Meeting Point. A sunny cities summit

Transcription

1 2017 Baltic Meeting Point A sunny cities summit

2 Dear Friends, 4 6 Baltic Meeting Point Karlskrona is a forum Thank you all for participating in the first Baltic Meeting Point! dedicated to Baltic cities 5 11 exchange and business development, cooperation and networking, learning and understanding. It is an initiative to develop and encourage the exchange and cooperation between Karlskrona Twin Cities and Your engagement and input was highly valuable and members of Baltic Sail on will be the cornerstones for the future development an annual basis. of our cooperation in the Baltic region. I see a great potential in our region and close relations are crucial for a prosperous future. We have so much in common and so much to learn from each other! My ambitions and expectations for Baltic Meeting 8 Point are to expand the event with more representa tives from the business, science and culture sector. 4 A flying start 5 Day two three seminars We will thematise the seminars further and focus on 6 Sustainable goals common challenges such as sustainability. I hope 8 Development of tourism you will enjoy the resume from the first Baltic Meeting 9 Idea box Point and feel, just like me, eager to continue. It is 10 Deeper cooperation only together and in enhanced cooperation we can develop this event. The work and planning for next year s Baltic Meeting Point is already in progress and thanks to your parti cipation I feel boosted with energy. I will keep you updated gradually but please save the dates 1st 3rd of August Welcome next year and see you soon, in Karlskrona or in one of your sunny cities! 12 Three slide update By Ted Bergdahl, 14 Practise what you preach Correspondent 15 What s next? Ted Bergdahl has covered the Baltic Sea Region for 14 many years as a journalist at Swedish Television and 16 Participants Swedish Broadcasting. He is now a PR consultant and the producer of Polen Patrik Hansson podden. Ted partly lives in Mayor Karlskrona Warsaw, Poland. GDY NIA ROSTOCK KL AIPEDA MAŽEIKIAI Utgivare: Karlskrona kommun 2017 Produktion: Infab, infab.nu AIZPUTE 12 KARLSKRONA

3 Baltic Meeting Point Ivana stijelja, Hanseatic City of Rostock Germany. A sunny cities summit Magnus Forsbrand. By Baltic Meeting Point, Karlskrona has taken a new, brisk initiative to strengthen the Baltic Sea cooperation. The first meeting, held August 2nd-4th 2017, can only be described as a major success, thanks to the participating cities and their contributions. Our foreign guests certainly gave Baltic Meeting Point a flying start with their positive energy and by sharing valuable ideas and experiences. I m very happy that cities all over the Baltic Sea region could join us. This provided an important geographical spread Marcus Fredriksson, Project Manager of Baltic Meeting Point, said. Baltic Meeting Point took place in Karlskrona at its finest. Glittering waters and prodigious greenery surrounded by an appealing, picturesque setting of the world heritage. Crowds of locals and tourists enjoying the Archipelago festival, relishing good food and absorbing the vibrant atmosphere. Some clouds, a bit of wind and short rain showers are only exceptions proving the rule that Karlskrona is Sweden s sunniest city. And as it happens, almost all of the participating cities turned out to be the sunniest places in their home countries. It can hardly be a coincidence! The programme on the first day softly commenced with a guided city walk, a reception at the Governor s residency, an exhibition in the Submarine Hall at the Naval Museum and finally dinner in the Museum s restaurant. The menu consisted of locally produced delicacies, such as smoked sea bass, roasted venison and assorted goat cheese. A true treat for the gourmand. And a good kick-off for the upcoming discussions. Digitalization gives us a chance to save time and resources, which makes it all more sustainable. A wide range of perspectives and knowledge. Magnus Forsbrand, director of Blue Science Park in Karlskrona. Jakub Rozewski, Pomeranian Science and Technology Park. Our foreign guests certainly gave Baltic Meeting Point a flying start. Marcus Fredriksson, Project Manager of Baltic Meeting Point. Sustainability in the limelight On day two, the formal meeting took off and started with three seminars. Just like it is crucial for the planet s survival in the long run, sustainability is the only way forward to develop science, business, tourism and transportation right now. And what could be better than doing it together, by collaborating in the Baltic Sea region? Not only politicians and officials from the participating cities attended Baltic Meeting Point. Science parks and tourism departments as well as Blekinge Institute of Technology and Stena Line took part of the event. In other words a wide range of perspectives and knowledge. In two of three panel talks sustainability and sustainability growth was in focus. All three dimensions environmental, financial and social sustainability were pointed out. Roma Stubriene from Klaipeda Science and Technology Park, said sustainable investments are necessary to maintain the activities in the science park. Today, most of the operations are covered by temporary project funds. All the present science parks accentuated the significance of involving young people and young companies to increase sustainability. Jakub Rozewski, Pomeranian Science and Technology Park, highlighted an example where they have managed to get quantity discount for a group of young entrepreneurs attending a fair in Barcelona. Digitalization is also a catalyser. Or as Magnus Forsbrand, director of Blue Science Park in Karlskrona put it: Digitalization gives us a chance to save time and resources, which makes it all more sustainable. For the business sector sustainability is very much a way of 4 KARLSKRONA KOMMUN Baltic Meeting Point 2017 Baltic Meeting Point 2017 KARLSKRONA KOMMUN 5

4 Taking one step at the time to reach sustainable goals. Pia Holgersson, Rachel Gould and Pedro Canchaya. A way of earning money Pia Holgersson, Head of Trade and Industry in Karlskrona, sustainable goals. Rachel Gould works specifically with want to see more of Baltic cooperation and assistance sustainable product design and gave a graphic example to invigorate this development and convince companies of how it could be done more practically. sustainability is the way forward. For Stena Line, promoting A company in Karlskrona, Aura light, sell lightning themselves as Connecting Europe for solutions. They wanted to move into the market of leasing. a sustainable future, this is already happening. Head of Travel A hospital, for instance, doesn t need to own the lamps, at Stena Line, Pedro Canchaya, explained the strategy. they just want the function. So Aura light decided to design Care is a key word, and by that Stena Line means care for re-manufacture. Aura light owns the lamps and can take for the staff and care for the environment. them back when they need to swop out pieces or upgrade. Blekinge Institute of Technology has a far advanced That hospital can forget all the details and focus on their cooperation with the municipality of Karlskrona oriented core activities. And Aura light win a lot of money because on strategic sustainable development. For councils and they don t have to buy all this new stuff all the time. companies, it means taking one step at the time to reach 6 Ba lt ic Me e t ing Point 2017 B altic M eeting P o in t

5 The Chinese are coming! All mayors have a lack of time, so getting together in one place at one time to communicate common challenges is very rewarding Katarzyna Gruszecka-Spychala, Deputy Mayor Gdynia City Hall Poland Katarzyna Gruszecka-Spychala, Deputy Mayor Gdynia City Hall Poland and Roland Methling, Mayor Hanseatic City of Rostock Germany,. Development of tourism, subject for the third panel talk, calls for creativity and rethinking. A word that was mentioned by Max Dager, Head of Culture and Events in Karlskrona, is extension. The tourist season needs to be extended, but also the concept of tourism and catchmentareas. Pedro Canchaya at Stena Line came up with the idea about a joint mobilization A joint mobilization to to attract Chinese tourists visiting Europe. Stena Line has attract Chinese tourists visiting Europe. also designed new activities for travellers from Poland to of Travel at Stena Line Pedro Canchaya, Head Sweden, for example ice swimming and bicycle tours. When summer season sells itself, the tourist industry needs to fight for the rest of the year. Signe Pucena, Aizpute County Council Latvia, added that extending tourism also is an issue of getting cultivators and practitioners of different traditions to convert into tourism actors. Rostock is a part of Baltic Pass Maritime Heritage Tour, with Daniela Zimmerman as the local project manager. Baltic Pass Maritime Heritage Tour is an EU project that involves sailing routes to historical sites around the Baltic Sea. This is another way of broadening tourism and present new offers. Earlier the same day, the participants were asked to describe their expectations for the meeting. Things like get closer together, have fun, new ideas new cooperation projects emerged and was largely fulfilled in the round table discussions. The attendees were divided into three different groups officials, business and tourism. They were suggested to discuss: 1. In what fields/cases can we cooperate? 2. What present and future needs can we help each other to satisfy? 3. How can we develop sustainability together? 4. How to use Baltic Meeting Point as a forum coming years? IDEAbox Sailing routes to historical sites around the Baltic Sea is another way of broadening tourism Daniela Zimmerman, SB Baltic pass Rostock. Extending tourism also is an issue of getting cultivators and practitioners of different traditions to convert into tourism actors. Signe Pucena, Aizpute County Council Latvia 8 KARLSKRONA KOMMUN Baltic Meeting Point 2017

6 IDEA box listed ideas from the workshops (without ranking) TOURISM Common Baltic stories to strengthen the identity and attract new markets Acknowledge tourism as a driving force for developing other business sectors TV channel for the Baltic region (educational) Create a tourist organization with mix of municipality and local companies Common projects to promote local specialities and to combine themes and attractions Youth involvement Countryside development Ideas for next year s meeting: Culture as a topic Until next year s meeting: Define theme Define goal with Baltic Meeting Point Define projects and find project leader Each city to bring one guest who can contribute with know-how and knowledge to this sector OFFICIAL Business matchmaking Invitation from Rostock to naval cities meeting with representatives from Naval organisations on city level and municipalities Cross-border youth exchange programmes Exchange knowledge on urban planning (workshop next year?) Common efforts to promote the cities BUSINESS Measures to attract and encourage new companies Help people think in a business way Develop existing businesses Support for entrepreneurs to thrive on sustainability Partnerships between academy and industry to develop sustainable development Search for compatible partners in partaking cities Access to new markets Bring up good examples of successful companies A common database Dating sight for companies in the participating cities Digital platform to discuss needs and challenges More personal meetings between companies in the region Involve sustainability students in to do projects with organisations in all cities Use Baltic Meeting Point as a checking point. Are we fulfilling our measures? In an era of increased tension in the Baltic Sea region and in Europe, it is very important that we continue and deepen our cooperation. Patrik Hansson, Mayor Karlskrona Increased tention calls for deeper cooperation Many of the speakers also stressed the importance of investing in sustainability. On day two, Aizpute and Karlskrona also ceremoniously renewed their twin-city agreement. For us, as a smaller city, it s very important to take part of this cooperation and to learn from the experiences in other cities and to find ways to develop Sandra Balode, teacher and interpreter from Aizpute said. In a speech, the mayor of Karlskrona, Patrik Hansson addressed old and new friends and urged the need for cooperation. In an era of increased tension in the Baltic Sea region and in Europe, it is very important that we continue and deepen our cooperation One representative from each participating city gave a short three slide update on their present situation, challenges and future ideas (see next page). Despite different background and conditions, there were a great deal of similarities between the cities. For example, the need to attract young specialists and create business matchmaking, develop cross border youth exchange programmes and start collaboration within the cultural heritage field. Many of the speakers also stressed the importance of investing in sustainability. Sandra Balode, teacher and interpreter from Aizpute THREE slide UPDATE 10 KARLSKRONA KOMMUN Baltic Meeting Point 2017 Baltic Meeting Point 2017 KARLSKRONA KOMMUN 11

7 THREE slide U P D AT E Facts about the participating cities All cities were asked to give an update on their Klaipeda (Lithuania) Mažeikiai (Lithuania) present status, challenges and ideas for the future inhabitants Creates 12 % of national GDP Seaport with over tons of cargo per year Lithuanian Capital of Culture 2017, European City of Sport inhabitants Hosts the biggest production company in the Baltic states, ORLEAN Lietuva Number of active small and mediumsized enterprises is growing Ageing population and young creative people emigration Lack of innovations and value added services sector development Ageing population Lack of young specialists Sustainability inhabitants German center for cruise ships and ferries in the Baltic Sea 800th jubilee in 2018 Industrial center University center Headquarters of the German Navy Centre for sports and culture The three slide update is a way to give all participants equal time to present their facts and reflections. Aizpute (Latvia) Gdynia (Poland) Karlskrona (Sweden) inhabitants Focus on agricultural development, nature tourism and culture heritage sites inhabitants Has Poland s best quality of life index Best city transports Developing Sea city a modern seafront district in the city center A sea industry in progress Best economic potential and best business friendliness (of mid-sized cities in Poland) inhabitants Focus on growth, increased number of inhabitants, more jobs and companies and a more attractive Karlskrona (2018 aim to become the city center of the year) Lack of competence Ageing and decreasing population Social insecurity Lack of sustainability measures Collaboration in cultural heritage field Development of nature tourism and cultural tourism Youth exchange/volunteer programs New investments Adverse demographic development Suburbanization that decreases number of inhabitants Insufficient transport infrastructure Road congestion as a consequence of more cars Improve quality of life, environment and friendliness to attract new inhabitants Adapting public services to demographic changes (child- and elderly care, education, health care) Creating local centers, meeting places and common space for inhabitants Supporting innovative entrepre neurship, solutions for start-ups and entrepreneurs that introduce innovations creating pedestrian zones, traffic calming zones, extension of cycle lanes as well as launching metropolitan bicycle and car pool projects Development of rail transport 12 Ba lt ic Me e t ing Point 2017 Integration of new Swedes from Syria, Somalia and Afghanistan Lack of competence for key positions in both the municipality and the business community Still high unemployment in the youth group Build new homes/flats Ensure the quality of municipal services Rostock (Germany) inhabitants and twice bigger economy until 2030 Establish regional center of bioeco nomy, national center of clean-tech, center of international trade services and logistics Development of active and business tourism Development of creative industries and art residencies. Becoming a national workation center Integral talent attraction policy Cross border projects with other cities/regions in the Nordic countries Business matchmaking Circular economy projects Modernization of the City administration Urban planning under the conditions of the current state regulations Active involvement of different parties in the process of decision making Cruise Ship Tourism Preservation of traditional vessels Development of the City harbor Cultural projects Cross border student projects Sustainability issues especially with focus on the Baltic Sea Business match making Cooperation in tourism events Cooperation in infrastructure projects GDY NIA ROSTOCK KL AIPEDA MAŽEIKIAI KARLSKRONA AIZPUTE B altic M eeting P o int

8 Practise what you preach One of the fundamental ideas with Baltic Meeting Point is to create good dialogue in a relaxed and friendly environment. In an act to visualize the dress code, Marcus What s next? Fredriksson stripped off his jacket to expose a t-shirt with the print Keep calm and visit Karlskrona. The message was All attendees agreed on the relevance of Baltic Meeting received by laughter. Another example of Point and wished for continuation. Many expressed practise what you preach is a checklist their gratitude and praised the implementation of the to ensure the event s sustainability. The event. All mayors have a lack of time, so getting together checklist is ranging from disposables to Marcus Fredriksson, Project Manager of Baltic Meeting Point. equality. The table below presents an in one place at one time to communicate common example. challenges is very rewarding. I think we can create new projects, for example in the fields of new technology, science parks and tourism Deputy Mayor of Gdynia, Katarzyna Gruszecka-Spychala commented. Proposals for next year s meeting were amongst others to move the business related parts of the event to another, less busy date, to thematise the seminars and to check up what has been done since this year s meeting. Carl-Martin Lanér revealed that the planning process has already started. The ambition is to make Baltic CHECKLIST Sustainable Baltic Meeting Point, Karlskrona 2017 Disposables What? Ensure the event s sustainability. Lottie Dahl Ryde, Head of Sustainability, Karlskrona Kommun Instead of disposables, use china, metal- or wooden spoons, large packages of milk instead of small packages etc. How? Advice? Prevention of waste and lower costs. If disposables have to be used, use biodegradable disposables. Goals Agenda Affordable and clean energy. 12. Responsible consumption and production. 14. Life below water. 15. Life on land. Fullfilled? Comments? No disposables were used except packages of milk at the coffee break. My hopes for next year are Meeting Point bigger and better. My hopes for next that more representatives universities and other parties in the cities will attend. from companies, universities and other parties in the cities will attend. Carl-Martin Lanér, Municipal Director Karlskrona Kommun. year are that more representatives from companies, The last day of the meeting was spent on a boat trip around the city to energize informal meetings. The group visited the Citadel of Drottningskär, once a fortification to keep other people from the Baltic Sea out of the city and prevent invasion. This time it was a locus for unity and good friendship one of many signs of continual progress of the Baltic Sea area. Read the full checklist on: 14 Ba lt ic Me e t ing Point 2017 B altic M eeting P o int

9 Participants in Baltic Meeting point THE BACK ROW: Magnus Forsbrand, Executive Director Blue Sciencepark, Jakob Althini, Business Developer Karlskrona Kommun, Terje Pedersen, Head of Tourism Karlskrona Kommun, Alberta Barauskas, Mayors Advisor Klaipeda City Municipality Lithuania, Jakub Rozewski, Pomeranian Science and Technology Park Poland, Andris Jankovskis, Project Manager, VP Aizpute County Council Latvia, Tore Almlöf, Head of Administration Karlskrona Kommun, Carl-Martin Lanér, Municipal Director Karlskrona Kommun, Roland Methling, Mayor Hanseatic City of Rostock Germany, Patrik Hansson, Mayor Karlskrona Kommun, Max Dager, Head of Culture and events Karlskrona Kommun, Pia Holgersson, Head of trade and industry Karlskrona Kommun THE MIDDLE ROW: Ivana stijelja, Hanseatic City of Rostock Germany, Danielle Zimmerman, SB Baltic pass Rostock, Malin Jogmark, World Heritage coordinator Karlskrona Kommun, Signe Pucena, Aizpute County Council Latvia, Virgilijus Radvilas, Mazeikiai Lithuania, Katarzyna Gruszecka-Spychala, Deputy Mayor Gdynia City Hall Poland, Magnus Olsson, Business Developer Blue Sciencepark, Lottie Dahl Ryde, Head of Sustainability, Karlskrona Kommun, Joanna Leman, Gdynia City Hall Poland, Rachel Gould, Phd Blekinge institute of technology, Birgitta Jonasson, Business Developer Karlskrona kommun, Eva Magnusson Larsson, International coordinator Karlskrona Kommun, Roma Stubriene, Klaipeda Science and Technology Park Lithuania THE FRONT ROW: Sandra Balode, Teacher and interpreter Aizpute County Council Latvia, Pedro Canchaya, Head of Travel Stena Line Poland, Marcus Fredriksson, Business Developer Karlskrona Kommun, Maciej Zborowski, Travel Development Stena Line Poland.