free Morning

Lunch

Workshop on Learning about “the way to use actively European Programmes of Mobility in Support to youth Generation”

Dinner

 

The day IX – 12/06/2014 was dedicated to the Visit of Messina + exchange of best practices

City tour of Messina

Lunch

Meeting with the University of Messina, experts and Mayors of the Province of Messina. Discussion and comparison on

Metropolitan City and Free Consortiums. Exchange of best practices about National Experiences in administrative reforms around Europe.

Dinner

 

The day X – 13/06/2014 was dedicated to Evaluation and Planning for the Future networking +  Participation in the City Council

Individual self evaluation – Questionnaires

Discussion on cooperation and new project proposals in the field of “Europe for Citizens Programme” - Enlargement of partnership

Lunch

Participation in the City Council: the foreign delegations have taken part to the work of Local Council in Nizza di Sicilia in order to understand the functions of the Council. Comparison and exchange of experiences.

Dinner – Greetings and exchange of presents

 

The day XI – 14/06/2014 was dedicated to Departure

Departure of Foreign delegations