The ALDA President, Mr. Per Vinther, met recently with the Rector of the the “Uniwersytet Kazimierza Wielkiego” in Bydgoszcz, Professor Józef Kubik. The meeting was also attended by the Head of International Relations Office of the University, Mgr Aniela Bekier-Jasińka, and by the Principal of the International School of Bydgoszcz, Mgr Imisława Górska.
Topic of the discussions was the potential involvement of the University in ALDA projects in which the participation of local authorities and NGOs could be complemented by the added value of participation from the academic sector. The efforts of ALDA and the LDAs in promoting democracy in host and partner communities and countries is bound to benefit from involvement also from the business and the education sector. The University already has some experience with exchange of academics from neighbouring countries, incl. Belarus, which could be beneficial in EU funded projects ALDA is developing with Non-State Actors. In addition, Rector Kubik expressed interest in engaging with other European universities who are already partners of ALDA.
The President also visited the International School of Bydgoszcz, which is affiliated with the NATO Joint Force Training Centre in the city and attached to the University. The Principal, Ms Gorska, stressed that the International School of Bydgoszcz is developing its multicultural policy and is interested in cooperation with ALDA members specialising in multiculturalism and multinational activities dedicated to pupils, youth or teenagers. Worth noting is that the Principal is the former Secretary of the ALDA Board and therefore very familiar with ALDA activities.
Photo: From left to right Ms Bekier-Jasinka, Professor Kubik, Mr Vinther and Ms Gorska