Majority Of EU Surfers Use Foreign Languages
WHILE 90% of Internet surfers in the EU prefer to access websites in their own language, 55% at least occasionally use a language other than their own when online according to a pan-EU Eurobarometer survey released this week.
However, 44% of European Internet users feel they are missing interesting information because web pages are not in a language that they understand and only 18% buy products online in a foreign language.
The results underline the need for investment in online translation tools so that EU Internet users are not excluded from finding information or products online because they lack the language skills.
Currently the European Commission manages 30 different research projects working at the interface of language and digital content, supported by €67 million of EU funding and the new projects submitted this year will get an additional €50 million.
One of the objectives of the Digital Agenda for Europe is to ensure more accessibility to web content for everyone.
]]>Ards Creative Industries Showcases To European Visitors
Local craft businesses have been at the centre of a showcase of the Ards’ creative industries to a European delegation.
[caption id="attachment_23965" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Attending the showcase of creative industries in Ards were: Eloy Rodriguez Pinel of Spain, a representative from Fundacion Laboral del Metal in Spain, Esa Honkimaki from Finland, Joe Kelly, CraftNI, Sara Graham, Creative and Cultural Skills, Sharon Mahaffy, Tourism Development Officer, Ards Borough Council, Rosemary Lightbody, NITB and (seated) Sarah Daly, Louth Craftmark, Heather Parker, Craft Development Manager, Ards Borough Council and Karine McGuckin, Economic Development Officer, Ards Borough Council."]
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The 18-strong delegation from Spain, Italy, Finland and the Republic of Ireland spent two days in Ards visiting a selection of craft studios and galleries across the area, talking to the makers, as well as learning how crafts and creative industries generally are supported and encouraged in Ards, in Northern Ireland and across the UK.
The visit resulted from Ards Borough Council’s involvement the ‘Sustainable Crafts Networks’ project which over the last two years has seen four local craft businesses learning from their European counterparts, exchanging ideas and best practice, developing both their creativity and their enterprise skills. Several local craftspeople, including glass-maker Karl Harron and Irene McBride from Discovery Glass, have already spent time in Finland, Spain and Italy as part of the partnership programme.
“The creative industries in Ards, and crafts in particular, have developed enormously in the last number of years and make significant contributions to our local economy,” said Heather Parker, Craft Development Manager with Ards Borough Council. “Harnessing the creative talent to grow viable and sustainable businesses is crucial. After all, without customers, you don’t have a business, you have a hobby. That is why this kind of European exchange programme is so important. It expands horizons, allowing our local craft makers the chance to benefit from the experience of their counterparts in other countries, to share their own, to develop business skills and to explore markets beyond Northern Ireland and the UK. I’m delighted that we have had this opportunity for our programme partners to spend time in Ards and to see for themselves the strength of the creative talent and enterprise here”.
The ‘Sustainable Craft Networks’ project is part of the Leonardo European Lifelong Learning programme.
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The 18-strong delegation from Spain, Italy, Finland and the Republic of Ireland spent two days in Ards visiting a selection of craft studios and galleries across the area, talking to the makers, as well as learning how crafts and creative industries generally are supported and encouraged in Ards, in Northern Ireland and across the UK.
The visit resulted from Ards Borough Council’s involvement the ‘Sustainable Crafts Networks’ project which over the last two years has seen four local craft businesses learning from their European counterparts, exchanging ideas and best practice, developing both their creativity and their enterprise skills. Several local craftspeople, including glass-maker Karl Harron and Irene McBride from Discovery Glass, have already spent time in Finland, Spain and Italy as part of the partnership programme.
“The creative industries in Ards, and crafts in particular, have developed enormously in the last number of years and make significant contributions to our local economy,” said Heather Parker, Craft Development Manager with Ards Borough Council. “Harnessing the creative talent to grow viable and sustainable businesses is crucial. After all, without customers, you don’t have a business, you have a hobby. That is why this kind of European exchange programme is so important. It expands horizons, allowing our local craft makers the chance to benefit from the experience of their counterparts in other countries, to share their own, to develop business skills and to explore markets beyond Northern Ireland and the UK. I’m delighted that we have had this opportunity for our programme partners to spend time in Ards and to see for themselves the strength of the creative talent and enterprise here”.
The ‘Sustainable Craft Networks’ project is part of the Leonardo European Lifelong Learning programme.Vehicle Entries For 2011 Claragh Bridge Vintage Show
th annual cross-community vintage, classic and agricultural show scheduled to take place on Saturday 30th July 2011 from 11.00am on B175 Ballynahinch Road, Drumaroad, outside Castlewellan.xa0 Entries are now being accepted for this year’s show and insertion into the 2011 show programme.
Entry submissions for all types of classic, vintage and agricultural vehicles can be submitted, and those vehicle entries who would like their vehicle also published in the 2011 show programme are advised to register early by requesting a vehicle entry form from:
Labour Force Surveys Figures Just Released
http://www.detini.gov.uk/deti-stats-index/stats-labour-market.htm
The Main Results:
Labour Force Survey – Unemployment
The Northern Ireland seasonally adjusted unemployment rate2, as measured by the Labour Force Survey (LFS), was estimated at 7.2% for the period January – March 2011. This represented a decrease from the rate of 8.0% in the previous quarter, but an increase from the rate of 6.9% recorded in the previous year. The Northern Ireland unemployment rate was below the UK average rate (7.7%) and was also lower than the European Union (9.5%) and Republic of Ireland (14.9%) rates for February 2011
Unadjusted LFS estimates for January – March 2011 show that 47.7% of those unemployed in Northern Ireland have been unemployed for one year or more. They also record the unemployment rate for 18-24 year olds at 17.8%.
Claimant Count Unemployment
The seasonally adjusted number of people claiming unemployment related benefits4 stood at 59,200 in April 2011 – up 200 (0.3%) from the previous month. The latest monthly increase in Northern Ireland (0.3%) compared to a monthly rise of 0.9% in the UK as a whole. Over the year, the Northern Ireland claimant count has increased by 6.5% (3,600), compared to a decrease of 3.0% in the UK. The annual increase in Northern Ireland was the largest among the twelve UK regions.
Labour Force Survey – Employment
Seasonally adjusted estimates for the period January – March 2011 showed that there were 785,000 people in employment in Northern Ireland. This estimate was up 1.5% over the quarter and up 1.7% over the year.
Labour Force Survey – Economic Inactivity
The seasonally adjusted number of working age6 persons that were economically inactive decreased by 6,000 (1.9%) over the quarter and the corresponding working age economic inactivity rate decreased to 27.8% (in January – March 2011). However, the Northern Ireland inactivity rate (27.8%) remained considerably higher than the UK average rate (23.2%) and was the highest of the twelve UK regions.
Unadjusted LFS estimates can provide information on the reason for economic inactivity. In January – March 2011 an estimated 29% of the economically inactive of working age in Northern Ireland were sick/disabled, 28% were students, 25% were looking after the family/home, 12% were retired and 6% were ‘other’ reason.
Redundancies
The Department was notified of 124 confirmed redundancies7-9 which took place in April 2011. This compared to 245 in March 2011 and 308 in April 2010. There has been a 49% decrease in the number of confirmed redundancies over the last year to 30th April 2011 – 1,770 compared to 3,449 in the previous year.]]>
EDAC Notes
th place runner recorded 4.15.8 – hot running by any standard. Brendan Teer chose the 5000 metres for his participation on the night and was a comfortable second in 15.49, behind Annadale’s Owen Carleton.
On to Friday and back to Mary Peter’s Track again, this time for the Les Jones 10K, which starts around the track but quickly distances itself from that easy running surface, climbing out of the bowl to upper Malone before turning back along the Lagan towpath and the welcome awaiting at Shaws Bridge.xa0 If you haven’t ran this race before then the gradient from 7K to Barnett’s park is a joy to experience.xa0 Nevertheless everyone made it, most with a smile on their face, or perhaps it was a grimace, and some even posted PBs for the distance.
Liam Venney led the East Down contingent filling 13th place in 36.29 with neil McCartan posting 37.18 for his best ever time for the distance. Liam Keenan was out again, happier with his 37.55 in 28th place than his Wednesday efforts, while Francis Tumelty, improving with every outing, clocking 40.24 and must now feel confident of breaking the 40 minute barrier on a friendlier course. Brian Wilson, “fresh” from his exertions on Moughanmore the night before, was quite happy to record 45.06 as he continues his rehabilitation.
The only East Down lady in action was Onagh Breteche and she warmed up for her long Saturday morning run with an excellent 52.52, while Colm McNeill made his annual pilgrimage to the venue and looked comfortable on 55.03.
On to Sunday and the Runner 5 and 10K runs in the grounds of Stormont Estate – as indicated by its name a women’s only event which attracts runners of all abilities to the off road experience in the shadow of the seat of government.xa0 Eimear Degan tackled the 5K distance which has a climb to rival Friday night’s course and also saw the welcome return of her mum Barbara as she continues her recovery from her snowballing injuries.
Megan Wilson took on some high class opposition in the 10K and was holding a superb 4th place when she passed me on the 2nd lap (I was marshaling by the way) and in the absence of official results I assume she held onto that spot.xa0 Jackie Gilbride and Leanne Oakes showed up well in a huge field and looked in control over both laps and should give both confidence to push on from there.
Next weekend is the Edinburgh Marathon when a large invasion made up of East Down and Murlough AC runners will hit the Scottish capital in an attempt to lower times haggis and possibly a wee dram (non-alcoholic of course) or two. Good luck to all especially the first timers and remember 26.2 Scottish miles are as far as they are here, no additives no discounts.
After that all should be in shape for the 5 and 10K runs in support of Impact Romania in Ballynoe on Sunday 12 June.]]>
Get On Board The Volunteering Initiative
PRIME Minister David Cameron’s policy of promoting the ‘Big Society’ has opened up a new openness for partnerships between Churches and public service organisations. In recognising this policy, the South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust and the Presbyterian Board of Social Witness have created a partnership to promote the role of volunteering within the Trust.
The role of volunteers within the Trust has become ever more important as they can provide something extra to patients, clients and their families that can help them feel safe and supported. Volunteers also enhance the quality of service provided to patients and service users while complimenting the work of paid staff.
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