Change(K)now! project manager, Lead Researcher, Associate Professor Aija van der Steina with researchers from Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences Linda Veliverronena and Liene Ločmele (the study involved also researchers Barbara R. Burke, Nadezhda Sotirova, University of Minnesota, Morris, USA) presented a study on portrayal of reusable packaging in Latvian media at the 16th Conference on Baltic Studies in Europe (CSBE 2025) which took place in the University of Cambridge, UK, on 24-26 April 2025.

The presentation "Convergence of meanings: consumerism, sustainability, and Latvian media discourse on reusable packaging" explored how reusable packaging is portrayed in Latvian media. Through Critical Discourse Analysis, the study investigated the meanings tied to green consumption, sustainability, and circular economy as promoted by experts.

Key findings revealed that reusable deposit cups are framed not only as waste reduction tools but also as lifestyle markers and souvenirs, aligning with trends of eco-consumerism and "ecopiety"—a romanticized form of environmental responsibility. However, the presentation argued this media narrative risks reinforcing pseudo-circular behaviours and traditional consumerism rather than promoting real structural change.

The authors call for more critical and diverse discourse around sustainability, one that includes eco-design values, deeper circularity principles, and perspectives beyond the end-user. The study contributes to the broader discussion on how local media discourses shape public understanding of circular economy concepts and the challenges in moving beyond superficial environmental messaging.

More information about the conference

From April 12 to 22, representatives of Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences – Agita Līviņa, Agita Šmitiņa, Ilgvars Ābols, and Aigars Andersons – participated in a working visit to India as part of the Erasmus+ Capacity Building project SIPAS. During the visit, with the participation of project representatives from the Polytechnic Institute of Setúbal (Portugal), meetings were held with project partners at Pondicherry University and the National Institute of Tourism and Hospitality Management (NITHM) in Hyderabad. The program also included industry-focused workshops.

During the visit, discussions focused on the development of tourism and hospitality education, the identification of sector needs, and collaborative development of study modules. The delegation also delivered guest lectures on career skills, entrepreneurship in tourism, and the application of technology in the industry. Additionally, the official SIPAS project website was launched.

Among the highlights of the visit were the meetings with the Ministers of Tourism of Puducherry and Telangana regions, as well as other regional-level education officials, which helped enhance the project's visibility and deepen cooperation with Indian institutions. The visit received wide coverage in Indian media.

This visit not only opened new opportunities for student and staff mobility, but also allowed participants to enhance intercultural communication skills and gain deeper insight into the tourism education landscape in India. An additional benefit was the signing of a cooperation memorandum with the Central University of Karnataka, further expanding Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences' collaboration opportunities in India.

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.

Representatives from Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences – Agita Līviņa, Agita Šmitiņa, Ilgvars Ābols, and Aigars Andersons – are participating in joint workshops and partner meetings of the project “SIPAS – Advancing Sustainability and Technology in Tourism, Hospitality, and Services Studies through Strategic Industry Partnerships” from April 13 to 22 in India, at Pondicherry University and the National Institute of Tourism and Hospitality Management (NITHM) in Hyderabad.

At Pondicherry University, representatives of India’s tourism sector gathered to discuss current challenges and developments in the industry, as well as future cooperation ideas, including the development of several educational modules and their implementation in higher education tourism programs. Agita Līviņa opened the event with a speech emphasizing the importance of purposeful work to ensure collaboration leads to tangible results, while Agita Šmitiņa highlighted the significance of developing students’ entrepreneurial skills in higher education and shared Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences experience in organizing events that promote entrepreneurship.

The tourism industry meeting brought together around 40 participants representing a wide range of organizations, including hotels, resorts, local government, tourism education and nature conservation NGOs, food service companies, travel agencies, and tourism sites. The stakeholders in Pondicherry’s tourism sector highlighted several pressing issues. One of the main concerns was the low prestige of tourism and hospitality professions, which are often seen as a last-choice study path due to the demanding workload and low wages. There was a strong emphasis on avoiding overtourism and preventing the transformation of cultural heritage sites—stressing instead the importance of preserving and showcasing heritage as a valuable asset through restoration and care. An interesting point raised was the generational shift in behavior. With many families now raising only one child, today’s youth display notably different behavior patterns. Universities must learn how to effectively engage with students who bring these new dynamics into the classroom. Finally, waste management and pollution were also identified as critical issues. However, positive examples from within the industry were shared, demonstrating how these challenges can be addressed effectively. One of the participants, a sustainability manager from a hotel, emphasized the importance of understanding sustainability in a broad sense—economically, socially, and environmentally.

Project partners also made an honorary visit to the Minister of Tourism of Puducherry, Shri. K. Lakshminarayanan, presenting opportunities for developing tourism education within the SIPAS project and reinforcing collaboration between academic professionals and industry experts.

The visit continues at the National Institute of Tourism and Hospitality Management (NITHM) in Hyderabad, where discussions on the next stages of the project will take place, along with short lectures and workshops for Indian students and tourism industry representatives.

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.

The first-year doctoral students of the Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences doctoral school and their scientific supervisors met at a workshop, during which the new doctoral model was discussed, as well as in a discussion with the rector of ViA, leading researcher Ph.D. Agnese Dāvidsone, the main aspects of open science were discussed.

According to the new doctoral model, doctoral students in Latvia are no longer students, but the scientific staff. This model was introduced in all Latvian higher education institutions in the fall of 2024. “This means that doctoral students themselves have to think about how to get involved in various scientific activities, and scientific supervisors have the task of involving and creating opportunities where doctoral students can participate in the implementation of real scientific results, including various scientific conferences, new research, writing scientific project applications and other ways. Doctoral students have the opportunity to understand what it means to be a scientist and build a career in science from the first year,” says Ph.D. A. Dāvidsone.

A. Dāvidsone led a discussion on ethical issues related to open science. Open science was affected by changes in the late 1990s and early 2000s, when funders of higher education institutions increasingly began to demand that science be available in various ways and to all groups in society, including open data, open research infrastructure, public science, etc. Other issues included in the broad concept of open science were also discussed.

Open science is one of the main themes of the project "E³UDRES² Ent-r-e-novators" (No. 101071317), which promotes the development and implementation of the open science concept by all participating institutions - universities in Portugal, Austria, Belgium, Hungary, Romania and Latvia. It also promotes the acquisition of doctoral degrees by students.