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On Job Shadow Day, Wednesday, 13 February, the Saeima hosted 248 shadows from all around Latvia who came to learn about the professional life of MPs and staff members of the Saeima. As in previous years, youths showed an active interest in the parliament, and the Saeima is traditionally one of the most popular hosts of shadows in the state.

Throughout the day, shadows could learn in person about the daily routine of the Saeima and get a first-hand impression about the parliament and law making. The meeting rooms of the committees and parliamentary groups, as well as other venues in the parliament were actively visited today. In the Plenary Chamber shadows sat in MPs’ chairs, and, as usual, they were   addressed by Solvita Āboltiņa, Speaker of the Saeima, who told them about law making and the related deliberations in committees and consultations with stakeholders. She also gave an insight into the history of the main building of the Saeima and daily work of the parliament. Youths also observed meetings of the parliamentary officials with the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Poland and saw function rooms of the Saeima.

Speaker Āboltiņa was shadowed by four youths from the Riga Grammar School No. 3, the Grammar School of Nordic Languages, Dobele State Grammar School and Riebiņi Secondary School. Youths also shadowed Inese Lībiņa-Egnere and Andrejs Klementjevs, Deputy Speakers of the Saeima; Dzintars Rasnačs, Secretary of the Saeima; Jānis Vucāns, Deputy Secretary of the Saeima, as well as other MPs and staff members of the Saeima. The list of participants of Job Shadow Day in the Saeima is available on the Saeima website: https://www.saeima.lv/lv/sabiedribas-lidzdaliba/enu-diena-1.

Shadows came to the Saeima from many schools and colleges. Most students came from the Riga State Grammar School No. 3, Valmiera Viesturs Secondary School, Jelgava Spīdola Grammar School, Jēkabpils State Grammar School, Riga State Technical School, Salaspils Secondary School No. 1, Talsi State Grammar School and Tukums Elementary School No. 2.

The Saeima was also visited by the shadows of Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis, several ministers, civil servants, experts and journalists.

Looking back at their day, youths appreciated the chance to see the parliament at work both in terms of their career choice and because they consider getting involved in politics.

Shadows also were keen on taking a quiz on the functions, history and traditions of the Saeima. Some took copies of the quiz forms home to test their relatives and friends.

This is the fifth consecutive year that the Saeima has taken part in Job Shadow Day. Each year, school and college students take an active interest in shadowing MPs and staff members of the Saeima, listing the parliament among the most popular hosts of shadows in the state.

Photos from the Job Shadow Day in the Saeima are available at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/saeima/sets/72157632753448185/with/8470980052/  
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2C6VsIZiPM
When using the material, please give credit to the Saeima Chancellery.

Saeima Press Service