27 February is now officially recognised as World Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) Day in Latvia, this was decided today by the Saeima with the adoption of amendments to the Law on Public Holidays, Commemoration Days and Celebration Days; the amendments were initiated by the Presidium of the Saeima.

Leila Rasima, Chair of the Human Rights Committee of the Saeima, emphasises that it is symbolic that today is the day when the World NGO Day is included in the official list.

The Presidium of the Saeima stresses that declaring an official day of celebration will motivate state institutions to cooperate with NGOs more closely, discuss topical issues and find solutions to various social, environmental and economic challenges. This is an important date dedicated to highlighting and strengthening the role of civil society and NGOs around the world.

The idea of the World NGO Day was born in Latvia. The tradition was started by Latvian Mārcis Liors Skadmanis and association Civic Alliance – Latvia in 2009. The day was officially recognised by 12 countries at the Baltic Sea NGO Forum in Vilnius, Lithuania in 2010, while the first official opening event of the World NGO Day was held in Helsinki on 27 February 2014 organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland.

NGO involvement plays an important role in the routine work of the Saeima by reviewing legislative initiatives and submitting proposals for their improvement.

Saeima Press Service