Twinning Leeds with a city in Spain

Spanish Business Quarter

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Twinning Leedswith a city in Spain

Graham Webb & Blanca GonzalezDirectors of translatorsvillageWhat are the potential benefits of twinning?Which Spanish City should Leeds be twinned with?Who would establish the twinning?How would it be a valuable and sustainable initiative bringing value to the commercial and cultural life of Leeds? is prepared to carry out the twinning process

Why?We have strong connections with both Spain and LeedsWe are passionate about both!We have experience in business, cultural and educational eventsWe have resources in both countries (more than 1000 translators worldwide and happy to participate in this initiative)

Leeds and bilbao? Why Spain?It is accessible and a popular destinationUK products and culture are valued in SpainThere is huge potential for commercial and cultural interchange between Leeds and SpainThere is a significant Spanish population working in LeedsWe have many contacts throughout Spain

Leeds and sevilla? Twinning pros and consPros:Twinning processes exist and it is encouraged by the EULeeds already has twinning or similar relationships with: Brno (Czech Republic); Lille (France); Dortmund (Germany) etcEU Funding is available to support the initial processIt provides a vehicle for both commercial and cultural interchangeIt could help support Leeds bid to be European Capital of Culture 2023 and other International initiativesCons:Leeds City Council (and possibly their Spanish equivalents) have minimal resources to support Twinning initiativesTwinning requires an established programme of events and funding to make it sustainable and passionate people supporting it.Twinning is done between Local Authorities and requires formal contacts and agreements between the respective councilsContact through Chambers of Commerce, UKTI or other business support agencies can sometimes be difficult

Leeds and zaragoza? What next?

NOWOpen discussion on merits or otherwise of linking with SpainSuggestions as to which Spanish City to propose as twin

LATEROnline survey to be disseminated shortlyApproach Leeds City Council Identify funding sources to support initial processInitiate the process and keep you informed

Leeds and malaga? Open discussion on merits of linking with Spain20/02/2015 BrainstormingPros and Cons of twinningValue of twinning with SpainWhich Spanish city to twin with?Formal Twinning process or less formal links?

Major Spanish cities not twinned with UK cities:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_twin_towns_and_sister_cities_in_Spain

A Coruna 400.000Alicante 450.000Bilbao - 850,000Madrid 3,500,000Mlaga - 580,000Murcia 440,000Palma de Mallorca 500.000Santa Cruz de Tenerife 500.000Sevilla 702,000Zaragoza 680,000Spanish cities already twinned with UK cities

Alcala de Henares PeterboroughBarcelona GlasgowCordoba ManchesterGirona - WakefieldSan Sebastian PlymouthTarragona - Strafford

Spanish Business Quarter

Thank youMuchas gracias

TranslatorsVillage