Region Sønderjylland-Schleswig
Encyclopedia
Region Sønderjylland-Schleswig is the regional centre for the formalized cross-border cooperation between the municipalities of Tønder
, Aabenraa
, Haderslev
and Sønderborg
, and regional council of southern Denmark, the districts Schleswig-Flensburg
and Nordfriesland
, plus the city of Flensburg
.
Region Sønderjylland-Schleswig was established on 16th of September 1997 in Aabenraa, and is a recognized Euroregion
, which is a legistrative cooperation between two or more European regions sharing a common border
. All Euroregions are organised in the Association of European Border Regions with head domicile in Gronau
. Just the coordinating centre for the cross border cooperation within Region Sønderjylland-Schleswig is for filled by the Regional Office in Padborg.
and Sønderjylland have become two independent institutions which characterized the old Duchy of Schleswig that got divided in 1920 between Denmark
and Germany
. The southeastern part of Schleswig/Sønderjylland, who belongs to the german district of Rendsburg-Eckernförde, become not part of the cross-border cooperation.
First of all, a wish for a broader demographic contact and cultural exchange between the two populations, which in turn should lead to a deeper mutual understanding and an increased knowledge of each culture and language in the longer term. In order to support this objective, Region Sønderjylland-Schleswig provides administrative and financial support for cultural projects, for example through the Interreg project “Kulturbro-Kulturbrücke”, exchanging teachers, cross border school cooperation and various language projects are prioritized.
There is also great focus on economic integration and interaction of the cross-border labour marked. Since 2004 the Infocenter, under Region Sønderjylland-Schleswig, has provided advice and counselling for cross-border commuters. The centre started as an Interreg project but became so popular, that it was permanently established in 2007. The Infocenter provides free advice and counselling both to the business community, local government and private individuals, wanting to expand job or living opportunities on the other side of the border. Here there is close cooperation with various other networks, for example trade unions, employment agencies, local authorities and clubs.
Our internet page; Pendlerinfo, administered by the Regional Office thus offers information and help for commuters. Infocenter regularly hold lectures in conjunction with both Danish and German employment agencies and unemployment insurance representatives, in-service training of employees in the councils dealing with cross-border commuting, and give personal counselling.
Region Sønderjylland-Schleswig is also active in voicing concerns specific to the border region. Region Sønderjylland-Schleswig has for example pointed out the need for mutual recognition of business educations. Also building projects of current interest like the Fehmarn Belt
Bridge and general infrastructure within the border region has the attention of Region Sønderjylland-Schleswig. In order to support the cross-border business community there has also been some actual projects like the development of Danish-German parking discs and a pocket dictionary.
The ultimate decisional organ within Region Sønderjylland-Schleswig is the Regional Forum. The forum meets half yearly and consists of 22 members and 4 observants, whereby the two Danish observers represent both the Danish parliament and the Institute for Border Regional Studies, and the two German observers represent the German regional parliament and The Ministry of Justice, Employment and European Affairs, both placed in Kiel
. The members of the Regional Forum are either democratically elected politicians or independent experts. The periods of election depend on the individual country’s period of election. The Forum approves budgeting and the accounts of the organization.
The board consists of eight members. The positions of chairman and the deputy chairman of the board are for filled by the same members holding the same post in the Regional Forum. The remaining six board members are elected among members of the Regional Forum. Chairman of the board is currently Jens Andresen, Region Syddanmark. The responsibilities are many: the board prepares and carries out decisions made by the Regional Forum, and works closely together with the Regional Office. Furthermore, the board can appoint business groups for special assignments. Last but not least the board represents Region Sønderjylland-Schleswig interests in any public debate. Decisions are based on a majority of votes but unity is always the goal.
The Regional Forum has three committees:
At least four members of each committee have to be current members of the Regional Forum. The size of each committee should not exceed 10 members. Furthermore there has been established several business interest groups.
The Regional Office in Padborg is the coordinating centre for all Region Sønderjylland-Schleswigs activities. Political cooperation is coordinated and initiatives from political side are closely monitored. One current example is the initiative to improve the exchange of language teachers. The teaching of Danish in Germany is especially affected by this, because Danish-German exchange of teachers, which should be taken for granted, is difficult due to administrative differences in in-service training. The committee in cooperation with the Regional Office has just made an official enquiry to the ministry in Kiel.
Tønder
Tønder is a municipality in Region of Southern Denmark on the Jutland peninsula in south Denmark. The municipality covers an area of 1,278 km², and has a total population of 40,367...
, Aabenraa
Aabenraa
The city of Aabenraa or Åbenrå , with a population of 15,760 , is situated at the head of the Aabenraa Fjord, an arm of the Little Belt, in Denmark, 38 miles north of the town of Schleswig. Its name originally meant "open beach"...
, Haderslev
Haderslev
Haderslev is a town and municipality on the east coast of the Jutland peninsula in south Denmark. Also included is the island of Årø as well as several other smaller islands in the Little Belt. The municipality covers and has a population of 56,414 . Its mayor is Jens Christian Gjesing,...
and Sønderborg
Sønderborg
Sønderborg Municipality , is a municipality in Region of Southern Denmark partially on the Jutland peninsula and partially on the island of Als in south Denmark, at the border with Germany. The municipality covers an area of , and has a total population of 76,236...
, and regional council of southern Denmark, the districts Schleswig-Flensburg
Schleswig-Flensburg
Schleswig-Flensburg is a district in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. It is bounded by the districts of Rendsburg-Eckernförde, Dithmarschen and Nordfriesland, the Region Syddanmark in Denmark, the city of Flensburg and the Baltic Sea.-History:Written history in the area began about 800 AD, when the...
and Nordfriesland
Nordfriesland
Nordfriesland, English "Northern Friesland" or "North Frisia", is a district in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. It includes almost all of traditional North Frisia along with adjacent areas to the east and south and is bounded by the districts of Schleswig-Flensburg and Dithmarschen, the North Sea and...
, plus the city of Flensburg
Flensburg
Flensburg is an independent town in the north of the German state of Schleswig-Holstein. Flensburg is the centre of the region of Southern Schleswig...
.
Region Sønderjylland-Schleswig was established on 16th of September 1997 in Aabenraa, and is a recognized Euroregion
Euroregion
In European politics, the term Euroregion usually refers to a transnational co-operation structure between two contiguous territories located in different European countries. Euroregions represent a specific type of cross-border region.-Scope:...
, which is a legistrative cooperation between two or more European regions sharing a common border
Border
Borders define geographic boundaries of political entities or legal jurisdictions, such as governments, sovereign states, federated states and other subnational entities. Some borders—such as a state's internal administrative borders, or inter-state borders within the Schengen Area—are open and...
. All Euroregions are organised in the Association of European Border Regions with head domicile in Gronau
Gronau
Gronau is the name of two German cities*Gronau in Westfalen, district Borken, North Rhine-Westphalia*Gronau an der Leine, district Hildesheim, Lower Saxony...
. Just the coordinating centre for the cross border cooperation within Region Sønderjylland-Schleswig is for filled by the Regional Office in Padborg.
Name
Region Sønderjylland-Schleswig refers to the historical background, which the cross-border cooperation has. Both SchleswigSchleswig
Schleswig or South Jutland is a region covering the area about 60 km north and 70 km south of the border between Germany and Denmark; the territory has been divided between the two countries since 1920, with Northern Schleswig in Denmark and Southern Schleswig in Germany...
and Sønderjylland have become two independent institutions which characterized the old Duchy of Schleswig that got divided in 1920 between Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
and Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
. The southeastern part of Schleswig/Sønderjylland, who belongs to the german district of Rendsburg-Eckernförde, become not part of the cross-border cooperation.
Partners – Danish
- Region Syddanmark (Regional Council of Southern Denmark)
- Haderslev Kommune (Haderslev Local Authority)
- Aabenraa Kommune (Aabenraa Local Authority)
- Tønder Kommune (Tønder Local Authority)
- Sønderborg Kommune (Sønderborg Local Authority)
Partners - German
- Kreis Schleswig-FlensburgSchleswig-FlensburgSchleswig-Flensburg is a district in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. It is bounded by the districts of Rendsburg-Eckernförde, Dithmarschen and Nordfriesland, the Region Syddanmark in Denmark, the city of Flensburg and the Baltic Sea.-History:Written history in the area began about 800 AD, when the...
(Schleswig-Flensburg Local Authority) - Kreis NordfrieslandNordfrieslandNordfriesland, English "Northern Friesland" or "North Frisia", is a district in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. It includes almost all of traditional North Frisia along with adjacent areas to the east and south and is bounded by the districts of Schleswig-Flensburg and Dithmarschen, the North Sea and...
(North Friesland Local Authority) - Stadt FlensburgFlensburgFlensburg is an independent town in the north of the German state of Schleswig-Holstein. Flensburg is the centre of the region of Southern Schleswig...
(Municipality of Flensburg)
Laws and regulations
The co-operating partners of Region Sønderjylland- Schleswig are still subject to their own national legislations. At the same time the co-operation supports the European Charter for Border Regions and Cross-border regions that was carried out by the Association of European Border Regions in 1995. The foundation for the co-operation is based on equal rights and a mutual respect for the other side’s cultural peculiarity, and decisions are made in unanimity. The Regions administrative domicile is located where the partners decide to place the secretary of the organization.Objectives
There are several different objectives for the cross-border cooperation.First of all, a wish for a broader demographic contact and cultural exchange between the two populations, which in turn should lead to a deeper mutual understanding and an increased knowledge of each culture and language in the longer term. In order to support this objective, Region Sønderjylland-Schleswig provides administrative and financial support for cultural projects, for example through the Interreg project “Kulturbro-Kulturbrücke”, exchanging teachers, cross border school cooperation and various language projects are prioritized.
There is also great focus on economic integration and interaction of the cross-border labour marked. Since 2004 the Infocenter, under Region Sønderjylland-Schleswig, has provided advice and counselling for cross-border commuters. The centre started as an Interreg project but became so popular, that it was permanently established in 2007. The Infocenter provides free advice and counselling both to the business community, local government and private individuals, wanting to expand job or living opportunities on the other side of the border. Here there is close cooperation with various other networks, for example trade unions, employment agencies, local authorities and clubs.
Our internet page; Pendlerinfo, administered by the Regional Office thus offers information and help for commuters. Infocenter regularly hold lectures in conjunction with both Danish and German employment agencies and unemployment insurance representatives, in-service training of employees in the councils dealing with cross-border commuting, and give personal counselling.
Region Sønderjylland-Schleswig is also active in voicing concerns specific to the border region. Region Sønderjylland-Schleswig has for example pointed out the need for mutual recognition of business educations. Also building projects of current interest like the Fehmarn Belt
Fehmarn Belt
Fehmarn Belt is a strait connecting the Bay of Kiel and the Bay of Mecklenburg in the western part of the Baltic Sea between the German island of Fehmarn and the Danish island of Lolland. Ferries operated by Scandlines connect Puttgarden and Rødby on the two islands.The strait features a...
Bridge and general infrastructure within the border region has the attention of Region Sønderjylland-Schleswig. In order to support the cross-border business community there has also been some actual projects like the development of Danish-German parking discs and a pocket dictionary.
Organization
The organization consists of:- Regional Forum
- Board
- Committees and business groups
- Regional Office as secretary
The ultimate decisional organ within Region Sønderjylland-Schleswig is the Regional Forum. The forum meets half yearly and consists of 22 members and 4 observants, whereby the two Danish observers represent both the Danish parliament and the Institute for Border Regional Studies, and the two German observers represent the German regional parliament and The Ministry of Justice, Employment and European Affairs, both placed in Kiel
Kiel
Kiel is the capital and most populous city in the northern German state of Schleswig-Holstein, with a population of 238,049 .Kiel is approximately north of Hamburg. Due to its geographic location in the north of Germany, the southeast of the Jutland peninsula, and the southwestern shore of the...
. The members of the Regional Forum are either democratically elected politicians or independent experts. The periods of election depend on the individual country’s period of election. The Forum approves budgeting and the accounts of the organization.
The board consists of eight members. The positions of chairman and the deputy chairman of the board are for filled by the same members holding the same post in the Regional Forum. The remaining six board members are elected among members of the Regional Forum. Chairman of the board is currently Jens Andresen, Region Syddanmark. The responsibilities are many: the board prepares and carries out decisions made by the Regional Forum, and works closely together with the Regional Office. Furthermore, the board can appoint business groups for special assignments. Last but not least the board represents Region Sønderjylland-Schleswig interests in any public debate. Decisions are based on a majority of votes but unity is always the goal.
The Regional Forum has three committees:
- Committee for Education and Development,
- Committee for Business and Environment and
- Committee for Culture, Contact and Cooperation.
At least four members of each committee have to be current members of the Regional Forum. The size of each committee should not exceed 10 members. Furthermore there has been established several business interest groups.
The Regional Office in Padborg is the coordinating centre for all Region Sønderjylland-Schleswigs activities. Political cooperation is coordinated and initiatives from political side are closely monitored. One current example is the initiative to improve the exchange of language teachers. The teaching of Danish in Germany is especially affected by this, because Danish-German exchange of teachers, which should be taken for granted, is difficult due to administrative differences in in-service training. The committee in cooperation with the Regional Office has just made an official enquiry to the ministry in Kiel.