On Tuesday, 5 April, President of Latvia Egils Levits will continue the series of debates ‘#Satversme100: future values’, which mark the centenary year of Latvia’s constitution, Satversme, with the second discussion with young people from Daugavpils. Debate will focus on choices we are faced with when trying to balance our care for environment and right to individual prosperity.
The second debate of the series titled ‘Imagining green future: today’s compromises for better future’ will take place at Daugavpils State Gymnasium. It will start at 14:00 and will be livestreamed on LSM.lv, Presidential Chancery’s webpage www.president.lv and President Levits’ social media pages on YouTube, Facebook and Twitter. Discussion will be moderated by Latvian Television personality Ēvalds Dukuls.
President of Latvia will be joined by nine youngsters: Santa Bule from Daugavpils Secondary School 12, Arnita Bernāne from Daugavpils State Gymnasium, Anželika Litvinoviča from Daugavpils State Gymnasium, Vladimirs Bazans from Daugavpils Technological Secondary School-Lyceum, Milēna Kaštaļjana from Daugavpils Technological Secondary School-Lyceum, Elizabete Križanovska from Daugavpils State Gymnasium, Ņikita Zirjanova from Daugavpils Technological Secondary School-Lyceum, Ieva Lozjuka from Daugavpils Technological Secondary School-Lyceum, and Timurs Ragozins from Daugavpils Secondary School 9.
Sometimes values set down in Latvian constitution may seem to contradict each other despite being equally as important and crucial for future of Latvia. This leads to constitutional dilemmas. Article 115 of Satversme says that the state is responsible for ensuring everyone’s rights to live in a benign environment, whereas Preamble of Satversme stipulates that all people are responsible for the common good of the society and should respect the needs of next generations, the environment and nature. However, national development and social well-being require certain resources, including natural resources. President and youngsters will debate the choices we are faced with when balancing our care for environment and right to individual prosperity.
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. Series of conversations about legal dilemmas of Satversme will continue throughout the year and take place in all regions: Vidzeme, Latgale, Zemgale, Kurzeme and Sēlija. The kick-off debate took place on 15 February 2022 at the Riga Castle. The closing event will take place in February of 2023, in Riga.
Debate will be recorder to create a summary of findings and outcomes that will then be integrated into all types of learning and information sources.
Series of discussions are organised by Presidential Chancery and Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences, NGO Quo Tu domā? and European Movement Latvia.