On Tuesday, 18 October, President of Latvia will continue the youth debate series ‘#Satversme100: future values’ with the fifth discussion with young people from Jēkabpils region on what the Satversme article ‘the sovereign power of the State of Latvia is vested in the people of Latvia’ actually means.
The fifth debate of the series, ‘My country, my say. My impact on Latvia today and tomorrow’, will take place at the Krustpils Culture Centre. Debate will be livestreamed on LSM.lv, www.president.lv, the official webpage of the Presidential Chancery, as well as President Levits’ YouTube, Facebook and Twitter accounts from 14:00–15:30. It will be moderated by actor Jēkabs Reinis, with musical performances from band ‘Piparmētra’ (Peppermint).
Democracy is a form of government where power is vested in people and their politicians elected by them. But how do we actually govern the population of 2 million? People with different needs and priorities? How do we ensure that minorities are heard and why should the majority listen to minorities? Does pluralism and lack of consensus mean we are divided? Why some changes in our constitution, after their adoption in the parliament, need to also be put to popular vote? Does voting mean we have done our part as citizen?
President of Latvia will be joined by seven youngsters: Undīne Marija Voino (Year 11) from Sala Secondary School, Daniela Čamane (Year 11) from Jēkabpils State Gymnasium, Rolands Lauska (Year 11) from Līvāni Secondary School 1, Anete Gogule (Year 9) from Jēkabpils State Gymnasium, Anna Politkovskaya from Exupery International School, Nelli Morozova from Exupery International School and Diāna Zālīte (Year 12) from Zasa Secondary School.
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.