Tallinn-Lisbon 2008

Academic Hitchhike Race

Tallinn-Lisbon 2008 Academic Hitchhike Race

Moveable youth festival 28 days, 14 citiesNo competitions, no prizesAcademic and social events en route

GoalsEnhancing the feeling of European identity in

today’s students = future innovators and decision makers

Creating a dynamic forum for making contacts and disseminating information

Tallinn-Lisbon 2008 Academic Hitchhike Race

Proposed routeTallinn-Riga-Kaunas-Warsaw-Poznan-Berlin-Hannover-Amsterdam-Brussels-Paris-Toulouse-Barcelona-Madrid-Lisbon

Tallinn-Lisbon 2008 Academic Hitchhike Race

FormatDay trips of 300-500 km, one day stop in each

cityMeeting at a main square with greetingsAcademic discussions at the university, various

social and cultural events Participation

Pre-registrationParticipant’s kit: T-shirt, badges, stickers,

umbrella... the “Hitchhiker’s Guide”

Tallinn-Lisbon 2008 Academic Hitchhike Race

Academic discussionsOpen for the public and participants2-3 discussants - one local public intellectual

and 1-2 guests

Sample topicsBerlin: One Europe or two halves?Hannover: How to reconnect science and

humanities?Paris: Students as a public power

Tallinn-Lisbon 2008 Academic Hitchhike Race

Safety issuesRules of conductEmergency phone numbers“Help me!” pages

Media coverageRadio stationsLocal pressWebsiteFilm and book

Tallinn-Lisbon 2008 Academic Hitchhike Race

Role of participating universitiesNetworkingDiscussions and help with media coverageFacilitation of housingStudent unions: volunteers for logistic help

Role of municipalities and private sectorFacilitation of social eventsPossible discounts of selected services

Tallinn-Lisbon 2008 Academic Hitchhike Race

OrganisationCoordination: Tallinn UniversityNetwork of participating organisationsEU representation of Tallinn

Need for additional fundingPreparation of participants’ kitsOrganisational costs and support for eventsReturn travel

Tallinn-Lisbon 2008 Academic Hitchhike Race

Thank you!