Summary 2010 of the European deputy and mayor of Saint-Martin de Vésubie: “We must work all together to benefit from the advantages that Europe can offer to our territory. I will very soon form an ‘Europe Club’ to bring all the stakeholders around a table to share information and pool skills.”
It is a highly energetic Gaston Franco, sparkling like a debutant, who gathered around the same table all the local stakeholders who have a relationship with Europe and who, for the most part, did not even know each other!
All this to say that the concept “All for Europe” is far from being understood and even less practiced. This may explain why the Alpes-Maritimes and the Côte d’Azur do not benefit as much as they could from the numerous financial community advantages, despite the many programs that are now fundable.
“We need to better communicate what Europe can do for our lives,” the European deputy tells us, “we must unite and choose areas of focus to be effective. My role will be what the English call a ‘trail-blazer’, that is, the one who paves the way for others to follow.”
“That’s why I will convene the working group I just formed once a month to discuss a theme with the help and presence of a manager from the European Commission or Parliament, and every quarter, we will invite a European Commissioner.”
“We need to create a ‘European’ strategy with active roles for all local stakeholders and act toward the EU as a lobbying force to represent the interests of our territory.”
Gaston Franco is a man of reflection but also of action: see you in 2011 for the continuation of this ambitious but oh-so-necessary work program!
Around the table:
– Sophie Pluton, FEDER Assistant at the A-M Prefecture
– Nathalie Grilli, head of the Europe Direct relay in Puget-Théniers
– Angéle Martinez, Europe Direction and Plan Contract at the Urban Community Nice Côte d’Azur
– Jérôme Sieurin, project manager at NCA
– Nicolas Guathier, NCA
– Laurent Soulier, head of Resources and European Programs at the CCI
– Frédérique Loctin, Europe and Cooperation Service at the General Council 06
– Farah Cherif, director of International Relations and European Affairs of the City of Nice
– Herminia Daeden, Academic delegate for European and international relations
– Manuela Bertone, Delegate for PRES and European relations at the University Nice Sophia-Antipolis
– Jean-Noel Durvy, director of the Sophia-Antipolis Foundation
– Sabrina Coccia, Operational Director of Telecom Valley
– Benoit Sapin, in charge of media relations of the European Commission at the regional Representation in Marseille
– Claude Nigoul, President of the IEHEI
– Jean-Antoine Giansailly, VP of CIFE
– Fabrice Lachemaier, director of New Ideas Europe
– Brigitte Ferrari, President of the European Movement of A-M
– Jean Lizon-Tati, President of the European Movement in Cannes
– Lesley Jones, communication officer of the European Movement in Cannes
– Jean-Paul David, president of the Association of Rural Mayors
– Jérôme Vandamme, project manager of the Sport Commission at UPE 06
– Isabelle Beauvais, administration officer for Social Affairs DIRECTEE
– Sarah Jeannot, coordinator of the European Voluntary Service in A-M
