Are we in danger of being stifled by the law?

The reason for asking is two news reports that have landed on my desk this week, one immediately following the other.

The first report was about a statement by Lifelong Learning Minister Bill Rammell pleading with local councils to encourage more youth involvment in their twinning activities..Read ithere.

The second was regarding the threat to Dunbars annual exchange programme for youngsters because of child protection laws. ...Read it here.

I ask again, is twinning being stifled by the law.

We all agree that the future of twinning, and hopefully international co-operation lies with our youth, but are we in danger of killing our hopes for the future.

We can all agree that children need protection, especially in this day and age, but surely, councils, twinning associations, schools, scout groups, sports organisations etc. are generally composed of responsible people who are aware of the risks and would do their own risk assessment based on their personal knowledge of the host familes. Many of whom are themselves parents and would treat the children as they would expect their own children to be treated in a similar situation.

Is this carrying the nanny state a step too far?

Please tell us what you think, and send a message of support to the Dunbar Twinning Association. You can e-mail them via their website at





Dunbar Twinning Association