In June, Prof. Dr. Dr. Erik Hahn and a group of 12 students from the Faculty of Social Sciences at Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences (HSZG) visited Riga Stradins University and various Latvian social welfare institutions as part of their social work project studies. The excursion focused on the implementation of the Istanbul Convention in the EU member states. The trip was prepared in part by a guest lecture by a Latvian professor in Görlitz and took place on the occasion of the recent ratification of the Istanbul Convention in Latvia.

The event included a series of lectures and a visit to the Latvian Ministry of Justice. There, the students discussed the current implementation status of the Convention in Latvia with Minister Dr. Inese Lībiņa-Egnere and her Parliamentary State Secretary Lauma Paeglkalna. Topics of discussion included the compatibility of the Convention with the Latvian constitution and the responsibilities of the various service providers.

Other highlights of the excursion included a discussion with the head of the Latvian judicial authority in the Constitutional Court on the constitutional conformity of new language regulations in social and healthcare facilities, a visit to the newly created Barnahus in Riga and a discussion event at the State Inspectorate for Protection of Children's Rights. Following the formal program, the students had the opportunity to get to know Latvian culture in depth during the Midsummer Festival.

The excursion was organizationally supported by Riga Stradins University and financially supported by the Leonardo Office Saxony with funds from the Erasmus programme.

Prospective students can still apply for the Bachelor's degree in Social Work until July 15, 2024.