To share experience in the field of education, the Reykjavik delegation visits the Riga City Council – Education, webinars

On Thursday and Friday, May 3, a delegation from the Department of Education and Youth Affairs of Reykjavik (Iceland) will visit the Riga City Council to share their experience in the field of education and gain new inspiration for work.

“We are pleased to start this cooperation with our colleagues in Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland, to get to know each other and our education systems. Thank you for the opportunity to learn and be inspired. Thank you Icelandic colleagues for your interest in Riga and its educational developments. I was inspired by the scope of my colleagues in Reykjavík City, as their education management professionals work together as a learning community, and came to Riga in a large group of 60 people. It was also valuable to learn that in Iceland, problems are solved with regulations and policies that work, not bans. And the society together takes care of the safety of children and young people, and does not leave it only to the responsible institutions,” says Laima Geikina, chairperson of the Education, Culture and Sports Committee of the Riga City Council.

Lāsma Lancmane, head of the Education Department of the Riga Municipality Department of Education, Culture and Sports (IKSD), introduced the management of Riga, the municipal structure. The delegation was also introduced to the historical and current transition to teaching in the Latvian language – the creation of a unified school in Riga.

Maija Gredzenas, the chief education project manager of IKSD, told the delegation about the spheres of responsibility and competences of the department, the activities of attracting education specialists in Riga and further education, the advisor of the IKSD director on educational technology and innovation issues, Zane Biteniece, presented the plans of the Riga STEAM ecosystem for 2023-2026, while IKSD Jaunatnes head of the administration Dmitrijs Zverevs told the audience about the development of youth policy and work with youth.

Hjörtur Ágústsson, project manager of the Reykjavík Department of Education and Youth Affairs, talked about the specifics, structure and areas of Reykjavík’s education system, the number of students and teachers, and also emphasized that the country is located between America and Europe, so it feels the influence from both sides. He also told about innovation and development plans, projects in education.

“Our vision is for children and young people in the city’s schools and leisure centers to have a dynamic educational experience that enables them to realize their dreams and positively impact society and the environment,” said Hjortúrs Oguðsson.

Reykjavik has developed the Icelandic model to help make life better for young people. They provide various support methods and look for ways to keep young people from using harmful substances. Several international studies have been developed in Iceland, which are used in decision-making in these matters. They take a community-based approach – encouraging and supporting collaboration between all those working with children and young people. Reykjavík provides a lot of support to sports clubs, NGOs that offer leisure activities, and has also developed a special recreation card for young people.

Representatives from Reykjavík also outlined digital growth activities, which include the use of digital technologies to enrich education and provide children with greater opportunities for creative expression.

It is planned that on May 3, the Reykjavik delegation will visit the creative quarter “Lastādija”, the youth center “Kaņieris” and the Riga educational and informational methodical center, while after that the visit will continue to Riga 6th high school, Riga Center humanitarian high school, Jaunmārupe preschool “Zīļuks” and Riga Rīnužu secondary school.

External Communication Department of the Riga Municipality Communications Department