IC Network Annual Meeting: New board elections and project Idea Cafe

The IC Network had its Annual meeting on 30^th of November 2010 in Vilnius, Lithuania. During the meeting activity and financial reports were presented and the Working program 2011 was introduced to the members of the Network as well. Later, the election of new Board took place and new project ideas were given to the participants’ trial too.

In 2010, the IC Network was mainly involved with the Trans in Form project as the Network is a co-partner and many IC members are partners in the project too.

Besides, this year’s Annual conference has been in cooperation with Lithuanian public initiative “Future city”. Youth exchange event – summer camp “Healthy Life Style” took place in Suwalki on June 6-12, 2010 as well. It has been partly financed by the European Commission.

There was successful development in IC Network communication activities. The subscribers of the newsletters have doubled. The number of webpage visitors has doubled this year as well. Besides, the presentations about the IC Network were given on different occasions.

The Network was enlarged by Finnish partner Central Ostrobothnia Adult Education Institute. Latvian Pļaviņu Regional Gymnasium, AskimUpper Secondary School (Norway) and Children and Youth Additional Education Centre located in Siauliai (Lithuania) joined IC Network this year too.

As for Working program 2011, the Board suggested an event in summer 2011 for university students. Its focus will be on development strategies for different regions and countries. Later, students will report the results of the event in Annual conference 2011 in Brussels.

During the meeting the new Board was elected. So, congratulations for the new Board:

Board chairwoman: Ms. Rita Merca, Latvia

Board deputy chairwoman: Ms. Ewelina Suchocka, Poland

Board member: Mr. Svein Åge Lauritzen, Norway

Board member: Ms. Mudite Priede, Latvia

Board member: Mr. Michael Norén, Sweden

Board member: Mr. Donatas Pilinkus, Lithuania

Board member: Mr. Maxim Belov, Russia

Board member substitute: Ms. Olga Kozyreva, Russia

Board member substitute: Mr. Arne Willhammar, Sweden

The last touch of the Annual meeting was Project idea café with the opportunity for everyone to present his/her idea to the public. Several different project ideas were presented by the IC Network members.

Firstly, project idea in co-operation with BSSSC program was introduced. Its purpose would be to provide small and medium enterprises in rural areas with knowledge. Furthermore, the project concept of creating model/program on how to sustain youth participation in town development was brought. In addition, project “Energy Bus” was presented as well. Aim of the project would be to enhance importance of developing energy efficient technologies.

Several different ideas came from Poland, such as Lithuanian-Polish youth exchange program and co-operation with Leonardo da Vinci program in seeking training for teachers and trainers as well. Finally, ideas of finding/creating places for cultural activities in rural areas and Murmansk (Russian Federation) revitalization were presented to the public.

With the saying that “idea owner is responsible for turning idea into project” the meeting was closed.

Updated: 06. December 2010