Deadline: 15 May 2015
Forum for Young Professionals “Europe Lab” is a unique communication and exchange platform for change makers from all over Europe working in public administration, business, NGOs, universities, think tanks, and other fields of professional engagement.
Political tensions and economic challenges dominate in the relationship of the EU and Russia, the contacts on the state level are freezing. “Europe Lab” unlocks the opportunities for cross-border and cross-sector dialogue by using multi-track approach and change-oriented solutions. It creates a frame for common learning and development of joint projects as well as shapes the European future together.
In 2015, “Europe Lab” is hosted in Lithuania, in cities of Vilnius and Raseiniai. The choice of the main venue – the Raseiniai Local History Museum – is symbolic as an important site for the historical memory and culture of remembrance in Europe.
The museum building used to serve for detention of political prisoners in 1932-1952. During the first Lithuanian independence (1918-1940), prisoners were mostly communists. In the times of the Soviet and Nazi occupation, dissenters to the official ideology were brought to overcrowded cells before their deportation to distant concentration camps and prisons.
The Forum will start in Vilnius with the Public discussion “Change Makers: Tapping Potential for a Cross-Border Dialogue”. It provides a golden thread to the core programme of the Forum in Raseiniai.
The key topics of the Forum are:
Historical Memory and Culture of Remembrance – Dealing with Conflicts of Perception
Trans-Border Traffic, Visa, and Migration – European Borders in a Globalised World
Re-Thinking the Urban Space – New Outfit for Distressed Areas
Corruption – Common Burden or Stimulus to Progress?
There will be four parallel two-day workshops organised on these topics, each of these curated by an expert moderator and a coordinator.
The best common projects, elaborated during the workshops and involving people from at least 2 countries – one from the EU and one from Russia or another non-EU state – will be awarded. The winners will receive advice from prominent experts in their area, coordinators, and moderators of the workshops and receive grants for their projects’ implementation. The results will be presented at the General Assembly of the EU-Russia Civil Society Forum on 7-9 December 2015.
Finally, “Europe Lab” graduates are invited to start permanent young professionals’ platform at the EU-Russia Civil Society Forum, to lead and play a role in a number of future initiatives.
Costs for workshops, accommodation, and meals are covered by organisers. Travel costs are borne by participants themselves.
For more information, visit: EU-RUSSIA | CIVIL SOCIETY FORUM: Europe Lab
