The World Federation of Free Latvians (PBLA) is the central umbrella organisation for overseas federations of Latvian organisations, representing these organisations at the highest level.
The constituent members of the PBLA are: the American Latvian Association, the South American and Caribbean Latvian Association, the European Latvian Association, the Russian Latvian Congress, the Latvian Federation of Australia and New Zealand, and the Latvian National Federation in Canada.
The main mission of the PBLA is to unite Latvians in continuing to strengthen Latvia’s independence and promote Latvia’s development in democratic, cultural and economic spheres; to promote active, organised, influential and vital Latvian communities overseas; and to promote the unity of Latvians worldwide.
The activities of the PBLA are financed by voluntary contributions from overseas Latvians to the Latvian Freedom Fund, and World Federation of Free Latvians subsidiary organisation funds.
An Educational Council, working under the auspices of the PBLA, was established in 1976 with the aim of promoting and coordinating Latvian education outside of Latvia. This is as part of the PBLA Cultural Fund, formed in 1972, with the aim of supporting the preservation and development of Latvian culture, including Latvian educational activities, in overseas Latvian communities.
The PBLA central office is in the U.S.A., but since 1991, representation operates in Riga.
The World Federation of Free Latvians Council yearly meeting in Riga, held in the Small Guild, on the 30th of September, 2015
First row from left: American Latvian Association Cultural sector Liga Ejupe, Latvian Federation of Australian and New Zealand chairperson, Kristine Saulitis, World Federation of Free Latvians Cultural Fund chairperson Vija Zuntaka-Berzina, Education and Science minister Marite Seile, World Free Latvian Association chairperson Janis Kukainis, Prime Minister Laimdota Straujuma, Defence Minister Raimonds Bergmanis, World Federation of Free Latvians deputy chairperson, Latvian National Council in the United Kingdom chairperson Lilija Zobens and World Federation of Free Latvians general secretary Ilze Garoza.
Second row from left: Latvian National Federation in Canada representative and Latvian National Federation in Canada Cultural Fund chairperson Juris Kenins, South America and Caribbean Latvian Association chairperson Daina Gutmane, Latvian Federation of Australia and New Zealand Cultural Fund chairperson Davids Darzins, Latvian National Federation in Canada representative Martins Sausins, World Federation of Free Latvians representative in Latvia Janis Andersons, American Latvian Association Education branch Andra Zommere, American Latvian Association, ‘Collaboration with Latvia’ branch Kaija Petrovska, Latvian National Federation in Canada chairperson Andris Kesteris, American Latvian Association chairperson Peteris Blumbergs, European Latvian Association representative Indulis Berzins, European Latvian Association chairperson Kristaps Grasis, Latvian Federation of Australia and New Zealand representative Peteris Strazds, American Latvian Association general secretary Raits Eglitis, World Federation of Free Latvians treasurer Janis Gramatins, World Federation of Free Latvians Education Council deputy director Anta Spunde, Ambassador-at-Large for the Diaspora Peteris Elferts, and Latvian Evangelical Lutheran Church Abroad Dean Klavs Berzins.
Website: PBLA
