Jena and Lugoj deepen partnership through social and youth exchanges

The town twinning between Jena and the Romanian city of Lugoj was further strengthened by recent reciprocal visits and the traditional school exchange. Discussions at working level focused on future cooperation in the areas of social welfare, care and child and youth welfare.

Cooperation in elderly care and nursing care

A delegation from Jena, including Kathleen Lützkendorf, head of the social services department, traveled to Lugoj in August to exchange ideas on site. The meetings took place on the fringes of the Ruga, a large public festival that is always celebrated on the feast day of the Assumption of Mary. The return visit by a specialist delegation from the twin city to Jena, led by Ms. Angelica Uscat, Head of the Social Assistance Direction Lugoj (responsible for care and support), followed in September. In addition to specialist appointments, the guests visited the Jena Old Town Festival. The aim of the working visits was to identify specific points of contact for more in-depth and practical cooperation.

Several areas for future exchange were identified as key results. For example, cooperation in the social sector, particularly in elderly care and nursing, as well as in child and youth welfare, is to be intensified. Possible formats for this include the exchange of specialists, joint EU project applications and training cooperation. The possibility of offering potential joint courses, for example in IT, for young people from both cities was also discussed.

Head of Social Affairs Kathleen Lützkendorf looks back positively on the talks:

"The visit to Lugoj was a great pleasure for me. The direct exchange with Ms Uscat here in Jena was just as valuable: it became clear how similar our challenges are in caring for people with dementia - and how enriching it is to develop ideas for more humane and innovative care together. This is exactly what gives our partnership new depth and strength."

Student exchange as a sign of a strengthened partnership

The traditional visit by schoolchildren, which has shown for more than two decades that the partnership is also firmly anchored in civil society, also took place in the summer. Once again this year, 36 pupils from Lugoj spent an eventful vacation in Jena. The stay was once again organized by the Jena Association for the Promotion of the Partnership between the Cities of Lugoj and Jena e.V., whose commitment plays a key role in maintaining the connection between the two cities. The program included numerous excursions and activities, including the traditional ice cream with a representative of the city leadership, this time with Mayor Benjamin Koppe.

The latest activities underline the long-standing and friendly relationship between Jena and Lugoj. Both cities are optimistic about the implementation of the agreed projects and the continuation of the exchange.