Julie Ward MEP Yearbook 2014-2015 by Julie Ward MEP

JULIE WARD MEP YEARBOOK 2014-2015

CONTENTS

MEET JULIE

REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT

MEET THE TEAM

FAIR ECONOMICS

CULTURE & EDUCATION

MENTAL HEALTH, DISABILITY

CITIZENSHIP

HUMAN RIGHTS

CHILDREN

WOMEN’S RIGHTS & GENDER EQUALITY

& WELL-BEING

INTERNATIONAL DELEGATIONS 14 JULIE THE CAMPAIGNER

MEET JULIE SOCIAL JUSTICE! SOCIAL JUSTICE! SOCIAL JUSTICE! “New occasions teach new duties; Time makes ancient good uncouth; They must upward still, and onward, who would keep abreast of Truth; Lo, before us gleam her camp-fires! we ourselves must Pilgrims be, Launch our Mayflower, and steer boldly through the desperate winter sea, Nor attempt the Future’s portal with the Past’s blood-rusted key.” From ‘The Present Crisis’ by James Russell Lowell, 1819-1891

As a poet, cultural activist and human rights campaigner, I look for meaning and inspiration in creative expression and chanced upon Lowell’s poem which resonates on both a personal and political level. J R Lowell was a writer, diplomat and trouble-maker, someone whose voice helped to bring about the abolition of the slave trade. If I had been living back then I would have joined with Lowell to speak out strongly against injustice and human rights abuses. I was elected to serve as a member of the European Parliament for the North West of England in May 2014, winning a seat back for Labour, thereby ensuring that the politics of tolerance, inclusion and compassion will be louder and stronger with the BNP out of office. I want you to count on me to always put people and planet first in my everyday work as a policy maker and co-legislator. This is my first experience of political work, but it is not my first time as a public figure, standing up for the most vulnerable in society. Over the past year, as I have learnt ‘new duties’ and taken on the responsibility of representing the people of the north west, I have been committed to operating through the prism of social justice, keeping ‘abreast of the truth’ or the reality of contemporary life as it is lived by the many not the few. I extend that principle to include the poorest people in other parts of the UK, Europe and around the world, not simply constituents. That is because we lead interconnected lives in a global world and lifting people out of poverty will benefit all of us in the long run. I have been pleased to find out that many others share my values of compassion first and foremost.

part of my job but the geography of the region is extremely challenging! Please don’t wait for me to turn up in your neck of the woods. Get in touch, seek me out, lobby me, find me on Facebook and Twitter. Let’s have a conversation about the things that bother you, the things that you perceive to be unfair. The poem’s reference to a “desperate winter sea” evokes the terrible scenes we are witnessing being played out in the Mediterranean and elsewhere as increasing numbers of migrants risk life and limb in search of safety and a better life. Sadly this will be an enduring image; history will not judge us kindly unless we begin to act in a more compassionate way, remembering that those less fortunate than ourselves are often innocent victims of others’ poor decision-making. We need to look carefully at the reasons for such desperate human behaviour. People do not abandon their homes lightly; at the root of many of our European problems lies poverty and reduced life chances. Along with my Socialist & Democratic colleagues in the European Parliament I therefore stand up for a more compassionate approach to those fleeing conflict, oppression and extreme poverty. Finally, like Lowell, I am wary of the “Past’s blood-rusted key”. We must NOT unlock the Future by repeating the mistakes of history but use the Past as a reminder of how we must never allow ourselves to be separate and aloof from our neighbours. Instead we must learn to get on with them whether they live next door or in another country. I look forward to serving you as we move forwards in uncertain times.

Spending time sitting around Lowell’s metaphorical ‘camp fires’ talking to constituents from Crewe to Carlisle is an important

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CONTACT DETAILS: Local Oﬃce – Workington

The Office of Julie Ward MEP, Workington Town Hall Oxford Street, Workington, Cumbria CA14 2RS +44 (0) 1900 702994 | contact@juliewardmep.eu

European Oﬃce – Brussels

Julie Ward, European Parliament ASP 13G354, 60 Rue Wiertz,B- 1047 Brussels, Belgium +32 (0) 2284 5702 | julie.ward@europarl.europa.eu 3

JULIE’S ROLE AS AN MEP As an MEP, Julie works to positively impact the lives of people in North West England, Europe and the world. Working alongside fellow North West Labour MEP’s, she acts as a voice for the people of the North West in the European Parliament, ensuring that they are heard in European debates and that their opinions shape legislation. Julie also acts as an ambassador for the North West throughout Europe, meeting with interest groups across the continent to connect the region internationally. Julie is passionate about creating a more compassionate, fair and just society, and pursues this goal through all her work as an MEP.

authoritarian regimes and vocal in confronting populism, extremism, racism and policies which restrict fundamental freedoms in the name of public order.

Justice: We believe that the values of democracy and

human rights are universal and should be at the heart of the EU’s actions.

Equality: We are exploring new ways of fighting

against discrimination and promoting equality and opportunities. We are a leading voice for women’s rights and zero tolerance of violence against women and girls.

The North West region of England spans 5 counties (Cheshire, Cumbria, Lancashire, Merseyside, Greater Manchester) with a population of approximately 7 million people.

JULIE’S COMMITTEES

LABOUR, CO-OP AND SOCIALISTS AND DEMOCRATS VALUES:

• • •

•

Labour Values: • Social Justice • Strong community • Reward for hard work • Decency • Rights matched by responsibilities

•

Co-operative Party Values • Supporting the Co-op Economy • Reforming markets • People-powered public services • Creating a fairer world

•

Socialists and Democrats Values:

Solidarity: We are a driving force behind the work

on development, conflict prevention and humanitarian aid. We are also committed to creating sustainable growth and jobs in Europe and around the world.

Freedom: We are determined opponents of

Culture and Education (lead Labour MEP) Regional Development (substitute member) Women’s Rights and Gender Equality (substitute member)

JULIE’S INTER-GROUPS • • • • • • • • •

Youth Issues Common Goods & Public Services Anti-poverty Social Economy Disability LGBTI Creative Industries Trade Unions Children’s Rights

JULIE’S INTERNATIONAL DELEGATIONS • •

Theresa Griﬃn, Afzal Khan, Julie Ward: the North West Labour MEP’s

Kosovo and Bosnia-Herzegovina African, Caribbean and Pacific Countries

MEET THE TEAM NAME: BARBARA CANNON Role: North West Constituency Manager, North West Office

My father’s family are from Scotland although the name Adair is common in Ireland. My Father was stationed in Cawnpore in India where my deceased Mother in Law was born. Her father was in the British Army and he married a local Indian woman. My Mother in Law always said she was a half and half. She was one of the last of the British Raj children and she settled in London just before the war where she met my Father in Law. Obviously my children now have a very interesting family tree. I was 20 years old when I voted in the UK‘s first referendum to stay in what was then called the Common Market. I have been committed to the EU ever since. Following the devastation caused by the closure of our Steel and Coal industries during the Thatcher years, West Cumbria benefited greatly from the EU structural funds, which helped us to create growth and re-skill the thousands of people who were out of work. The EU continues to be important to the North West and, for me, leaving the EU is unthinkable. Despite the undoubted economic benefits the EU brings to the UK, I do not think we should ever forget that the EU is also a major contributor to peace in Europe. I am proud that I was able to lead my local community in twinning with a town in Germany, Selm. We are now also twinned with Val-de-Reuil in France. I have worked for over 21 years within the twinning movement and as a result I, like many thousands of other people, have made great and lasting friendships and taken part in many cultural activities. The previous EU election campaign had seen Nick Griffin the former Leader of the BNP get elected as an MEP for the North West. For me this was a stain on our region and I was determined to play my part in getting rid of him. The BNP headquarters are also in Cumbria and the BNP had a number of activists locally. So I volunteered to help Julie in her campaign in Cumbria. I work for Julie because I am committed to making sure the people of the North West stay as part of our extended European family.

NAME: KONRAD HANSEN Role: Office Manager, North West Office

I’m an internationalist – having a British mother, a Norwegian father and a French uncle I suppose I was always bound to be. My student days in Liverpool encouraged this propensity where I made many lifelong friends from around the world. Maybe it isn’t surprising I’ve ended up working within an international

environment – perhaps, in the words of Gabriel Garcia Marquez ‘It was inevitable.’ After college, where I studied Literature, I moved home to Workington or ‘God’s Country’ as we call it. I spent some time in the UK Civil Service sitting on the DEFRA SSA Management Committee before studying for a full-time Masters Degree in Business. Working for Julie as Office Manager in her UK office is never boring – and we are pushed to the limit with the scope of work we do. The most difficult element is seeing the upsetting, often tragic issues people face on a regular basis and trying to help them meet and beat those challenges – but at the same time, helping them is what drives me forward and keeps me enthused in my role. It may come as a surprise to my colleagues that I attended Sir Bobby Charlton’s Soccer School where he once told me ‘You’ll go a long way Son!’ In a way he was right because the road to where I am now has been a long one – it’s been a fantastic journey and the destination has been worthwhile – where a sincere thank you from someone I’ve helped is much more valuable than the trappings of material success.

NAME: TREVOR MACFARLANE Role: Culture Manager, North West Office

Both my parents are from Glasgow, Scotland, although they met when their families moved to England as economic migrants in the 70’s. I’m assured that being from a Scottish clan makes it considerably easier to trace the family tree, so I’m determined to have a go, mainly as I live in the hope there’s an acre or two of unclaimed land to inherit in the foothills of the highlands by the banks of Loch Lomond, the ancient ancestral seat. Amusingly, the MacFarlane clan motto is “This I’ll Defend” (referring to the Imperial Crown) and they fought in the wars for Scottish Independence alongside Robert the Bruce. As a Republican and a pro-Union campaigner, I’m not sure my ancestors would have liked me very much! Before being asked to join Julie’s team, I’ve worn many hats in the creative industries. As a theatre director and creative arts consultant, I’ve worked with some of the UK’s leading cultural institutions and used my expanding networks to bring about positive social change in communities, for example in healthcare, community cohesion and urban planning environments. My work developed to include large scale, multistakeholder initiatives, often deploying innovative and crosssectoral approaches to help renegotiate the role that the arts can play in our daily lives. My varied career has seen me work all over Europe and has brought me into contact with people and cultures that have broadened my world view. My experiences have solidified my ambitions to see people from all backgrounds have the same opportunities as those in more fortunate circumstances and as such, my work has always had a political engagement.

NAME: JULIA POUPLY Role: Policy Parliamentary Assistant, Brussels Office

I am French, coming from Toulouse so I feel very cold in Brussels and even colder when I come to northern England. Before working for Julie I was Policy Officer at Culture Action Europe, the European political platform for arts and culture. This experience provided me with a deep understanding of the EU legislative system that I now use in the service of the people of North West England, knowing that what will benefit them will bring benefits for all Europeans. I strongly believe in the European Project and in the particular role the European Parliament can play in bridging the gap between the citizens and the EU Institutions. The European Union can only step out from the political crisis it is facing by adopting a new approach based on sustainability and democratic reforms. The shape the European project will take in the years to come depends on choices we make now. Therefore I believe that it is time for decision-makers and citizens alike to form a broader discourse on the future of European societies, underlining social and cultural development as a strategic necessity. I hope I can contribute to this approach through my work with Julie.

NAME: OMRI PREISS Role: Parliamentary Assistant, Brussels office

I am from Israel, but have lived across Europe since my childhood, from Switzerland, to the Netherlands, the UK, and Belgium. Israelis tend to have interesting family roots, and mine are Polish on the one side, and Argentinian on the other. Having seen different countries with external eyes, I developed a European perspective, and learned to appreciate the importance of the EU. I studied music performance in London, and then made a career change to take politics and law at University College Utrecht, in the Netherlands, with an emphasis on human rights law. Having taken an early interest in British politics, I joined the Cooperative Party and the Fabian Society while writing an undergraduate thesis about democratic decision-making in businesses. I then went on to do a masters in European policy at the College of Europe, in Bruges, with a focus on social and environmental policies. When I was a small child, I went through a phase of wanting to be an astronaut, and a scientist, and much later on I contemplated a life in music. Nevertheless, I always had a strong interest in politics. I signed up for Greenpeace Israel at around 8 years old and I still play guitar with a band in Brussels.

I have greatly enjoyed my first year in the European Parliament. Working for gender equality, human rights, and social justice gives one good reason to get up in the morning. We have been a passionate, determined, and resilient team, as we have gotten our teeth into the work at the Parliament. The coming year will surely be at least equally intensive, and as the EU referendum looms, making a clear stand for the UK’s place in Europe is more important than ever. I look forward to getting stuck in, and supporting Julie and the team as the referendum campaign picks up.

ELEANOR QUINN Role: Parliamentary Assistant, Brussels office

Hailing from Manchester, the city which founded Chartism, the Trade Union movement and the Suffragettes, politics is in the blood. I’ve been stuffing leaflets through letter boxes for Labour since I can remember (being a daughter of activists) and after trying to create my own political party (The Llama Party) in the 2005 mock elections at high school, I joined the Labour Party not long after. I studied French and International Relations at the University of St Andrews, specialising in terrorism, political Islam, post conflict transition and humanitarian intervention and writing my dissertation on the social and political implications of French hardcore rap music on French society. After working in the USA, Nigeria and France, I founded an independent music publication, which aimed to fuse together the discussion of politics and music, before coming to work at the European Parliament for Theresa Griffin MEP. I spent almost a year with Theresa working on key issues such as energy poverty and workers’ rights before joining Team Ward. Seeing the huge, positive impact of European Union funding in my own city and knowing of the social protections and benefits that it offers us, I am fervently pro-EU. Indeed, there is always fine-tuning to be done, but we can’t underestimate how enhanced women’s rights, workers’ rights, protections for children and the seventy-plus years of peace that the EU has gifted us has changed the lives of generations of Europeans for the better. I’m proud to be part of the European family!

JULIE YOU’RE AN INSPIRATION AND HIGHLIGHTING ISSUES FROM GRASSROOTS WHICH MOST SADLY DO NOT OR WILL NOT DO. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR COMMITMENT. (AI SHA)

CULTURE & EDUCATION WHAT IS CULT? The Culture & Education Committee (CULT) is responsible for all the cultural aspects of the EU such as the dissemination and sharing of culture, cultural heritage, cultural and linguistic diversity, as well as for education, youth, sports and citizenship. Julie was appointed to this committee because, as an artist and cultural activist, she is fully committed to driving culture and education through all aspects of EU policy. Julie endeavours to promote the social value of culture and education in the development and wellbeing of individuals and communities with a focus on intercultural dialogue and the development of individual creativity, particularly for young, marginalised and disadvantaged people. For her, a bold cultural policy is one that reaches out to support smaller organisations such as PANDA, the Performing Arts Network Development Agency based in the north west that creates opportunities for graduates, emerging artists, sole traders and unfunded groups. She also works closely with a wide range of museums, theatres, art galleries, libraries and media organisations to help them develop European projects and explore learning in tandem with their peers in other countries. Mobility for artists and cultural practitioners is a key driver of innovative practice and festival development, helping to grow our economy. Julie is a champion of lifelong learning and informal education and is greatly sought after as a speaker at various adult learning events across the UK, Europe and in neighbouring countries. She recently visited the Lesya Eastern European University in Lutsk, Ukraine, to share ideas about the development of community campuses and action research projects designed to build community cohesion.

“The battleground right now is in culture across Europe… I believe that the main focus for EU cultural policy should be people who are disengaged with Europe and politics… people who are disinterested or who don’t know how to engage... And whilst I am happy to know that investments in education are important for the European Commission, I would like us to remember that education should not be a “factory for cheap labour” but should instead ensure collective and individual development…” EMPOWERING GIRLS THROUGH EDUCATION On May 5th 2015, the CULT Committee amended a key report on “Empowering girls through education”. Julie contributed an important statement recognising the significance of sex and relationship education as a tool to promote mutual respect and gender parity. The report also advocated the prevention of gender stereotypes in education and career choices, highlighting the importance of girls’ participation in science, engineering and the creative industries.

“Having worked with young people, many of whom have been at risk of being either victims or perpetrators of violence, I believe that education is the most powerful tool we have to make the systemic changes required in society to eradicate violence against women and girls. Recognising that this is an issue that crosses the gender divide is important as we cannot fix the problem if we work in silos.”

EXCELLENT WORK JULIE, I WISH MORE ELECTED OFFICIALS HAD YOUR WORK ETHOS. (KAREN ANDREW)

CULTURAL HERITAGE Cultural heritage is a key topic today. It is at the core of our identities and communities. It also makes a significant economic contribution through tourism. The importance and fragility of cultural heritage has been highlighted recently by the dramatic destruction of cultural sites in Syria and Iraq by ISIS/Daesh. For Julie, these events must teach us a lesson on how we use cultural heritage in Europe, as an educational instrument to deal with societal issues and contemporary challenges and to foster intercultural dialogue in order to bring the people of Europe together to live in peace.

“Just as the heinous and horrific crimes ISIS/Daesh commits against ordinary civilians are not only a matter for Iraqis and Syrians, but are a matter for humanity at large, so is the destruction of these ancient cultural sites a matter of common human heritage and identity. The Fertile Crescent of Mesopotamia is one of the birth-places of human civilisation, and the sharing of culture with others, is a natural human mechanism for creating openness and understanding between diverse groups of people. It is that common humanity, that co-existence and understanding, that ISIS/Daesh seeks to destroy. It is right therefore that the international community moves to act against these crimes’. CULTURE IN DEVELOPMENT 2015 is the European Year of Development. The UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which have driven global development work for 15 years will post-2015, be replaced by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Culture is vital to development; it contributes to conflict resolution through intercultural understanding, education and freedom of expression. As a member of the Culture & Education Committee and the delegations for African Caribbean and Pacific Countries and Kosovo & Bosnia-Herzegovina, Julie engages fully in promoting explicit inclusion of culture in the SDGs. Julie has championed the rights of people who may otherwise be disenfranchised or disengaged and has worked with organisations such as UNPO (the Unrepresented People’s Organisation). She has also often sought to remind the Parliament that education does not only take place in the classroom, but is a life-long experience which depends on citizenship and a more communal approach through the arts.

CULTURAL INDUSTRIES AND COPYRIGHTS A hot topic on Julie’s and the European agenda is the coming reform of the copyright law that the European Commission is preparing. Copyright is a key issue for the creative sector, and any reform will have a huge impact on all stakeholders. Julie has actively contributed to the “Reda report”, which represents the Parliament’s input into the law-making process. In order to best represent all stakeholders Julie has met with many representatives from the creative industries, from collective rights organisations, trade unions, producers and artists, to scientific organisations, museums, libraries and other relevant bodies. With the Reda report, the Parliament has sent a strong message to the European Commission: we need copyright reform which guarantees fair pay for creators and protects consumer rights. We need a fair and balanced approach which benefits all sections of the market but particularly those 8

creating the films, books, and music that we love. If we don’t get this right we risk losing the rich cultural and creative industries that have long thrived in Europe and form an important part of our economy. Julie continues to listen to the different cultural industries’ voices in order to be ready to react to the Commission’s proposal and thereby represent the best interests of industry, consumers and the education sector.

CITIZENSHIP CITIZEN SUMMIT Shortly after her election, Julie participated in the European Citizens Summit in Brussels. Over two days citizens from across Europe challenged EU policies and designed an alternative vision of Europe - one without the obsession for unsustainable growth. Julie debated with citizens and civil society representatives on a diversity of European issues such as austerity measures that are routinely used to punish the poor for the crisis; the rise of far-right political parties and the associated spread of xenophobia; the need to promote and defend basic human rights, ensuring all citizens have access to education, culture and health. She was excited to engage so directly with so many sections of European society, finding it highly informative in respect of her role and has strived to uphold this approach throughout her term.

CHILDREN AS ACTORS FOR TRANSFORMING SOCIETY In July, Julie attended the ‘Children as Actors for Transforming Society’ conference (CATS) in Caux, Switzerland. This unique, child-focused conference empowers children, young people and adults who believe in the rights and well-being of children and who want to work together for a more just, sustainable and inclusive society. The spirit of the conference echoes Julie’s view that children’s beliefs should be represented in the European Parliament and that children can be an intrinsic part of the decision making process. Whilst at the conference Julie delivered a keynote speech alongside Kirsten Sandberg (Chairperson of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child), Kesz Valdez (Winner of the International Children’s Peace Prize) and Judith Diers (Chief of Adolescent Development and Participation, UNICEF). Children from CATS will be making a presentation in the parliament in November. Among them are young people from the North West of England, including children in care.

YOUTH DEMOCRACY Julie participated in a youth democracy event organised by the People’s History Museum in Manchester and also spoke on a panel for the League of Young Voters along with North West Labour MPs Lisa Nandy and Qureshi. She also participated in an event for young women in Manchester encouraging discussion of surveillance issues.

WORKING TO SUPPORT POLITICAL PRISONERS Julie has been very supportive of human rights organisations that pressure undemocratic governments to free prisoners of conscience, such as the Saudi blogger Raif Badawi. In an international campaign to free Nabeel Rajab, a prominent Bahraini human rights defender who was arrested for a tweet, Julie wrote letters to the EU foreign policy chief and argued for the Parliament to adopt a Resolution calling for his release. The international pressure eventually paid off, and Nabeel was released in early July 2015. Julie continues to support his work and will try to ensure he remains free. She also campaigns for political prisoners in Kazakhstan, Iran, and Saudi Arabia, and works with Sport for Human Rights, particularly with regard to Azerbaijani sports journalists who are victims of oppression.

THE SOCIAL RESPONSE TO RADICALISATION Julie has made important contributions to the debate on radicalisation. In a series of events and publications, Julie warned against a simplistic view of extremism, calling for a more diverse public debate where voices and narratives from Muslim communities are supported by community empowerment.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Faced with both jihadist extremism and rising Islamophobic nationalism, it is up to decision-makers and citizens to promote a progressive and inclusive Europe, strong in its diversity, tolerance and multiculturalism. By stimulating citizen participation, investing in inclusive education and promoting open exchange with our neighbours, we can challenge the politics of fear and offer instead a politics of compassion and understanding. We would all be wiser and safer for it.â&#x20AC;?

HUMAN RIGHTS All human beings are born with dignity, worth, and potential. All have human rights to life, expression, liberty and participation in their societies. Julie chooses to use her position to campaign for social justice and promote human rights across the world. Before becoming an MEP, Julie worked on projects that promoted inter-cultural dialogue and peace-building. As an MEP she has spoken out on some of the most urgent issues, from finding balance between surveillance and privacy on the internet, to provision of a social response to the threat of militant radicalism and the call to defend multi-cultural societies from xenophobia. She has further supported NGOs, civil society organisations and grass-root movements who come to the European Parliament to have their voices heard. As Julieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first term began, war broke out in Gaza. Following a prior visit to Palestine and Israel, Julie decided to engage in the subject from the perspective of inter-cultural dialogue, promoting human rights and reconciliation by fostering human communication across the divide. She spoke at public meetings along with religious leaders from different faith groups to appeal for an end to the bombardment and attended fundraising events for organisations such as Medical Aid to Palestine.

Julie has engaged with NGOs and civil society organisations from both sides, including Breaking the Silence, Peace Now, Stop the Wall, Open Bethlehem, the UK- Palestine Mental Health Network and the Bereaved Families Forum. She has met with such notable figures as Nabil Shaath, Yariv Oppenheimer, Professor Marwan Awartani and Avraham Burg. Back in the constituency she has welcomed a group of young Palestinian women as part of Pendle Palestinian Twinning and supports a Palestine Women’s Scholarship Fund. In August 2015 she was one of the main speakers for The Big Ride, a sponsored cycle ride from Edinburgh to London raising awareness and money for Palestinian victims of the war. In Parliament, Julie has regularly voiced the importance of addressing the situation in the West Bank and will be leading a women’s visit to Palestine in November 2015. Julie was delighted that the UK Government and the European Parliament agreed to recognise the state of Palestine and to pursue a non-violent two state approach to resolving the conflict.

As a formal member of the parliamentary committees on Culture and Education (CULT), Regional Development (REGI) and Gender Equality & Women’s Rights (FEMM) and intergroups on Disability and Anti-Poverty, Julie will strive to make sure that the voices of children and young people are heard throughout Parliament.

WOMEN’S RIGHTS & GENDER EQUALITY WHAT IS FEMM?

CHILDREN Before her election, Julie campaigned for children and young people’s rights and wellbeing and their inclusion in social, cultural and civic life. She is now using her position as an MEP to support children and young people, with a particular focus on children in disadvantaged societal groups, those with disabilities and those suﬀering from discrimination. In response to appeals from several major children’s rights networks for a permanent mechanism to protect and promote children’s rights, Julie became an EU ‘children’s rights champion’ and worked hard to ensure the establishment of an ‘inter-group’ for children. This group of MEPs from across Parliament share a common concern to raise the status of children’s rights in parliamentary work. The main objectives of the intergroup as detailed in the Children’s Rights Manifesto: •

To protect and promote children’s rights across all policy sectors. To ensure that the EU funds in the best interests of children.

•

To raise awareness of children’s rights and how EU policy, legislation and funding affect the lives of children in Europe and globally.

•

To engage children in decision-making, monitoring and evaluation through their involvement with MEPs constituency and in EU debates.

This year Julie has submitted amendments to influential reports on issues such as education of girls, youth entrepreneurship through training and education and the plight of refugees. She has also endeavoured to give young people a voice in decision making by co-operating with major international and European networks promoting children’s rights such as UNICEF, Eurochild, Alliance for Childhood, Save the Children, Picum and grassroots organisations.

The Women’s Rights and Gender Equality Committee (FEMM) aims to ensure that a gender perspective is included in all aspects of European policy-making, to lead the way for gender equality in the European Union. Julie decided to stand for MEP after the gang-rape and murder of 23 year-old student, Jyoti Singh Pandey in India in 2012. This horrific event exemplified to her the need to raise her voice for women’s rights at the highest level. From the moment she took her seat on the committee Julie has strived to highlight violence against women and girls across the world.

“When women are not represented in the board rooms of companies, in politics, or across senior positions in society, they become invisible and are not heard in our public sphere. That absence then allows for the objectification of women in our culture and in turn also to violence against women and girls. Women and girls need to be empowered to speak out from a young age and to be heard and represented, from the grass-roots up. Advancing that cause will correct a historic injustice and lead us to a safer and more balanced world.” GREEN EMPLOYMENT INITIATIVE When the EU was developing its strategy for creating and promoting green jobs across Europe, Julie led the FEMM initiative to support female participation and progression in green sectors. FEMM emphasised the importance of education, the need for green jobs to be secure and of high quality and for a stronger female influence in trade unions.

“We must call for strong European coordination on overcoming barriers and achieving greater women’s participation and recruitment into green sectors, having a genuinely gendered view of green-job training and education, guaranteeing equitable pay in industries which often still have widespread underrepresentation and pay-gaps.”

EQUALITY BETWEEN WOMEN AND MEN IN THE EU POST 2015

END FGM CAMPAIGN

Two of the most important decisions made in Parliament this year have been to adopt recommendations made by the FEMM reports on Equality between Women and Men in Europe in 2013 and post-2015 (Tarabella Report and Noichl Report). This will re-shape Europe to secure women’s rights to sexual and reproductive health and access to abortion and contraception. Julie made an important amendment to the Noichl Report, securing best practice sharing on sex and relationship education in order to prevent violence against women.

Female genital mutilation is a horrific act of sexual violence and torture. Many think of it as distant from our lives; in actuality more than 500,000 women and girls in Europe have suffered from FGM and contend with its effects daily. The campaign to end FGM in Europe has been a key priority for Julie.

LGBTI Julie campaigns diligently for the rights of the too often marginalised and discriminated Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transsexual and Intersexual (LGBTI) communities. Following the inhumane police attacks on an LGBTI parade in Istanbul in June 2015, Julie co-signed a letter to the European commission, demanding an explanation of how they will address the issue. The Commission have confirmed that it will “step up cooperation with the Turkish Government, in particular in the areas of rule of law and fundamental freedoms.” Julie continues her stand by driving LGBTI clauses through as many amendments as she can.

In November 2014, Julie opened the launch of an anti-FGM campaign at the Parliament. She used the poetic testimony of a woman who had experienced FGM to illustrate the urgency of the problem. Standing together with an NGO coalition led by Amnesty International, the event signified the start of a campaign of the utmost importance to humanity. Julie spoke on the subject before the whole Parliament, and will continue to raise the issue.

“One of the most powerful ways to fight FGM is to encourage and support affected communities to bear witness to their experiences. Through the telling of stories of those who have experienced the pain of mutilation and circumcision, we break the taboo and stigma which surrounds the ritual. Through sharing the testimonies of others who have been involved, such as health professionals, lawyers and community workers, men as well as women, we show how this is an issue that must be tackled at home as well as abroad.”

WOMEN’S RIGHTS AROUND THE WORLD

SUPERFAST BROADBAND CONNECTING THE NORTH WEST

Julie is a fervent activist against violence against women around the world. Following a shocking incident of mass rape in Darfur in November 2014, Julie wrote a letter to EU Foreign Policy Chief, Federica Mogherini, signed by 217 MEPs. She also wrote to the UN and the case has since been referred to investigation by the International Criminal Court. To maintain this fight against the use of rape as a weapon, Julie supported the award of the Sakharov Prize to the Congolese doctor Denis Mukwege, who has treated thousands of women affected by gang-rape in Congo. Julie will continue to raise the issue of the plight of women across the world suffering from discrimination and violence.

It is recognised that the North West needs to be part of the digital revolution. Whilst many UK cities were able to develop super-fast broadband, the opportunity was denied to many areas of the North West, particularly in more remote and rural areas. In the last two years, European Regional Development Funds (ERDF) of £46.9M have been made available to help provide super-fast broadband to approximately 93% of the population. Fibre optic cables have been installed into hundreds of locations across the region, allowing internet providers to make the links to homes and businesses.

NATIONAL GRAPHENE INSTITUTE

REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT WHAT IS REGI The EU provides direct funding assistance to the North West, which is used to stimulate growth through infrastructure projects, business start-ups, skills development and new technologies. Through her work with the Regional Development Committee (REGI), Julie helps to ensure the North West Region directly benefits from this support. She also puts a spotlight on the North West by bringing local organisations to the parliament to share best practice examples, for example, a ground-breaking social inclusion project carried out by Bolton Octagon Theatre and Bolton at Home social housing project was showcased in the REGI Committee in July 2015.

MANCHESTER VICTORIA STATION Victoria Station is the second largest station in a city that is to be at the forefront of the Northern Powerhouse. The station has recently been the subject of a major £44m upgrade, with £7.4M coming from the EU. The upgrade includes a new contemporary roof and expansions to the station concourse, allowing for future increases in passenger numbers, and has preserved large parts of this grade II listed building.

IT IS REASSURING TO KNOW THAT YOU AND OTHER LABOUR MEPS ARE BEING VIGILANT AND PUSHING TO PUT PEOPLE AND THE PLANET FIRST. PLEASE KEEP GOING WITH THIS IMPORTANT WORK. (KATHY)

The National Graphene Institute, based at the University of Manchester, is a research institute with a focus on Graphene, perhaps one of the most revolutionary technologies of the 21st Century. Its construction cost £61M, of which £28M came from the EU. Manchester’s planned ‘Graphene Valley’ will bring together leading academics, scientists and businesses to help develop graphene technology. It will ultimately help create and support thousands of jobs and make Manchester a technological hub.

RURAL DEVELOPMENT FUNDING The EU also supports smaller-scale rural community projects in the North West. EU funding of £160K, matched by Allerdale Borough Council and Carlisle Leisure, transformed Maryport with ‘Clip n Climb’, an interactive indoor climbing venue. In addition to boosting the local economy and providing jobs, this project has had an important social impact, providing young people with healthy and safe social activities.

EUROPEAN SOCIAL FUND The EU helps people develop new skills to get them back into work, education or further training. The Workers Educational Association (WEA) was granted £4.5M of EU funding, enabling them to work with 7000 unemployed people throughout the North West. Approximately a quarter of these people have achieved an accredited qualification. In addition, a survey found that 26% are now employed, 21% self-employed, 29% have gone into further training and 49% are doing voluntary work.

AM LOVING EVERYTHING YOU ARE DOING. YOU ARE AN INSPIRATION. (GERALDINE LING)

FAIR ECONOMICS The challenges we face as a society - ongoing austerity, growing inequality and climate change - demonstrate that we need a fairer and more sustainable economy. Julie has spoken out on issues of social justice, inclusion, and compassion in our economic system. For Julie, any economic growth must be sustainable growth. She consistently promotes social entrepreneurship, cooperatives, mutuals, credit unions and other alternative business models, as well as supporting small businesses and the rural economy. POST-CRASH ECONOMICS Following the economic crisis, a group of students at the University of Manchester established the Post-Crash Economics Society, to introduce diverse points of view that have been excluded from economics education. Julie spoke at their (un) Conference in April and strongly supports their call for greater pluralism in economics.

FAIRTRADE AND TTIP Julie believes that our economic system must prioritise people and planet over profit and corporatism. As a result, she has engaged with economic issues in Europe and the North West, supporting regional Fairtrade initiatives such as Fairtrade Fortnight. In February she worked alongside a cocoa farmer from Belize to help primary school children learn about their favourite food - chocolate! This Fairtrade Fortnight event was organised by one of Julie’s chosen charities, Cumbria Development Education Centre. Julie has been particularly vocal on US-EU trade relations. The Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) negotiation with the USA is one of the most controversial European issues and will affect all UK citizens. Julie has insisted, along with other Labour MEPs, that TTIP must raise environmental and social standards, protect social services and uphold democracy. Labour MEPs are strongly against any form of investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) mechanism included in TTIP. Julie is particularly vocal about raising awareness of the Alternative Trade Mandate which was endorsed by the parliament in January 2014 before she was elected. Simply, the mandate states that no trade should harm people or planet.

COMMON GOODS AND PUBLIC SERVICES INTERGROUP Common goods are those that human beings need collectively - such as water, clean air and public spaces. In an age of growing inequality and privatisation, protecting common goods is of utmost importance. Julie supported and promoted the establishment of the Common Goods and Public Services Intergroup, working with MEPs across parties to establish a forum for discussion on how to protect and manage these common goods through more equitable and sustainable economics.

Julie co-hosted an intergroup event on ‘Radical Democracy’ exploring how artists and filmmakers can help open up the debate about issues such as public space. Julie will continue to be an active member of the group as it expands to tackle water, genetic and biological material and environmental issues.

ICT AND DEVELOPMENT Julie is part of the European Internet Forum (EIF), a group of MEPs from across political parties, who engage with and facilitate engagement between European institutions, industry and civil society. Julie joined the EIF to raise the voices of civil society and promote a fair vision on internet management. In June 2015, Julie hosted the event ‘ICT in development’, highlighting the potential impacts of emerging technologies on sustainable development. The event emphasised the need for cooperation between NGOs, business, and European decisionmakers, as well as the need to empower women and girls through participation in the ICT field.

MENTAL HEALTH, DISABILITY & WELL-BEING Julie is an active campaigner for mental health and well-being and for people with disabilities. She works very closely with Thalidomide campaigners to support fair treatment across the whole of the EU. She is also a link MEP for the UN Council on Disabilities and is one of a handful of MEP Mental Health Ambassadors, a role which she cherishes. In particular, she has strived to raise awareness of the devastating impact that depression has on people all across the EU, a trend which is set to rise amongst people most aﬀected by austerity. In January 2015, Julie was proud to co-launch the Labour Mental Health Campaign in Manchester, alongside Angela Rayner (now MP for Ashton-Under-Lyne). This campaign has helped to pave the way for Labour’s increased focus on mental health which has seen the first ever appointment of a Shadow Minister for Mental Health. Julie supports Victim Care, a national grassroots organisation that works with bereaved families who have lost loved ones to homicide. She also supports the Bury Hospice Arts Festival and other arts and health initiatives and is keen to promote initiatives such as social prescribing whereby arts and sports activities are used as an alternative to medical treatment, helping to build lasting community-led health solutions which save the government money.

Julie is proud to be a patron of Dance Syndrome, a disability-led social enterprise based at UCLAN in Preston. The company is the brainchild of Jen Blackwell, a talented young woman with Down’s Syndrome who lives to dance!

INTERNATIONAL DELEGATIONS In an increasingly globalised world, it is ever important that the EU builds and maintains relations with nations across the globe. Julie sits in the parliamentary delegations for relations with Kosovo-Bosnia Herzegovina and African, Caribbean and Pacific countries (ACP). These delegations bring together Members of Parliament from these countries to speak to MEPs and maintain their countries’ relations with the EU. DELEGATION TO KOSOVO AND BOSNIA HERZEGOVINA The Kosovo-Bosnia Herzegovina delegation held its first meetings in April and May 2015 in Strasbourg. As a keynote speaker at both meetings, Julie stressed the importance of dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia and of a social response to youth radicalisation in Bosnia. Julie continued her leadership in the delegation with a focus on the commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide, when more than 8000 Muslim men and boys were murdered in an act of ethnic cleansing that the world failed to prevent. in 2014, Julie attended the multi-faith Remembering Srebrenica memorial event for the Mothers of Srebrenica at Blackburn Cathedral with Yasmin Qureshi MP and local councillors. On the Memorial Day in July 2015, Julie and fellow MEP Afzal Khan went to Srebrenica and met with Bosnian women who had survived the massacre. Julie returned to Srebrenica in 2015 to volunteer on a youth project ‘The Complete Freedom of Truth’ which is building bridges between young people across Europe and developing youth entrepreneurship. On July 9th 2015 the European Parliament adopted a resolution on the importance of remembering the terrible events in Srebrenica, stressing the need for continued reconciliation. Julie contributed to the resolution by highlighting the role of inter-cultural dialogue, the media, culture, and arts in the process of reconciliation.

AFRICAN, CARIBBEAN AND PACIFIC COUNTRIES On the African, Caribbean and Pacific countries delegation, Julie contributed to a resolution on culture and human rights, making clear the need for human rights to be upheld and promoted in ACP countries through civil society engagement and grass-roots participation. She emphasised that education is the key to this, and that its accessibility for women, girls, and marginalised communities needs to be improved.

Julie further drove these ideas into the ACP Resolution on Vocational Skills and Education in ACP countries, where she underlined the need to include ICT and emerging technologies education for women and girls in order to achieve sustainable development. She further highlighted the important role of education in post-conflict peace building and reconciliation. Julie looks forward to making more contributions to the ACP delegation’s work throughout her term.

JULIE THE CAMPAIGNER Julie was an activist and campaigner before becoming an MEP and continues to campaign strongly on a number of issues. She is committed to peace, human rights, equality and dignity for all and has used her position to speak up on behalf of people in the North West and across the world. She is a committed anti- austerity campaigner and works with fellow MEPs on the Anti-Poverty intergroup to build solidarity across Europe.

DEFENDING PUBLIC SERVICES At the heart of the Labour Party are our public services and non more so than the National Health Service. Julie has campaigned long and hard against the devastating cuts to the NHS. In August 2014, Julie and other Labour Party activists joined the “Darlo Mams” in the Jarrow to London 999 March for the NHS. Julie joined the first day of the march walking from Jarrow to Chester Le Street. In addition Julie has joined in numerous events organised by the People’s Assembly to highlight the damage being done to our public services in the name of austerity. She also attended a protest vigil outside the House of Commons to defend the NHS and went to Downing Street with Women’s Aid campaigners protesting the closure of refuges and cuts in legal aid for victims of domestic abuse. Julie has been supporting PCS union members who are in dispute with the National Gallery. When the Gallery management decided to outsource its front of house staff, Julie joined frontline strikers along with notable others such as Turner Prize Winners Mark Wallinger and Grayson Perry, and Labour MP (now Party Leader) Jeremy Corbyn, on May Day and again in June. She visited the Houses of Parliament with union members to show her solidarity during a public hearing initiated by Labour MP John McDonnell. Julie believes that vital public services should remain in the hands of the public, and shouldn’t be sold-off to private corporations.

THEY SAID... Would that there were more politicians of your calibre. What a difference that would make! (Carole)

Thank you for your visit! We would love to continue our collaboration! And thanks for inspiring ideas! (Anna Levchuk)

Thank you for standing up for Britain’s democracy by opposing ISDS (Dr J)

Well you get my vote Julie. In order to represent something you need to know fully what you represent. That’s what you are doing and what needs to be done to counteract the growing prejudice about Eastern European people. (Keith Bray)

Please keep up the fight and if there is anything we can do to support you please let us know. (John) It’s good to know you’re standing up for what’s right. (Ian) Keep up the good work Julie! (Garth) Thank you for raising awareness of the value of the arts. (Sue Hedges)

Julie, you’re one of the reasons why I have some belief in political reform. (Ghulam Haydar) If more politicians were as brave and as

AFFILIATIONS Patron: Dance Syndrome PANDA (Performing Arts Networking and Development Agency) Darlington Festival of Performing Arts Sponsor: The Dogs Trust Cumbria Development Education Centre Victim Care Complete Freedom of Truth, Srebrenica, Bosnia Bury Hospice Saddleworth Palestine Women’s Scholarship Fund Women’s Voices Theatre Project Boards: National Drama Jack Drum Arts Membership - non political: UNITE Community Culture Action Europe Royal Society of Arts Amnesty International Fawcett Society CND

Membership - political: Labour Party European Parliamentary Labour Party Labour Campaign for International Development Labour Representation Committee (LRC) Labour CND Labour Women’s Network SERA (Labour Environment Campaign) Co-operative Party Fabian Society Fabian Women Women in Parliament Global Forum PNND (Parliamentarians for Non-Nuclear Proliferation) Labour Assembly Against Austerity Labour Movement for Europe The European Movement Forward in Europe Alumni: Winston Churchill Memorial Trust Fellow University of Newcastle upon Tyne (MEd) Commonwealth Relations Trust Fellow

Promoted by Trevor MacFarlane, Oﬃce of Julie Ward MEP, Workington Town Hall, Oxford Street, Workington. CA14 2RS.Printed by Urban Soul Design, Blue Pit Mill, Queensway, Rochdale, Greater Manchester. OL11 2YW. Photographs by the Oﬃce of Julie Ward MEP, associated partners and Barney Roberts (team headshots)

principled as you are, Julie, the world would be a better place. (Heledd Owen) I feel reassured to have yourself and other like-minded people doing what you can to prevent the corporate-led efforts to have everything their own way. I wish you success in your efforts. (John) I appreciated your collective energy expended in the tough stance you are taking for all our futures. It does bring to mind one of my quotations that reflects my view of such things i.e. “Destiny is not a matter of chance - it is a matter of choice. It is not a thing to be waited for-it is a thing to be achieved” (Barrie)