President Levits points out that drafting and discussion of the bill involved a close dialogue between policy makers and non-governmental actors who are already successfully involved and productive in promoting civic society and youth loyalty.
He also underlines that responsibility for strengthening national loyalty, promotion of democratic values enshrined in Constitution and national defence and security is not exclusively limited to specific government authorities: ‘Any real improvements in these areas require joint effort by all groups of society, with non-governmental sector leading the way.’
Egils Levits urges policy makers and non-governmental organisations to continue deepening their dialogue through implementation of the Defence Education and Youth Guard Law because ‘a comprehensive national defence system can only be efficient if social partners support its development and participate in it, encouraging and inspiring children and young people – as they have successfully been doing in the past – to explore and learn more about skills essential for defending Latvia’.
In his assessment President indicates that citizen need to be able to adequately balance their rights, freedoms and obligations and responsibilities towards the society and the state to sustain a well-functioning democracy. ‘However, no one is born a responsible citizen who understands what his or her role and obligations towards democracy are. We slowly become one, through upbringing, education, social interactions and experience,’ specified Egils Levits.
He also emphasises that, as a young democracy with relatively little democratic experience, Latvia needs civic education strategy and public debate on civic education in all levels of education system starting with schools. ‘I think that the new national defence course should be a part of this wider civic education framework. This law is a step in the right direction, but many more steps will have to be made before integrated children and youth civic education system is ready. Such system should integrate various civic education elements across different fields, for example, from sociology, history or regional history to national defence, which is now being introduced. We need more coordinated approach, create a more comprehensive civic education system and make it a vital part of school education.’