It’s been a busy month of events and visits at The Office of the Northern Ireland Executive in Brussels!
With summer fast approaching, the Office participated in two summer receptions with a focus on promoting Northern Ireland produce. The Office of the Northern Ireland Executive in Brussels was a partner of the UK Mission to the EU’s Summer Reception. Guests were able to experience culinary delights from across the UK. On showcase was County Londonderry’s Dart Mountain Cheese, award winning artisan cheese producers based from the heart of the Sperrin Mountains. Guests were also able to enjoy apple pies made from Armagh Bramley apples.
On 18th June, the Office hosted presentations from the finalists of the ABP Angus Youth Challenge in which students from Northern Ireland get the chance to raise five calves to promote agriculture and work experience for young people. Organised by the Irish College Leuven, the study group visited the Office to learn more about Agriculture policy and to present their experiences so far, from monitoring soil health, weighing and vetting their calves and developing cook books to promote the consumption of Northern Irish beef among students and families. Head of the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Angela McAllister, introduced the presentations and facilitated a Q and A for the young people to demonstrate all that they had learnt.
The finalists of the ABP Angus Youth Challenge, and one of the groups from Markethill High School presenting their experience so far
On 19th June, the British Embassy to Belgium held a party to mark the King’s Birthday. We partnered with the Embassy to serve Ninth Wave Irish Gin. An award winning gin distilled by Ballynahinch’s Hinch Distillery, guests were able to learn more about Northern Ireland’s growing distillery scene and taste the sustainably crafted gin.
Cocktail Menus featuring Ninth Wave Gin from Northern Ireland at the King’s Birthday Party hosted by the British Embassy Brussels
On 1st of July, the Office hosted a roundtable event in collaboration with the Department of Justice, called ‘Supporting Victims of Exploitation in Northern Ireland’. The event was a series of discussions and presentations from the Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Team in the Department of Justice, the Police Service of Northern Ireland, Migrant Help NI and Lisburn and Belfast Women’s Aid. The event facilitated fantastic discussions with various stakeholders such as MEPs, NGOs, the European Commission and other government stakeholders.
“Thank you to you and the team for a really insightful and engaging event on Modern Slavery yesterday with the DOJ, PSNI and representatives of NGOs at home in Ireland and across Europe” – Kathleen Funchion MEP.
The roundtable event hosted by the Department of Justice, in collaboration with Migrant Help NI, Women’s Aid, PSNI and the Office of the Northern Ireland Executive in Brussels.