The Spring Council meeting-seminar of the regional EDS partner-Nordic Conservative Student Union(NKSU)- was hosted by Latvian Conservative Youth Union (LKJA-Latvijas Konservatīvā Jaunatnes Apvienība) and took place on March 26-28, in Riga. Together with participants from NKSU member organisation also EDS was represented in this event by its Chairman Bence Bauer and Vice-Chairman Mr. Jean Baptiste-Dabezies.
The purpose of the seminar “Education- a cornerstone for Baltic’s revival? The experience of Nordic region” was to discuss the main challenges of the Nordic-Baltic integration and possibilities to share the most valuable experience within the context of the current economic situation and provisional reforms. As a part of Europe and global world, Nordic and Baltic countries are currently facing new challenges and it is the task of the new, rising generation to solve them. Education, research and innovations are among the main tools to get Europe, as well as the whole continent back on a path of sustainable growth. It was underlined, that one of the basic tools to promote economic growth is to amend and to develop European policy of education and research, including EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea region.
On the Friday evening all participants – the international guests and young people from Latvian political parties- New Era, Civic Union and Society for Political Change gathered at LCYU likeminded New Era office. The seminar was opened by the letter of Prime minister of Latvia Mr.Valdis Dombrovskis, who couldn`t be present because of European Council in Brussels on the very same day. European Parliament was represented by Mr. Arturs Krisjanis Karins, Head of Latvian delegation to the European Parliament (EPP group). After nice welcome words the representative from New Era Youth gave presentation on their activities and political situation in Latvia, focused on the ongoing consolidation of the right wing parties.
The following day members of the NKSU were introduced to various topics for further discussions, among them Nordic-Baltic integration: 21th century regional dilemma; the role of education in the building of competitive economics; the best practices in the field of education- before the universities, etc.
During the dinner participants were addressed by Mr. Andreas Michael Klein Resident Representative of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung in the Baltic States and Great Britain and Mr. Bence Bauer, Chairman of European Democrat Students. Bence Bauer expressed his opinion that NKSU could serve as an excellent example of regional Youth cooperation and shortly described the recent and upcoming activities of EDS.
The fruitful working day was followed by a beautiful cultural experience - Giuseppe Verdi’s Un ballo in maschera (A Masked Ball) in the Latvian National Opera.
The whole event was concluded by NKSU Council meeting, in the course of which Nordic and Baltic representatives agreed to continue cooperation within EDS, discussed organisational and financial issues of NKSU and the provisional topics for NKSU motions.
EDS is a member association of