Education and Science, EU – Baltic States, Latvia

Datsa Gaile and Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs Edgars Rinkevics.

Datsa was nominated for the award by the embassy of Latvia in London, in recognition of her active and selfless work in strengthening Latvian foreign economic relations and external public safety, and the promotion of bilateral relations between the countries. Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkēvičs presented Datsa with her certificate in a ceremony in Latvia on 25 January.

While studying in Northampton, Datsa saw a need for a Latvian-language newspaper and networking site for her fellow nationals now working in the UK. Her newspaper Anglo Baltic News (ABN) was set up with help from the University’s Enterprise Club, who provided her with a grant. Since its inception in 2009, ABN has grown into a leading Latvian media and production company, providing daily news for the Latvian community in the UK and all over the world. ABN works closely with the Embassy of Latvia in London, the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia and many other organisations in both countries.

As well as acting as Editor in Chief for ABN, Datsa provides international business support and mentoring, and has recently set up a new website for her coaching services www.bizstartupmentor.com. She has also undertaken lots of volunteering work for the Latvian community in the UK; founding a Latvian supplementary school, organising a shoebox Christmas gift appeal for the needy children of Latvia, and arranging a book collection to provide the people of Northamptonshire with Latvian language reading material.

Datsa said of her award: “It was a great surprise that after four years of hard work, my achievements and my volunteering have been recognised and appreciated back home by the Latvian Government. I feel privileged and honoured. It has given me the motivation to keep up the good work and help my community to integrate in the UK and into British society."

Datsa will be hosting the third annual ABN Awards, taking place at the University’s iCon Building in Daventry on 16 March. The awards aim to motivate and support people from Latvia who are now living in the UK. Attended by people from Latvia, the UK and the USA, the awards will also welcome the Mayor of Northampton and the ambassador of Latvia, Eduards Stiprais. There will be video messages from Latvian Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis and The Minister of Economy Daniels Pavļuts.