Arc Manche
Encyclopedia
Arc Manche is a cooperation network aiming to gather territories bordering the Channel in France
and in Great Britain
, in order to advocate the shared interests of this area and to promote Franco-British cooperation. It enables local stakeholders to share best practices and to consult each other when they face common issues, especially in the maritime
area. This network is also a means to support large scale bi-national projects that may benefit from european funds
, such as CAMIS.
The Channel Arc Assembly is currently chaired by the Haute-Normandie
region.
is one of the world's busiest shipping lanes, primarily because of its strategic location as the entry/exit door to the European Union
. It links the Atlantic Ocean
, the North Sea
and the Baltic Sea
, which generates considerable flows in people and goods, and makes it one of the main exchange zones in Europe.
It engenders a concentration of maritime opportunities, but also risks, which explains the cooperation between French and British local authorities in areas like maritime security, marine pollution
prevention or the preservation of biodiversity
.
This area is 112,519 sqm. Large, including the 530 islands
it encompasses.
and 12,058,211 in France
. The population density
at this time was 212,1175 inhabitants per sqm.
GDP per capita (1998-2000) : 20,395 Euros
The economic structure of the area is heterogeneous. The North of France is a highly industrialised area, whereas the rich South East of England
mostly relies on high tech
services and the tourism
sector. In France and Great Britain, the most western part of the area has a more rural economy relying on agriculture
and tourism: Britanny, Lower Normandy, Cornwall
. Fishing
is also, in some parts of the area, an important activity. As a matter of fact, there are 18 maritime quarters and 50 important fishing ports
in the area.
Tourism
is a structuring activity for the area : in 2004, about 84 million tourists have travelled within the Channel area. 32 sites are listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites, like the Jurassic Coast
, the Mont Saint Michel, Stonehenge
or the city of Le Havre
.
It entails interventions at the national and European levels, the reinforcement of a common strategic vision in order to be able to have influence on the European regional policy, and for the specificities of this maritime space to be taken into account.
By constituting a stakeholders’ network on coastal and maritime issues, by encouraging cooperation in areas of common interest, by supporting exchanges in economic, social, cultural and administrative realms.
20 march 2003 : Common declaration, signed by the 5 french Regions bordering the Channel and 5 Southern England local authorities.
2005 : Creation of the Channel Arc Manche Assembly : Alain Le Vern
, President of the Haute-Normandie Region, is elected Chairman and Brad Watson becomes Vice-Chairman.
2004 : Espace Manche Development Initiative project, which was elaborated within the framework of the Interreg
european programme.
2006 – Following the lobbying efforts of the Channel Arc Manche Assembly towards the European Union, the French and British territories bordering the Channel become fully eligible to the cross-border cooperation
programmes. First Conference of the Channel Arc Manche Assembly in Fontwell Park (West Sussex). Presentation of the Channel area strategic vision, elaborated within the framework of the EMDI project.
2007 – creation of the Channel’s federation of regional and local ports in Saint-Brieuc
. Brad Watson becomes president of the Channel Arc Manche Assembly.
2008 : (June) publication of the book "Channel Spaces, a world within Europe", edited by Pascal Buléon and Louis Shurmer-Smith. (December) - Conference of the Channel Arc Manche Assembly in Folkestone
, about coastal zones’ adjustment to climate change
.
2009 : (June) Approval of the CAMIS (Channel Arc Manche Integrated Strategy) project, co-financed by the Interreg IVA France (Channel) – England programme. In december, Channel Arc Manche Conference in Rouen
: « What are the challenges for coastal economies in the Channel? Trends, current situations and local experience in coastal towns. »
2011 : Annual conference of the Channel Arc Manhe in Fécamp
: "Tackling maritime pollution risks in the Channel for local authorities" parallel to the CAMIS project. Adpoption of the Fécamp Declaration.
'Full members' :
Regions : Nord-Pas-de-Calais, Picardy, Upper Normandy, Lower Normandy, Brittany
.
County Councils : Kent
, West Sussex
, Hampshire
, Devon
, Brighton and Hove, Southampton.
Associate members : East Sussex and the Isle of Wight.
, is President of the Haute-Normandie
Region. They are elected by full members for two years, and there is an alternation between the French and the British Presidency.
Assisted by the vice-chairman, the Chairman must represent and advocate the objectives of the Channel Arc Assembly towards european and national institutions, elaborate common declarations, and make sure the decisions of the Assembly are implemented.
, enables the Interreg
cooperation progarmmes to support Franco-British cooperation projects of different scales. 173 million Euros have been allocated to Franco-British cooperation in the Channel between 2007 and 2013. Along with all other projects, the Channel Arc Manche partnership supports more particularly large and structuring projects for the area such as EMDI or CAMIS.
Aims :
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
and in Great Britain
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
, in order to advocate the shared interests of this area and to promote Franco-British cooperation. It enables local stakeholders to share best practices and to consult each other when they face common issues, especially in the maritime
Sea
A sea generally refers to a large body of salt water, but the term is used in other contexts as well. Most commonly, it means a large expanse of saline water connected with an ocean, and is commonly used as a synonym for ocean...
area. This network is also a means to support large scale bi-national projects that may benefit from european funds
Structural Funds and Cohesion Funds
The Structural Funds and the Cohesion Fund are financial tools set up to implement the Cohesion policy also referred to as the Regional policy of the European Union. They aim to reduce regional disparities in terms of income, wealth and opportunities...
, such as CAMIS.
The Channel Arc Assembly is currently chaired by the Haute-Normandie
Haute-Normandie
Upper Normandy is one of the 27 regions of France. It was created in 1984 from two départements: Seine-Maritime and Eure, when Normandy was divided into Lower Normandy and Upper Normandy. This division continues to provoke controversy, and some continue to call for reuniting the two regions...
region.
Geography
The English ChannelEnglish Channel
The English Channel , often referred to simply as the Channel, is an arm of the Atlantic Ocean that separates southern England from northern France, and joins the North Sea to the Atlantic. It is about long and varies in width from at its widest to in the Strait of Dover...
is one of the world's busiest shipping lanes, primarily because of its strategic location as the entry/exit door to the European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
. It links the Atlantic Ocean
Atlantic Ocean
The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest of the world's oceanic divisions. With a total area of about , it covers approximately 20% of the Earth's surface and about 26% of its water surface area...
, the North Sea
North Sea
In the southwest, beyond the Straits of Dover, the North Sea becomes the English Channel connecting to the Atlantic Ocean. In the east, it connects to the Baltic Sea via the Skagerrak and Kattegat, narrow straits that separate Denmark from Norway and Sweden respectively...
and the Baltic Sea
Baltic Sea
The Baltic Sea is a brackish mediterranean sea located in Northern Europe, from 53°N to 66°N latitude and from 20°E to 26°E longitude. It is bounded by the Scandinavian Peninsula, the mainland of Europe, and the Danish islands. It drains into the Kattegat by way of the Øresund, the Great Belt and...
, which generates considerable flows in people and goods, and makes it one of the main exchange zones in Europe.
It engenders a concentration of maritime opportunities, but also risks, which explains the cooperation between French and British local authorities in areas like maritime security, marine pollution
Marine pollution
Marine pollution occurs when harmful, or potentially harmful effects, can result from the entry into the ocean of chemicals, particles, industrial, agricultural and residential waste, noise, or the spread of invasive organisms. Most sources of marine pollution are land based...
prevention or the preservation of biodiversity
Biodiversity
Biodiversity is the degree of variation of life forms within a given ecosystem, biome, or an entire planet. Biodiversity is a measure of the health of ecosystems. Biodiversity is in part a function of climate. In terrestrial habitats, tropical regions are typically rich whereas polar regions...
.
This area is 112,519 sqm. Large, including the 530 islands
Channel Islands
The Channel Islands are an archipelago of British Crown Dependencies in the English Channel, off the French coast of Normandy. They include two separate bailiwicks: the Bailiwick of Guernsey and the Bailiwick of Jersey...
it encompasses.
Demographics
The area’s total population was 17,503,211 inhabitants in 2002, of which 5,445,000 resided in the United KingdomUnited Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and 12,058,211 in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
at this time was 212,1175 inhabitants per sqm.
Economy
Total GDP (1998-2000) : 364,829 million EurosGDP per capita (1998-2000) : 20,395 Euros
The economic structure of the area is heterogeneous. The North of France is a highly industrialised area, whereas the rich South East of England
South East England
South East England is one of the nine official regions of England, designated in 1994 and adopted for statistical purposes in 1999. It consists of Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, East Sussex, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Kent, Oxfordshire, Surrey and West Sussex...
mostly relies on high tech
High tech
High tech is technology that is at the cutting edge: the most advanced technology currently available. It is often used in reference to micro-electronics, rather than other technologies. The adjective form is hyphenated: high-tech or high-technology...
services and the tourism
Tourism
Tourism is travel for recreational, leisure or business purposes. The World Tourism Organization defines tourists as people "traveling to and staying in places outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business and other purposes".Tourism has become a...
sector. In France and Great Britain, the most western part of the area has a more rural economy relying on agriculture
Agriculture
Agriculture is the cultivation of animals, plants, fungi and other life forms for food, fiber, and other products used to sustain life. Agriculture was the key implement in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that nurtured the...
and tourism: Britanny, Lower Normandy, Cornwall
Cornwall
Cornwall is a unitary authority and ceremonial county of England, within the United Kingdom. It is bordered to the north and west by the Celtic Sea, to the south by the English Channel, and to the east by the county of Devon, over the River Tamar. Cornwall has a population of , and covers an area of...
. Fishing
Fishing
Fishing is the activity of trying to catch wild fish. Fish are normally caught in the wild. Techniques for catching fish include hand gathering, spearing, netting, angling and trapping....
is also, in some parts of the area, an important activity. As a matter of fact, there are 18 maritime quarters and 50 important fishing ports
Port
A port is a location on a coast or shore containing one or more harbors where ships can dock and transfer people or cargo to or from land....
in the area.
Tourism
Tourism
Tourism is travel for recreational, leisure or business purposes. The World Tourism Organization defines tourists as people "traveling to and staying in places outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business and other purposes".Tourism has become a...
is a structuring activity for the area : in 2004, about 84 million tourists have travelled within the Channel area. 32 sites are listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites, like the Jurassic Coast
Jurassic Coast
The Jurassic Coast is a World Heritage Site on the English Channel coast of southern England. The site stretches from Orcombe Point near Exmouth in East Devon to Old Harry Rocks near Swanage in East Dorset, a distance of ....
, the Mont Saint Michel, Stonehenge
Stonehenge
Stonehenge is a prehistoric monument located in the English county of Wiltshire, about west of Amesbury and north of Salisbury. One of the most famous sites in the world, Stonehenge is composed of a circular setting of large standing stones set within earthworks...
or the city of Le Havre
Le Havre
Le Havre is a city in the Seine-Maritime department of the Haute-Normandie region in France. It is situated in north-western France, on the right bank of the mouth of the river Seine on the English Channel. Le Havre is the most populous commune in the Haute-Normandie region, although the total...
.
Aims
The promotion of the Channel Arc Manche cooperation network originates from two main concerns :- To develop the recognition of the Channel Arc among political and institutional stakeholders, may they be private, local, national or European.
It entails interventions at the national and European levels, the reinforcement of a common strategic vision in order to be able to have influence on the European regional policy, and for the specificities of this maritime space to be taken into account.
- Promote and intensify Franco-British Cooperation
By constituting a stakeholders’ network on coastal and maritime issues, by encouraging cooperation in areas of common interest, by supporting exchanges in economic, social, cultural and administrative realms.
Timeline
2001 – 2002 : consultation of local executives concerning the revival of the Channel Arc Manche.20 march 2003 : Common declaration, signed by the 5 french Regions bordering the Channel and 5 Southern England local authorities.
2005 : Creation of the Channel Arc Manche Assembly : Alain Le Vern
Alain Le Vern
Alain Le Vern is a French Socialist Senator and is president of the Haute-Normandie region. He is also the inaugural President of the transnational Arc Manche Assembly....
, President of the Haute-Normandie Region, is elected Chairman and Brad Watson becomes Vice-Chairman.
2004 : Espace Manche Development Initiative project, which was elaborated within the framework of the Interreg
Interreg
Interreg is an initiative that aims to stimulate cooperation between regions in the European Union. It started in 1989, and is financed under the European Regional Development Fund...
european programme.
2006 – Following the lobbying efforts of the Channel Arc Manche Assembly towards the European Union, the French and British territories bordering the Channel become fully eligible to the cross-border cooperation
Cross-border cooperation
Cross-border cooperation is the collaboration between adjacent areas across borders. In the European Union this is one of the forms of territorial cooperation . The European model is very diverse with cooperation between border regions or municipalities, or through specific cooperation structures...
programmes. First Conference of the Channel Arc Manche Assembly in Fontwell Park (West Sussex). Presentation of the Channel area strategic vision, elaborated within the framework of the EMDI project.
2007 – creation of the Channel’s federation of regional and local ports in Saint-Brieuc
Saint-Brieuc
Saint-Brieuc is a commune in the Côtes-d'Armor department in Brittany in northwestern France.-History:Saint-Brieuc is named after a Welsh monk Brioc, who evangelized the region in the 6th century and established an oratory there...
. Brad Watson becomes president of the Channel Arc Manche Assembly.
2008 : (June) publication of the book "Channel Spaces, a world within Europe", edited by Pascal Buléon and Louis Shurmer-Smith. (December) - Conference of the Channel Arc Manche Assembly in Folkestone
Folkestone
Folkestone is the principal town in the Shepway District of Kent, England. Its original site was in a valley in the sea cliffs and it developed through fishing and its closeness to the Continent as a landing place and trading port. The coming of the railways, the building of a ferry port, and its...
, about coastal zones’ adjustment to climate change
Climate change
Climate change is a significant and lasting change in the statistical distribution of weather patterns over periods ranging from decades to millions of years. It may be a change in average weather conditions or the distribution of events around that average...
.
2009 : (June) Approval of the CAMIS (Channel Arc Manche Integrated Strategy) project, co-financed by the Interreg IVA France (Channel) – England programme. In december, Channel Arc Manche Conference in Rouen
Rouen
Rouen , in northern France on the River Seine, is the capital of the Haute-Normandie region and the historic capital city of Normandy. Once one of the largest and most prosperous cities of medieval Europe , it was the seat of the Exchequer of Normandy in the Middle Ages...
: « What are the challenges for coastal economies in the Channel? Trends, current situations and local experience in coastal towns. »
2011 : Annual conference of the Channel Arc Manhe in Fécamp
Fécamp
Fécamp is a commune in the Seine-Maritime department in the Haute-Normandie region in northern France.-Geography:Fécamp is situated in the valley of the river Valmont, at the heart of the Pays de Caux, on the Albaster Coast...
: "Tackling maritime pollution risks in the Channel for local authorities" parallel to the CAMIS project. Adpoption of the Fécamp Declaration.
Functioning
The Channel Arc does not have, strictly speaking, a legal existence. It is not an organisation with powers but a soft network gathering stakeholders. However, its by-laws allow it to ensure its day-to-day running.Membership
Full members are the French Regions and the English local authorities bordering the Channel. Associate members are all other organisations located on this territory and willing to contribute to the achievement of the Channel Arc Manche Assembly's objectives.'Full members' :
Regions : Nord-Pas-de-Calais, Picardy, Upper Normandy, Lower Normandy, Brittany
Brittany
Brittany is a cultural and administrative region in the north-west of France. Previously a kingdom and then a duchy, Brittany was united to the Kingdom of France in 1532 as a province. Brittany has also been referred to as Less, Lesser or Little Britain...
.
County Councils : Kent
Kent County Council
Kent County Council is the county council that governs the majority of the county of Kent in England. It provides the upper tier of local government, below which are 12 district councils, and around 300 town and parish councils. The county council has 84 elected councillors...
, West Sussex
West Sussex County Council
West Sussex County Council is the authority that governs the non-metropolitan county of West Sussex. The county also contains 7 district and borough councils, and 159 town, parish and neighbourhood councils. The county council has 71 elected councillors...
, Hampshire
Hampshire County Council
Hampshire County Council is the county council that governs the majority of the county of Hampshire in England. It provides the upper tier of local government, below which are district councils, and town and parish councils...
, Devon
Devon County Council
Devon County Council is the county council administering the English county of Devon. Based in the city of Exeter, the council covers the non-metropolitan county area of Devon...
, Brighton and Hove, Southampton.
Associate members : East Sussex and the Isle of Wight.
Bureau
The Bureau consists of the Chairman and the Vice Chairman of the Assembly. It is respectively Alain Le VernAlain Le Vern
Alain Le Vern is a French Socialist Senator and is president of the Haute-Normandie region. He is also the inaugural President of the transnational Arc Manche Assembly....
, is President of the Haute-Normandie
Haute-Normandie
Upper Normandy is one of the 27 regions of France. It was created in 1984 from two départements: Seine-Maritime and Eure, when Normandy was divided into Lower Normandy and Upper Normandy. This division continues to provoke controversy, and some continue to call for reuniting the two regions...
Region. They are elected by full members for two years, and there is an alternation between the French and the British Presidency.
Assisted by the vice-chairman, the Chairman must represent and advocate the objectives of the Channel Arc Assembly towards european and national institutions, elaborate common declarations, and make sure the decisions of the Assembly are implemented.
The Channel Arc Manche Conference
It gathers full and associate members and the other organisations interested in the Channel Arc Manche. Its yearly meeting takes place during the first week of july, and all members can exchange good practices and identify potential cooperation areas.The executive committee
It consists of all the full members and takes the decisions necessary to the achievements of the Channel Arc Manche Assembly's objectives. It gathers at least twice a year and decisions are taken through consensus.Secretariat
It deals with day-to-day running, the preparation and the follow up of the executive committee’s and the annual Conference’s work, as well as the website.Finances
The Channel Arc Manche does not have a budget in itself. The means dedicated by its members to the cooperation network mostly consist of working time and limited logistic expenses. European structural funds are often requested in order to finance cooperation projects within the Channel area.Projects
European funding, in particular the European Regional Development FundEuropean Regional Development Fund
The European Regional Development Fund is a fund allocated by the European Union.-History:During the 1960s, the European Commission occasionally tried to establish a regional fund. Only Italy ever supported this, however, and nothing came of it. Britain made it an issue for their accession in...
, enables the Interreg
Interreg
Interreg is an initiative that aims to stimulate cooperation between regions in the European Union. It started in 1989, and is financed under the European Regional Development Fund...
cooperation progarmmes to support Franco-British cooperation projects of different scales. 173 million Euros have been allocated to Franco-British cooperation in the Channel between 2007 and 2013. Along with all other projects, the Channel Arc Manche partnership supports more particularly large and structuring projects for the area such as EMDI or CAMIS.
Espace Manche Development Initiative
The EMDI project, which gathered 22 partners between 2004 and 2008, aimed to develop and reinforce Franco-British cooperation within the Channel area. 48 % of its budget was co-funded by the Interreg IIIB cooperation programme. It led to :- The elaboration of a strategic vision document for the Channel area.
- The development of pilot cooperation actions : tourismTourismTourism is travel for recreational, leisure or business purposes. The World Tourism Organization defines tourists as people "traveling to and staying in places outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business and other purposes".Tourism has become a...
, fishingFishingFishing is the activity of trying to catch wild fish. Fish are normally caught in the wild. Techniques for catching fish include hand gathering, spearing, netting, angling and trapping....
, fisheries, coastal zones integrated management, maritime security, intermodal transportIntermodal transportIntermodal transport involves the use of more than one mode of transport for a journey. See:*Intermodal passenger transport*Intermodal freight transport...
, higher educationHigher educationHigher, post-secondary, tertiary, or third level education refers to the stage of learning that occurs at universities, academies, colleges, seminaries, and institutes of technology...
, research and developmentResearch and developmentThe phrase research and development , according to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, refers to "creative work undertaken on a systematic basis in order to increase the stock of knowledge, including knowledge of man, culture and society, and the use of this stock of...
, technology transfers.
- The publication of the bilingual book « Channel Spaces, a World Within Europe » in 2007.
- The maps of the Channel area strategic vision
- The Crosschannel Atlas, a Franco-British research collaboration about the Channel area.
- The recognition by EU institutions of the Channel area as a fully pertinent area for cross-border cooperation]].
Channel Arc Manche Integrated Strategy
The CAMIS project (2009-2013), with a 3.3 million euros budget, half of which is funded by the Interreg IVA France (Channel) England programme, gathers 10 local authorities from Britain and France and 9 organisations.Aims :
- Promote the specificity of the Channel area in the local, national and Eropean spheres
- Improve the knowledge of this area in various realms (geography, economy, biology, etc.)
- Develop intermodal transport
- Develop innovation, workforce developmentWorkforce developmentWorkforce development is an American economic development approach that attempts to enhance a region's economic stability and prosperity by focusing on people rather than businesses. It is essentially a human resources strategy...
, economic growth
- Create common tools in order to facilitate and improve the management of certain aspects of the maritime zone such as the Cross channel Forum or the Common resources center.
- Ultimately, develop and implement an integrated maritime strategy in the Channel area.