Every May, Europe Day is celebrated in Europe and Latvia. This year we will celebrate Europe Day in a different way -with activities that focus on European values. At a time when we are beginning to recover from the pandemic crisis and when we are witnessing Russia's military aggression against Ukraine right next door, we are thinking much more about our shared European values - freedom, solidarity, democracy, peace, human dignity - which not so long ago seemed so self-evident and certain. Today, we are very aware that we need to speak up more about these values and stand up for them every day.
Events of the Europe Day:
- On 6 May, online activities will take place in cooperation with EU embassies, WWF, the International Youth Programme Agency, and other partners to demonstrate solidarity and support for Ukraine through messages of culture, solidarity, etc. events and activities to raise awareness and support for Ukraine through the prism of European values. You can follow the event on the European Commission Representation's FB account, partners' accounts and on the DELFI website.
- European Exam. For the eighth year running on 7, 8 and 9 May, a European exam will be held to mark Europe Day, inviting everyone to test their knowledge of where we are in Europe. More and more school childrenand adults are taking part - last year, 37 611 participants took part in the European Exam. The European Exam is available online at www.esmaja.lv and offers 20 questions to be answered at your preferred time. More information on the European Exam on Facebook and www.esmaja.lv
- Back to School/Back to University campaign. During the campaign, experts from different fields visit Latvian educational institutions to inform, motivate, encourage, and inspire young people. The campaign runs from 28 March to 20 May. Please inform your local educational institutions about the opportunity to apply for the campaign, and we encourage you and your colleagues to apply to be experts and go "Back to School / Back to University". Experts are welcome to apply by 20 May by filling in the online form or by emailing atpakaluzskolu@esmaja.lv
- 2022 has been declared the European Year of Youth. On 6 May, an environmental object, the iESpējas platform, designed as a meeting place for young people, will be launched online in Bastejkalns Parkin Rīga. The main aim of the platform is to offer up-to-date information on the opportunities presented by the European Union to young people, to take part in discussions and to express their views on European values, their visions, and their dreams for the Europe of the future. The aim of the opening event is to support, inspire and unite. Not letting people forget about what is happening, while at the same time talking about opportunities, inclusion and being together. Please stay tuned to www.esmaja.lv for information on the upcoming events.
- Seminars on "22 Questions for the European Union in 2022" across Latvia. The EU House and Europe Direct Centres in the regions also encourage adults to improve their knowledge and understanding of what we in the European Union are about - about participation, unity, and solidarity, about the priorities of the European Union and about democracy. The aim of the events is to prepare for the European exam, refresh your knowledge and find out the latest about the European Union. The seminars will be hosted by journalist Ansis Bogustovs and multimedia artist Kašers, each of whom will also tell their own unique and personal story about Europe. More information is available on the Europe Direct Centres' Facebook accounts and by contacting the Europe Direct Centres.
- 11 series of discussions on the 11European Youth Goals. The Latvian Youth Council, in cooperation with the LYC member organisations and with the support of the European Commission Representation in Latvia, the International Youth Programme Agency and European Movement Latvia, has launched a series of 11 discussions in different planning regions on each of the European Youth Goals.
- There are currently seven EUROPE DIRECT Centres in Latvia, planning various activities in the regions in the run-up to Europe Day. ED Kuldīga, together with Kuldīga Technical College, is planning a Europe Day event with young people, while Ventspils will celebrate Europe Day on 10 May with various activities. ED Jelgava will already mark Europe Day on 26 April with the Earth Day event and on 5 May will explore the European Union through interactive activities in two educational institutions in Jelgava region. ED East Latgale is planning three events to mark Europe Day: "Living Green, Celebrating Green", "A European Afternoon in Youth Style - European Values, Science, Sport, Style and Music" and a workshop "Language - the Key to Culture and Heart". In Gulbene, a children's drawing competition "United in Europe!" has been launched and will be exhibited from 9 May, while ED Vidzeme will organise an orienteering game "Europe in Vidzeme" through out the month of May to learn facts about the benefits of the EU in Vidzeme. Please support the events on your information channels. More information can be found on the ED Centres' Facebook accounts and by contacting the centres.
- Opening of the new EUROPE DIRECT Centre in South Latgale. With the support of the European Commission, the new EUROPEDIRECT Centre in Daugavpils will open on 1 May. The Centre will be responsible for informing the public about EU issues and creating a link between EU institutions and the public, as well as cooperating with local organisations on various projects and activities to explain EU issues. The Centre's opening event is scheduled for 5 May, the day when Daugavpils will celebrate Environment Day with a variety of activities. The fifth and final "With a European grip on Latgale" hackathon for young people, this time tackling challenges and problems related to the environment and sustainability, will be the central event marking Environment Day. More information is available at www.esmaja.lv
- On 9 May, Europe Day, the first results of the Conference on the Future of Europe will be announced. In Latvia, the Conference on the Future of Europe has organised more than 140 events, presenting proposals for the future of Europe. This activity ranked Latvia among the top ten most active Member States. We are grateful to everyone who took part in and supported the activities of the Conference on the Future of Europe and expressed their opinions! Please inform your local leaders about the conference. More information on the results of the conference will be published on the EC Representation's Facebook account and www.esmaja.lv
- The European Week will be concluded by the discussion series for young people "EUi Future" organised by theLatvian Platform for Development Cooperation (LAPAS) and the European Commission Representation in Latvia. Five discussions with young people will take place from 13 to 15 May in the Zemgale region, marking the end of a series of 20 events held in the framework of the Conference on the Future of Europe. The series of events serves as a platform for young people to express their views, proposals and make the irvoices heard at both regional and European level. More information is available at www.esmaja.lv