The Leeds- Brno Partnership continued to thrive in 2008. There was active cultural exchange as well as continued technical exchange projects and the promotion of business opportunities.
Business still matters
Business opportunities in Brno are being promoted through CEBN (the Central and Eastern Europe Business Network). In July 2008 the Czech Ambassador, H.E. Jan Winkler came to Leeds to speak at a ‘Doing Business in the Czech Republic’ seminar which was attended by representatives from over 50 local companies.
A trade mission from the South Moravia region of the Czech Republic was in Leeds from 23rd to 24th March to forge productive partnerships with Yorkshire companies. Ten Czech companies were accompanied by a high level delegation from South Moravia including several councillors who are keen to further links between South Moravia and the Leeds City Region.
The mission was hosted by the Central and Eastern Europe Business Network (CEBN) - a partnership between Leeds City Council, Alfran, DLA Piper, YFM Group/ MAS (Manufacturing Advisory Service) and PDA International - which aims to help companies in Yorkshire and Humber find business opportunities in Central and Eastern Europe.
One-to one meetings took place between Moravian and Yorkshire companies at Leeds Civic Hall. Moravian companies also visited company premises across the Leeds City Region to further bilateral trade opportunities. Several Czech companies are in price negotiations with Yorkshire companies as a result of the mission.
Leeds Days Festival in Brno
A cultural performance showcasing what’s best about Leeds took centre stage in Brno in September 2008. Leeds big band Bassa Bassa performed on stage during the course of the weekend in the main historical square of the city. Near the stage there were market stalls including a Leeds tourist information stall run in partnership with Visit Leeds as well as a joint Brno-Leeds Fairtrade stall. At the Leeds tourism stall, Brno residents were able to enter a prize drawing to win a free weekend to Leeds sponsored by Jet2 and Jurys Inn Leeds.
The Lord Mayor of Leeds, Cllr Frank Robinson also attended and undertook a civic programme and met with Brno city officials. Four visual artists from East Street Arts were selected to exhibit works in the Brno Town Hall and two travelled to Brno to meet with local artists and art groups, visit the galleries of Brno and conduct an art workshop.
Representatives from Oxford Place Methodist Church & Centre were also invited by the Evangelická Církev Metodistická in Brno to visit during the festival so that the two groups could meet each other and discuss ideas for an ongoing partnership and reciprocal projects to take place between their two church communities.
Teachers’ exchange
From 4-8 May 2008 eight teachers from Leeds took part in a visit to Leeds’ partner city of Brno in the Czech Republic. The visit was organised by the International Relations section of Leeds City Council and provided the teachers with the opportunity to establish new international partnerships with Brno schools.
They also attended an international conference and took part in workshops delivered by the International Relations team. The workshops were designed to highlight ways in which the teachers from the two cities could cover the global dimension in the curriculum.
Technical exchange
Officers from the two cities once again shared knowledge and learnt from best practice in the areas of waste and water management. The Deputy Mayor of Brno and two senior officers in charge of technical infrastructure and water management came to Leeds in October. They met a wide range of Leeds partners involved in water management including representatives from Yorkshire Water, the Environment Agency, Leeds University and the Water@Leeds multi-partner research organisation, Leeds City Council Development team and Arup consultancy firm.
Get involved!
We are currently looking to develop new partnerships between the two cities, especially in the form of community level, grassroots links and exchanges. If you would like to get involved with the partnership please contact us using the contact details on the top right hand side of this page.