GADSIMTS
			(century)

student association

GENERAL INFORMATION

Association Gadsimts was founded in February 1994 by the group of
political science and sociology students of the Latvia University. Since
that time Gadsimts has grown to include also students of law, psychology,
philosophy, international relations and economics, altogether 32 members
as of 29 April. There are also would-be members in other higher education
establishments of Latvia (for instance, the Culture Academy). The
president of Gadsimts is student of sociology Mr. Janis BRIEDIS. The
co-ordinator of Gadsimts is student of sociology Mr. Uldis S. BIRGELIS, the
secretary for foreign relations - student of political science 
Mr. Valts KALNINS. The aim of Gadsimts is to unite the students of Latvia
University and other universities to carry out scientific research
projects. Gadsimts ensures the exchange of information among its members
as well as mutual theoretical and technical assistance. Gadsimts also
familiarises society with the results of its members' research work.

MEDIA

Several members of Gadsimts work as free-lance journalists for newspapers
and other mass media, covering mainly topical social and political issues.
Analytical program Noverotajs (Observer) is being broadcast on Saturdays,
12.10 - 12.30 (1st channel of Latvia State Radio) and is produced by 
Mr. Uldis S. BIRGELIS, Mr. Valts KALNINS, Mr. Reinis ABOLTINS and 
Mr. Ivars INDANS - all are members of Gadsimts. Also several well-known
Latvian sociologists have been the guests of the program. Noverotajs first
time came on the air on 15 January, 1994. According to the data supplied
by Baltic Media Facts, Ltd., since then it has won one of the largest
audiences among Saturday programs. Our members work for newspapers Diena
(the largest Latvian daily) (Mr. Valts KALNINS, free-lance analyst) and
Labrit (Mr. Reinis ABOLTINS, foreign news observer). Occasional articles
are written also for other newspapers by those mentioned above, 
Mr. Uldis S. BIRGELIS and Mr. Maris BRANTS.

RESEARCH

The members of the association Gadsimts carry out several research
projects in the field of sociology. The first project which has already
been partly realised deals with national relations in the opinion of Riga
secondary school's students. The survey is managed by Mr. Maris BRANTS.
The other survey that deals with the divorce problems in Riga is managed
by Ms. Ilona STALIDZANE. This project considers psychological and
socio-economical peculiarities of people and is searching for correlation
between these aspects. 
The third research project that we would like to mention concerns drug
abuse in Latvia. The research mainly focuses on social and psychological
causes of drug abuse. The conclusions of the first part of this project
will be published in the psychological journal Alter Ego this year. 
Ms. Gitana ZAKREVSKA is conducting this project.
At the present moment there are six research projects being carried out by
Gadsimts members.

STUDENT LIFE

Gadsimts has established contacts with other student organisations in
Latvia, such as YES-Latvia (a branch of Young Europeans for Security in
Latvia), Psychology Students' Association and others. We co-operate in the
field of research as well as in other fields where we have common
interests. The most promising co-operation we would like to mention is one
that Gadsimts has developed with the 12 March Organisation. We have
established a joint working group to explore University's most acute
problems.
Together with other student organisations Gadsimts takes part in the
efforts to constitute Latvian Students' Union, an organisation designed to
unite student organisations and self-governments as well as individual
students.
In the election of the Student Board of the Latvia University held on 28
April Gadsimts won 10 per cent of the total vote, thus taking 3 seats 
(of 25) in the main students' self-government institution of the Latvia
University.

CONTACT INFO

POSTAL ADDRESS:

Association Gadsimts
P.O. Box 561
LV1098 Riga-Centrs
Republic of Latvia

E-MAIL:

Mr. Janis BRIEDIS, President:
briedis@crv.lu.lv

Mr. Uldis S. BIRGELIS, Co-ordinator:
uberegu@cclu.lv

Mr. Maris BRANTS, Section of Sociology:
mbrants@cclu.lv

Mr. Regnars SILAKALNS:
rsilak@cclu.lv

Mr. Janis KANCS:
johnis@cclu.lv