On 4 April, the “Shadow Day” organised by the educational organisation “Junior Achievement Latvia” took place all over Latvia. On this day, pupils are invited to public and private organisations and NGO to have a glimpse at the profession or their interest by observing a professional at work. This was the second time in a row for the Nordic Council of Ministers’ Office in Latvia welcoming young “shadowers” at our premises. This year, the number of applicants increased significantly from four applications the previous year to ten – this year.
Daina Mežecka, Advisor on International Cooperation on Social Welfare Matters, spent the day working together with Madara Meldere from Valmieras Pārgaujas State Gymnasium, Katrīna Stjopočkina from Kuldīga Center Secondary School and Matvejs Berkovics from Daugavpils Center Secondary School. Anita Miruškina, Communications Advisor, spent the day with two “shadows”: Nikola Barkane from Rēzekne State Gymnasium No 1 and Elizabete Grabe from Grammar School of Nordic Languages. Maija Kāle, Advisor on International Cooperation on Sustainability and Digitalisation, gave a look at her daily work schedule to Megija Mūrniece from Ventspils State Gymnasium No 1, Beatrise Bondare from Riga English Grammar School, Marija Kustova and Valērija Pochverija from Riga Ķengarags Secondary School, and Svetlana Dolgova from Riga State Gymnasium No 2.
Shadowing Day began as an ordinary day at our office – with a gathering in the meeting room, where the youngsters learned about our organisation and how the ties between Latvia and Nordic countries are being strengthened on a daily basis. Afterwards, the participants spent the rest of the day listening to our colleagues’ personal experience stories about career paths, professional choices and the essential knowledge and skills required in their chosen professions. Daina Mežecka had arranged an online meeting and a visit to the Ministry of Culture of Latvia, where youngsters gained insight into the practical aspects of international cooperation in the field of culture.
Communications Advisor provided the opportunity not only to learn about the work theoretically but also to engage in practical tasks and experience the role firsthand. Elizabete and Nikola learned about creating and editing a Facebook event and posting on other social media channels. Moreover, they got a chance to work with a website interface and they published this article on our website. Meanwhile, Maija Kāle, along with her “shadows” visited two embassies – the embassy of Denmark and the embassy of Sweden – where they gained further knowledge about these countries and learned how diplomatic missions operate.
The Nordic Council of Ministers’ Office in Latvia is working closely with various youth organisations, supporting youth activities and projects promoting civic participation of youngsters; however, giving real-life insight into our daily work is a comparatively new way for our team to reach out to schoolchildren. It turned out to be exciting and mutually inspiring. Our colleagues are delighted with this new experience and look forward to welcoming the curious youngsters at our office again next year.
