UNION OF THE BALTIC CITIES GENERAL CONFERENCE WORKSHOPS
Thursday September 24. 200914.00 - 16.00 Workshop 1:
"How to improve the environmental state of the Baltic Sea Region"
Opening and Introduction
Introduction to workshop (2 minutes) Moderator Stella Aaltonen
“Intention with the workshop, topics and timetable” Focus on UBC possibilities Opening of the workshop; (30 min)
“The state of the Baltic Sea and the Baltic Sea Region – the local level aspect”
The poor state of the Baltic Sea has become a challenge for the whole Baltic Sea Region, not only as an ecological problem but more and more also an economical problem. The Baltic Sea is one of the most polluted seas despite the fact that local authorities have invested much in effective treatment actions. EU has brought up on the agenda the Baltic Sea Region Strategy
What needs to be done and how can we adapt to an eco-efficient economy where climate smart solutions create new jobs from a political point of view.
Co-Chairman Mikko Jokinen UBC – Commission on Environment
Co-chairman Stefan Windh UBC – Commission on Energy “Sustainable Energy Scenarios” (20 min)
Climate change and energy consumption are challenges that influence almost all aspects of our daily life. Global challenges regarding reduction of greenhouse gases, increase of renewable energies and energy efficiency, need to be tackled on all levels – private households, national, European and global levels. Often energy co-operation on regional or sub-regional levels can indeed provide very positive results that leave each country better off when implementing the EU’s or the UN’s targets on climate change and energy, as well as in ensuring greater security of energy supply. The EA Energy Analyses has delivered the report “Energy Perspectives for the Baltic Sea Region”. Questions to come are: How ambitious targets can we achieve in the region in the long-term if we put all measures into play? The Nordic countries have a potential to become large exporters of green electricity. How can the Nordic countries assist the other countries in the region in meeting their policy targets?
Mr Anders Kofoed-Wiuff, EA Energy Analyses
“Status of the Baltic Sea in 2020 – threats and possibilities” (20 min)
How current development trends can save the Baltic Sea by 2020. What are they and how can we use better use existing technical innovations and possibilities. What are the big ongoing trends and innovations among local authorities? How can we better use existing financial possibilities? Presentation and discussion.
Dr Senior Manager Karl-Johan Lehtinen, Nordic Environmental Finance Corporation NEFCO
Discussion or questions to the audience 40 minutes
Workshop 2:
"To make the Baltic Sea region a more prosperous place by supporting balanced economic development" Moderators: Mr. Wolfgang Schmidt, Head of International Business Services, KiWi, Business Development Cooperation Kiel
Mr. Esa Kokkonen, Director, The Baltic Institute of Finland Speakers:
"The Impact of the Economic Crisis in the Baltic Sea Region", Mr. Stefan Ehrstedt, Senior Research Associate, Pan-European Institute
"The Baltic Sea Region in the Global Economy: Competitiveness Challenges for the Baltic Sea Region Cities", Mr. Pawel Warszycki, Hanseatic Institute for Entrepreneurship and Regional Development at the University of Rostock
"The Economic Objectives and Actions of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region: The Role of Baltic Sea Region Cities", Mr. David Sweet, Adviser to Director General DG Regional Policy Dirk Ahner, European Commission
"The Role of St. Petersburg in the Baltic Sea Economic Area", Mr. Igor Lonsky, Deputy Chairman of the Committee for External Relations of St. Petersburg, Government of St. Petersburg (TBC)
"Case Sophia Antipolis", Mr. Søren Kofoed Workshop 3:
"How to make the Baltic Sea Region a more accessible and attractive" Moderator: Ewa Kurjata, Senior International Officer, Szczecin Municipality; UBC CoT vice-chair
Contributing Commissions (as planned):
Commission on Transportation (Gdynia)
Commission on Tourism (Koszalin, Szczecin)
Commission on Culture (Vaasa)
Commission on Youth Issues (Kalmar)
Commission of Urban Planning
Commission of Sport (Gdynia) Goal:
- To contribute to betterment of the BSR and UBC action plans
- To practically contribute to the EU Strategy for the BSR development and implementation
Objectives:
- To assist participants in finding the answer to the key questions
- To provide feedback on how to make the BSR more accessible and attractive
Expected output:
- To work out consensus on the key questions by UBC member cities Agenda 1. Opening and welcome (All participants to be introduced by the moderator)
2. Presentations by working groups (Each Commission will have ca. 15 min for their ppt.)
- Commission on Transportation – Ms. Alicja Paw?owska
- Commission on Sport - Ms. Joanna Leman
- Commission on Tourism – Ms. Ewa Kurjata
3. Discussion (ca. 35 min)
- Participants may wish to raise other relevant questions (related to the subject).
4. Draft conclusion to be presented on the conference forum
5. Conclusion and closing remarks
Workshop 4
"To make the Baltic Sea Region a safer and more secure place"
14.00-14.10 Welcome, by representatives of Commissions on Health and Social Affairs,
Gender Equality and Education. Moderator: Børge Røssaak Nilsen
14.10-14.25 “Safety and security in the Baltic Sea Strategy”,
By Sabine Meyer, Senior Adviser in European Affairs, North Sweden Office, Umeå
14.25-14.40 “The economic crisis: A threat against health, social welfare and including
societies. How to secure better opportunities for groups at risk?”,
by Vladimir Sókman, Deputy Mayor, the city of Tartu, Estonia
14.40-14.45 “How to prevent unemployment among young people”
by Mare Aasma,Vice-Chairman of Commission on Education
14.45-15.00 Dialogue
15.00-15.15 “A survey on the situation of gender equality in the UBC area”,
by Helene Brewer, gender equality officer, Umeå, Sweden
15.15-15.30 “A case study of human trafficking in Kristiansand”,
by Leif Vagle, Superintendent, Head of Organised Crime Unit,
Agder Police District, Kristiansand
15.30-15.50 Dialogue
15.50-16.00 Thank you, from organising commissions
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