Innovation Camp: nice days!

The innovation camp, which took place in 7. -10. May in Cesis, in Latvia, is already over. The time goes so fast! The aims of it were to promote the exchange of experience about how to lead a student company, to create new networks between schools and students in different countries. I think that the aims were achieved, because the participants of the innovation camp active participated in the discussions with lectors – Pauls Irbins from the Riga School of Economics, Rihards Berugs from the University of Vidzeme, Raimonds Bricis from the advertising agency Saatchi & Saatchi. In the work groups were generated new ideas and students participated active in the discussions.

I liked all lectures very well, I got a lot of new knowledge in the business and especially how to generate new ideas and, of course, realize them. I hope that the students from the other countries have the same opinion.

I think that one of the best parts of the conference were the presentations of the student companies, I liked all ideas. It was very interesting for me to see the very different ideas and the ways how to realize them. You all are full of inspiration and imagination! I think that the innovation camp is only the start, the first step to generate new ideas, realize the dreams, but, in my opinion, it is very important step. Now we, young people, are in our own countries and municipalities. We need to think further how to work with the knowledge and ideas in the local communities.  Now personally I am not involved in a student company, but after this conference I received a lot of inspiration and will maybe create in the future my own student company.

We had 3 work groups – E – business, Arts and handcrafts, Services. Personally I participated in the first work group – E – business. We inspected some web pages, thought how it would be possible to involve them in the e – business, how to earn money and generate ideas in the internet. I hope that the other work groups had productive time too. I think that the time for work groups was not enough, because in one hour it is not possible to discuss everything.

Very positive, I think, was the fact, that hard work was good connected with the entertainment and sightseeing possibilities, because, in my opinion, only well relaxed person can hard work. I hope that our friends from other countries enjoyed attending the nature and animal park in Lîgatne, the lake castle in Âraiði and being together with the tribe!

I think that during this conference we got a lot of new friends. Very positive I value the fact that the students from all municipalities involved in the PIPE project got together and so the new ideas and dreams could better escalate. We all, in my opinion, found out more what young people are doing in the other municipalities and what are their plans for the further work in PIPE project. It was a very good experience.  

On behalf of all Latvians I can say you that we were glad to admit you all in Cçsis, in Cîrulîði in these nice and fast – moving days. I hope you liked our country and you will come back some day!

I want to say thanks to all participants and organizers of the Innovation Camp. I want to give special thanks to the Cçsis City Council and especially to Inese Suija, Cçsis District Council and especially Lotârs Dravants, the management of the PIPE project – Alf S. Johansen, Bjǿrn Ring Opjordsmoen and the others and of course, the politicians.

I look forward to meet you some day again in Latvia, in Cçsis!

Edgars Vimba,

Sudent of Cçsis City Grammar school,
Member of the steering committee