II meeting with the Municipality of Sogndal

Meeting was held on 16th March 2022 and focused on social participation and solving the social issue of accessibility to public services in the city for people with various disabilities, and the measures taken to increase their participation in public life.

Meeting participants:

On behalf of the Municipality of Sogndal:

Aina Thomassen – Coordinator from the Municipality of Sogndal,

Bente Mossige Ask – the Municipality of Sogndal, responsible for digitalisation activities

Sigrid Olmheim – Planning Department of the Municipality of Sogndal

Tordis Kristine Soevde – representative of the council for people with disabilities

Birte Barsnes Froyd – Western University representative for scientific affairs

On behalf of Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski Municipality:

Dominik Smoliński – Deputy Mayor of Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski

Jolanta Pora – Deputy Head of Planning and Development Department

Tomasz Gębka – Deputy Head of Planning and Development Department

Anna Woś – Inspector in the Planning and Development Department, Promotion and Public Communication Office

Adrian Murdza – Inspector in the Planning and Development Department, Promotion and Public Communication Office

Jan Bernard Malinowski – Head of Department of Education and Social Affairs

Katarzyna Cukierska – President of Przestrzeń Inicjatyw Społeczno-Kulturalnych Association

Grzegorz Kaczmarek, Wiesława Kwiatkowska – advisors Association of Polish Cities

The meeting was interpreted by: Mrs. Sonia Darzycka and Mr. Paweł Kozłowski from PBT Company based in Kraków.

The meeting was opened by Mr. Tomasz Gębka who welcomed the participants, after which the floor was given to Mrs. Bente Mossig Ask who presented the innovative teaching through Minecraft in the Municipality of Sogndal. Bente talked about “Sogndal 2050” competition to design an urban space that students from schools in the municipality participated in.

In response to Bente Ask's presentation, Beata Barska, a representative of the Polish Red Cross, informed about the activities planned in connection with the implementation of the project "Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski – miasta OdNowa” [Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski – City Anew], and concerning educational and entrepreneurial activities for young people aimed at stimulating and developing their creativity.

The next speaker was Tordis Kristine Soevde – the city council representative for people with disabilities. Her presentation focused primarily on implementing activities to involve people with disabilities in the life of the city. The organizational structures related to the functioning of the council were discussed, as well as the initiatives taken to adapt the urban space for people with disabilities. Mrs. Soevde answered numerous questions relating to assistance to people with disabilities and the state's systemic support in this area.

Torkjel Solbraa spoke on the topic of public participation and involvement of residents in the social life of the city. In his speech, he presented initiatives taken to encourage residents to co-create the city, as well as activities related to improving communication between the municipality and its residents.

Adrian Murdza – Supervisor in the Planning and Development Department – addressed Torkjel's presentation. He asked questions about innovative channels of communication between the city and the residents.

Another issue discussed during the meeting was volunteer work and its role in society. Birte Barsnes Froyd – a volunteer with the Association for People with Disabilities – spoke on this issue. Birte reported on the activities of the associations operating in Norway and their funding.

The 2-hour meeting was summarized by Tomasz Gębka and Aina Thomassen.  The parties agreed on the date of the next meeting, as well as its subject matter.