On 26 October, Riga Graduate School of Law launched the first Online Intensive Programme in European Law and Economics, which offers online training on the legal, political and economic functioning of the European Union. It brings together 100 professionals from 20 Central Asian, Western Balkan, and European Neighbourhood Policy countries, representing public administrations, NGOs and academic institutions.
The Online Intensive Programme is supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia and implemented by Riga Graduate School of Law. The project consortium members include the European Institute of Public Administration, the University of Latvia, the Latvian Institute of International Affairs and the Stockholm School of Economics in Riga.
The Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia, Dr. Zanda Kalniņa-Lukašēvica, when addressing the participants of the programme stressed that “it is important that we do not let ourselves be stopped in striving for strengthened links, contacts, and friendships between our countries and regions, as we invest in our common future.” Dr. Kalniņa-Lukaševica also pointed out that “the eagerness to share knowledge with partners outside the EU borders is one of the main reasons why the Ministry of Foreign Affairs supports this particular programme.”
The Rector of RGSL, Dr. Pietro Sullo, in his opening speech stressed the importance of protecting the right to education, a human right protected also under the UDHR. Dr. Sullo pointed out that “every crisis poses not only challenges but also opportunities. Therefore, we hope that the Online Intensive Programme will be an opportunity for our students to acquire the skills and knowledge to make a significant contribution to shape a better, more fair, and more inclusive world.”