A series of online meetings between representatives of the Municipality of Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski and representatives of the Municipality of Sogndal has begun

A series of online meetings between representatives of the Municipality of Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski and representatives of the Municipality of Sogndal has begun. Within the framework of the bilateral agreement, which was signed in May, the two Municipalities undertake cooperation in several areas: ecology, public participation, entrepreneurship development among children and youth. The premise of the agreement is the provision of support by the Norwegian side on the aforementioned issues, as well as the acquisition of good practices and exchange of experience. 

The first meeting dealt with activities involving the preparation and implementation of educational programs for young people in the field of shaping entrepreneurial attitudes. The meeting was attended by Deputy Mayor of the City of Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski Dominik Smoliński, principals of schools in Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski, representatives of Centrum Rozwoju Lokalnego (Eng. Center for Local Development) and employees of the City Hall, Department of Promotion and Public Communication. On the Norwegian side: Ingrid Steine Bortne Sogn- Councillor of the Sogndal City Council, Frederic Jarstadmarkenfrom responsible for implementing programs related to the development of entrepreneurship among children and young people. During the meeting, Polish representatives gave 3 presentations on the subject of taking action to build entrepreneurial attitudes among young residents of Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski. The first presentation was given by the Center for Local Development on the outline of the activities it has undertaken and will undertake in the near future in the scope of its statutory activities. It is worth noting that the projects implemented by this unit are carried out under the Norwegian Funds. Another presentation focused on the activities that Publiczna Szkoła Podstawowa nr 14 (Eng. Public Elementary School No. 14) undertakes in the development of economic competence and logical thinking in children and young people. During the presentation, reference was made to the school's flagship math competitions held on a regular basis, organized jointly with the Warsaw University of Technology. The school has also established cooperation with the National Bank of Poland.  Thanks to the implemented program, children are learning to navigate the financial world safely and freely. The last to present from the Polish side was the high school – Zespół Szkół nr 1 (Eng. School Complex No. 1).  The institution places a strong focus on shaping entrepreneurial attitudes among its students.

After presenting the projects implemented by schools in Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski, the Norwegian side presented its activities in the field of entrepreneurship development. The presentations included a number of practical activities undertaken by the youth, including, for example, sewing eco-friendly bags and selling them, as well as ski racks. Young people often achieve their goals and their ideas have practical applications. A major and important event is the organization of job fairs and meetings between young people and entrepreneurs.

During the second meeting, which focused on modern teaching methods, the Norwegian side developed and presented to principals and representatives of elementary schools in Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski the concept of developing local identity among young people through the Minecraft Education platform. The next steps that had been taken to implement this project among the children of Sogndal were presented. It was agreed that this educational game in the form of a competition among children and young people from public and non-public schools will also be organized in Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski. The Polish side asked a lot of technical questions concerning also other innovations presented.

Moreover, representatives of Sogndal presented a project they are just beginning to implement, involving the study of reading skills among young people, using modern diagnostic methods (laser eye movement analysis). Through their research, they want to strengthen children's ability to read quickly with comprehension.

Sogndal is putting a lot of effort into developing competence among teachers, but also providing them with the right electronic equipment and modern software.

It was also emphasized that children from Sogndal participated in a collaborative book writing project. In connection with this, a proposal was made to talk about the possibility of jointly carrying out part of the “Miasta OD Nowa” project (Eng. "City ReNEWal") concerning the creation of a comic book about the local history.

On the Polish side, all participants present (mainly school principals) presented innovative teaching methods implemented in Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski, including formative teaching, using augmented reality, youth debates.