ICBAN Board Members from Cavan and Fermanagh this week collected certificates for ‘Special Achievement in Cross-Border Co-operation’ from the Association of European Border Regions (AEBR), for their respective Councils work on extending the Marble Arch Global Geopark from County Fermanagh into County Cavan.
Mr Sture Hermansson from Sweden and member of the AEBR Awards Assessment Panel, presented the certificates to Cllrs Fergal Curtin and Winston Bennett representing Cavan County Council and Cllrs Fergus McQuillan and Bernice Swift, Fermanagh District Council; at an ICBAN Border Telecommunications Seminar in Monaghan on Wednesday past where Mr Hermansson was guest speaker.
This prestigious recognition is following an application made by Joanne Hayes of Cavan County Council to the ‘Sail of Papenburg’ committee earlier this year and while the award itself was won by Euregio Scheldemond, for a Bio-Base Project in Belgium, the certificate honors the particular achievements in cross-border cooperation between the two bordering Councils of Cavan and Fermanagh. ICBAN won the ‘Sail’ in 2005.
The Europe-wide award acknowledges past achievements and rewards outstanding commitment to those cross-border regions who make an active contribution towards better understanding and relations between the peoples of Europe and to promote European integration at the continent's borders.
At AEBR’s recent conference in Belgium it was noted that cross-border cooperation is one of the success stories of Europe. Cross border regions have a high level of ‘European consciousness’ and we work much more in a ‘European’ way with a strong understanding that much is to be gained from working together – our mode of thinking does not stop at the national border. This type of thinking will be required even more as everyone tries to address the current global challenges.
The Marble Arch Caves Global Geopark is located in the rugged mountainous uplands and the gentle rolling lowlands of counties Fermanagh and Cavan. Taking in the world-famous Marble Arch Caves, the Geopark boasts some of the finest natural landscapes in Ireland and as a ‘project’ is an exemplary demonstration of what can be achieved through cross-border co-operation and ‘joined-up’ working. ICBAN is currently working with its Local Authority partners to further develop the project, supported by the European Union's INTERREG IVA programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body.
Ends
Enc
Photo: Cllrs Fergal Curtin and Winston Bennett, Cavan County Council and Fermanagh Councillors Fergus McQuillan and Bernice Swift receive the award on behalf of both councils from Mr Sture Hermansson, AEBR.
For further information please contact:
Roisin McManus
Communications Officer
ICBAN
roisin@icban.com 004428 66340717 0044 7743410415
