Takeaways and Reflections from Latvia’s Entrepreneur Seminar

When I arrived in Valmiera, Latvia, for the Stronger Together seminar, I didn’t know exactly what to expect. I joined a diverse group of participants from Sweden and Latvia, many representing employers, all with a shared interest: how to create workplaces where people with intellectual disabilities are not just integrated, but truly included.

From the very first session, I was struck by the openness of the people I met and by their commitment to improving inclusion in the labor market. This was more than a project meeting — it was a window into how two countries are navigating the challenges and opportunities of inclusive employment.

Meeting Rūdis

One of the most powerful moments came when we were introduced to Rūdis, a young man whose story symbolises resilience and dignity. We watched a short film about his daily life, chopping wood, caring for bees, building birdhouses — while he sat quietly among us. His presence was a reminder that inclusion is not an abstract idea. It is about recognising human potential and giving space for contributions that matter.

As Maya Angelou once said, “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Rūdis made us feel what inclusion truly means — not charity or sympathy, but respect and shared humanity.

Learning from Anna Broka

Dr. Anna Broka, one of our trainers, shared her personal journey of awareness, beginning when her Swedish brother, who has a disability, worked in ordinary jobs like McDonald’s and a pet store. She reminded us that intellectual disabilities are not always visible and that sensitivity in communication is crucial. A simple phrase like “let’s do it” may be easy for some but overwhelming for others.

Anna drew a clear distinction between integration and inclusion. Integration often expects individuals to adjust themselves to existing environments. Inclusion, on the other hand, means reshaping environments so that everyone can thrive. This perspective is at the heart of Stronger Together.

Insights from the Seminar

Over several sessions, we explored practical and cultural aspects of inclusion:

• How workplace culture, language, and even sensory factors affect whether people feel welcome.
• The importance of recruitment processes that focus on abilities, not limitations.
• The role of trade unions, social services, and state institutions in supporting sustainable working lives.
• Creative ways of adapting tasks so each person can contribute meaningfully.

One workshop asked participants to describe themselves in positive terms. This turned out to be surprisingly difficult; many people had never been asked to speak about their strengths. Yet, moments like these opened up important conversations about self-image, confidence, and dignity.

Inspiration from Practice

Our visit to SOLIS Daycare Centre showed what inclusion looks like in practice. People with intellectual disabilities were not sidelined; they were actively engaged, contributing to the community in visible ways. Employers, too, are beginning to see their roles differently — not just as providers of jobs, but as stewards of inclusive, respectful workplaces.

We also heard from Inga Brente-Mieze of the Samaritan Association of Latvia, who spoke about the country’s limited resources but also the growing potential of social entrepreneurship. Despite constraints, change is possible when there is creativity and commitment.

My Personal Reflection

Where I was born and brought up, I never saw physically or mentally challenged people being treated with respect or given opportunities to participate in society. They were often invisible, excluded from schools, workplaces, and community life.

Since moving to Sweden, my perspective has changed a lot. I have witnessed efforts to include people with disabilities in education, employment, and social life. And during this trip to Latvia, I saw yet another side of the world working with commitment and creativity to build more inclusive environments. For me, it was eye-opening and inspiring to realize how people, regardless of borders, are thinking and acting for the betterment of others.

A Shared Responsibility

What I carried home from Valmiera was not just knowledge, but a renewed sense of responsibility. Inclusion is not a checklist or a favor. It is a right and it demands humility, listening, and continuous effort.

The Stronger Together project is more than a title; it is a truth. By sharing stories like Rūdis’s, by learning from people like Anna, and by visiting places like SOLIS, we are reminded that inclusion begins with choice, the choice to see, to hear, and to create spaces where everyone belongs.

Stronger Together was, for me, a step forward, a reminder, and a promise. A promise that inclusion will not remain a word on paper, but become a practice that shapes workplaces, communities, and lives.

Supriti Dhar
Project Coordinator
Coompanion Östergötland