Published on: Friday, 10 January 2014

EcCoWell is an initiative about integrating strategies directed at a better life in cities across the areas of ecology, economy (Ec), community, culture (Co), wellbeing, lifelong learning (Well). EcCoWell is a way of taking a holistic approach to policies, which aim at building humane cities that foster quality of life and wellbeing for their residents.

This EcCoWeLL approach to city development is being advanced in Cork.  Building on areas of common interest between public and private sectors and using resources more efficiently in Cork City, the results can only mean that greater equality, social inclusion and ultimately a better quality of life for everyone.

In September 2013 the first EcCo Well Conference was organised in Cork. The Conference which attracted over 250 national and international delegates was a very positive move in developing the EcCo Well approach and applying it to initiatives throughout Cork and further afield.

Prof. Mike Osborne, University of Glasgow; Ted Owens, CEo, Cork ETB; Joan Devlin, WHO Secretariat Healthy Cities; Cllr Catherine Clancy, Lord Mayor of Cork; Michael Parkinson, John Moores University; Minister Sean Sherlock,  Department of Enterprise, Jobs & Innovation and Department of Education & Skills with responsibility for Research & Innovation; Pat Ledwidge, Director of Services, Cork City Council;  and José Ignacio Arriba, City Council, Victoria Gasteiz.

The follow up to that event has been very encouraging with Cork being referenced repeatedly as a model of best practice internationally as a Learning city, and as a world leader in successfully applying EcCoWeLL principles across the sectors citywide, with support from local and national government representatives. It has been referred to as ‘an inspiration’ to Glasgow who hosted a follow up event in Glasgow University in December 2013.

Cllr. Catherine Clancy, Lord Mayor of Cork, and Cork City Council hosted a ceremony in December for the organisers of the EcCo Well International Conference and presented the organising committee with a gift to acknowledge the work. Deirdre Creedon, Access Officer who represents Cork Institute of Technology on the organising committee will hold the gift in CIT for the coming months.

Denis Barrett, Cork ETB; Bernie Connelly, Cork Environmental Forum; Dr. Barry O’Connor, Registrar & Vice President for Academic Affairs; CIT; Deirdre Creedon, CIT; Tina Neylon, Cork Lifelong Learning Festival; Denise Cahill, HSE.
Missing Committee members – Elmarie McCarthy, Cork City Council and Martin Donoghue, Cork Opera House.