Ignite Talk

“Empower Yourself, Empower the World” is an initiative of three local libraries in the rural territories of Vaidava, Vecate and Rencēni in the Valmiera municipality of Latvia. The libraries are working together with the local community to address a huge increase in depression, fear, and loneliness following the Covid-19 pandemic, which has also been exacerbated by anxieties over the war in Ukraine.

In light of this, the “Empower Yourself, Empower the World” program seeks to empower local residents and improve their wellbeing. The initiative incorporates three different group therapies – art therapy, dance therapy, and bibliotherapy – and makes the therapies available to the three village communities involved in the challenge.

Host

Inguna Dukure

Inguna Dukure has been the Chief librarian of Vaidava Parish Library of the Valmiera region in Latvia since 2021. Inguna is an educator, tourist guide, and passionate librarian. She learned her librarian skills while working with the British Council to set up an outreach training center. Inguna also organizes adventure camps for children and develops lifelong learning programs for adults. Inguna is also a world traveler – to date she has visited 98 countries.