Twinning

The object of twinning is to increase local links with 'foreign' groups. Twinned groups can learn from each other through correspondence, exchange visits, possible tours, social and intellectual meeting grounds. The system of 'hosting' (living 'en famille') would enable mem-bers to build new friendships, possibly absorb some aspects of a different culture at first hand.

The idea for NWR groups within the UK is for them to select a group from any of our over-seas affiliates or perhaps also from different areas within the UK and Eire. Naturally to really experience all the benefits, such as travel, the realistic possibilities are linked to the few groups in Europe. Groups around the Hull area might fancy Brielle or Baarn near Rotterdam although they are equally accessible to the SE Channel area as well. Likewise Luxembourg.

Aims and Possibilities

It is the aim of the two twinning groups to:

• Make NWR more obviously 'international'
• Encourage the formation of friendships between different 'nationalities'
• Bring diverse people into close contact
• Possibility of visits which may be arranged
• Further good relationship between groups
• Broadening our horizons by discovering other cultures
• Benefiting from the varied experiences of others e.g. ex pat life, emigration, long distance commuting perhaps?
• Some overseas group websites

How to achieve these

• Exchange of programmes - greater variety of interesting discussions
• Penfriends
• Travel and a meeting (especially for the European groups)
• Email correspondence
• Online discussion evenings
• International quizzes - one day

Simple points of contact

• Exchange programmes to get a feel for each other
• Share a programme discussion title and compare notes
• Incorporate your twin group's programme with your own
• Try to meet somewhere physically
• Have a chat meeting on the Internet, use our Members' website
• Share personal cards or letters of introduction from group members - sort of Personalia with pen pictures of group members accompanied by photos
• Devise a quiz for each other
• Recommend books to read, films or shows to see and share or exchange re-views
• Share evenings for specific events like Halloween, Easter etc swapping infor-mation
• Arrange a face to face meeting for a garden, a book or a quiz evening
• Arrange to meet somewhere at Christmas - on the continent or in London or at a local Christmas market and perhaps exchange 'Secret Santa' gifts
• Mix and match birth dates or years of birth and see what you have done are there shared similarities or differences
• Share cards for seasonal events
• Attend an NWR event together - day conference or a discussion lunch
• Arrange an event together

What to do

• Decide whether you want to contact an overseas group or a UK group
• If Overseas contact the group in question and Mary Dodkins, Marketing Co-ordinator, Tel: 01442 391556 or dodkins@ntlworld.com
• If UK contact office for details of the LO of the group and make a personal ap-proach via phone preferably to start off with

A quote from 'Best Practice Guidelines for Twinning' published by the Local Government In-ternational Bureau: -

'Twinning is the establishment of a special relationship between two communities in different countries'

NWR twinning could lead to:

• More dialogue within groups on topical issues like joining the Euro and European citi-zenship, the European Federation and its expansion.
• Greater awareness of cultural diversity.
• Growth of Information networks and multimedia communication.
• Finally a strengthening of NWR bonds and horizons.