Zane Vagnere
2025-2026 Obama Foundation Europe Leader
Deputy State Secretary for International & EU Affairs, Social Cohesion and Media Policy, Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Latvia
Latvia
Zane Vagnere serves as the Deputy State Secretary for International and EU Affairs, Social Cohesion, and Media Policy at the Latvian Ministry of Culture, where she works to combat the effects of disinformation on societal polarization in the context of a rapidly evolving information environment primarily through efforts to build media literacy skills. In this role, she has spearheaded reforms intended to support the cultural expression of non-majority communities and to support refugees through cultural and language programs. As Deputy State Secretary, she has advanced Latvia’s media policy, contributing to the country's improved standing in the World Press Freedom Index. These approaches include increasing the Media Aid Fund to support socially significant, informative, and educational content, as well as strengthening Latvia's cultural space through media in Latvian. She was leading the team that developed the next-generation Media Policy Strategy and contributed to shaping a plan for enhancing protections for journalists and media professionals.
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Watch President Obama share his vision for the Obama Presidential Center during a surprise visit with supporters and stakeholders—a vision for a public space that will honor history, help revitalize the South Side, and connect people throughout the communi
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