ESC: Twinning our differences - Jumeler nos différences

The Municipality of Vienne is a local authority whose mission is to meet the needs of the local population. It exercises general competences as well as the expertise identified in many and varied fields such as education, youth, international actions which concern us in the context of this issue. For many years, it has been developing an active policy in terms of international relations. The objectives which guide the activities are: openness to the world, the development of partnerships, the involvement of the population and of all audiences in international activities and the promotion of know-how. To do this, two departments are working together for the development of mobility: International Relations and Youth departments, in close connection with other departments, sometimes as resources, sometimes as partners, sometimes as project initiators (technical, cultural, sports departments). Vienne maintains close relations with its twin towns and cooperation cities. These durable links are so precious and give opportunities to both professionals and the population. The mobility of young people is a priority, a factor favourable towards cultural openness, professional integration, social diversity. Some activities in favour of young people have been put in place, such as: project grants, summer job fairs, organization of international work camps, youth exchanges, Civic Services hosting, etc. Actions based on the training of professionals, membership in different networks, exchanges of practices for a better expertise, to renew and advance in this theme (Agency training, Eurodesk labeling, Euroguidance training, Youth Information network, mobility networks, etc). To go even further in the promotion of mobility and European citizenship, the two services mentioned above have chosen to work in transversality since 2005 and coordinate together the reception of young European volunteers. This experience has enabled them to engage in other volunteer schemes, such as the International Civic Service (with reciprocal hosting) in partner cities. The international opening of Vienne is not only the result of official partnerships, it's also the result of the involvement of many Viennese actors in international and European projects. All of these international projects contribute to the representation of multiple cultures in Vienne and to the city's international reputation.