Lille’s partnership with Leeds dates back to 1968 when a twinning charter was signed, with relations between the two universities in place before the war. Since then the number and nature of the links have multiplied and there is continual contact between academics, young people and businesses in both countries.
The two cities have worked together on various youth and education projects, mostly European funded, to address common challenges faced by modern European cities. French students have participated annually in the Breeze International Festival held in Leeds. Young people in Leeds are offered the opportunity to become involved in youth activities in Lille, such as the annual Hellemmes international youth football tournament and an international artistic residency involving youth groups from Leeds, Lille and Turin. Partnerships with the Lille schools take many forms, including joint curriculum work, pupil and teacher exchanges and the mutual development of foreign language skills. In the academic year Sept 09 to July 10, a teacher from Lille has come to Leeds to teach in two primary schools in Adel.
Leeds has established good relations between British Telecom and their French equivalent PTT in France over the years. In 2007 their 23rd anniversary was celebrated with an exchange of visits. As well as this, trade missions between the two cities have explored the potential for business collaboration.
Age Concern Leeds has a partnership with a similar charity in Lille called Carrami. The partnership has been in existence since 1987. Age Concern Leeds organises free weekly French classes for older people and includes an older persons exchange each year with Carrami. This year a group of older people from Carrami will visit Leeds.
Lille and Leeds are currently planning to share good practice through a joint city region project, focusing on relations between Leeds-Lille and Bradford-Roubaix. In 2009 officers from Lille also came to Leeds to discuss sharing good practice in city centre management and this year there will be a study visit to the Lille Metropole region to share best practices in urban regeneration, explore city region collaboration and partnership. The Chair of Leeds Fairtrade City steering group will also talk at a fair trade conference in Lille.
Cultural links have been maintained through many projects such as those commemorating their joint history within Europe, examining the role of the veteran in society, raising young people’s awareness of the history of World War II and jointly commemorating Remembrance Day both in Leeds and in Lille.