Board

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  Dr. sc. pol. h.c. Atis Lejins

  Mr Lejins is a founder and long-term head (now retired) of Latvian Institute of International Affairs (LIIA). Currently he is a Member of Parliament of the Republic of Latvia and Head of Freedom and Solidarity Foundation. Mr Lejins is one of the notable Latvian experts on international relations and security. He has been an active member of American Latvian Youth Association, European Latvian Youth Association, as well as leader of Swedish branch and member of the Council of the Popular Front of Latvia. He has been actively involved in numerous international conferences on European security policy, his interviews and opinion on various security issues appear in leading Latvian and European newspapers, magazines, TV and radio stations on regular basis. After rounding off his career at LIIA, he has continued his active public activities with an aim to educate Latvian society on various issues of political, economical and social importance.
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  Ervins Labanovskis

  Mr Labanovskis is an originator of Freedom and Solidarity Foundation (FSF), currently Deputy Head of the Foundation. He is one of the “new generation social democrats”, long-term representative of Latvia in various European and World level social democratic movements. Mr Labanovskis has been Head of Business Coordination Center of Riga City Council, where such projects as atsperiens.lv, filmriga.lv and duka.riga.lv had been accomplished under his supervision. He has graduated University of Latvia with degrees in Political and Communication sciences.

  “Unfortunately its typical for Latvia to talk a lot about personalias a just a little about ideas. I like that here at FSF our main goal is to establish the platform for rich discussions and academic research in order to provide new, well-grounded and socially responsible ideas for political agenda. We want them to work for sustainable development of our society, irrelevant of which politician or political power would implement them in our everyday life.”
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  Ansis Dobelis

  Mr Dobelis is a leader of social democratic society “PROGRESIVIE” (The Progressives), previously had been an active member of other related organizations, searching for possibilities to spread and implement progressive ideas in Latvia. He has graduated University of Latvia with degree in Political science.

  "We need political discussions of high quality in Latvia in order to identify the best solutions for our society, avoiding loud but empty slogans and populism. FSF is able to come up with such discussions and solutions - that is why I’m truly interested in active participation and provision of my own important contributions to its success and through that for the good of my country.”
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  Inga Svirska

  For a big part of her career Ms Svirska has been an employee of “Lattelecom”, dynamic company with a long-term vision, which has provided her with great management experience and competence. Currently Ms Svirska is Head of Education Center of Latvian Association of Free Trade Unions. The work is challenging, but gives even more invaluable experience and understanding of values. She enjoys traveling and constant self-education, being at numerous seminars and spending time with like-minded people.

  „I value genuine and smart people. I’m deeply convinced that we’re wise and talented nation, therefore I encourage us to shape ourselves and our personal lives together so that we all become prosperous!”
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  Maris Grinvalds

  Professionally - project manager of Latvian manufacturer of data transmission equipment, but as an active citizen is involved in activities of FSF and “PROGRESIVIE”.

  “I believe that for successful development of society we need not only healthy competition between individuals and groups, but also cooperation on the grounds of joint responsibility, compassion and tolerance. For that we need a society open for change. To explain and promote such ideas is my motivation for participation in any forms of civic engagement.”
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  Lelde Kaunese

  Ms Kaunese has graduated University of Latvia and has a degree in Communication science. Currently she’s working for Latvian government and improving her skills as expert on communication. In her spare time she’s taking part in various public activities and projects, including technical assistance for FSF and many events organized by it.

  „I’ve been interested in political activities since secondary school. Initially it was mostly about events in local municipality, but through involvement in the work of more focused, motivated organizations I’ve learned about even broader possibilities. FSF has taught me a lot about issues that are important for our society and it has motivated me to understand the roots of many problems and search for solutions in joint effort.”
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  Veiko Spolitis

  Mr Spolitis is Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Latvia, and also a lecturer of Faculty of European Studies of Riga P. Stradins University. He’s finishing his promotion paper on governing issues in the Baltic States, which he has worked on in Helsinki University (1999 – 2009). He is a member of “Society for Political Change” party, through which he tries to promote progressive ideas among the members of Latvian government.

  “Being a member of FSF means being with like-minded fellows who are helping me to keep up the discussion about instruments and their use within the framework of policies which would strengthen our society weakened by market reforms. I’m certain that we have to encourage discussions about the need for gradual political transformation in Latvia, where parties should differ not ethnically, but by their position on socioeconomic issues. Solidarity is not an abstract term, it can be filled up by concrete policies, and in this regard FSF is a think-tank that could establish a set of policies for all-inclusive Latvian progressive party in the future.”
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  Janis Berzins

  Mr Berzins teaches Political Economy, International Political Economy, and Economic Aspects of Globalization at Riga Stradins University’s Faculty of European Studies. His research is mainly focused in social and economic development problems, the relationship between economics and politics, and the role of ideology as determinant of economic mainstream, i.e., the process of masking agent interests to make them to appear to be “science” and/or part of a natural process, influencing the process of social and economic development. His education in Brazil had a fundamental influence in his intellectual formation, forging his view of Economics essentially as multidisciplinary discipline. In both bachelor and master he has enrolled in top academic research groups, financed by the Brazilian Ministry of Ecucation. He has worked in the University of Santa Catarina’s Far South at the Departments of Economics, History and Law and as visiting scholar to Santa Catarina’s South University MBA in Internatonal Relations. He was also head of the UNESC Consulting’s Economic Department, leading several projects on regional economic development. His last scientific publications deal with Latvia’s structural economic and political problems, and their role in the current crisis.
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  Dr.sc.pol. Andrejs Berdnikovs

  Mr Berdnikovs is a scientist and social activist. He is involved in various international networks of leftist organizations, as well as scholars of social movements. As a scientist he studies social movement, scientific communications, transfer of knowledge and social innovations. As an activist he tries to encourage various Latvian ethnic groups to get involved in formation of sociopolitical movement with the aim of providing solutions for common economic problems and fostering social equality.

  „There is a vital need for left multi ethnic social movement in Latvia. It has to not only provide criticism, but also viable alternatives. People of all ethnic backgrounds, all socially isolated, challenged and mute need to unite in strong, non-parliamentary opposition in order to counter neoliberal fundamentalism.”