Izglītības un zinātnes ministrija (IZM)
website: http://izm.gov.lv/en/
Description
The Ministry of Education and Science is responsible for education, science, sports, youth and state language policies in Latvia. We are here to foster a highly innovative, wealthy and integrated society in which everyone has equal opportunities for development.
Responsibilities
We are responsible for:
- pre-school, basic and secondary education, including education in minority languages
- vocational, continuing education and life-learning
- informal and values education
- juvenile correctional education
- education for children and young people with special needs
- the field of higher education and research
- the national sports policy
- coordinating development and implementation of youth policy
- international cooperation in youth field
- promoting access of young people to their rights
- strengthening the status of the Latvian language
- promoting engagement in foreign language learning among the public
Principles and values
The Ministry operates according to the principles of openness, transparency and accountability. We are committed to facilitating dialogue with the public by sharing information and providing extensive explanation of the relevant policies.
National / international impact
The European Union Strategy for the Baltic Sea region
The European Union Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region (EU SBSR) is the first macro-regional strategy in Europe. Its main goal is to strengthen cooperation in this region, promoting balanced development and meeting common challenges.
EU SBSR is closely connected to the main EU policy directions, including those mentioned in strategy “Europe 2020”. EU SBSR was approved in 2009, following the Communication from the European Commission concerning the European Union Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region.
EU SBSR provides an integrated framework for improving the environmental condition of the sea, transport bottlenecks and energy interconnections as well as facilitating the development of competitive markets across borders and common networks for research and innovation.
EU SBSR MEMBER STATES
EU SBSR includes eight Member States in the Baltic Sea region: Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Denmark, Poland, Finland, Germany and Sweden.
Within the EU SBSR, cooperation is promoted with the neighbouring countries – Russian Federation, Iceland, Norway and Belarus.
EU SBSR TARGETS AND IMPLEMENTATION MECHANISM
EU SBSR has three general targets: (1) save the sea; (2) connect the region; (3) increase prosperity. Each target has a set of directions for corresponding actions, at the same time ensuring their interconnectivity.
EU SBSR aims at bringing together initiatives in different sectors (growth, sustainable development etc.) as well as promoting cooperation between stakeholders in the Baltic Sea Region. EU SBSR promotes flagship projects in the Baltic Sea Region, which have a macro-regional impact and start
EU SBSR IMPLEMENTATION IN LATVIA
In order to coordinate the cooperation of ministries, social partners and NGOs within the implementation process of the EU SBSR Action plan at the national level, a working group (link in Latvian) has been created, led by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia.
On 28 June 2016, the Report on the EU SBSR implementation mechanism in Latvia (link in Latvian) has been approved by the Cabinet of Ministers. It has outlined the functions of the ministries within the implementation of the EU SBSR Policy Areas and Horizontal Actions.
THE ROLE OF THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND SCIENCE WITHIN THE IMPLEMENTATION PROCESS OF THE EU SBSR
The Ministry of Education and Science is Latvia’s leading institution within the PA Education, and shares responsibility with the Ministry of Economics regarding the PA Innovation.
PA Education states that increased prosperity presupposes access to good education and training for all, an effective and inclusive welfare system and a well-functioning labour market supporting geographical, professional and socio-economic mobility.
PA Education focuses on the following actions:
- Combatting early school leaving and improving transition from education to labour market
- Improving quality of education and vocational training through work-based learning and fostering entrepreneurial mind-sets
- International excellence in tertiary education, science and research
- A labour market for all, using resources of longer lives
- Recognising potential – easing the way for newly arrived refugees
Informative material on the EU funding opportunities for project initiatives in the policy areas of education, youth and lobour mobility within the EUSBSR.
PA Innovation stresses the promotion of global competitiveness and growth in the Baltic Sea region through support for entrepreneurship, business development, science and increased innovation capacity.
PA Innovation promotes contribution in building an ecosystem for innovation and entrepreneurship in the Baltic Sea region by 2020, based on smart specialisation and sustainable growth for increased competitiveness.
More information regarding the EU SBSR is available http://www.balticsea-region-strategy.eu/