LATVIA Human Development Report Accountability And

2008/2009 LATVIA Human Development Report Accountability and Responsibility UDK 318 (474.3) Pa 603 There is no copyright attached to the text of this publication, which may be reproduced in whole or in part without the prior permission of University of Latvia. However, the source should be acknowledged. Latvia. Human Development Report, 2008/2009 : Accountability and Responsibility. Juris Rozenvalds, Ivars Ijabs, eds. Rīga: Advanced Social and Political Research Institute, 2009, 226 pp., il., tab., map. ISBN 978-9984-45-162-6. Published with the support of the Soros Fondation – Latvia ISBN 978-9984-45-162-6 2 LATVIA. HUMAN DEVELOMENT REPORT 2008/2009 Preface This year’s human develop ment report is devoted to oppor tu ni ties and solutions for the future, can embolden one of the most topical issues in Latvian and European them to start up their own business. public life – account ability. This issue unites the individual Responsible action is linked to trust in the people respon si bi li ty of each person for his or her action and its around us. Inter national research shows that trust in impact on the lives and environ ment of other people, as others – not only in friends and relatives – is characteristic well as responsible public action we expect from our public of developed societies. In such societies, people’s respect administration, politicians, inter national orga ni za tions, as and public respon si bi li ty are self-evident, people believe in well as our countrymen. the capability of each person to develop freely and pursue What does it mean to act responsibly? Responsible their choices. But this also places respon si bi li ty on them to action can mean diff erent things in each situation, though act responsibly so that those nearby do not suff er from our fundamentally, in both private and public life, it is linked to irrespon si bi li ty and short-term thinking. Without mutual long-term thinking, trust in the capabilities and integrity of trust cooperation is not possible, and without cooperation people, respect for oneself and others. social develop ment is not possible. Long-term thinking can ensure social develop ment and Finally, one of the most essential aspects in this context help overcome economic, social and political diffi culties, if is public participation. Experience to date suggests that those with the power to determine the direction of society we have devoted unjustifi ably little attention to various act while thinking of the future. Citizens have the right instruments of direct democracy and lagged in introducing, to demand long-term thinking from public offi cials, as for example, local referenda, the involvement of local govern ment guided by short-term considerations cannot residents in decision-making and participation in setting responsibly manage society’s resources, adopt a budget local budget priorities. The growth of public participation that promotes economic develop ment, and see the unique is directly linked to the ability of Latvia’s inhabitants to see oppor tu ni ties provided by the creativity of Latvia’s people their role, infl uence and link to governance and national and an inter national environ ment conducive to innovation. develop ment. This also means responsible action with Over the next year in the economic fi eld we need to one’s vote in elections by voting for ideas and works, not be able to place ourselves on a platform of sustainable the most splendid advertising, as well as our ability to develop ment that would provide our country with a secure achieve in Latvia the highest level of political account- basis for develop ment and growth in the future. In the ability and to craft closer ties between representatives and social realm, we need to ensure that no inhabitant of Latvia voters. ends up in a situation of extreme poverty, which is why the state must assume respon si bi li ty for guaranteeing at least a minimum level of social assistance. At the same time, our own individual choices are just as important. We can treat the environ ment responsibly or we can continue to destroy it with irresponsible consumption and production that is not environ mentally friendly. Our Valdis Zatlers individual action and support can help our countrymen see State President ACCOUNTABILITY AND RESPONSIBILITY 3 Preface Today the Human Develop ment Report 2008/2009: which heretofore stable growth gave way to rapid decline. Account ability and Responsibility is submitted to the reader Previously, develop ment in many realms seemed to take for evaluation. This is the tenth national human develop- place «by itself,» there was an overabundance of resources ment report since the restoration of independence. The and general optimism, which is why the issue of respon- reports prepared thus far have provided essential insights si bi li ty was often neglected. However, the authors of this about Latvian society, its problems, and the main trends report clearly indicate problems of account ability in certain in develop ment. The human develop ment reports have fi elds – from ecology to the ethics of physicians, from served as an important source of information for local and political participation to the preservation of the cultu ral foreign researchers, as well as for all who are interested in heritage. Perhaps the inability to assume respon si bi li ty or the processes taking place in the country. to divide it clearly among individuals, groups and the state Since 2005 the University of Latvia’s Advanced Social in many realms led to today’s problems. and Political Research Institute (ASPRI), the leading The issue of account ability addressed by the authors research institution in the social sciences, has prepared the of this report is very salient in current socio-economic human develop ment reports. To attain a high quality result circumstances and worthy of wider debate. This is why that is in line with the demands of contemporary science, a greater emphasis in Latvia should be put on people’s ASPRI has succeeded in attracting the best experts in the ability to take respon si bi li ty for their own actions, assume fi eld and the necessary resources to conduct large, inter- commitments and think about sustainable develop ment. disciplinary research projects. The achievements of ASPRI The country’s further growth will be possible only if we are largely related to the rapid develop ment of the social think in the long-term. sciences at the University of Latvia over the last ten years One important dimension of account ability is our through the improvement of teaching and the expansion country’s inter national competitiveness. Today we live in of research. The work that has been well done needs to a global, open world where transnational cooperation has be continued and we must think seriously about future an increasing role in securing every country’s develop- develop ment. ment. Currently, Latvia’s competitiveness is dependent While integrating more intensely into global scientifi c more than ever before on our human resources: people networks, it is necessary to promote the signifi cance of who are willing and able to create new, innovative social science research in the context of Latvian society as knowledge and products that are in demand in the world. well. A much greater involvement of scientists in policy- The economic crisis cannot be a reason to ignore the only making is necessary to provide expert support to politicians resource that can help our country place itself on the road and administrators. Social science specialists have and will to sustainable deve lop ment – knowledge and education. continue to have a decisive importance in infl uencing Therefore one of the most topical issues of account ability public opinion through their participation in debates about in Latvia is the quality of higher education and science and the country’s future develop ment prospects. its compe ti tiveness in the world. The new human develop ment report is an excellent I congratulate the authors of the report on a success- testimony that our researchers realize the special role of the fully completed project. I am convinced that this work will social sciences in a democratic society. It is worth noting serve as a point of reference for further research and will that scientists at the University of Latvia were successful promote broader public interest about what is taking place in attracting the participation of recognized specialists in our country and the role of account ability in it. from other Latvian institutions of higher education. Riga Stradiņa University, Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences, Daugavpils University and the Latvian University of Agriculture have all made a signifi cant contribution to the preparation of the report and are trusted partners for the University of Latvia on the road to the creation of a knowledge society in Latvia. The time period covered in the report has been a complicated one. The global economic crisis of 2008 has seriously aff ected our country, and this was compounded Mārcis Auziņš by Latvia’s governance problems. This was a period in Rector, University of Latvia 4 LATVIA. HUMAN DEVELOMENT REPORT 2008/2009 Latvia Human Development Report 2008/2009: Team Editors: Juris Rozenvalds, Ivars Ijabs English language editor: Nils Muižnieks Translators: Lolita Kļaviņa, Ieva Harms, Nils Muižnieks Statistical advisor: Anita Švarckopfa Administrative assistants: Gundega Švarcberga, Ieva Zlemeta Survey on accountability in Latvia 2008: SKDS. Our thanks to Ieva Strode, Inese Ilmere, Anna Sovina. Cover, layout design: Ieva Tiltiņa The cover photograph is by Juris Rozenvalds, other photos in the Report by Kristaps Kalns and Uldis Briedis. Special thanks to Gita Blaua, Inta Brikše, Skaidrīte Lasmane, Andrejs Plakans, Anna Šmite and Inese Veckagane.

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