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Diplomatic Visit

By Waterford City & County Council

Waterford Ramallah twinning agreement signed at City Hall

On Thursday, October 31st, Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr. Jason Murphy welcomed the Palestinian Ambassador to Ireland Dr. Jilan Wahba Abdalmajid for the official signing of the Waterford Ramallah Twinning agreement.

Mayor Cllr. Jason Murphy hosted the Palestinian delegation in the Mayor’s Parlour in City Hall.  Also in attendance were Mayor of the Metropolitan District Cllr. Joe Kelly, Deputy Mayor of Waterford City and County Cllr. Adam Wyse, elected representatives, members of the Waterford-Ramallah Twinning Committee and Sean McKeown, Chief Executive, Waterford City and County Council.

Welcoming the Ambassador to Waterford the Mayor said, “We are here to celebrate a new connection between Waterford and Ramallah, to formalise a friendship that will bridge two distinct cultures and foster collaboration, understanding, and shared prosperity.

“In a world where division too often overshadows connection, our cities today are planting seeds of friendship, of peace, and of solidarity. Let this twinning serve as a reminder that we are all part of a global community, where each city and each person has something to teach and something to learn.”

Ambassador Abdalmajid was warmly received, and she urged those in attendance to “keep talking about Palestine.”

The Ambassador and Mayor then signed the official twinning documents with the Mayor of Ramallah, Issa Kassis, who joined the reception virtually from Ramallah, saying that the Ramallah Municipality was proud to raise the Irish flag earlier this year when Ireland officially recognised the State of Palestine.

The twinning of Waterford and Ramallah will explore opportunities for both cities to share respective knowledge and experiences of arts and culture, commerce and industry, education, sports and civic development.

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Images attached:

  • Palestinian Ambassador to Ireland Dr Jilan Wahba Abdalmajid and Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr. Jason Murphy
  • Palestinian Ambassador to Ireland Dr Jilan Wahba Abdalmajid and Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr. Jason Murphy signing Waterford Ramallah twinning agreement
  • Palestinian Ambassador to Ireland Dr Jilan Wahba Abdalmajid and Sean McKeown Chief Executive Waterford City and County Council
  • At the official signing of Waterford Ramallah twinning agreement were Mayor of the Metropolitan District Cllr. Joe Kelly, Cllr. Catherine Burke, Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr. Jason Murphy, Palestinian Ambassador to Ireland Dr Jilan Wahba Abdalmajid, David Rees, Cllr. Séamus Ryan and Brian Partridge

By Waterford City & County Council

Märkischer Kreis delegation visit Waterford

In May 2023, the official partnership documents cementing the twinning were signed by then Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr. John O’Leary and Mayor of Märkischer Kreis, Marco Voge in the impressive setting of Altena Castle in central North Rhine-Westphalia.

This week, a delegation travelled from Märkischer Kreis in Germany to Waterford to explore trade opportunities, exchange cultural experiences and discover opportunities for tourism synergies.

The visiting delegation was headed by Marco Voge, Mayor of Märkischer Kreis.  Also accompanying the delegation was Dr. Ralf Geruschkat, Chief Executive of the South Westphalian Chamber of Industry and Commerce, and Professor Alexander Prange, President of the South Westphalia University of Applied Science.

The first port of call was Waterford City Hall where the delegates were greeted by Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr. Jason Murphy.

Welcoming the delegation, Mayor Murphy said, “It is a pleasure to welcome you to the Mayor’s Parlour here in City Hall this morning. It is important to reflect on the many benefits that town twinning can bring. By forging strong partnerships and sharing knowledge, we can create new opportunities for economic growth, cultural exchange, tourism, and community development.

“The bond between our two regions is a testament to the power of international friendship and cooperation, and I look forward to us working together in the future with the shared goal of making Waterford and Märkischer Kreis welcoming, innovative and people-focused regions to live, work, visit and invest in.”

Mayor Voge spoke warmly of the bond between the regions stating that there are “many similarities between our regions, from the challenges of rural development, to the opportunities that arise in a globalised world.

“We are looking forward to meeting with the companies and the insight they will provide and we hope to establish long-standing connections with these companies.”

Mayor Voge added, “What first came to mind when we were planning this trip was the motto of the 2006 World Cup in Germany, which is Time to Make Friends, and we, today, are truly guests among new friends.”

The visiting delegation also met with Michael Quinn, Waterford City and County Council,  Niall Harrington Waterford Chamber of Commerce, Kathryn Kiely SETU, Ciaran Cullen Enterprise Ireland, Emily Grace IDA, David Sinnott Port of Waterford and Gareth Evans Waterford Local Enterprise Office.

Following the reception members of the delgation met with Local Enterprise Office, IDA and Enterprise Ireland clients throughout the city and county.

Over the two-day visit members of the South Westphalia University of Applied Science visited SETU to meet with SETU President Professor Veronica Campbell and a number of executive team and faculty members in engineering, business, science and humanities. The group also visited SETU’s research centres the Walton Institute, SEAM and PMBRC.

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Images free to use – Noel Browne

6: Front Row, L-R: Emily Grace, IDA, Cllr. Jason Murphy, Mayor of Waterford City and County, Marco Voge, Mayor of Märkischer Kreis and Ciaran Cullen, Enterprise Ireland.

Back Row, L-R: Michael Quinn Waterford City and County Council, Jochen Schröder, Managing Director for Economic and Structural Development, Märkischer Kreis, Dr. Ralf Geruschkat Chief Executive Officer, South Westphalian Chamber of Industry and Commerce, Professor Alexander Prange, President of the South Westphalia Technical University, Niall Harrington, President of Waterford Chamber of Commerce, David Sinnott, Port of Waterford, Kathryn Kiely, SETU, Gerald Hurley, Waterford Chamber of Commerce, Gareth Evans, Local Enterprise Office Waterford.

7:  Cllr. Jason Murphy, Mayor of Waterford City and County, Marco Voge, Mayor of Märkischer Kreis, Dr. Ralf Geruschkat Chief Executive Officer, South Westphalian Chamber of Industry and Commerce and Niall Harrington President of Waterford Chamber of Commerce.

2:  Michael Quinn Director of Services Waterford City and County Council, Marco Voge, Mayor of Märkischer Kreis and Cllr. Jason Murphy, Mayor of Waterford City and County

By Waterford City & County Council

Mayor of Waterford City and County welcomes UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities (GNLC) to Waterford

Earlier this year, Waterford was invited to join the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities. The invitation followed the collaborative work between Waterford City and County Council, Kilkenny County Council, the Southern Regional Assembly, SETU and Waterford Chambers in setting out the ambition and commitment in Waterford to fostering lifelong learning opportunities for all its citizens.

On Wednesday May 8th Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr Joe Conway welcomed Raúl Valdés-Cotera, Chief Programme Coordinator at the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning in Hamburg, Germany and Coordinator of the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities to City Hall, where they discussed partnership and collaboration between agencies under the themes of Empowering Individuals and Transforming Societies.

Welcoming Mr. Valdés-Cotera, the Mayor said, “I myself am an advocate of lifelong learning having progressed from being the one taught in the classroom to being the one doing the teaching…a combined learning journey of over 50 years.  The benefits of lifelong learning can never be overstated.  All of us representatives here today are committed to Waterford and the wider region becoming a leading Learning Region within the global network.  Working with SETU, the Southern Regional Assembly, Waterford Chambers and WWETB, our ambition is to lessen the inequities within disadvantaged areas and marginalised communities through creating lifelong learning opportunities for all.”

Michael Quinn, Director of Services with Waterford City and County Council added, “The advantages of being part of this global network are far-reaching and as we strive to become a Learning City there is further potential to bring cutting-edge technology and innovation to the SME sector through learning initiatives.”

Mr. Valdés-Cotera said, “A people-centred and learning-focus approach builds the basis of a learning society.  We are delighted that Waterford is joining a network of 356 cities across 79 countries.

“This network provides a platform for members to exchange inspiration and knowledge and demonstrate best practice on inclusive lifelong learning.  We are looking forward to working with all the stakeholders to cultivate and grow lifelong learning in the region.”

Following the reception in City Hall, Mr Valdés-Cotera met with members of Waterford Chamber of Commerce Skillnet team, followed by a visit to WCQ Place (Waterford Cultural Quarter), Waterford’s newest Community and Cultural Hub at Barker Place on O’Connell Street and concluded with a tour of SETU Department of Architecture at the Granary building.

As a member of the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities, Waterford can grow and develop as a recognised city of learning and build upon the strong stakeholder commitment and political support of the Learning City Initiative. The Designation of Waterford as a UNESCO Learning City is strongly supported by regional policy and advances the ambition set out in the Southern Regional Assembly’s Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy to develop Waterford City as a UNESCO Learning City, joining Limerick and Cork City as part of a network of Learning Cities and to develop the entire Southern Region as a UNESCO Learning Region.

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By Waterford City & County Council

Visit by Norwegian Ambassador Mari Skåre

Mayor of Waterford Metropolitan District Council welcomed Ambassador Mari Skåre of the Royal Norwegian Embassy to City Hall on Monday to celebrate and promote our shared Viking heritage.

The Ambassador visited Reginald’s Tower, Woodstown Viking site and Waterford County Museum and met Deputy Matt Shanahan, Deputy David Cullinane and members of Woodstown Viking Site Steering Committee.

By Waterford City & County Council

Estonian Ambassador visits Waterford

Her Excellency, The Estonian Ambassador to Ireland, Mrs. Kairi Künka and Consul, Diplomat for PR & Cultural Affairs, Ms. Helena Koch paid a visit to Waterford this week and met with Chief Executive Michael Walsh and Mayor John O’Leary in City Hall.

Both countries share common ground in terms of their focus on innovation and entrepreneurship. Estonia has gained a reputation as a hub for tech startups and digital innovation, while Ireland has been a popular destination for global tech companies looking to establish a European presence.

We hope the Estonian delegation enjoyed their visit.

By Waterford City & County Council

Dutch Ambassador visits Waterford

On Thursday, the Dutch Ambassador to Ireland, Adriaan Palm, accompanied by the Politics & Europe Officer at the Embassy of the Netherlands in Ireland James Bradshaw visited City Hall today.

They were greeted by the Mayor of Waterford City and County Cllr John O’Leary, Metropolitan Mayor of Waterford Cllr Jason Murphy and Deputy Chief Executive Officer Michael Quinn.

During his visit, the Ambassador spoke to the Council representatives about the work being done in Waterford when it comes to tackling challenges in areas like sustainable transport, health and housing. He was also informed of the imminent commencement of the development on the North Quays.

We would like to thank Ambassador Palm for taking the time to visit Waterford’s City Hall and we look forward to welcoming him again.

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