Education, Science, and Culture Committee meeting to be held in Tartu

The Education, Science, and Culture Committee of the Baltic Assembly will convene in Tartu, Estonia, on 6-7 June 2024. The meeting aims to foster cultural and educational cooperation of the Baltic States. The event will start with welcoming words from Director of the Estonian National Museum Kertu Saks, Mayor of Tartu Urmas Klaas and CEO of “Tartu2024” Kuldar Leis. 

Focus on culture-driven social resilience

Chaired by Margit Sutrop, Vice Chair of the Committee, discussions will delve into the role of culture in building social resilience within the Baltic States. Topics will include integrating joint cultural activities to enhance a sense of belonging among Baltic citizens and strategically using the Baltic Culture Fund to support these initiatives. Agrita Ozola, a representative from the Baltic Culture Fund in Latvia, will present a report on the project competition results, highlighting the impact of the fund on regional cultural resilience.

The meeting will also feature insights from governmental representatives of the Baltic States who will discuss their respective countries' positions on cultural policies. Adding a broader perspective, Lars Mejern Larsson from the Nordic Council will share experiences from the Nordic countries. 

Strengthening educational cooperation

A significant portion of the agenda of the meeting will focus on enhancing cooperation among educational institutions across the Baltic States. Discussions will cover the creation of joint educational programs, particularly in modern engineering, and strengthening networks between secondary and higher education institutions. The committee will also review the implementation of the Treaty on the Automatic Recognition of Higher Education Qualifications between the Baltic and Benelux countries.

An introductory comparison of the educational systems in the Baltic States will be provided by Assoc. Prof. Irena Stonkuvienė from the Vilnius University. This will set the stage for further discussions on addressing challenges such as the shortage of graduates and the skills mismatch in STEM fields. The meeting will conclude with debates expected to lead to actionable recommendations for enhancing cooperation and best practices in education across the region.

Photo: Estonian National Museum