The regional identity conference in Alytus city

           The conference is unfortunately over. I think that this convention was really great and inspiration full.  All speeches given by invited persons were great and interesting. I think that very necessary for that conference was the speech given by Gintaras Beresnevicius, Senior Science Expert of Culture, Philosophy and Art Institute. It was interesting for me to hear about the evolution of Lithuanian’s culture during the centuries and get acquainted with his opinion how the joining to the EU could will affect the ethnic culture.

Very interesting I estimate the speech given by Nathalie Verchelde, PHARE and ISPA program manager. I got more directly acquainted with the nuances in connection with the EU. Maybe this speech linked me especially because the situation in Latvia is quite similar the circumstances in Lithuania – we both are now on the doorstep to the European Union.

Very interesting and innovative, in my opinion, was the development plan by “Lucky Naroset”, a local settlement in Norway. It is a good example how to attract tourists and people generally to the local community owing new ideas and innovation. I can confess that something like that I had not seen before and maybe won’t see anywhere. It was great!

Of course, the other speeches were interesting too.

Extremely interesting I found the job made by sociologist research team in Vilnius, based on surveys from Alytus, Telemark, Ostfold and Cesis. It was interesting to compare the results between the regions, to see how young people estimate different values, what do they think about different kinds of communication, worth. I think that this survey shows one part of the local identity and how the youth feel in it.

Very important part of this conference was, in my opinion, the presentations of future charter and status report from all regions. There we saw, in my opinion, the necessity of such conferences, because in routine days we see only the job done in the region where we live. But there we had great possibility to look at work done in different regions and done in different ways. Because the PIPE project is international, it is very important to know what is happening abroad in different communities participating in PIPE. It was something like the push to continue the work and to work harder. It was some kind of motivation to realize a lot of ideas.

One of the most necessary parts of this conference, in my opinion, was the discussions in the groups between the regions how to continue the cooperation during the next school year. For example, we (the region of Cesis) and Ostfold region had a lot of ideas we are going to realize and, of course, we are going continue the very nice and necessary cooperation we have had during last year. I hope that the others will do the same – continue cooperation!

Very important I estimate the fact that during these nice days spent in Lithuania the hard work was good connected with entertainment and sightseeing activities. Your country is very beautiful and nice! Thank you for it!

I want to give a big hand to the organizers of this conference – you have done a very great and necessary job for PIPE! Thank you, Lithuanians and PIPE management team!

I look forward to meet all of you in the next conference and wish you all the best!

Edgars Vimba

Student of Cesis City Grammar School
                                                                                              Member of the steering committee