“Days of the EU” in Petrozavodsk

On May 26, 2014 “Days of the EU” began in Petrozavodsk. The event is organized by the Barents EU Centre within the framework of the project “Establishing the EU Centre in the Barents Region of Russia” implemented under the financial support of the European Union. Two arrangements were conducted at the touristic camp “Urozero”: “Interactive game-trip “The Map of Europe: Musical, Historical, Natural, Linguistic, and Cultural” and roundtable discussion “Higher Education in Europe and Russia. Personal Experience of Academic Mobility”. Students and lecturers from Russia, France, Finland, Sweden, Great Britain, Norway, South Korea, Colombia and Costa Rica, as well as representatives of PetrSU Institute of International Programs. Interactive game-trip was conducted by lecturer from the Institute of International Programs Marina Khazova. All participants were divided into teams who chose and told about their trip to Europe in accordance with a definite goal: active leisure, architecture, music, history, culture, languages, etc. Such form of the game allowed to broaden participant’ knowledge about Europe, share personal experience and share opinions about different aspects of the development of Europe and the European Union. 2014 is announced as the Year of Science Russia-EU. As a result the Barents EU Centre couldn’t raise the discussion of cooperation opportunities of Russia and the EU in the sphere of science and higher education. The role of moderator was taken by the head of the EU Information Centre, project coordinator Anastasia Kuznetsova. Within the framework of roundtable discussions participants could compare higher education in Europe and Russia, mark similarities and differences, as well as estimate educational quality in different countries. Many students told about their educational experience in Europe and Russia. It gave way to deep discussion of agenda. Representatives of the Institute of International Programs also presented information about European programs which allow to develop educational, academic and technological cooperation.