The Ministry of Education and Science and institutions subordinated to it have concluded cooperation agreements with more than 30 international organisations, including 10 professional associations. The Agreement on Cooperation between the Ministry of Education and Science and the Latvian Trade Union of Education and Science Workers can be mentioned as the most important cooperation contract.
The Ministry of Education and Science involves also non-governmental organisations in the work groups in the course of development of regulatory acts. Non-governmental organisations are notified on the necessity of adoption of regulatory acts if it is stipulated by the Directives of the European Union. The Ministry of Education and Science cooperates also with 88 sports federations certified in Latvia and managing and coordinating the relevant type of sports or area of activities in Latvia.
The policy planning documents under the competence of the Ministry of Education and Science are developed in cooperation with non-governmental organisations. For instance, “The strategic guidelines for the development of education for years 2007 – 2013†were developed in cooperation with representatives from the Adult and Vocational Education Association, Latvian Trade Union of Education and Science Workers, Latvian Employers’ Confederation, Latvian Association of Municipalities, Latvian Rectors’ Council, Council of Higher Education, Latvian Teachers’ Council, Latvian Union of Parents “VISIâ€, Consultations Council “Education for Everybody†and Latvian Association of Traditional Culture.
Draft policy documents and draft regulatory acts in the area of general education are always coordinated with the Latvian Trade Union of Education and Science Workers, Latvian Association of Education Managers, Latvian Association of Municipalities, Latvian Union of Parents “VISI†and regional education boards. Representatives of the Latvian Trade Union of Education and Science Workers often participate in Management Meetings of the Ministry of Education and Science. Working groups for the development of the draft national policy documents on the vocational education has been formed in cooperation with non-governmental organisations. Conclusions provided by non-governmental organisations in the area of higher education are reflected in the Minutes on coordination of draft regulatory acts developed by the Ministry of Education and Science. In the area of higher education the Ministry of Education and Science cooperates with the Latvian Rectors’ Council, Latvian Association of Colleges, Latvian Students’ Association and other non-governmental organisations.
The contribution by non-governmental organisations was especially important in the coordination of the strategic guidelines for the policy of life-time education for years 2007 - 2013.
