On 28 September, the Saeima will participate in Open Door Day for the fifth time and will welcome guests to the main building of the Saeima, where they will have the chance to receive information on opportunities to get involved in the legislative process, to see the interior and architecture of the building, as well as to find out more about the daily routine of MPs. 

The Speaker of the Saeima Solvita Āboltiņa explained that the Saeima, including its committees and parliamentary groups, always works closely with representatives of NGOs and organises debates on issues that are relevant to society. Therefore, during this year’s Open Door Day we decided to introduce an Information Exchange Fair, which will inform visitors about ways to become involved in the work of the parliament. 

The Information Exchange Fair, with the assistance of collaboration partners of the Saeima, will offer every guest information on how to take active part in the legislative process and follow the daily routine of MPs, as well as to present suggestions for improving collaboration.

Many organisations which regularly take an active part in decision-making processes and debates, as well as encourage public involvement in the parliamentary work, will participate in this year’s Open Door Day at the Saeima. Information on possible public involvement will be provided by web platforms such as ManaBalss.lv, Deputatiuzdelnas.lv, GudrasGalvas.lv and Civil Alliance - Latvia.

School children and students will have the chance to find out more about the Youth Parliament project that allows young people to put themselves in the place of MPs and learn about legislative work through personal experience. Former members of the Youth Parliament will share their experience, tell how they defended their opinions from the rostrum and worked in committee meetings of the Youth Parliament.

On the tour of the main building, visitors will have an opportunity to see the Plenary Chamber, where MPs convene on Thursdays for plenary sittings, as well as the Red Room, where meetings of the Presidium, discussions and conferences are held. Furthermore, visitors will have a chance to see the Gift Room, where gifts presented by foreign delegations to the Latvian parliament are on display; they will also have a rare opportunity to see the representation rooms where meetings with speakers of foreign parliaments, foreign ministers, ambassadors and other high officials take place.

When attending the event at main building of the Saeima, everyone will have the chance to participate in a quiz that tests their attentiveness and knowledge about the architecture and interior of the Saeima.

On 28 September, the main building of the Saeima will be open from 10:00 to 18:00 to people visiting the parliament in groups or individually. Because the main building of the Saeima can accommodate only a limited number of visitors at once, preference will be given to visitors who have applied for the visit beforehand by sending their personal data (name, surname, ID number and phone number) by e-mail at info@saeima.lv, and who have received confirmation of their application. People interested in visiting the main building of the Saeima are invited to apply by 25 September. Additional information can be obtained by calling +371 6708 7321.

The main building of the parliament is open on other business days as well, and it can be visited by applying for a guided tour by phone +371 6708 7535 or by sending an application by e-mail at ekskursijas@saeima.lv. Visitors touring the main building of the Saeima on Thursdays have an opportunity to see MPs at work during plenary sittings.

Open Door Day will be held at the Saeima for the fifth time. The number of visitors to the parliament during this day has increased from year to year: on Open Door Day in 2009 approximately 1,800 people visited the Saeima, and in 2010 and 2011 the number of visitors exceeded 2,000.

 

Saeima Press Service