Agenda item

            The Committee was advised that a request had been received from the Northern Ireland Assembly inviting it to provide its views on the newly-established Northern Ireland Parliamentary Group on the United States of America.

            The Northern Ireland Assembly Commission had agreed that, due to Northern Ireland’s strong relationship with North America, there was merit in forming a Northern Ireland Assembly Parliamentary Group on the USA, which was a similar approach to that taken at Westminster where there was a British-American Parliamentary Group.

            The Committee was informed that the Northern Ireland Assembly Parliamentary Group on the USA would focus on producing a report to consider its role and value to justify its long-term future, including the level of interest amongst its members; appointing an Executive Committee, its aims and priorities and potential activities to be undertaken; and an assessment of the resources required for the Group’s work and any external funding which may be available to it.  The initial focus of the Group appeared to be the engagement with USA delegations visiting the Assembly; the development of links with USA legislators on mutual areas of interest; and the exploration of economic and cultural opportunities which would be of benefit to Northern Ireland.

            The Head of Economic Initiatives informed the Committee that the Council had been selected to be a respondent due to its historic relationships with the USA dating back over fifteen years.  She reminded the Committee that the Council was currently reviewing its international relationships in general and that that project had included a review of international relations activity between the Council and its key stakeholders; the agreement of key priority areas; and the building of a collaborative approach to international relations and marketing across the City.  Key Belfast/USA relationships over the past fifteen years had included Friends of Belfast, World Trade Centre, Nashville, New York/Boston/Washington, and Silicon Valley/Hollywood.

            The Head of Economic Initiatives had recommended that the Committee endorse the undernoted response:

         “The Council is currently developing an International Relations Framework and an International City Marketing plan. The focus is on internationalisation, connections, partnerships and investment and we think the establishment of this Assembly Group is timely for both sides.

            As part of this process we have engaged with a number of key stakeholders in the City (who are also active on a regional level) to gather their views and find out about their international work. From our previous and current experiences, we think that the critical parts to the success of this group are:

            - Find out what is currently happening in the

               locality/region

                  - Develop a set of priorities

                  - Create an agreed local narrative

                  -  Develop criteria for success

            At first instance it is proposed that the Assembly Group conducts a NI audit on the existing relations with the USA.  It seems from the Council’s own audit that many Councils, Colleges, and Universities have formal and informal links with the USA.

            We believe it is important to set down criteria on where and why the group will engage with the USA on specific areas. We suggest that priority areas should include:

                  -  Investment and funding

                  - Trade and new business opportunities

                  - Partnerships

                  - Cultural and social exchange

                  - Political and diplomatic connections

            Consistent and coherent messages are very important in establishing new partnerships in the USA.  There are many organisations in NI being involved in the USA, organising inward and outward visits many times in a year, often to the same locations but with different messages.  This group could lead on establishing one NI narrative around economic, political and cultural issues.

            Working together will be of major importance in this era of public sector cuts.  We would be very keen that we establish relationship with the Assembly group early on, both through the political level and the officer level via the group secretariat.  It would be very beneficial if the Council would have an ongoing input into the work of the group.

            We believe that there are a number of organisations who could play an important role and asset to the group, besides the Council, Queen’s University, University of Ulster, Belfast Metropolitan College, the Belfast Education and Library Board for example. Also, the group could exploit the existing lasting relationships such has International Fund for Ireland and Irish Institute of Pittsburgh.

            Finally we would suggest a joint calendar of planned inward and outward visits to the USA from the NI Assembly to Invest NI, Local Councils, Chambers and Universities.”

            The Committee endorsed the response as outlined and approved the recommendation that the Chair and Deputy Chair of the Committee, or their nominees, and the Director of Development, meet with the Assembly Group as appropriate.