With a long history of dedicated involvement in various aspects of public health and well-being of citizens, the Nordic region holds an extensive knowledge to offer Latvian public institutions, NGOs and stakeholders. With that in mind, on September 5th and 6th the Nordic Council of Ministers’ Office in Latvia hosted a visit of the Nordic Welfare Centre, which included meetings with the Latvian counterparts from the State Chancellery, the Ministry of Welfare and the University of Latvia.
The topics on deaf-blindness, welfare of children and youth and digitalization of the medical sector were covered. Conversations also delved into the complex subjects of migration, income inequality, level of poverty and public perception regarding well-being in the Baltics and the Nordic region.
The primary objective of these visits and cross-cultural cooperations is to identify shared challenges and distinctive needs and offer support in overcoming them. It also entails establishing a robust network of supportive organisations that brings Latvia and the Nordic countries closer. Currently, Latvian organisations are actively participating in multiple joint projects alongside their Nordic and Baltic counterparts in the field of public welfare, as part of an ongoing regional cooperation effort. These collaborations reflect a our joint commitment to enhance the well-being of all citizens and foster cross-border partnerships dedicated to this noble cause.
The Nordic Welfare Centre is an institution in the Nordic Council of Ministers’ social and health sector. Its mission is to contribute to the development of welfare initiatives in the Nordic region by compiling and disseminating knowledge on welfare issues and providing tools for policy-making and for improving health and well-being of all citizens.
Useful resources
- 24 practical examples from the Nordic region in digitalization and remote medical assistance solutions (focused on seniors and sparsely populated rural areas).
- Nordic Welfare Centre publications on welfare policy are available here.
- European Social Survey: Nordic-Baltic comparison in subjective happiness, health, social life, household income, and safety.
