Opening of the RGSL Advanced Programme in European Law and Economics for the Eastern Partnership Region and Central Asia
The new Riga Graduate School of Law (RGSL) Advanced Programme in European Law and Economics for the Eastern Partnership Region and Central Asia has started with a group of 15 selected participants from 11 participating countries – Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, as well as from Kosovo. The 12-week training programme will offer studies related to economic, political and legislative issues in the European Union and international environment in order to support the development of a closer integration of the regions concerned with the European Union.
The objective of the programme is to provide a transfer of knowledge and experience from Latvia in order to raise the capacity of public administration and civil society representatives, and also to strengthen relations between Latvia and its neighbour states, as well as to address issues regarding economic interests and security policy matters of the European Union member states. In addition to lectures and workshops, the participants will visit several state institutions, non-governmental organisations and regional municipalities.
The programme is carried out in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and financed by the Latvian Government within the framework of development cooperation. Moreover, the programme participants will benefit from additional support from partners, which include the Latvian Institute of International Affairs, the European Institute for Public Administration, the Stockholm School of Economics in Riga, and the University of Latvia.
During the call for applications, RGSL received 303 qualified applications for the 15 study places, attesting to the topicality and demand of this programme. Applications were received from highly qualified professionals representing Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Economy, Justice and Defence, various national regulatory authorities, employees working in diplomatic corps, as well as international organizations, such as the UN and local OSCE offices, activists of non-governmental organisations, journalists and representatives of higher education institutions. The largest inflow of applications came from Georgia – 57 applications and Ukraine – 40 applications. Applications were also sent from Kyrgyzstan – 34, Kazakhstan – 31, Kosovo – 29, Armenia – 25, Uzbekistan – 21, Tajikistan – 19, Azerbaijan – 17, Moldova – 15, Belarus – 7, and Turkmenistan – 1 application. A total of 7 applications came in from other countries.
The director of the programme Peter Gjortler comments that such a great number of responses reflects a general approval of the study programme offered by RGSL, and shows that both public administration and academic environment in the chosen region are willing to learn from Latvia’s experience as a member of the European Union. „All lectures and seminars, led by highly qualified teachers, experience exchange visits to Latvian institutions and educational trips to Brussels and Luxemburg, will provide additional knowledge and motivation for the programme participants to advance their work after returning to their homelands.” It is intended to implement the programme yearly in the future.
Questions about the programme may be submitted to the programme coordinator Ulla Zumente-Steele to the contact e-mail address advanced(abols)rgsl.edu.lv">advanced(abols)rgsl.edu.lv or by calling +371 67039212.