International links
Twin towns
Antony
Antony was the first place in the world to be formally twinned with us in 1962, when Deptford was a separate borough.
The area, just South of Paris held a celebration in honour of the 50th anniversary of the twinning in 2012, attended by the Chair of Lewisham Council.
There have been many links between residents over the years including a friendship that has lasted fifty years.
More recently, the Young Mayor’s team were invited to visit the Youth Council of Antony to share ideas and approaches to young people.
Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf
We were officially twinned with Charlottenburg, before it merged with Wilmersdorf, in 1968.
Residents in both areas have been involved in numerous projects that have facilitated community groups to share ideas and experiences.
This has included a football exchange in 2009/10 between Charlottenburg and Lewisham Borough Community Football Club, and the Hugo Distler Choir from Charlottenburg singing with the Blackheath Choir at Blackheath Halls in 2005.
Kingston
We have been working with Kingston, the capital of Jamaica, for a number of years, and since 2012 has had a friendship link to share ideas.
The Council was awarded a Best Practice grant from the Commonwealth Local Government Forum to share the work around 'Love Lewisham', which gives residents the chance to report environmental problems using social media.
Supporting Fairtrade
We are an official Fairtrade borough and are committed to supporting Fairtrade for better prices, decent working conditions, local sustainability, and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers in the developing world.
Other international links
Lewisham has received funding from institutions such as the British Council and the Commonwealth Local Government Forum to share ideas about innovative international approaches in areas such as education and the environment. Working together, the Council has been able to share insight and knowledge of solutions to common problems.
Lewisham and Ekurhuleni
In 2002, Lewisham signed a friendship link with Ekurhuleni, an area to the east of Johannesburg in South Africa. 'Ekurhuleni' is a Tsonga word, meaning 'a place of peace'.
Working with the Lewisham Schools Improvement Team, a successful funding application to the British Council gave ten Lewisham primary schools a chance to be part of the Global Schools Project. The following Lewisham schools were connected with ten schools in Ehlanzeni, near Ekurhuleni, South Africa:
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All Saints
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Brindishe
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Dalmain
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Hither Green
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Rangefield
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Rathfern
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St James Hatcham
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St William of York
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Tidemill
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Watergate
These schools have been able to use insight from international connections to add depth and understanding to their teaching and learning In the following curriculum areas: citizenship, sports, healthy lifestyles and geography. Each school also had the opportunity to develop specific partnership curriculum links with one school in Ehlanzeni, as well as taking part in professional development workshops funded by the British Council.
Lewisham and Matagalpa
In 1987, during the Sandinista Revolution we became linked with Matagalpa in Nicaragua.
St. Swithin's Church in Hither Green already had links with a church in Matagalpa and it was decided to build on those links. The support continued when we raised funds for Hurricane Mitch, a devastating storm that hit Central America in 1998.
Get involved
Email international@lewisham.gov.uk to find out how you can be involved.
Below are examples of international projects and opportunities for Lewisham students and staff in schools, colleges and higher education institutions. For more information and to find out deadlines, contact details are below.
Fly the Flag
An annual event for people across the world to celebrate the Commonwealth. On 10 March 2014 the Mayor of Lewisham will hoist the Commonwealth Flag, along with leaders and groups nationwide, and there is an opportunity for pupils aged 7–11 to help Fly the Flag for Lewisham by entering a poetry competition.
Europe in Action
To coincide with the European Elections 2014, pupils aged 11–14 are looking at European issues that affect them and entering a Lewisham-wide writing competition to win a trip to visit a Member of the European Parliament in Brussels.
Euroscola
Lewisham students aged 16–18 can attend a special session at the European Parliament at Strasbourg, debating with other students from across the 17 member states of the European Union.