The photo contest for schoolchildren, My Secure Latvia, held by the Saeima has ended. Ten of its participants have an opportunity to take an unforgettable trip on board a Navy war ship on 23 May.

Alise Sala, a 12^th-grade schoolgirl at Talsi Secondary School No. 2, has written in the essay accompanying her photograph: “I can feel safe in Latvia because we have a future – our young people. They prove this by their voluntary participation in the National Guard and in the Young Guard. I have quite often encountered such pure patriotism specifically among young people that I can really be sure about our land, I can feel safe in Latvia.”

Aija Višņevska, a 12^th-grade schoolgirl at Dagda Secondary School, also expresses the conviction that young people are the security basis for the future of Latvia: “I think our future depends on them; we have to rely on them and trust them. Young people have young minds that contribute and discover something new and that are able to find new solutions to old problems.”

This contest has been organised by the Saeima Defence, Internal Affairs and Corruption Prevention Committee, which is preparing for the Spring Session of the NATO PA 2010 to be held in Riga. Students submitted their digital photos showing their concept of security regarding their family, friends, school, and the entire country. They also included a short description of their idea with the photo.

Mr. Juris Dalbiņš, Chairman of the Defence Committee, who headed the panel of contest judges, points out: “The works we received show that our youth have a good understanding of national security. Although the majority of the works were related to external security, the photo contest proves that young people are thinking about security both in military terms and in its broadest sense, namely, security at school, at home, in the street.”

Mr. Dalbiņš expresses satisfaction with the fact that among the contest winners there are works featuring the Young Guard. He stresses: “It strengthens the conviction that the direction we have set for military and patriotic education of our youth is correct and should be developed.”

Mr. Ilmārs Znotiņš, a professional photographer and another member of the contest panel, is pleased with the high level of professionalism in several works. He notes: “Some photos evidenced a good balance between the idea expressed and the form. Not all photographers succeed in achieving that. Furthermore, some photographers have tried to use symbolism, and that is particularly pleasing to me.”

The most interesting photos can be seen in the Flickr account of the Saeima: http://www.flickr.com/photos/saeima/sets/72157624030946926


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