EU Students Plan Castle Showdown With Sheriff Of Nottingham

A group of 25 European "Robin Hoods" will meet with the Sheriff of Nottingham outside the gates of Nottingham Castle this Saturday to discuss how Nottinghamshire businesses can develop trading links across the EU.

The band of merry men (and women), from universities as far afield as Germany, Poland, France, Spain, the Netherlands and Lithuania will spend 30 minutes with Cllr Leon Unczur talking about international trade. It will form part of a tour of the city's best-known attractions, which aims to introduce the students to Nottingham life.

As well as meeting with the Sheriff, the group will be taken on tours of the Nottingham Castle, Council House, Lace Market, Galleries of Justice and City of Caves. They will also take a ride on the Wheel of Nottingham and sample refreshments at two of the city's best-loved pubs - Ye Olde Salutation Inn and the Bell Inn.   

The event has been organised by Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Chamber of Commerce's International Student Placement Office (ISPO) and Nottingham City Council's regional and international team.

The council's regional and international team is responsible for representing Nottingham on the international stage, as well as hosting visiting delegations. Its main goal is to fostering business and cultural links with Nottingham's twin cities - Karlsruhe in Germany, Ningbo in China, Timisoara in Romania and Minsk in Belarus.

ISPO brings students from all over the EU to the East Midlands to help firms overcome language barriers to international trade. It draws on EU funds to help cover the cost of the placements, meaning host companies are not required to pay a salary.

Continental universities encourage their students to take part in placements which allow them to use their English language skills in a business environment. The students are all fluent in English, skilled and aware of business practices.

All are helped to settle in the area by ISPO, which provides support and guidance on issues such as accommodation and transport - and even a guidebook on local phrases and dialect.

Polish student Kamil Kurpierz, who's current placement with the city council was arranged by ISPO, is responsible for creating Saturday's programme of events. He said: "The whole aim of the day is to give the students a really good insight into Nottingham and its history, culture and lifestyle and we hope to give them an unforgettable experience in this fantastic city." 

Sheriff of Nottingham Cllr Unczur said: "I'm looking forward to talking to students about their working experiences and impressions of Nottingham. It will be an occasion to have an in-depth discussion about how Nottingham businesses can work with firms from their home countries. I am pleased to see that the students will have an opportunity to visit some of the most important and popular cultural venues in Nottingham and I'm confident they will become ambassadors of the city when they go back home."

ISPO co-ordinator Ben Littler added: "All of the students are really looking forward to meeting the Sheriff and will be dressed in Robin Hood hats that are a special gift from Nottingham City Council and Nottingham Tourism Centre. We are also grateful to the Sheriff's office for being so supportive and also of all the pubs and attractions who have offered us discounted rates."

Photo/Filming/Interview Opportunity: The ISPO students, dressed as Robin Hood, will be meeting with the Sherriff of Nottingham, Coun Leon Unczur, at the gates of Nottingham Castle at 1.30pm on Saturday 6 March 2010. Contact on the day will be Ben Littler on 07790 350084.

For more information, please contact Jon Smart, Press and Media Manager, on 01246 207207 or 07764 431028 or email Jonathan.Smart@dncc.co.uk


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