Hannes Maasel stops as Governor of Hiiumaa

Written by David Hunt

hannes Hannes Maasel stops as Governor of Hiiumaa after 13 years in the hot seat. He has been a keen supporter of B7 and has always ensured that Hiiumaa has delivered innovative and interesting Chairmanship programmes in both 2003 and 2010.

B7 wishes you all the best Hannes, and hope we can meet to discuss old times. All the best for your future!

Below is an article written for the March 2003, "B7 Facilitators Newsletter":

"Hannes Maasels, born in 1951, is a teacher at heart and a tireless worker for his local community.

He and his wife Anu have two teenage daughters and live in the village of Nasva in Kaina Municipality in their house, “Kulmu”, (eyebrows) that he has spent 20 years improving and extending. In their village all houses have names such as Silma -'Eye', Otsa- 'Forehead', Kõrva- 'Ear', Nina- 'Nose' etc.

from the facilitator - March 2012

Written by David Hunt

1203_ftf_Page_1 The facilitator has found his pen! After nearly 3 years he has resurrected his newsletter. Some of you may well maintain that it would have been better if he had remained asleep. In this issue of "from the facilitator", he has focused on:
- the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region
- Pan Baltic Organisations
- Visit to Åland

I must admit, he starts off on one topic and then uses his facilitator's licence to wander all overthe place. Oh well at least he wrote something

A copy can be downloaded here: icon 1203 from the facilitator (58.35 kB)

Gotland's Special Sheep Force.

Written by David Hunt

Gotland_sheep Gotland's special sheep force, is perhaps better known as "Gotland Yard": While on Åland Ulla Pettersson took the opportunity to check on a member of its special sheep force. These are a special breed of sheep manufactured from the best quality materials on Gotland and sent to their friends around the Baltic Sea. Well in fact - one friend.
In good Viking tradition, these sheep are able to withstand the harshest of winters, requiring just a bit of "tlc" now and then, here being lovingly administered by agent Ulla Pettersson.

B7 Annual Conference 2011

Written by Nadine Stuedemann

Rügen hands over presidential hammer to Gotland

The Rügen Chairmanship 2011 ended with the Annual Conference on 22nd of November at the Hanseatic Hotel in Göhren. After 1998 and 2004, the island took over the chair of the B7 cooperation in January 2011, already existing since 1989. The Rügen representatives in the B7 can look back on a successful chairmanship year 2011.

Camilla Gunell new Premier on Åland

Written by David Hunt

Camilla_Gunell Camilla Gunnel (Social Democrat) will be the new Premier (Lantråd) on Åland. The government will be a coalition of Social Demokrats, Center Party, Moderate Party and "De Obundna".
The names of the six ministers will probably be announced on Tuesday 25 October.
More information on www.alandstidningen.ax or www.nyan.aland.fi .

Hiiumaa and Saaremaa LEADER groups visited Rügen on 6-11 of September

Written by Nadine Stuedemann

26 people from Hiiumaa and 14 from Saaremaa LEADER Action Groups (LAG) took a study trip to Rügen on yldpilt the 6-11th of September. The aim of the visit was to exchange experience, to get knowledge on local LEADER projects in Rügen and to meet people. Of special interest were projects on local food and local product, energy and management of harbours.

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INVOLVE: A project on Multi-Level Governance

Written by David Hunt

Involve B7 has been a keen supporter of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region (EUSBSR). B7 sees it as an effective way to meet the challenges faced by the Baltic Sea Region. To achieve the desired results the EUSBSR is reliant on effective multi-level governance. As a concept multi-level governance gives expression to the idea that there are many interacting authority structures at work in the global political economy. It illuminates the intimate entanglement between the domestic and international levels of authority.

B7 has noted that the regions were heavily involved in the development of the strategy, but since its inception have had little influence over the implementation.

B7 has, since January, been working together with the partners developing the INVOLVE project application, that has as its objective to promote the development of multi-level governance in the EUSBSR - or more simply stated; give the B7 islands influence in the implementation of the strategy.
By 16 March the B7 politicians need to decide if we participate if we are to make the application deadline of 30 March.

B7 delegation greets the new Åland Government

Written by David Hunt

1201_Aland_1 A delegation from the B7 islands visited Åland on the 25-26 Jan to meet the new Lantråd, Camilla Gunell and the Minister for international Affairs, Gun-Mari Lindholm.

Good luck, Gotland - Thank you Rügen! B7 Annual Conference 2011

Written by Nadine Stuedemann

The Annual Conference of the B7 Rügen Chairmanship 2011 was held in Göhren on Rügen Island from 21-23 November 2011. The new Landrat of the Vorpommern-Rügen County, Mr. Ralf Drescher, announced his support for the cooperation of the seven islands in the B7 Baltic Islands Network. The 2011 B7 President, Mr. Uwe Ahlers handed over the symbolic "hammer" to next year´s President, Mr. Åke Svensson, Mayor of Region Gotland.

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B7 representatives at BSSSC Annual Conference in Szczecin

Written by Nadine Stuedemann

Between 5 and 7 October B7 representative attended the 19th BSSSC Annual Conference 647a6965c5842049494920303832 in Szczecin together with over 200 participants, including BSR stakeholders, political representatives of the regions, scientific and academic communities and major EU bodies. The event was organized and hosted by the Westpomeranian Region which currently is leading the BSSSC. The Participants had the opportunity to take part in 3 thematic sessions-debates (on EU Strategy for the BSR, cohesion policy and financing the future of BSR cooperation) and 4 parallel workshops devoted respectively to the issues of: territorial cohesion, co-operation between cities and rural areas, science, education and innovation and social cohesion and voluntary work.

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B7 presentation at "RÜGANA" fair

Written by Nadine Stuedemann

From 9th to 11th September 2011 the "RÜGANA" fair was held in the town center of Bergen on Rügen P1010039

Island. The B7 team on Rügen informed about the latest events and projects in 2011, handed out brochures and information material from the seven Baltic Sea Islands and gave the guests a little taste of typical Gotland products. Over 300 visitors participated in the B7 quiz and answered four questions about the Baltic Sea. Guests from Hiiumaa Island visited the RÜGANA and also the B7 exhibition stand. On the evening before the RÜGANA fair started, the Hiiumaa Art exhibition opened its doors for invited guests at the Bergen town museum.