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Education
- 2007–2020 PhD Programme, Latvian Academy of Culture
- 1998–2001 Master’s degree in Social Sciences, specialisation in Public Management, Masters Programme in Public Management at the Faculty of Economy and Management, University of Latvia
- 1994–1996 MA in Theory of Culture, Latvian Academy of Culture
- 1990–1994 BA in History, Faculty of History and Philosophy, University of Latvia
- 1978–1989 Valmiera 1st Secondary School (Valmiera Gymnasium)
- 1981–1987 Valmiera Music School
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Further education
- 2022 Online programme “Intercultural Dialogue”, Oxford University
- 2021–2022 Online programme “Moral Foundations of Politics”, Yale University
- 2021 Online programme, “Leadership for Women”, Oxford University
- 2017 Education course “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by Vitae Institute for Lifelong Learning and Culture and FranklinCovey
- 2017–2018 French language course, French Cultural Centre
- 2010 Training seminar “Cooperation Skills for Effective Partnerships”
- 2009 Online course Performance Management, British Council
- 2009 Course on the use of the GPS (Global Planning System) for planning and monitoring in finance and operation, British Council
- 2003 Further education course in theory and practice of teaching at Riga City Teachers Education Centre
- 2002 Professional refresher course for Secretaries General of UNESCO National Commissions, UNESCO (Paris)
- 2002 Course “Building Public Relations”, Folk Art Centre
- 2000 French language course, French Cultural Centre
- 1999 English language course for youth workers, Plymouth University
- 1999 Course for organizers of intercultural camps, Soros Foundation Latvia and National Language Learning Programme
- 1998 UNDP Education Programme “Women and Business”
- 1997–1998 Training programme for organisers of international youth exchange programmes, EU Youth for Europe Programme
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Professional experience
- 2022 Chair of the Council of the Latvian Academy of Culture
- 1 July 2019
- Member of the European Parliament
- Vice-Chair of the Committee on Culture and Education (CULT)
- European Parliament, Vice-Chair of the Committee on Culture and Education (CULT), Vice-Chair of the Special Committee for foreign interference in all democratic processes in the EU, including disinformation (INGE)
- Substitute for the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI), the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) and the Subcommittee on Security and Defence (SEDE)
- 23 January 2019 Minister of Culture of the Republic of Latvia, Krišjānis Kariņš’ Government
- 2017 Vice President of the 39th session of the General Conference of UNESCO
- 11 February 2016 Minister of Culture of the Republic of Latvia, Māris Kučinskis’ Government
- 5 November 2014 Minister of Culture of the Republic of Latvia, Laimdota Straujuma’s Government
- 22 January 2014 Minister of Culture of the Republic of Latvia, Laimdota Straujuma’s Government
- 31 October 2013 Minister of Culture of the Republic of Latvia, Valdis Dombrovskis’ Government
- 2013 Chair of the Culture Commission during the 37th session of the General Conference of UNESCO
- 2014–2019 Head of the National Song and Dance Festival Council
- 2013–2019 Member of the Council of the Societal Integration Fund
- 2013–2019 Member of the Council of the State Culture Capital Foundation
- 2011–2013 Director of the Latvian National Cultural Centre
- 2009–2011 Country manager of British Council Latvia
- 2007–2009 Expert on culture in the group of experts “Growth of Public Wellbeing” for the National Development Plan 2007–2013
- 2006–2009 Member of the Artistic Council for the Latvian National Song and Dance Celebration
- 2005–2009 Guest lecturer at the Latvian Culture College, a lecture course on Cultural Policy
- 2004–2009 Under-Secretary of State for Cultural Policy at the Ministry of Culture
- 2004–2009 Guest lecturer at the University College of Economics and Culture, lecture courses on Latvia’s Culture Policy, Cultural Management, International Culture Systems
- 2004–2006 Member of the “Education for All” Council of the Cabinet
- 2003–2005 Chair of the Council for the Protection and Development of the Riga Historical Centre
- 2003–2005 Member of the Artistic Council for the Latvian School Children and Youth Song and Dance Celebration
- 1999–2004 Secretary General of the Latvian National Commission for UNESCO
- 1999–2004 Youth affairs consultant for the Northern District of Riga 1999–2001 Advisor to the Director of the National Youth Initiative Centre of the Ministry of Education and Science
- 1996–1999 Deputy Director of the National Youth Initiative Centre of the Ministry of Education and Science
- 1994–1996 Head of Cultural Centre of the Latvian Police Academy
- 1992–1995 Senior expert for information and education work and the Latvian War Museum
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Project management
- 2019 Future Leaders Academy “With Strong Roots in Latvia and Europe”
- 2017–2019 Programme for the centenary of Latvia’s statehood
- 2010 Author and manager of the Creative Week project in Latvia
- 2004–2006 Chair of a working group for the national cultural policy guidelines, “A National State”
- 2004–2005 Author/initiator of the project for an International Forum “Preservation of Immaterial Cultural Heritage: Youth, Education and Development”
- 2002–2003 UNESCO pilot project “Baltic States Cultural Tourism Document”, the chair of the project monitoring group in Latvia and member of the project development group in the Baltic States
- 2001–2003 Baltic States project, “Song Festival Tradition and Symbolism in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania” (an application on song festivals for the UNESCO Proclamation of the Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity). Chair of the Baltic States working group
- 2001–2003 Chair of the ‘Education for All’ working group in the Baltic Sea region
- 2000 Head of the Youth Programme at the 21st International Hanseatic Days
- 1999–2000
- Author and manager of the Latvian Youth Congress project
- Author and manager of “Me and My Era” project for the International Year for the Culture of Peace
- 1998–1999 Co-author of the Erudīts TV competition, author of the “My Road to Latvia” programme for the 80th anniversary of the Republic of Latvia
- 1997–1998 Author and manager of the “School and Museum” project supported by Soros Foundation Latvia
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Honours
- 2017 Honorary Award of the World Association of Free Latvians Cultural Fund
- 2013 Order of the Three Stars, third class
- 2013 Certificate of Recognition by the Cabinet
- 2005 Spīdola Award by the National Cultural Foundation for excellence in culture management
- 2005 Finalist in the worldwide competition “Ten Outstanding Young Persons” organised by the Junior Chamber International, winner of the national competition for the Achievements in Culture category
- 2001
- Award from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia for merits in the strengthening of the Latvian State
- Several certificates of recognition from the Ministry of Education and Science
- National honours and awards from Sweden, Norway and the Netherlands
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Languages
- Latvian, English, Russian, French, German
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Interests
- Tennis, traditional singing and choral music, travel, skiing
