About UNESCO LNC

The UNESCO Latvian National Commission was established with the decision of the Supreme Council in 1992 and since that it has been successfully serving as an element uniting UNESCO as a global organisation and the society in Latvia during all subsequent years.

The Commission's legal status is regulated by the Statute of the UNESCO LNC approved by the Parliament of the Republic of Latvia on December 10, 1994. In the Statute it is declared that the Commission is an independent institution of the Republic of Latvia, which function is to prepare recommendations to the Saeima and the Cabinet of Ministers on UNESCO activities to facilitate participation of Latvia's youth, pedagogues, representatives of creative professions, scientists, employees and state officials and municipal institutions in UNESCO programmes and events, to develop and strengthen relations with other countries by implementing common projects and giving guaranty of Latvia's representation in the international events, conferences, seminars and research projects.

Highly qualified experts from ministries responsible for the fields of UNESCO activities, from education, science and culture establishments and organisations, for example, the University of Latvia, the Latvian Academy of Sciences, the Latvian National Library, the Latvian Creative Unions, the Association of Latvia's Ethnic Cultural Organisations, have participated in the work of the Commission.

Memorandum on Cooperation between the Republic of Latvia and the UNESCO was signed by the President of Latvia Guntis Ulmanis and the Director-General of UNESCO Federiko Mayor on June 29, 1998, where were set the main directions for activities and events, which Latvia, as a member state of the organisation, undertook the responsibility to implement and UNESCO - to support. With this Memorandum Latvia has "expressed its loyalty to the ideals of peace and its confidence about the importance of co-operation among nations in the sphere of education, science, culture and communications to promote the strengthening general respect towards justice, rule of law, human rights and fundamental freedoms".

The Assembly is the highest institution of the National Commission, which is summoned at least twice a year. The Assembly is lead by the President of the National Commission, who is elected for four years by the members of the commission. The Executive Committee of the Commission consisting of five persons decides about the implementation of the programmes and other topical issues in period between Assemblies. In order to provide consultations on the strategies how to integrate UNESCO programmes into the national education, science and culture policies three Programme Councils have been established to major programmes of the Commission, as well as a working group for the UNESCO “World Memory” programme has been set up. The Permanent Delegation of the Republic of Latvia to UNESCO headed by the Latvia’s Ambassador in France and to UNESCO represents national interests at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris. A daily work of the Commission is organised by the Secretariat of the Latvian National Commission for UNESCO, which is managed by Secretary-General appointed by the Commission for four-year period.

28 UNESCO Associated Schools and 4 UNESCO clubs strengthen cooperation with and involvement of young people in the UNESCO programmes. The Information centre helps to build a closer link between National Commission and a society. So information on UNESCO mission and activities and translation and dissemination of UNESCO publications promote UNESCO visibility in Latvia.

Due to the reform process at UNESCO, launched at the 30^th Session of the General Conference and taking into account a necessity to evaluate and optimise UNESCO activities in Latvia, in the year 2000 the special programme “UNESCO in the 21^st century and Latvia” was worked out and approved of at the UNESCO LNC Assembly. The main tasks of the project are as following: to improve the organizational structure of the UNESCO LNC, evaluate and amend the basis of the standard-setting and strategic documents of the Commission, perfect the UNESCO LNC financial system and project management, develop public relations programme and improve the Commission’s cooperation strategy at national and international level.

Because of its Latvia’s geopolitical situation UNESCO LNC is involved into the following regional and sub regional networks: Europe and North America region, Central and Eastern Europe, Baltic Sea region and Baltic countries. A regular and intensive cooperation is developed with neighbouring countries and Baltic Sea region countries that is expressing through the realization of concrete regional projects and programmes. However it should be recognised that UNESCO LNC partnership platform for the cooperation with NatComs of other member states is still under the way. One of the weakest points is the low capacity to participate in international and interregional projects and activities organized at the world level.

Goals of the Latvian National Commission for UNESCO
Following the global mission of UNESCO set out in its Constitution and Medium-Term Strategy 2002-2007, as well as the Statute of the Latvian National Commission for UNESCO two main objectives are set by commission for the next medium-term:

to contribute to peace and human development in both Latvia and the world through promoting cooperation among nations and people in education, the sciences, culture and communication;
to promote Latvia's achievements, the best practices and traditions in education, science and culture, thus forming the positive Latvia`s image in the world.