About Us
The overarching goal of the National Contact Point (NCP) for the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) is to ensure Latvia's meaningful and coordinated participation as an associate member state of CERN, as well as to achieve Latvia's full membership in CERN.
Our mission
To promote the development of particle physics and accelerator technology community in Latvia and the Baltic region, thereby contributing to the achievement of Latvia's science, technology development, and innovation policy goals, and facilitating Latvia's attainment of full-fledged member state.
Our vision
Leveraging the opportunities provided by CERN, Latvia aims to become a center of excellence in technology, innovation, and science of physics in the Baltic region.
Operation
The legal basis for the operation of CERN NCP is founded on the laws of the Republic of Latvia, the regulations of CERN NCP, and other binding legal acts, as well as the decisions and orders of the administrative institutions of Riga Technical University (RTU). CERN NCP is legally situated within the service of the Vice-Rector for Research at RTU and is directly subordinate to the Vice-Rector for Research.
To achieve CERN NCP's defined overarching goal — meaningful and coordinated participation of Latvia in CERN as an associate member state and eventually becoming a full member state — the strategic directions of CERN NCP's operations are outlined in the implementation plan of Latvia's CERN strategy.
Strategic directions:
- Strengthening and deepening Latvia's capacity in high-energy physics, accelerator physics, and accelerator technology sectors (human resources domain);
- Consolidating the knowledge base for the application of high-energy particle and accelerator technologies, innovative materials, solutions, and ICT in Latvia's economy (technology domain);
- Expanding the availability of innovative therapeutic methods such as particle therapy through regional cooperation and broadening the development and application possibilities of theranostic preparations (technology domain).
Activities:
- CERN Latvia stakeholder group coordination and stakeholder involvement in CERN-related activities;
- Communicating CERN activities to Latvian partners;
- Coordinating information exchange between CERN and national authorities and policy makers;
- Coordinating the strengthening of national capacity in high-energy particle physics and accelerator technologies;
- Support and organization of outreach activities related to CERN;
- Support for the Latvian Industrial Liaison Officer (ILO) to promote industrial collaboration with CERN;
- Representing Latvia at CERN;
- Participation in the CERN Baltic group.
Target audiences:
- Higher education institutions;
- Scientific institutions;
- Latvian students;
- Latvian teachers;
- Latvian high-school students;
- State institutions and policymakers;
- Industry organizations and social partners;
- Industry and the Latvian Investment and Development Agency;
- CERN Baltic group;
- CERN;
- Public media.
Latvia's Strategy for Progressing Towards Full Membership in the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN):
https://tapportals.mk.gov.lv/legal_acts/33323695-de07-471e-b729-259ef4e4f625
