Student Union of Latvia
Student Union of Latvia | |
Latvijas Studentu apvienība | |
Founded | December 10, 1994 |
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Website | www |
The aim of the Student Union of Latvia (Latvian: Latvijas Studentu apvienība) is to represent Latvia's students and to fight for the observance of their rights and interests at a national and international level.
LSA Structure
The principal decision–making body of the LSA is the Congress that develops conceptual action plans, approves finances as well as elects the president and vice-president. The Congress gathers once a year and representatives are nominated by student unions.
The LSA Council comes together regularly once per two months and decides about LSA statements and positions, about the development of the organisation as well as defining the responsibilities of the members of the Board. It elects the Board. Representatives are nominated by student unions.
LSA’s president, vice-president and officers are responsible for the daily work of organising and executing the policies laid down by the Congress and realizing the statements of the Council. The president administers the work of the officers.
LSA presidents and Executive Committee members (and coordinators)
2016/2017
- Maira BELOVA (President)
- Marta MEGNE (Vicepresident)
- Arkādijs ZVAIGZNE (Academic Affairs Officer)
- Liene Ieva KRAUPŠA (Internal Affairs Officer)
- Kristaps OSIS (Public Relations Officer)
- Baiba PUISĪTE (Office Manager)
2015/2016
- Ilva GRIGORJEVA (President)
- Aivars ŠĀBLIS (Academic Affairs Officer)
- Maira BELOVA (Social Affairs Officer)
- Inguna ZARIŅA (International Affairs Officer)
- Rihards VIJUMS (Internal Affairs Officer)
- Linda VILKĀRSE (Public Relations Officer, 2015)
- Kristaps OSIS (Public Relations Officer, 2016)
- Krista MEINARDE (Office Manager)
2015
- Kirils SOLOVJOVS (President)
- Inguna ZARIŅA (Academic Affairs Officer)
- Artūrs KAĻVA (Social Affairs Officer)
- Līva VIKMANE (International Affairs Officer)
- Artis OZOLIŅŠ (Internal Affairs Officer)
- Annija SPĒKA (Public Relations Officer)
- Krista MEINARDE (Office Manager)
2014/2015
- Kirils SOLOVJOVS (President)
- Inguna ZARIŅA (Academic Affairs Officer)
- Alise KRAUJA (Social Affairs Officer)
- Līva VIKMANE (International Affairs Officer)
- Artis OZOLIŅŠ (Internal Affairs Officer)
- Annija SPĒKA (Public Relations Officer)
- Krista MEINARDE (Office Manager)
2014
- Mikus DUBICKIS (President)
- Inguna ZARIŅA (Academic Affairs Officer)
- Kirils SOLOVJOVS (Legal Affairs Officer)
- Armanda VILCĀNE (PR Officer)
- Līva VIKMANE (Youth Policy and International Affairs Officer)
2013/2014
- Mikus DUBICKIS (President)
- Undija ANCĒNA (Vice President)
- Inguna ZARIŅA (Academic Affairs Officer)
- Vita ŠTROBINDERE (PR Officer)
- Pāvels JURIS (Youth Policy and International Affairs Officer)
2012/2013
- Edvards RATNIEKS (President)
- Jānis KĀRKLĪTIS (Vice President)
- Mikus DUBICKIS (Academic Affairs Officer)
- Sabīne ĀLMANE (Legal Affairs Officer)
- Sanita BALODE (Social project Officer)
- Elīna STEPIŅA (Financial Affairs Officer)
- Sintija SEGLENIECE (PR Officer)
- Edmunds JANSONS (Youth Policy and International Affairs Officer)
2011/2012
- Edvards RATNIEKS (President)
- Lāsma MENCENDORFA (Vice President)
- Asnate KAŽOKA (Academic Affairs Officer)
- Ieva BALTIŅA (International Affairs Officer)
- Jānis ĀBELE (Legal Affairs Officer)
- Līga ZAĶE (Social Affairs Officer)
- Mikus DUBICKIS (Financial Affairs Officer)
- Aija UPLEJA (PR Officer)
2011
- Edvards RATNIEKS (President)
- Lāsma MENCENDORFA (Vice President)
- Asnate KAŽOKA (Academic Affairs Officer)
- Ieva BALTIŅA (International Affairs Officer)
- Jānis ĀBELE (Legal Affairs Officer)
- Līga ZAĶE (Social Affairs Officer)
- Mikus DUBICKIS (Financial Affairs Officer)
- Jurita KRŪMA (PR Officer)
2010/2011
- Edvards RATNIEKS (President)
- Lāsma MENCENDORFA (Vice President)
- Asnate KAŽOKA (Academic Affairs Officer)
- Anna CĪRULE (International Affairs Officer)
- Jānis ĀBELE (Legal Affairs Officer)
- Antons FEDORENKO (Social Affairs Officer)
- Anete VEIPĀNE (Financial Affairs Officer)
- Jurita KRŪMA (PR Officer)
2010
- Edgars BĒRZIŅŠ (President)
- Mārtiņš LĪDAKS (Vice President)
- Asnate KAŽOKA (Academic Affairs Officer)
- Anna CĪRULE (International Affairs Officer)
- Ivans ROMANOVS (Legal Officer)
- Antons FEDORENKO (Social Affairs Officer)
- Anete VEIPĀNE (Financial Affairs Officer)
2009/2010
- Anna CĪRULE (President)
- Dace GRANTE (Vice President)
- Inga SAKNĪTE (Academic Affairs Officer)
- Kirils SOLOVJOVS (International Affairs Officer)
- Edvards RATNIEKS (Legal Officer)
- Ilze BERTĀNE (PR Officer)
- Zane GRANTE (Internal Communication Coordinator)
- Edgars BĒRZIŅŠ (Social Affairs Officer)
- Anete VEIPĀNE (Financial Affairs Officer)
2009
- Anna CĪRULE (President)
- Dace GRANTE (Vice President)
- Inga SAKNĪTE (Academic Affairs Officer)
- Kirils SOLOVJOVS (International Affairs Officer)
- Anete ENIKOVA (PR Officer)
- Zane GRANTE (Internal Communication Coordinator)
- Rinalds GULBIS (Social Affairs Officer)
- Anete VEIPĀNE (Financial Affairs Officer)
2008/2009
- Igors GRIGORJEVS (President)
- Anna CĪRULE (Vice President)
- Inga SAKNĪTE (Academic Affairs Officer)
- Kirils SOLOVJOVS (International Affairs Officer)
- Mārtiņš BRENCIS (Legal Officer)
- Anete ENIKOVA (PR Officer)
- Zane GRANTE (Internal Communication Coordinator)
- Santa ZVEJNIECE (Social Affairs Officer)
2008
- Uldis LUCKĀNS (President)
- Anna CĪRULE (Internal Communication Coordinator)
- Inga SAKNĪTE (Academic Affairs Officer)
- Kirils SOLOVJOVS (International Affairs Officer)
- Igors GRIGORJEVS (Social Affairs Officer)
- Mārtiņš BRENCIS (Legal Officer)
- Miks MUIŽARĀJS (PR Officer)
2008
- Uldis LUCKĀNS (President)
- Alekansandrs ZLATOPOĻSKIS (Vice president)
- Dainis JAKOVELS (Information Coordinator)
- Zane GRIGALE (Academic Affairs Officer)
- Kirils SOLOVJOVS (International Affairs Officer)
- Rihards GRAUDIŅŠ (Project Officer)
- Mārtiņš BRENCIS (Legal Officer)
- Andris PRIEDE (PR Officer)
- Ēriks DAUKSTS (Social Affairs Officer)
2007
- Katrīne PĻAVIŅA (President)
- Jānis GRANDĀNS (Vice president)
- Zane GRIGALE (Academic Affairs Officer)
- Konstantīns LUKOŠKO (Social Affairs Officer)
- Mārtiņš LŪSIS (PR Officer)
- Kirils SOLOVJOVS (International Affairs Officer)
- Dace GRANTE (Legal Officer)
2006/2007
- Uldis LUCKĀNS (President)
- Dainis JAKOVELS (Vice president)
- Katrīne PĻAVIŅA (PR Officer)
- Diāna NAGLE (International Affairs Officer)
- Toms MIKS (Social Affairs Officer)
- Kirils SOLOVJOVS (Academic Affairs Officer)
- Miķelis RAGAINIS (Legal Officer on academic issues)
- Jānis GRANDĀNS (Coordinator of Private HEI's)
- Kitija KURSA (Coordinator of Public HEI's)
- Valērija KIŠKURNO (Coordinator of Regional HEI's)
- Vita TAUBE (Coordinator of Creative HEI's)
2005/2006
- Uldis LUCKĀNS (President)
- Dainis JAKOVELS (Vice president)
- Anita LĪCE (International Affairs Officer)
- Ēriks DAUKSTS (Social Affairs Officer)
- Vita VASIĻJEVA (Financial Affairs Officer)
- Katrīne PĻAVIŅA (PR Officer)
- Kārlis SĪMANIS (Academic Affairs Officer)
- Andris SAULĪTIS (Academic Affairs Officer)
- Mārcis ROKJĀNIS (Coordinator of Private HEI's)
2004/2005
- Mārtiņš GINEITIS (President)
- Sanda PURVIŅA (Vice president)
- Uldis LUCKĀNS (International Affairs Officer)
- Anita LĪCE (Financial Affairs Officer)
- Elīna DOBULĀNE (PR Officer)
- Sergejs SEŅKĀNS (Academic Affairs Officer)
- Ivars LUKAŠEVIŠS (Social Affairs Officer)
- Laura KASTANOVSKA (Information Coordinator)
- Natālija JERMOLAJEVA (NGO's Coordinator)
2003/2004
- Kristīne ANTE (President)
- Jolanta VIŠKERE (Vice president, International Affairs Officer)
- Jānis LIELĀMERS (Financial Affairs Officer)
- Agnese ALKSNE (Information Affairs Officer)
- Andris MILLERS (Academic Affairs Officer)
- Ivars LUKAŠEVIŠS (Social Affairs Officer)
- Malinka KAWSHANTA RAMBADAGALLA (International Affairs Officer)
- Inese VĪGANTE (Baltic Organization Meeting coordinator)
2002/2003
- Ēriks SAMULIS (President)
- Antra KUKUKA (Vice president)
- Kristīne ANTE (Academic Affairs Officer, International Affairs Officer)
- Ivo BERKOLDS (Social Affairs Officer)
- Liāna PUDULE–INDĀNE (Information Affairs Officer)
- Ēriks LINGEBĒRZIŅŠ (International Affairs Officer)
2001/2002
- Juris PŪCE (President)
- Guntis GLUŠŅONOKS (Vice president)
- Ēriks SAMULIS (Academic Affairs Officer)
- Ivo BERKOLDS (Social Affairs Officer)
- Antra KUKUKA (Information Affairs Officer)
- Dita SĪLE (International Affairs Officer)
- Edgars JAUNUPS (Project Officer)
- Madars LASMANIS (Coordinator of Regional HEI's)
- Jānis ZANDBERGS (Coordinator of Private HEI's)
2000/2001
- Sandra JANSONE (President)
- Kārlis BIRZNIEKS / Juris PŪCE (Vice president)
- Dita SĪLE (International Affairs Officer)
- Egita AIZSILNIECE (Project Officer)
- Ritvars EGLĀJS (Board Member)
- Inese SAIVA (Board Member)
1999/2000
- Andis MALĒJS (President)
- Sandra JANSONE (Vice president)
- Laura MARTIŅUKA (Information Affairs Officer)
- Anda ĀBOMA (International Affairs Officer)
- Dita SĪLE (International Affairs Officer)
1998/1999
- Maris EGLĪTE (President)
- Andis MALĒJS (Information Affairs Officer)
1997/1998
Jurģis PORIŅŠ (President)
1996/1997
Jurģis PORIŅŠ (President)
1995/1996
Ēriks BLUMBERGS (President)
LSA Tasks
- To contribute to the development and advancement of education and the cooperation of local unions of students of higher education institutions
- To collaborate with organisations related with students and youth issues
- To turn to enterprises, state officials, authorities, state and municipality institutions with requests, proposals and declarations in the name of the students in Latvia
- To improve the quality of education and academic traditions, democracy and individual initiative, the self-esteem of students and development of personality, healthy life-style and mental health, civil integration of youth and participation in society
- To nominate student representatives towards different authorities; etc.
Membership
Since 1998, LSA is a full member of European Students' Union. ESU is the umbrella organisation of 45 national unions of students from 38 countries. The aim of ESU is to represent and promote the educational, social, economic and cultural interests of students at a European level towards all relevant bodies and in particular the European Union, Council of Europe and UNESCO. LSA is a member of NOM -Nordic Organisational meeting and BOM - Baltic organisational meeting, which both are Nordic and Baltic student unions` cooperation networks to share experiences and support.
Members
The members of LSA come from student unions of all Latvia higher education institutions thus LSA representing all the students of Latvia.
LSA members are:
- Student Council of the University of Latvia
- Student Parliament of the Riga Technical University
- Student Union of the Latvia University of Agriculture
- Student Council of the Daugavpils University
- Student Union of the Riga Stradins University
- Student Union of the Liepaja University
- Student Council of the Latvian Academy of Culture
- Student Council of the Police Academy of Latvia
- Student Parliament of the Riga Higher School of Pedagogics and School Management
- Students’ Deans Office of the Latvian Academy of Sports Education
- Student Council of the Banking College of Higher Education
- Krivs Council of the National Academy of Defence of the Republic of Latvia
- Student Council of the Ventspils College
- Student Union of the College of Social Technologies
- Student Union of the School of Business Administration Turiba
- Student Union of the International Higher School of Practical Psychology
- Student Union of the Vidzeme College
- Student Union of the Rezekne Higher School
- Student Union of Higher School of Information Systems
- Student Parliament of the Baltic Russian Institute
- Student Council of the Latvian Maritime Academy
- Social Work and Social Pedagogy Institute "Attistiba"
- Student Association of the Stockholm School of Economics in Riga
- Student Council of the Art Academy of Latvia
- Student Union of the Institute of Transport and Telecommunications
- Student Union of the Higher School of Psychology
- Student Council of the J. Vitols Latvian Academy of Music
- Student Council of Higher School of Economic and Culture
- Student Council of the Latvian Christian Academy
Accomplishments
Since 1994 LSA has submitted a number of proposals, regulations, amendments of law, as well as organised educational and informational seminars and other events. Among the main recent events the following can be mentioned:
- Elaboration of Codex of Administrative breach – inclusion of an obligatory clause about study contract of HEI and responsibilities of HEI (February, 2005).
- Research project about necessity of implementing intercity transport discounts instead of cash benefit for students, living far from HEIs (February, 2005).
- LSA has worked in preparation of the amendments to the Law on Higher Education Establishments. The main proposal concerns defining LSA as the student representing body in the law. The law will soon be discussed in the Parliament (Since March, 2005).
- Informational campaign among secondary school students about LSA, accreditation of HEIs, loans, grants and student’s rights (March, 2005).
- ESIB Commodification Committee seminar (May, 2005).
- Study about science and research in Latvia: current situation of student involvement in PhD studies and scientific research work (May, 2005).
- Informational campaign for 1st year students – consulting on the telephone line about accreditation of study programs, HEIs, loans etc. before the study year begins (July – August, 2005).
- Forum for Latvian student leaders about informal learning and labour market (August, 2005).
- Seminar for student representatives in senates of universities on HE trends in Europe (October, 2005) Seminar website
In execution
- Negotiations about enlargement of scholarship fund.
- Development of Law of Higher Education.
- Reform of implementing intercity transport discounts.
- Reform of student health insurance.
- Info campaign in all secondary schools in Latvia about further study possibilities, system of higher education, accreditation, loan/grant system etc.
- Elaboration of Youth Law.
Partners
- Ministry of Education and Science, An LSA representative is a member of the Accreditation Commission
- Council of Higher Education, An LSA representative is a member of the Council
- State Youth Initiative Centre, An LSA representative is a member of the Convention of Councillors
- Rectors’ Council
- National Youth Council of Latvia
- National Pupil Council of Latvia
- Baltic Organisation Meeting (BOM) – member of co-operation platform of Baltic national unions of students
Projects
Taking into account the specific work of LSA, its main aims are the development of student unions of the higher education institutions and utilization of different channels to influence decision – making process for the good of students.
Additionally to the legislation process LSA every year organises both thematic and educational seminars for the activists of local student unions.
Annual
- Seminar cycle “Who Cares About Students?” for education of activists of local student unions
- Seminar Cycle “Rights for Every Student” about rights of students and local student unions
- Student Year Prize Ceremony
- Seminars for regional and private higher education institutions
- Latvian Student Leaders’ Forum
- Seminar for students - senators (Members of Senates) of Latvian higher education institutions’; etc.
Future
LSA has developed to be an important actor of higher education politics, as well as gained the status and capabilities. For the year 2005 LSA Congress set forward the following guidelines:
- Improving the quality of higher education;
- Provision of student social well-being;
- Student right protection;
- Internal strengthening of the organisation.