In Latgale, the project “Sustainability of Latvia - educated people and the preservation of natural values” is implemented.
The question of how to strengthen Latvia and Latgale's sustainability responses will be found in the Rēzekne Technology Academy and partners - the municipality of Rezekne, the municipality of Ludza, the Municipality of Lephans, the municipality of Madona, the association “Latvian Innovators' Association”, the association “Biomass Technology Centre”, implementing the Latvian environmental and natural value celebration of Latvia's environmental and natural values, honouring the activity of Latvia's state of existence.
The project focuses on the development of regional policy and environmental protection policy in Latvia and Latgale, in line with the principles set out in the environmental policy guidelines 2014-2020 – “to provide citizens with the opportunity to live in a clean and orderly environment through sustainable development activities, ensuring the sustainable use of natural resources, as well as promoting public awareness of the state of the environment and qualitative participation in decision-making, highlighting the importance of the preservation of cultural and natural values.” These principles are directly linked to the objective of the project: the comprehensive assessment and analysis of the systemic commitment of the quality of life, education, research and business environment and the resulting opportunities and risks to improve high-value environmental and regional policy in Latvia and Latgale.
The key words that provide more accurate insight into the content of the project are: education (general, middle and higher, and other formal and informal learning levels), research, environmental education, environmental protection (preservation of ecosystems, development of environmental technologies), sustainability.
In order to achieve this objective, six interconnected thematic initiatives are organised:
- Forum “Sustainability of Latvia - educated people and preservation of natural values”, Rezekne, 25 November 2016;
- discussion: how to link environmental protection initiatives to research and entrepreneurship? Latgale municipality experience ", Ludza, 27 January 2017;
- discussion on youth education for balanced development of Latvia, preservation of natural and cultural values ", Madona, 17 February 2017;
- discussion on “transit and environmental protection”, Livani, 3 March 2017;
- Forum, dedicated to the history of the centenary of Latgale Congress “sustainability factors and preservation of natural values in the next hundred years”, Rezekne, 28 April 2017;
- An exhibition dedicated to the natural values of Razna National Park and the 10-year anniversary (opening of the exhibition in Rēzekne on 28 April 2017).
In October, in eight working groups in Rezekne, Riga, Ludza, Livans and Madona, experts discussed in detail the concepts and scenarios of the event content. They shared more than fifty experts – local government leaders, representatives of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development, representatives of the Ministry of Education and Science and the Ministry of Economics, experts from environmental protection institutions, entrepreneurs, leading experts of universities and scientific research institutions, leaders of educational institutions, environmental engineers, doctorate and representatives of other governmental and non-governmental institutions.
The illustrated analysis of the situation and the opinions expressed have highlighted the efforts of employees of various institutions to create favourable conditions for the sustainable development of Latvia and Latgale. When dealing with the work and the positive experience (including environmental protection and the use of natural resources), thinking about the opportunities that such approaches open to entrepreneurs, researchers and municipalities, experts also outlined the fields of problems to be solved. It should be stressed that several of the set-up settings are confronted with environmental policy guidelines for Fixers - insufficient environmental information at all levels for the widespread implementation and support of environmentally friendly action, incomplete environmental education, too small public participation in environmental issues at all levels, insufficient identification and promotion of local planning levels and environmental actions in good practice, which is common in many municipalities. Latvian science is too little involved in regional research and development of forecasts, as well as in the assessment of national natural capital, coordination of applied research is not sufficient. There is too little support for non-governmental organisations in the environmental sector, as well as the use of market-based environmental policy economic instruments.
An overview of these problems will be the focus of the project throughout the project, starting with a forum at the Rēzekne Technology Academy on 25 November, as well as in the next debate in Ludza, Livans and Madona. The Rēzekne Forum “Sustainability of Latvia - educated people and preservation of natural values” will participate in governments, Saeima, sectoral ministry responsible officials, local government leaders, experts of education and research institutions, entrepreneurs. His membership has been announced: Minister of Environmental Protection and Regional Development Kaspars Gerhards, Vice-President of the Ministry of Sustainable Development of the Saeima Laimdota Straujuma, Deputy State Secretary of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development Alda oola, Vice-President of the Latvian Academy of Sciences Andrejs Krasņikov, President of the Council of the Development Council of Latgale Planning Region, Alīna Gendele, Chairman of the Rēzekne District Council, Chairman of the Rēzekne District Council, Andris Vaivods, Chairman of the Madona District Council Andrejs Vaivodters, rector of the Rēzekne Technology Academy Edmunds Teirumnieks, President of the Council of Higher Education, Andris Jaunsleinis, Head of the Latvian Local Government Union, Head of the Rēzekne District Education Administration, Guntars Zelch, Head of the Rēzekne District Cultural Division Inara Pleakshne, THE head of the Rēzekne District Council, the head of the Rēzekne municipality, the head of the Rēzekne municipality, the head of the Rēzekne municipality, the head of the Rēzekne municipality, the head of the Rēzekne municipality, the head of the Rēzekne municipality, the head of the Rēzekne municipality, the head of the Rēzekne municipality, the head of the Rēzekne municipality, the head of the Rēzekne municipality, the head of the Rēzekne municipality, the head of the Rēzekne municipality, the head of the Rēzekne municipality, the head of the Rēzekne municipality, the head of the Rēzekne municipality, the head of the Rēzekne municipality, the head of the Rēzekne municipality, the head of the Rēzekne municipality, the head of the Rēzekne municipality, the head of the Rēzekne municipality, the head of the Rēzekne municipality, the head of the Rēzekne municipality, the head of the Rēzekne municipality, the head of the Rēzekne municipality, the head of the Rēzekne municipality, the head of the Rēzekne municipality, the head of the Rēzekne municipality, THE head of the Rēzekne municipality, the head of the Rēzekne municipality, THE head of the Rēzekne municipality, THE head of the Rēzekne municipality, THE head of the Rēzekne municipality, THE head of the Rēzekne municipality, THE head of the Rēzekne municipality, THE head of the Rēzekne municipality, THE head of the Rēzekne municipality, THE head of the Rēzekne municipality, THE head of the Rēzekne municipality, THE head of the Rēzekne municipality, THE head of the Rēzekne municipality, THE head of the Rēzekne municipality, THE head of the Rēzekne municipality, THE head of the Rēzekne municipality, THE head of the Rēzekne municipality, THE head of the Rēzekne municipality, THE head of the Rēzekne municipality, THE head of the Rēzekne municipality, THE head of the Rēzekne municipality, THE head of the Rēzekne municipality, THE head of the Rēzekne municipality, THE head of the Rēzekne municipality, THE head of the Rēzekne municipality, THE head of the Rēzekne municipality, THE head of the Rēzekne municipality, THE head of the Rēzekne municipality, THE head of the Rēzekne municipality, THE head of the Rēzekne municipality, THE head of the Rēzekne municipality, THE head of the Rēzekne municipality, THE head of the Rēzekne municipality, THE head of the Rēzekne municipality, THE head of the Rēzekne municipality, THE head of the Rēzekne municipality, THE head of the Rēzekne municipality, THE head of the Rēzekne municipality, THE head of the Rēzekne municipality, THE head of the Rēzekne municipality, THE head of the Rēzekne municipality, THE head of the Rēzekne municipality, THE head of the Rēzekne municipality, THE head of the Rēzekne municipality, THE head of the Rēzekne municipality, THE head of the Rēzekne municipality, the head of the Rēzekne municipality
The main recommendations and conclusions of the experts will be summarised in the final report, which will be presented in the final forum of the project “Sustainability factors and the preservation of natural values in the next hundred years”. It is important that it will be held at the historic date of Latgale Congress, celebrating its reflection centuries, on April 28, 2017 in Rezekne. The report will also be published in various media, social networks and project promoters' website.
Some thoughts on the importance of the project
Edmunds Turumnieks, rector of the Rēzekne Technology Academy
“From 1996 in Rezekne, environmental education study programmes are implemented at bachelor, masters and doctoral level. Many graduates of these programmes also work in a particular speciality or related sphere. Similarly, the university has developed the field of environmental engineering research. The Rēzekne Technology Academy has developed its own circle of partners – institutions and organisations active in environmental protection – but our experience alone is not enough to attract national attention to environmental problems to identify and preserve natural values. Thanks to the opportunity given by the Latvian Environment Protection Fund, we can discuss and provide the public with a report on the current situation, as well as possible solutions. It is essential that these important issues are updated in a broad circle in the centenary of the centenary of Latvia and Latgale Congress.
Monvīds Švarcs, Chairman of the Rēzekne District Council
"The municipality of Rēzekne can be proud of excellent natural values - Latgale pearls Razna lake, legend-graded Cloud, bird-watching Luban wetlands and other landscape-rich sites. In order to make this natural diversity and magnificence the next generation, it is important for us, as a self-government, to engage in the preservation of natural wealth and the education of the population on environmental issues. Therefore, the environmental field is also dominated by the Rēzekne municipality. Similarly, the local government has developed the prerequisites for the use of natural areas, as well as the rules for the management and conservation of natural resources, which ensure the fullest possible protection and preservation of biodiversity. Our cooperation with the Rēzekne Technology Academy and the Razna Nature Park environment has resulted in the implementation of many successful projects. The latest initiative is a multiisectorial project of the Latvian Environment Protection Fund“ The celebration of Latvian Environment and Natural Values in Honour of Latvia's National Park of Latvia ”and an exhibition devoted to the 10-year anniversary of the current Razna National Park, with which every lead will be able to meet at the Rēzekne Technology Academy on April 28, 2017 at the time of the forum“ Sustainability factors and preservation of natural values in Latvia's next hundred years. ”
Alīna Gendele, Chairman of the Council for Development of Latgale Planning Region, Ludza District Council
“We are involved in the implementation of this future project to improve the business support system, promote the identification of Latgale natural wealth and their use in business development. Our entrepreneurs need help by attracting financial resources for scientific research (e.g. in the field of medical tourism and cosmetics). '
Andris Vaivods, Chairman of the Lephen District Council
“In the course of the implementation of the project, the“ transit and environmental protection ”discussion will be held on 3 March 2017, as we are one of the cities crossing the transit street for more than four kilometres (Riga – Daugavpils A6). The city does not have a bypass, so that the transport flow is like a live artery. It is important that the transit flow does not harm the environment and the people. It is clear that, by educating society, we can hope that people will be aware of risks and seek solutions to problems, so we consider it important to be involved in the implementation of this environmental protection project with colleagues in other municipalities and the Rēzekne Technology Academy.”
Information on the project was prepared by:
Andra Mangale,
Co-ordinator of the project “Sustainability of Latvia – educated people and the preservation of natural values”
Andris Natins,
Member of the Board of the Latvian Innovators Alliance