Editor's note
International Internet Magazine. Baltic States news & analytics
Tuesday, 19.03.2024, 10:20
Corona virus: lessons for the Baltic States
As the coronavirus crisis continues to unfold across the world,
questions are asked about the proper and most efficient instruments, both
theoretical and practical, to combat the crisis and to guide the perspective
growth. Self-isolation allows scientists to dwell on the perspectives and work
out solutions for the most optimal socio-economic development in our countries.
The recipe is actually simple: it is the states’ scientific
communities that can deliver the most optimal means for dealing with the
pandemic and provide for recovering instruments in economic growth, for peoples’
health and their wellbeing. There are numerous scientific research fields in
both natural and social sciences that can be involved in dealing with the
present coronavirus crisis, as well as with its aftermath.
For example, the natural science’s fields are now in the frontline
being involved in resolving human health issues, such as bio-medicine,
bio-technology and virusology, to name a few. In social science and humanities
the potentials are great too: for example, in the political science it is to
find modern “political means” to overcome the crisis; in the economic spheres,
it could be a “full flexibilisation
of existing structural funds, including a stimulus package”, as the Commission
President recently underlined.
Citation from: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/STATEMENT_20_554
EU-wide controversies
On the EU-wide scene, Italy, Spain and seven other countries
(incl. France) argue that the “common debt” (i.e. EU long-term budget, the
MFF’s injections) should be part of the economic response to the pandemic;
another EU-states’ camp led by the Netherlands and Germany say it shouldn’t. However,
this political debate is often loaded with emotions, deep beliefs, religious
metaphors, national pride and prejudice, with the specter of populism invoked
on both ends. In the middle of the debates are national political leaders
occupying most uncomfortable place, including those in the Brussels’
headquarters.
At the first weeks of the crisis, there have been predictably
divergent national reactions, which showed the complexities and nature of the
crisis. After about a month in actions the situation has turned into a complete
uncertainty with one definite resolution: the world after coronavirus will be a
different place!
Some –even at the beginning of this crisis- have been saying
that the states have to do more as the situation evolves. But the truth is that
in order to overcome the crisis not only the EU states are to be closer
together, but the neighbouring states (as the Baltic States are!) need to be
intertwined in more active and efficient common actions in managing the crisis.
On the EU side are such issues as coordinating border
measures, supporting repatriations, launching joint procurement procedures for
medical equipment, securing free passage for essential goods across the
internal market to mobilizing unprecedented financial support and relaxing
budgetary and state aid rules, to name a few.
On the state’s level – there are such spheres as elaborating
optimal scientific priorities and unified actions from all branches of science
and social development. In this regard, the Baltic States governments have to
adopt the national priorities in dealing with the crisis. No doubt that each
state will have its own “remedy tools”, i.e. national priorities and strategies.
However, in order to optimize the efforts, the countries have to unite existing
potentials showing solidarity: thus in one Baltic country it is better and more
efficient to concentrate for example the sub-regional bio-medical potentials,
on another state –the ICT/digital means, still in another –the manufacturing
sector, etc. This approach can be called “the Baltic common course” for getting
out of the crisis including changes in the supply chain, recruitment practices
and online learning.
Socio-economic challenges: the remedies
The health crisis caused by the corona virus pandemic and
its severe socio-economic ramifications are understandably at the forefront of
member state leaders’ minds. Revised political economy spectrum includes three
options: a) business-as-usual orientation, which is highly improbable; b)
follow the bystanders’ visions, and c) the forward-looking and sufficiently
courageous approach.
The ongoing COVID-19 crisis thus provides a concrete test of
present national governance schemes, i.e. the test which will require the most
optimal decision-making and, at the same time, identify those leaders who are
truly committed to tackling the modern multiple crises. Any national response
shall include both resolving both the
pandemic crisis and socio-economic issues: the measures would consists of the
use of EU and national stimulus packages to invest in the resolute modern
political economy strategies, which include “smart” specialisation, circular
economy and sustainability.
There are some apparent « truths »: age-old
economic theories cannot be used in modern political economy with new
approaches to structural reforms, sustainable growth and circular economy.
Financial ejections “a-la USA”, with trillions of dollars in saving the
economic development (with about $1,2 thousand per person!) are not feasible
for the rest of the world!
As to the time-span, China’s experience has shown that the
recession the EU will last about for-five months (the longest is six
months). It is seen that COVID-19, which started in China last December
only now the epidemic curve goes down there.
That means the EU member states are facing at least several months
of “self-isolation” and economic slow-down.
Most experts assisting the governments in the Baltic States
have been trained by the old liberal economy schools’ guidebooks; however, new
realities challenge most their basic postulates and require new approaches
which the old economic recipes cannot provide for. That is becoming a real generational
problem! Hence, as a rule, politicians are “inventing” some socio-economic
decisions and then ask the economists to prove that they are right…
Another clear message is that the online platforms need to
step up efforts to fully enforce the new digital economy’s policies and offer
more evidence that the measures they have taken are working well.
Among additional measures are: developing national emergency
action plans composed of voluntary team of experts from all walks of science
and management, following the example of the Commission’s crisis response team
– the European Democracy Action Plan – which will ensure that digital platforms
are more transparent and accountable being able to explore most optimal
decision-making systems in the digital age.
Concerted actions: examples in the Baltic Sea region
The Nordic countries have moved rapidly to launch research
projects to help address the pandemic issues involving universities, research
institutions and funding agencies. Thus, e.g. in Denmark, the New Carlsberg
Foundation has donated about $13 million “to
accelerate efforts against COVID-19”, incl. virus research, as well as social
scientist and humanities group of behavioral researchers to find the ways
modern societies can handle most effectively epidemics. Research projects will
pave the way for new, global insights into behavior, prevention, diagnosis and
treatment of any future epidemics.
Source: https://www.universityworldnews.com/post.php?story=20200323152955985
Another interesting example of cooperation in the Baltic States region is the ProVaHealth Living Lab’s (in short, Living Labs) activity supported by the Interreg and European Regional Development Fund. It seeks to provide practical advice on dealing with innovative health products and services and public procurement in partner countries. The project brought together 17 organizations from 8 Baltic Sea countries to focus on creating better collaboration between Health Living Labs in the Baltic Sea Region, ensuring smooth access to Living Lab services for SMEs, improving market uptake of new products and services in health, enforcing innovation, creation of new enterprises and growth of SMEs and improving health, well-being and quality of life in the society.
More on Living Lab projects in: https://scanbalt.org/livinglabs/reports/
Bottom-line: joint Baltic States’ roadmap for research and innovation is needed to address the most pressing knowledge issues in tackling the crisis. National research funds should contribute to filling these knowledge maps and coordinate countries’ efforts.
Educational aspects
The COVID-19 pandemic will sooner or later come to an end;
however, it will serve as a wake-up call for science and education systems in
all countries in re-assessing existing policies in view of amending their existing
patterns. The new approaches will lead to adapting to new challenges and
transferring digital pathways while providing for a “flexible education
delivery tools” to increase the value of knowledge and science for the learners;
the process will take at least a year to recover...
For example, some governments in the world had acquires unprecedented
powers over universities and schools as countries started the lockdowns to
prevent the spread of COVID-19. Thus, New Zealand’s parliament passed a bill
granting the education ministry emergency powers over all educational
institutions (there are 2,500 school board entities and 4,000 education service
providers). The ministry will be able to direct education providers’ operation,
control and manage provision of education in specified ways, e.g. through
distance or online learning.
Source: https://www.universityworldnews.com/post.php?story=20200325232511186
Digital capabilities are not distributed equally across
European universities, and deficiencies have delayed implementing systems for
online teaching. Italy was the first country in Europe to completely shut down
its universities and move teaching online; students have reacted well to online
courses. But access has not been equal, moving the Italian government to
announce an €85 million aid package to support distance learning and to improve
connectivity in isolated areas. Among the most common technical problems are slow
internet connections, video feeds freezing, etc. which are making for a bumpy
course experience.
Reference to: https://www.universityworldnews.com/post.php?story=20200328090607782