USBF Launches Baltic Good Governance Initiaitive to support NGO's in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania

WASHINGTON, DC – On Friday, December 21, 2007, The U.S.- Baltic Foundation’s Executive Director Linas J. Kojelis announced the launching of The Baltic Good Governance Initiative (BGGI).   Through the BGGI, USBF will work to raise funds and awareness in the United States to support Latvian, Lithuanian and Estonian non-governmental organizations that promote policies of clean and transparent government.  The Chair of the BGGI Program Committee is USBF Board member Ints Silins, former U.S. Ambassador to Latvia.  Those individuals interested in supporting or learning more about the BGGI please visit www.usbaltic.org/good_governance.php.

“I believe the BGGI continues USBF’s long tradition of promoting the ideals of civil society and transparent government in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania,” said Board of Directors Chairman Maria Kivisild Ogrydziak. 

Government ethics were an important subject during the historic three-part series of municipal government seminars in Vilnius (Lithuania), Parnu (Estonia) and Jurmala (Latvia) (1991-1992), co-sponsored by USBF and the three Baltic municipal associations.  In the fall of 1992, USBF was invited to return to Jurmala with a special training seminar on ethics in government for representatives of Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian national and municipal governments as well as media outlets, NGO’s and business associations.  

“Americans know the hard fight good citizens have had to wage for responsive and transparent government in our own country,” Ambassador Silins explained.  “We have learned how vital it is for conscientious citizens to keep a watchful eye on their elected and appointed representatives, both national and local, to make them honest and accountable.  Good people in every modern democracy need to work toward this elusive goal, to ensure maximum trust in public institutions and elected leadership.”

While many positive measures have been taken by the Baltic States to promote clean government since independence, the issue of corruption is once again becoming vital in the region.  According to Transparency International’s September 2007 Corruption Perception Index (CPI), progress toward promoting clean government has slowed or stopped in the Baltic States in recent years.  The recent protests in Riga which prompted the resignation of Prime Minister Kalvitis further demonstrate the importance of this issue and its potential implications for the future success of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. 

The U.S.- Baltic Foundation (USBF) was established in 1990 to unite all Americans who supported the aspirations of the people of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania for democracy and independence and are dedicated to strengthening our trans-Atlantic ties with the Baltics in the 21st century.   As is described on the Foundation’s website (www.usbaltic.org), in the 1990’s USBF initiated a broad range of programs including municipal government development, training for independent media professionals and NGO development.  As an advocate for closer U.S.- Baltic relations, USBF also initiated a broad range of cultural, government and public relations programs including a nationwide tour of Baltic modern art, our Ambassador’s Council luncheons in the U.S. Capitol and development of the Singing Revolution documentary about Estonia’s struggle for freedom (http://www.singingrevolution.com).