Transborder Recollections
Rhineland-Palatinate's two-year presidency at the Interregional Parliamentary Council (IPR) concluded on November 29, 2024, following a term that emphasised the strengthening of cross-border remembrance and commemoration work in the Greater Region. The IPR, a formal institution fostering dialogue and cooperation between regional parliaments, was founded in 1986 and consists of elected members from various regions, including Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland, Grand Est, Luxembourg, Wallonia, Wallonie-Bruxelles, and the German-speaking Community of Belgium.
During the presidency, a keynote speech on German-French friendship was delivered by Ulrich Wickert at a memorial session. The session, held on January 27, 2023, commemorated the victims of National Socialism. The focus on remembrance and commemoration was further underscored by the launch of the "Memorator" project, a digital network map of memorial sites in the Greater Region. The "Memorator" website, available in German and French, will be accessible online from November 29, 2024, at www.memorator.eu.
The "Memorator" website aims to bundle, preserve, and show cross-border connections of historically political memorial sites in the Greater Region. It is intended to be a resource for mediators and educators to engage more intensively with historical themes. The website encourages exchange between actors, highlights commonalities, and encourages cooperation.
In addition to the focus on remembrance and education, Rhineland-Palatinate's presidency also addressed economic, social, and cultural issues. Six IPR commissions addressed themes such as Economic Questions, Transport and Communication, Environment and Agriculture, Education, Training, Research, and Culture, Internal Security, Disaster Protection, and Rescue Services. An education program was presented at the BPC plenary session, which aims to improve knowledge and understanding of Judaism. The IPR commission on Internal Security, Disaster Protection, and Rescue Services adopted a recommendation to combat African swine fever and combat prostitution and human trafficking.
The BPC plenary session was held in the Mainz state parliament, where Hendrik Hering, State Parliament President, presented a balance sheet of the Rhineland-Palatinate presidency. The decisions of the IPR plenary are submitted to the state government, which submits a statement to the Landtag. Decisions and statements are then discussed in the Europa Committee.
As the Rhineland-Palatinate presidency concludes, the "Memorator" project marks a significant achievement in fostering cross-border cooperation and dialogue. The digital platform is expected to serve as a valuable resource for educators, mediators, and anyone interested in the historical and cultural heritage of the Greater Region.
- The "Memorator" website, a valuable resource for educators and mediators seeking to engage more intensively with historical themes, emphasizes education and self-development by bundling, preserving, and showcasing cross-border connections of historically political memorial sites in the Greater Region.
- The IPR commission on Education, Training, Research, and Culture adopted an education program during Rhineland-Palatinate's presidency, aiming to improve knowledge and understanding of Judaism, further indicating a commitment to education and lifestyle fostering further insight into general news topics.
