The 9th NORSA Conference “Regional Outcomes of Global Challenges in the Nordic Countries” organised by the Institute of Sociology at the Lithuanian Centre for Social Sciences, in partnership with Vilnius University and the Nordic Division of the Regional Studies Association, took place in Vilnius between 2nd– 3rd May 2024. The conference was kindly supported by Vilnius City Municipality Administration (www.govilnius.lt/) and the Regional Studies Association.
The conference featured three invited plenary speakers: Jiri Blazek (Charles University, Czech Republic) presented on the roles of system-level agency on the development of regional industries. Maria Tsouri (Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, Norway) highlighted the relationships between innovation networks and green transition and the final plenary presentation was by Tiit Tammaru, (Tartu University, Estonia) on trends of counter-urbanisation in the context of digital transition and decreasing urban housing affordability.
Delegates represented all countries of the RSA’s Nordic Division (Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, and Sweden) as well as further afield with guests from Hungary and Poland. The conference presented opportunities to discuss and debate the most recent issues concerned with regional studies and regional policy in Northern European countries and ample networking opportunities resulting in strengthened scientific links across the Baltic Sea and beyond.
Plenaries and paper sessions were accompanied by social events such as an informal pre-conference get-together, a conference dinner, a visit to the premises of Vilnius City Council for great views over the city and an energising walking tour with more vistas over the city, interesting insights and anecdotes and local hospitality. In addition, nice spring weather provided the perfect conditions for this first RSA-related conference in Lithuania. Conference photos can be accessed on our Facebook album here.
A NORSA conference is organised every other year in a Nordic country by a member of the NORSA Division and preliminary plans have been made to organise the 10th NORSA conference in 2026 in Sweden. Details on the NORSA Division and its activities can be found at www.regionalstudies.org/network/norsa.