Hello, dear readers, I’m Zakarija, 3rd year student of Vytautas Magnus University International Politics and Development studies from Morocco. On Tuesday, 17th November, 2015, I served as a Deputy Mayor of Kaunas Municipality for one day during the celebration of International Students Festival. Interested in how looks a day in the Kaunas Mayor Office?
„Kauno nekeisčiau į jokį kitą miestą. Jis – nuostabus“, - sako trečius metus Kaune studijuojantis ir gyvenantis marokietis Mohamedas Zakaria Belmehdi. Studento mintys apie gyvenimą Kaune – trumpame vaizdo reportaže.
Posted by Kauno savivaldybė on 2015 m. lapkričio 21 d.
Every year during International Students Day, a student is chosen to be a Mayor of Kaunas for that day, however this year as I’ve heard it’s the first year where they select deputy mayors too. This year, the organisers invited international students to participate as well to represent the growing community of international students in Kaunas.
On Wednesday, November 12, I received the information in the “Facebook" group of VMU international students and I immediately applied for it. I was worried because of the competition as they had to select only one student. Nevertheless I gave my CV and my project where I focused on transportation reform, enforcing participatory democracy, encouraging investment and relation with the national governement.
The following day I received the reply that I was selected! It was great news for me, as for a political sciences student. Also as an active student in various student clubs at VDU, I was hoping for such opportunity and experience.
On Tuesday, Novemeber 17th, I went to the municipality at 9:20 o’clock. I was warmly welcomed by the Youth Affairs Coordinator Margarita Navickaitė. Also, I met the student mayor and the other deputy mayors. So the first thing was a meeting with Kaunas Mayor Visvaldas Matijošaitis who invited us for a discussion with some heads of departments about our projects: public transportation at night, transport to the other parts of the city, youth center, taxes for unfinished buildings, speed limit of cars inside the city and also the Mayor showed us the projects of the city such as Mokslo Sala (Island of Knowledge) and the Stadium which seemed very futuristic.
Pictures from 15min.lt
Meanwhile the Journalists from TV and other media were filming and taking pictures. I had interview with some media outlets like 15min.lt and LRT (my first interview on TV), also I got an interview with the public relation departement of the municipality.
Then at 12 o’clock, we went outside. Although the weather wasn’t pleasant, we enjoyed our time by singing the National Anthem of Lithuania (I know only the first sentence), and danced a bit. It was a little celebration of the international student day which was organised by the student unions of various universities in Kaunas.
At 13 o’clock, I went back to the municipality, council chamber, where we had a conference mostly to discuss problems of students, and what municipality can do in order to help. Also the Department of Youth Affairs assured me that if I have any propositions about problems of the international students I can contact them.
Then at 12 o’clock, we went outside. Although the weather wasn’t pleasant, we enjoyed our time by singing the National Anthem of Lithuania (I know only the first sentence), and danced a bit. It was a little celebration of the international student day which was organised by the student unions of various universities in Kaunas.
At 13 o’clock, I went back to the municipality, council chamber, where we had a conference mostly to discuss problems of students, and what municipality can do in order to help. Also the Department of Youth Affairs assured me that if I have any propositions about problems of the international students I can contact them.
Pictures from lrytas.lt
Both the meetings and the conference were in Lithuanian but thanks to Margarita, who was translating it to me I was able to follow the discussion. I also made my propositions, and shared my opinions.
To summarise, my day was awesome as I had a chance to see how the municipality and local governement in Lithuania works. As for a political sciences student this opportunity was important and enjoyable for me. Also it was fun! The municipality staff including the Mayor were very friendly and welcoming of us, I thank them for their hospitality and for everything.
I would like to thank the Municipality of the City of Kaunas and ESN VMU for giving me this opportunity and this wonderful and unforgetable day. Lithuania is a place of adventure and it is really amazing to be a student in Vytautas Magnus University where you can always get wonderful experiences and adventures.
To summarise, my day was awesome as I had a chance to see how the municipality and local governement in Lithuania works. As for a political sciences student this opportunity was important and enjoyable for me. Also it was fun! The municipality staff including the Mayor were very friendly and welcoming of us, I thank them for their hospitality and for everything.
I would like to thank the Municipality of the City of Kaunas and ESN VMU for giving me this opportunity and this wonderful and unforgetable day. Lithuania is a place of adventure and it is really amazing to be a student in Vytautas Magnus University where you can always get wonderful experiences and adventures.