Today Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences (ViA) has gathered around 60 participants from 10 different countries to jointly discuss the role of education and global competencies in society of 21st century.

Does education require transformation to be called ‘’global’’? Must transformation take place in the education system rather than in our minds?

These are the questions addressed to the participants at the introduction of the Forum by Visvaldis Valtenbergs, Senior Researcher at the Institute of Social, Economic and Humanities Research, an assistant professor of ViA, and Inese Ebele, Director of Global Competencies Administration, lecturer of ViA. Both ViA representatives used various similarities and metaphors to encourage participants to think about an education that truly encourages changes inside each individual, not in the system as a whole. The role of intellectual, emotional, mental and physical balance in strengthening global links was explained.

Particularly important was representation of youth. This day young people were acquainted to each other, presented their homework, which had been diligently prepared despite all final examinations of the school year. Homework topic was based on a practical study of how local meets global in their hometowns.

First day the Forum ended with networking opportunities, with active presentation process, which gave the opportunity for participants to meet in an informal atmosphere and establish new contacts.

Forum is financed by the State of Latvia.