A system for the participation of residents of Latvia in the defense of the state in a non-militarized form is needed, stated Ieva Berziņa, a leading researcher at the Latvian National Defense Academy, on Friday at a conference in the Saeima dedicated to the 35th anniversary of the barricades, titled "The January 1991 Barricades as an Expression of Popular Resistance to Totalitarian Regimes and Lessons for Today," reports LETA.
The researcher explained that in the modern context, comprehensive state defense is a defense concept that timely prepares and integrates the activities of all responsible institutions and services, commercial and non-governmental organizations, as well as individual citizens to prevent any types of disasters, including resistance to military aggression.
Berziņa pointed out that comprehensive state defense is based on two main pillars - military and civilian components, which must operate in integration.
She also referred to surveys by the SKDS research center regarding the readiness of Latvian society to defend the state with arms in the event of a military invasion. According to the data, about 30% of the population expresses such readiness.
"This is not the worst result, but in Finland, this figure exceeds 70% for various reasons," said Berziņa.
At the same time, she noted that the willingness to defend the state in a non-militarized form in Latvian society is about 60%.
"Thus, the will [to defend the state] is actually greater; people just need to be offered ways to participate," emphasized Berziņa.
She explained that it is necessary to consider creating a system that would allow residents of Latvia to participate in the defense of the state in a non-military form. This system should be developed in advance and designed for the long term. As examples, she cited various organizations - both women's movements and pilots, sailors, dog training clubs, and others.
Berziņa emphasized that it is essential to propose such a system so that people can form connections among themselves.
