This year we mark the 100th anniversary of the Constitution of the Republic of Latvia, Satversme. Satversme is comprised of equally important and future-oriented values that may sometimes clash and lead to specific legal dilemmas. These dilemmas will be discussed by youth and President of Latvia Egils Levits during series of conversations ‘#Satversme100: future values’.
The first round of discussions will take place at the Riga Castle on the 100th anniversary of Satversme, the 15th of February 2022, at 14:00 – 15:30. President will be joined by eight youth delegates: Laura Zīmele from Andrejs Upītis Skrīveri Secondary School; Laura Stalidzāne from Friendly Appeal Liepāja Secondary School 5; Rehafa El Rekabija from Exupery International School; Sandija Gunta Evardsone from Colonel Oskars Kalpaks Vocational School; Roberts Muško from Jelgava Spīdola State Gymnasium; Nikola Princova from Rēzekne State Gymnasium 1; Karlīna Jansone from Riga State Gymnasium 1; Patriks Žilins from Riga State Gymnasium 1.
Debate will be moderated by Latvian TV and radio host Toms Grēviņš. Discussion will be livestreamed on LSM.lv, Presidential Chancery webpage www.president.lv and President Levits’ social media (YouTube, Facebook and Twitter) pages.
Series of conversations will continue throughout the year and take place in all regions: Vidzeme, Latgale, Zemgale, Kurzeme and Sēlija. The closing event will take place in February of 2023, at the Riga Castle.
Series of discussions ‘#Satversme100: future values’ is an important step forward in achieving greater involvement of youth in shaping Latvia’s future. It shall encourage young people to come up with their own ideas about the future of Latvia and share them between each other, promoting discussion on issues important for various groups of society.
Article 100 of Satversme regulates that we all enjoy freedom of speech and there should be no censorship. Article 95, meanwhile, stipulates that state shall protect human honour and dignity. How to achieve balance between freedom of speech, human dignity and ban on censorship? Can dignity be the reason to restrain freedom of speech during a conversation? Wouldn’t that be a breach of censorship ban?
According to Article 115 of Satversme, state shall protect the right of everyone to live in a benevolent environment. Preamble of the constitution requires each individual takes care of the common good of society by acting responsibly toward other people, future generations, the environment and nature. However, national development and prosperity of the people depend on availability of resources, including natural resources. Can the right of future generations to live in a nice environment serve as the reason to limit the right to prosperity of the current generation? Should we protect nature and environment at the expense of private property rights, which are stipulated in Article 105 of Satversme?
According to Preamble of Satversme, state of Latvia, proclaimed on 18 November 1918, has been established to guarantee the existence and development of the Latvian nation, its language and culture throughout the centuries. Better living standards require Latvia to seek access to global economy, which requires adherence to specific standards. How to balance identity of Latvia as a nation state with the hybridisation effect that globalisation carries and need to successfully promote Latvia’s engagement with the open world?
Conversations about these and many other legal dilemmas of Satversme will be recorded. These recording will then form the basis for new textbooks and information leaflets.
Series of discussions are organised by Presidential Chancery and Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences, NGO Quo Tu domā? and European Movement Latvia.