Co-founder of ManaBalss.lv first guest speaker at Debate and Media Workshop in Latvia

On the second day of Debate and Media Workshop in Latvia for young people in Baltic countries, Janis Erts was the first guest speaker to address to the camp participants. He is a co-founder of ManaBalss.lv, an internet tool that helps introduce changes in legislation in Latvia.

“We want to make people not just going in front of the government building and ask for a better future but to help them to articulate their requests and to be certain what they are asking to be changed or improved. With ManaBalss everybody can submit initiatives and improve, change their country for the better”, said Janis Erts is co-founder of ManaBalss.lv.

ManaBalss.lv is used by 15% of Latvians and two new laws have been passed thanks to the activity on this site. Website has been recognized as an open government success story all across the globe. This service is a social initiative platform - a 100% legitimate way to submit an initiative, gather supporters and present finished initiatives to the parliament. 

"An initiative can be submitted and signed by any citizen of the Republic of Latvia at least 16 years of age, after authorizing through a state-registered online bank. ManaBalss.lv ensures privacy and the security of personal data", explained Janis.

Over 35 people are participanting in the Youth in the 21st Century: Debating and Producing Media workshop held in the resort town Sigulda in Latvia organized by IDEA.

They will be taught to analyze the role of the media in reporting and shaping perception of social problems relevant to their region through debate and media production at the Youth in the 21st Century: Debating and Producing Media camp. 

The participants, aged 18 to 29, come from three countries – Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia.