Aim
The Congress will bring together scientists from Latvia and of Latvian origin, their friends and strategic partners from around the world to propose solutions for the development of Latvia and to promote long-term cooperation.
Objectives
To create a discussion platform and pragmatic innovation forum where Congress participants have the opportunity:
Programme
The Congress will provide an opportunity to identify our intellectual strength and global connections, to discuss the trends of global science development and the opportunities for Latvia to participate in this progress, as well as to look at future development scenarios. As a result, we will come up with new ideas and solutions on how Latvia can integrate better within the global science community in order to realise its own scientific potential.
Security and future will be the main themes throughout the duration of the Congress. We will discuss the role and contribution of science to the national security, science challenges and what we can expect from science in the future, looking at it from various scientific disciplines – natural sciences, engineering and technology, medicine and health sciences, agriculture, social sciences and humanities.
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During the Congress, we will offer ideas on how to make Latvia a “Smart Country” – a country, where smart technologies boost the living standards of its society and where a culture of building strong international network of business connections is second nature to everyone.
Several parallel events will take place during the Congress: interactive exhibitions, open lectures, competitions for doctoral students and postdocs, visits to scientific institutions and universities, special cultural events for the participants of the Congress, emphasising and introducing them with Latvian science and its potential , as well as with its achievements in the fields of culture and art.
The Congress is going to serve as a meeting place for scientists, entrepreneurs and industry representatives. Together they will get to know the economic potential and create common collaboration projects in future, as well as to create business ideas that will reach beyond the borders. Two other events will be taking place at the same time: the 3rd World Congress of Latvian Lawyers and the 2nd Congress of Latvian Historians.
About Latvia, Rīga
Latvia is located on the coast of the Baltic Sea and shares its border with Estonia, Lithuania, Belarus and Russia. The country boasts great countryside, there are more than 12,000 rivers and 5,000 lakes and almost half of Latvia is wooded. Forests not only decorate the land but let welcome people to escape from the city and find peace whilst picking wild berries or mushrooms.
Rīga is the capital of Latvia. More than 2 million people live in the country and around a third of the population call Rīga their home. The capital is the perfect place to visit for those that love history, as on its streets one can find traces even from the middle ages. Rīga also has an Old Town, which boasts more than 800 art deco buildings. The Historical Centre of Rīga is listed by UNESCO as one of the world’s most important cultural and architectural sites. Rīga has hosted a NATO summit, a World Ice Hockey Championship, the Eurovision Song Contest, and many other large-scale international events.
Read more about latvia here: www.latvia.eu
Latvia’s Centenary
In 2018, Latvia celebrates a hundred years since it became an independent state. With festivities at home and all around the world, Latvia will present the best it can offer in culture, lifestyle and innovation. We will explore, create and celebrate – for the prosperity of Latvia!
The Centenary celebrations will take place during the period of five years, from 2017 till 2021, year by year marking centenaries of different stages of Latvia’s path to statehood – from the historic decision of the Latgalians in 1917 to unite with the ethno-cultural regions of Kurzeme and Vidzeme to strive together for an independent Latvian state, to the actual proclamation of the Republic of Latvia in 1918, freedom fights of 1919, and up to Latvia’s international de iure and de facto recognition in 1921.
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The official celebrations started on May 4, 2017 with the Embrace Latvia initiative when people around the country planted one hundred oaks along Latvia’s outer border, symbolically laying the foundation of strength for the next 100 years. It was followed by the White Tablecloth Celebration marking the anniversary of the Declaration on the Restoration of Independence on May 4, 1990, by the Supreme Council of the Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic. The vote allowed Latvia to democratically break off the Soviet rule that had lasted for 50 years.
The culmination of the Centenary celebrations will take place on November 18, 2018, the date marking Latvia’s 100th anniversary. However, a diverse cultural, educational, diplomatic and multi-disciplinary events programme will take place at home and abroad throughout all 5 years.
For more information on the Centenary programme, visit the official Latvia100 platform: lv100.lv
Organisers
Partners
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