Job Shadow Day in the Saeima

The Saeima takes part in Job Shadow Day, which is held annually, usually in February. Young people are actively interested in the work of the parliament, and therefore the Saeima is among the most popular hosts of shadows in the state.

This year Job Shadow Day was held on 13 February, and 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.

Family photo of the participants of the Job Shadow Day in the Saeima on 13 February 2013 

Shadows can 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, are actively visited on this day. In the Plenary Chamber shadows sit in MPs’ chairs, and they are traditionally addressed by Solvita Āboltiņa, Speaker of the Saeima, who tells them about law making and the related deliberations in committees and consultations with stakeholders. She also gives an insight into the history of the main building of the Saeima and daily work of the parliament. Often youths have a chance to observe meetings of the parliamentary officials with foreign delegations and see function rooms of the Saeima.

On Job Shadow Day, the Saeima is also visited by the shadows of other public officials, for example, the shadows of the Prime Minister, ministers and civil servants, as well as sectoral experts and journalists.

Youths appreciate the chance to see the parliament at work. This new experience is useful in planning their careers and making choices about their education, and because they consider getting involved in politics.

Everyone who during Job Shadow Day answered the quiz correctly received a special prize from one of the members of the Presidium.

More information on Job Shadow Day in the Saeima is available in Latvian at http://saeima.lv/lv/sabiedribas-lidzdaliba/enu-diena-1.

Feel free to view photos and video of Job Shadow Day in the Saeima 2013.