WHERE, WHEN AND HOW PEOPLE WIN

HEALTH & SOCIAL BULLETIN

UBC has supported financially numerous sports competitions to promote fitness and integrate people from various countries of different cultures and customs.
Among all the hosting cities Kaliningrad is still to organise "Baltic Autumn" on 19-21 November this year. These are the highlights of the Commissions' work: Klaipėda's UBC Sport Games (24-25.07.99), Gdansk's "Baltic Sail" (5-12.08.99), Panevėžys's "International Children Triathlon" (27.08.99) and Vilnius's "International Small Football Tournament" (9-10.10.99). What all of these competitions have in common is the young age of participants, popularity of water sports and a great spirit of adventure.
In Vilnius, for instance, more than 400 children participated in the football tournament. In Klaipėda's canoe rowing there were 150 participants. The "Baltic Sail" turned to be a great success, while 14 yachts with 162 people on board contested for the first prize and the cup. New friendships,

sport-tourist cooperation and integration of the BSR cities were initiated. The Panevėžys children in different age groups competed in swimming, cycling and running. Sport Games in Šiauliai, Lithuania (16-19.09.99) are newly established but with a great impetus. 795 athletes representing 22 cities from 5 Baltic countries competed for medals. On 29. 09. 99 Gdynia hosted the international female football game, first of this kind in Pomeranian Region since 1992, and an unforgettable performance.
Prizewinners in all these competitions were awarded cups, diplomas with the UBC logo on them, medals and other additional prizes such as T-shirts and little flags. It is worth mentioning that some of these sport events like that of Vilnius, for instance, were accompanied by exhibitions and guided sightseeing tours for all the guests. There is a strong wish to continue with this project next year.
New themes, projects and the current list of the member cities can be found in the Commission's new brochure.

The first Bulletin on Health & Social Affairs was edited by the H&SA Commission in May 1998 and since then three more editions followed. Two issues are planned per year, relying on your active help. It is thought as a tool for the information exchange about ongoing city activities, networking, useful EU programmes, project partner search, events, reports on attended international conferences. There is also a space for any interesting social initiatives, reports, pros & cons, proposals, partner search, policies and Commission activities.
Dedicated to a specific topic, previously the "Social Market Place" was introduced. The cities advertised equipment and goods needed for social and health institutions, and were encouraged to contact directly named contact persons. "The Social Charter" proposed by Mayor of Lübeck Michael Bouteiller, "WHO Healthy Cities Programme" (and its special office for the Baltic Sea Region in Turku), "UBC Health Questionnaire" (the evaluation of all answers has been published in an extra edition and a summary in No. 1/1999), "Help coordination" (with the call for help to Russian cities) were highlighted. We could write about concrete actions for help, Introduction of Social Institutions in the BSR and many other interesting topics. The second edition in 1999 is focused on social aspects of the Local Agenda 21 in UBC member cities. Articles and comments are welcome.

COMMISSION ON EDUCATION PLANS

The 2nd session of the Education Commission was held in Stockholm on 24 September alongside the V UBC General Conference. The Board consists of the Chairman, Kurt Pettersson & Vice Chairman Ivo Eesmaa. The Commission's Secretary Mare Ellen, a journalist and coowner of Hiiumaa newspaper, will work to establish the Commission's Secretariat at Kärdla. Later, Ms Susanna Fredin, a representative from the Swedish Institute

(www.si.se), spoke about the possibilities of receiving scholarships and funding exchanges and study visits in the BSR. A presentation of the guidelines for the new Leonardo Programme followed by Mr Fredrik Rydbo, representative of the EU Programme Secretariat in Stockholm. Leonardo da Vinci II will be launched on 1 January 2000 and will run until 31 December 2006. During the workshop the issues related to the website 

and the UBC classes were discussed. The participants agreed to develop the bulletin board and the brochure on educational matters. The next session is to take place in Riga or Kärdla in 2000.