From 9 to 11 August, Jēkabpils Technology School hosted the Signal Elections forum, bringing together young people from across Latvia. During the forum, participants discussed the latest promises of political parties, learned to present and defend their views and deepened their understanding of influencing decision-making processes.
In September, tens of thousands of youngsters across Latvia will take part in the Signal Elections. Ahead of this event, the Nordic Council of Ministers’ Office in Latvia, the Latvian youth organisation “Club “The House”” and the European Movement Latvia organised the Signal Elections Forum in Jēkabpils. The event aimed to familiarise young people with Latvia’s political system and give them an opportunity to practice the Signal Elections debate format ahead of the nationwide event this autumn.
Nordic Council of Ministers’ Office in Latvia supported participation of Nordic experts – Anna Glæserud Samuelsen and Lina Elmwardy from Norway, as well as Laura Nylykke from Denmark – who shared their experience of working with young people and answered three main questions.
1. How can we ensure that young people’s voices influence decision-making?
2. How can youth branches of political parties reach, engage and retain young people?
3. How can we create experiences that encourage long-term civic engagement rather than one-off participation in elections?
“Signal Elections are a great way for young people to familiarise themselves with the parliamentary election process at an early age. By the time they reach voting age, this experience can help them feel more confident and responsible in fulfilling their civic duty and going to the polls.”
– Forum participant Kristers emphasised, highlighting the importance of
Signal Elections in promoting young people’s civic participation.
At the end of each day, participants took part in debates with representatives of political parties’ youth organisations, based on questions prepared by the youngsters. Over the course of the three-day forum, the party representatives addressed the following topics:
1. How can Latvia attract investment?
2. How can we ensure balanced development across Latvia, including major cities and regions?
3. Should 16-year-olds be given the right to vote?
4. How to improve demographic figures in Latvia?
5. How can we prevent young people leaving Latvia?
6. Does the party have proposals for increasing public trust in the Saeima?
7. Does the party support reducing personal income tax?
8. Would you ban the use of foreign languages in state institutions and public places?
9. Does the party support the Istanbul Convention?
10. Does citizens’ opinion matter in politics?
Following the simulated debates, participants repeatedly said that the experience had been both interesting and engaging, while also noting that debating was more challenging than it seemed.
In September, final round of Signal Elections’ debates will take place simultaneously in schools across Latvia.
