On 6 June 2025, Daugavpils University organized an online seminar titled “Residents of Rural Areas”, conducted as part of the OpenEU project. The seminar brought together 26 participants from various countries, representing academia and non-governmental organizations.

The aim of the seminar was to foster discussion on the challenges and opportunities encountered by people living in rural and remote regions, as well as to analyse different countries’ experiences in ensuring inclusive and accessible higher education in these areas.

Informative and analytical presentations were delivered by project partners from Spain and Iceland — including Bifröst University, the Open University of Catalonia, and the National University of Distance Education — as well as by a Latvian doctoral student and the chairperson of the board of the NGO Training Centre “Gaisma”. Experts shared research findings, practical examples, and policy initiatives aimed at rural development. They emphasised the need to improve digital access, provide flexible learning models, and strengthen the engagement of local communities in educational processes.

The discussions highlighted both common and distinct challenges across countries, with particular emphasis on the impact of demographic trends, mobility restrictions, and social exclusion on educational accessibility in rural areas.

The seminar was conducted in a positive, collaborative atmosphere, promoting international dialogue and underlining the necessity for joint solutions to support rural development and the inclusion of rural residents in higher education.

Programme

For more information, please visit the OpenEU project website.

Daugavpils University
OpenEU Project Coordinator
Jeļena Tamane
Email: jelena.tamane@du.lv
Phone: +371 26114750