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On Monday, 13 April, the 13th Youth Saeima convened at parliament, bringing together young people from all regions of Latvia, who stepped into the role of Members of Parliament. This year, Youth Saeima members work over the course of two days instead of one – the first takes place today, while the second will be held at the end of April, giving participants the opportunity to gain a more in-depth understanding of parliamentary procedure and the decision-making process.

The Youth Saeima is a platform where young people not only express their views, but also learn democracy in practice by debating, adopting decisions and assuming responsibility for Latvia’s future. Youth participation in elections and involvement in politics are crucial for generating new ideas and strengthening our democracy, emphasises Deputy Speaker of the Saeima Antoņina Ņenaševa. The Deputy Speaker underlines that Youth Saeima members are motivated, focused, determined and courageous young people, whose active participation already today demonstrates their role in shaping Latvia’s future.

The first day of the Youth Saeima began with the discussion “Conversations on Democracy”, during which young people were addressed by Jānis Pleps, Associate Professor at the University of Latvia and Justice of the Supreme Court, and content creator Kristiāna Grāmatiņa, encouraging reflection on the values of democracy and the importance of civic participation.

Following the discussion, elections to the Presidium of the Youth Saeima were held and work in the sectoral committees commenced. The Youth Saeima Presidium consists of five members – one from each electoral district, ensuring the representation of all regions of Latvia. Elected to the Presidium were Ernests Gustavs Mikuts from the Riga electoral district, Līva Zommere from Vidzeme, Nikola Princova from Latgale, Aleksandrs Fedotovs from Zemgale and Elza Adele Vašuka from Kurzeme.

Young people worked in the Media Literacy, Education, Defence and Public Administration Committees. Committee work followed a model similar to that of Saeima committees – participants assessed submitted ideas, held discussions and drafted decisions, which are to be debated and approved at the Youth Saeima sitting. Discussions focused on solutions for a safer internet, modern and inclusive education, national security issues, and ways to encourage youth participation in the electoral process.

The work of the Youth Saeima committees was chaired by Saeima committee chairs Leila Rasima, Agita Zariņa‑Stūre, Raimonds Bergmanis and Oļegs Burovs. Young people whose ideas received the highest support in each thematic area — media literacy and safe internet, inclusive education, national security and elections — were elected as co‑chairs of the respective committees.

In the Education Committee, Geralds Gorņevs (Latgale electoral district) was elected co‑chair; in the Public Administration Committee, Markuss Bitenieks (Kurzeme electoral district); in the Media Literacy Committee, Denīze Saukāne (Vidzeme electoral district); and in the Defence Committee, Katrīne Giptere (Latgale electoral district).

On the second working day – 24 April – a sitting of the Youth Saeima will take place, during which participants will debate the decision proposals developed in the committees and vote on them, with the aim of adopting the Declaration of the 13th Youth Saeima by the end of the day.

The Youth Saeima is a parliamentary project that, since 2011, provides young people with the opportunity to express and defend their ideas and to become acquainted with the daily work of Members of Parliament. Participants submit ideas for election, conduct campaigns and collect votes in support of their ideas in order to become one of the 100 Youth Saeima members. Participation in the Youth Saeima is open to young people aged 15 to 20.

More information: www.jauniesusaeima.lv

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Saeima Press Service