Education and Science, EU – Baltic States, Forum, Innovations, Markets and Companies, Technology

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“Education is the basis for economic growth. There has to be strong economy for a country to develop. In the medium – term the main task for Latvia is to move from low – wage economy to innovation based economy. This meeting was an excellent opportunity to gain new ideas by sharing the best practice among the participants of the Forum”, said Prime Minister Laimdota Straujuma.

This year there were two experts from Latvia with their presentations. Zane Oliņa, Member of the Board of the education programme “Mission Possible” was telling about the organization’s experience in attracting, selecting and preparing new, inspiring teachers and future leaders for the educational sector. The aim of the speech was to promote discussion about challenges for education systems in the Nordic countries, taking into consideration the growing investments in the education of Asian countries.

In turn Nikolai Adamovich, the Executive Director of the “Commercialization Reactor” presented the support model for entrepreneurship, which brings together scientists and entrepreneurs to support the implementation of the ideas of new high technologies in life thus helping new companies to launch a successful business, as well as establish international cooperation and invest in projects.

The meeting was traditionally held in the form of informal discussions. Exchange in creative ideas took place in eight discussions – four about the promotion of innovative entrepreneurship, and four – on the competitiveness of the education system. At the end of the Forum, the Prime Ministers presented the conclusions made during the discussion.

Prime Minister Laimdota Straujuma emphasized that, "The Forum was inspiring and rich in ideas. I was particularly inspired by linking the elementary schools with business, for example, summer business simulation games for children who at the age of 12 already attend the courses to understand how does business actually function, which further inspires to enrol in entrepreneurship”.

This was already the fourth Northern Future Forum. The first forum was held in January 2011 in London, the second – in February 2012 in Stockholm, the third – in February 2013 in Rīga. At the end of the Forum, Prime Minister of Iceland Sigmundur Davíð Gunnlaugsson extended an invitation to the colleagues to meet next year in Reykjavik.