On the 16th of October (the first day of the conference), the participants arrived in Daugavpils and were shown around the town. They learned about the history of our city by visiting the Daugavpils Fortress Museum, the zoo, and Dubrovin’s Park. Students’ comments on these activities were very positive.

On the first evening, the guest students introduced themselves while their hosts presented Latvia and Daugavpils. Students of Daugavpils University had prepared various games for getting acquainted which helped to relax the atmosphere. The evening was also enlivened by guitar music and singing.

On the 17th of October, the conference was officially opened by the Dean of the Faculty of Education and Management and the Director of the Institute of Sustainable Education, Professor Ilga Salite. Students of Daugavpils University had prepared a presentation on the Earth Charter since sustainability is firmly based on its principles. Students who were not familiar with the principles of the Earth Charter had a chance to learn about it during the presentation and thus better understand the main aim of the conference: to live in a sustainability-friendly environment that can be achieved by common effort. The presentation on the Earth Charter was followed by another presentation: ‘Students on Sustainability.’

Later that day a discussion about sustainability and problems of ecology in the participants’ countries was organised, during which we tried to discuss possible solutions to these problems. After that students were divided in several groups. Their task was to determine students’ understanding of sustainability and the ways it can be integrated in their schools. The groups also discussed features of a sustainable person that distinguished him/her from an unsustainable person. The results of the group work were displayed on posters and shared in group presentations.

The 18th of October was the day of presentations when students of Daugavpils University presented their research on sustainability. Maria Shilina from St. Petersburg presented her project featuring an island where a big oil terminal is about to be built. The aim of the project is to protect the ecosystem of the island from pollution that the oil terminal might cause. After the presentations students had to decide on particular methods and ideas through which they would successfully integrate sustainability in their respective schools and countries. The aforesaid methods and ideas were also presented. In addition to that, students contemplated what kind of sustainability research they could carry out.

Later that day the participants took a cultural tour to Latgale in order to get acquainted with Latgalian culture. They visited the most magnificent Latgalian basilica in Aglona. They also went to Jasmuiza, the memorial house of the famous Latvian poet Rainis where they learned about his life and had a chance to view Latgalian ceramics. The evening witnessed the closure of the conference and a concert given by the singers and hip-hop dancers from Daugavpils University. After the concert, Mr Elmar Rompczyk gave a presentation on globalisation and sustainability. Students eventually decided that they would continue to spread the ideas of the Earth Charter and sustainability in their countries as well as carry out projects and research the principles of sustainability and the Earth Charter.

The 19th of October, the final day of the conference, featured a cultural tour to Latvia during which the participants visited some of the most magnificent Latvian castles and manor houses. They went to Cesvaine Caste and Cesis Castle as well as the Cesvaine Secondary School – the most modern school in Latvia. This school was built in place of the old one that had been severely damaged during the fire at the Cesvaine Castle. It is equipped with modern technologies, modern classrooms and does not resemble any other school in Latvia. Thus, the participants had a chance to get acquainted with the beauty and richness of Latvian culture and nature. Since the day was fair and sunny, the students’ first visit to Latvia proved to be a truly wonderful and unforgettable experience.

We hope that this conference will be the first of many because we have already designed a plan for future activities. We will invite students that took part in the conference to work out research on sustainability and its topical issues. The obtained results will be summarised in a collection of articles ‘Students on Sustainability.’ Similarly, we have decided to write projects for the 6th International Journal of Teacher Education and Training Conference ‘Sustainable Development, Culture, and Education’ that is to take place in Turkey (4-7 June 2007). In Turkey, we intend to present the collection of articles developed during the conference ‘Let’s Live Together, Let’s Live Sustainably.’

Our permanent endeavour is to promote international cooperation with an aim to attract new enthusiasts. Our future plans for the spring also include organisation of collective environment cleaning works which would involve other students. For next summer, we plan an active and intellectual open air recreation at ‘Ilgas.’ Next autumn, we intend to organise another international conference in Daugavpils University on the issues of the Earth Charter and sustainability. This time we expect to attract even more students from a broader range of countries. Our aim is to spread the ideas of sustainability and the Earth Charter, and create a broad international network that will unite students who care about the issues of sustainability.

For updated information about our activities, please write to our ECYG's contact person, Lolita Baranovska, at lolita.baranovska [at] gmail.com.