On 2 November, President of Latvia Egils Levits and youngsters from Dobele and nearby settlements will discuss how to benefit from globalisation while also retaining the Latvian identity during the closing youth discussion in the series of constitutional values debate ‘#Satversme100: future values’ titled ‘Latvianness: a privilege or a burden?’. Series will conclude with a closing event in the Riga Castle in February 2023.
‘Latvianness: a privilege or a burden?’, the sixth instalment of youth debate series, will take place in Concert Hall ‘Zinta’ and will be broadcast live on LSM.lv, Presidential Chancery webpage www.president.lv and social media accounts of President Levits on YouTube, Facebook and Twitter from 14:00. Discussion will be moderated by journalist Inese Supe. Musical entertainment will be provided by singer and actress Zane Dombrovska.
According to Preamble of Satversme, Latvian State has been established to guarantee the existence and development of the Latvian nation, its language and culture throughout the centuries. How do we safeguard these values? What should politicians and each of us do? Who will guarantee these values? Members of parliament or children behind school desks? Can our culture guarantee the survival of Latvian language and national culture under the pressure of globalisation and competition?
President of Latvia will be joined for the debate by Ričards Liepiņš-Melnis from Auce Secondary School, Nikita Juziks and Eva Piļkēviča from Exupery International School, Enrijs Birze, Madara Mieze and Estere Upmale from Dobele State Gymnasium.
Debate series ‘#Satversme100: future values’ is an important step towards empowering young people to take more active stake in shaping Latvia’s future. The aim of the debate is to help young people formulate their views, engage in conversations and listen to other views about issues important for all.
Debate series take place throughout the 2022. First debate took place on 15 February 2022 at the Riga Castle, followed by regional conversations in Vidzeme, Latgale, Zemgale, Kurzeme and Sēlija.
Discussions are recorder to create a summary of findings and outcomes that will then be integrated into all types of learning and information sources. Videos from previous debates: first, opening debate on 15 February at Riga Castle (video), second debate on 5 April in Daugavpils (video), third meeting in Valmiera on 6 May (video), fourth discussion in Saldus on 27 September (video), fifth debate in Jēkabpils on 18 October (video).
Series of discussions are organised by Presidential Chancery and Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences, NGO Quo Tu domā? and European Movement Latvia.