The Constitutional Court holds a webinar for Latvia’s schools to launch the competition of pupils’ drawings and essays about the Satversme
On 28 September, the Constitutional Court organised a webinar for pupils of Forms 9 and 12 – “Pupil – a responsible citizen of Latvia”. The webinar was a symbolic launch of the fourth edition of the completion of drawings and essays on the Satversme of the Republic of Latvia (hereafter – the Satversme). Classes from 66 school from all regions of Latvia participated in the seminar.
The webinar was opened by President of the Constitutional Court Ineta Ziemele. She underscored: “ To let pupils acquired in-depth knowledge about the basic law of the State in due time, the Constitutional Court is announcing the fourth competition of creative work on topics selected from the Satversme. Over the course of three years, 790 pupils have been brave and submitted their work, therefore I hope that you also will be inspired to do so.”
She spoke with the pupils about equality and human rights in a democratic state governed by the rule of law. Ineta Ziemele emphasised that each person was a value, born endowed with dignity and freedom. In a democratic state governed by the rule of law, every person should have equal opportunities to exercise the human rights and freedoms, irrespectively of our differences. Therefore Article 91 of the Satversme, which defines the human right to equality, is one of the central articles in the Satversme.
Vice-president of the Constitutional Court Sanita Osipova told the pupils about the content of the Satversme and its role in Latvia’s development. “The State is our shared home. The basic law of the State, the Satversme, defines its foundations and the rules of order, including everything most important to allow the Latvian nation to live in peace and prosperity throughout times. We want everything to be fine for all of us together, these are the common interests of the nation,” Justice Osipova explained to pupils.
She drew the adolescent’s attention to the fact that long-term existence of a nation was impossible if the people did not feel patriotism – pride in being part of the State and being able to develop this State. Young people should know that the values and norms that are included in the basic law of the State in order to participate in elections, make choices, understand the consequences of the choices made, exercise their rights, take active part in public administration and become involved in political activities.
During the webinar, pupils could gain virtual insight into the Constitutional Court. An informative video about the work of the Constitutional Court was produced for this event.
The Constitutional Court invited teachers to register pupils from Form 6 of institutions of general and special education for the competition of drawings “Every child is equal in his or her rights”, pupils from Form 9 of institutions of general, special and vocational education for the competition of essays “How can I help my family and schoolmates exercise their equal rights?” but pupils from Form 12 of institutions of general, special and vocational education for the competition of essays “How does the Satversme help me develop into a responsible citizen of Latvia ?”.
Participation in the competition must be registered by 26 October of the current year (including), by filling out the form: https://forms.gle/qHMjXuzkvsYbrj6E7. The term for submitting works – 11 December. All Justices of the Constitutional Court will take part in the evaluation of submissions. Winners of the competition, recipients of writs of appreciation and their teachers will be invited for the awards ceremony on 15 February 2021.
The text of the Satversme and description of the assessment criteria are annexed to the Rules of the Competition as well as several informative materials that will be useful in the process of studying the Satversme to pupils and teachers alike, as well as all those interested.
Information about the competition is available here:
https://www.satv.tiesa.gov.lv/konkurss/
Video recording of the webinar is available here:
Video about the Constitutional Court is available here: