HEADLINES
Latvian Foreign Minister calls on residents of Latvia to be tolerant On 17 May, which has been denoted as the International Day against Homophobia, Latvian Foreign Minister Artis Pabriks repeated his call on all residents of Latvia to be tolerant and understanding towards each other. As Minister Pabriks noted, "We differ from each other; however, this must not be a basis for aggression, intolerance and mutual insults. Tolerance towards each other is one of the fundamental values of European cultures and this must not be forgotten." Mr Pabriks urged Latvian residents to treat each other with understanding and not to let the seeds of racism, homophobia, anti-Semitism, and prejudice take root. He also noted that tolerance should be taught to children from early childhood both within the family and at school. In view of the growing manifestations of racism and intolerance in the world, a number of human rights issues are still on the agenda of international institutions. The Latvian Foreign Minister expressed the hope that in future discussions on this issue Latvia would be mentioned as a positive example to other countries. Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Current News (17.05.2006) Agreement signed between Latvia and Georgia on co-operation in the area of societal integration On 29 May 2006, the Latvian Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration, Karina Petersone, visited Georgia where she signed an agreement on further co-operation between both states in the area of societal integration. From Georgia's part the agreement was signed by the Minister for Civil Integration, Zinaida Bestaeva. At the moment Georgia has not yet worked out its Societal Integration Programme and therefore wishes to study the Latvian programme as a model. Ms Petersone also met with representatives of the Georgian NGOs. BNS (29.05.2006)
Importance of dialogue emphasized in addressing minority education issues On 17 May 2006, after the meeting of the Consultative Council on issues concerning national minority education, the Latvian Minister of Education and Science, Professor Baiba Rivza, stressed that the resolving of issues of national minority education is centered on the co-ordination of opinions; and thus, it is important to actualise dialogue with national minorities. In order to do this, the Council nominated its representatives, who will work in the Consultative Council of the Educational Content and Examination Centre (ISEC), as well as in the Consultative Council of the State Agency for General Education Quality Assurance. The ISEC will address issues connected with evaluation of the content of studies and examinations. At the next session of the Consultative Council on issues of national minority education which is scheduled for the end of June, it is planned to meet with representatives of Latvian universities and to speak about the preparation of pedagogues for teaching in bilingual educational establishments. Professor Rivza also emphasised that the quality of each individual's education is important irrespective of his or her nationality. She also added "âÀ¦after meeting with foreign experts I have concluded that our education system is in line with international practice and there is no need for legislative changes." LETA (18.05.2006)
Declaration on compatibility of freedom of speech and the fight against intolerance On 30 May 2006, representatives of the 18 most popular on-line editions and NGOs signed a declaration on respect, tolerance and co-operation within Internet space. The declaration is based on three basic principles: freedom of speech, honour and respect for individuals and for the law. It is supported also by several government institutions. The initiator of the declaration, the Editor-in-Chief of the portal www.Dialogi.lv, Anna Stroja, stressed that this declaration will be an instrument for fighting against causes, not consequences. The signatories to the declaration agreed that expressions of hatred and intolerance must be diminished in the global network. The declaration also expresses the determination to observe honour and respect of the individual and to comply with the law. The signatories of the declaration asserted that there are no contradictions between these fundamental values in a democratic society. At the moment, this boundary is set by the law, which prohibits the instigation of hatred and calls for violence. The signatories confirmed their wish to co-operate, in order to create a system of intolerance monitoring, and they also offer this partnership for the development of educational programmes, because with this declaration they have demonstrated that they have a united understanding of what is intolerance. Diena (31.05.2006)
Roma Integration Programme developed The Secretariat of the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration has developed a Roma integration programme for the next three years with the aim to promote the further inclusion of the Roma community into Latvian society. The task of the programme is to guarantee the struggle against discrimination, as well as the effective implementation of equal opportunities in the spheres of education, employment, and human rights. These are the three areas in which the integration of Roma into Latvian society must take place. The programme foresees improvement in the level of Roma education and improvement in the preparing of five to six-year-old Roma children for studies in pre-school and primary education establishments. The programme states that it is necessary to increase the responsibility of those parents of Roma children who do not ensure the acquisition of the obligatory education for their child. It is also planned to create a special possibility for the representatives of Roma community to return to the education process in any of its stages in the case of necessity, and to diminish the discrimination of Roma in the area of employment, as well as to reduce the unemployment level in the Roma community. The programme stresses the necessity to inform Latvian society about the cultural traits of the Latvian Roma community, and to promote the development of their culture and the preservation of their ethnic identity. It is planned to involve the mass media in a special informative campaign in order to provide objective information about the Roma community, the respective laws and regulations and practice in the sphere of anti-discrimination. It has been concluded that effective implementation of the programme requires close co-operation between the state administration institutions, human rights experts, as well as Roma and other NGOs. The Roma culture is an integral component of cultural diversity in Latvia. Roma have been living in Latvia since the 16th century. According to the statistical data of the resident register the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs in the beginning of 2006 about 8,498 Roma lived in Latvia, which constitutes 0.3% of Latvia's inhabitants. However, leaders of the Roma NGOs and researchers suggest that this number is larger and say that there could be about 15 to 18 thousand Roma presently living in Latvia. LETA (01.05.2006) BNS (22.05.2006) Historians discuss the role of national minorities in the history of Latvia On 30 May 2006, the Institute of Philosophy and Sociology of the University of Latvia organised a conference on The Role of National Minorities in the History of Latvia. At this conference historians discussed the role of national minorities in the history of the EU member states, the historiography of national minorities, the role of the Russian community in the cultural history of Latvia, the place of Russian minority in the history of Latvia's national economy, as well as the role of Jews, Poles and Lithuanians in the evolution of Latvia's history. Speeches were delivered by well-known Latvian historians including Leo Dribins, Aivars Stranga and Tatjana Feigmane. The Foreign Affairs Minister, Artis Pabriks, in his address suggested that Latvia should establish a minority museum. According to Dr Pabriks, much research has been done on the minorities issue, and a number of conferences have now been held; so that this is a good time to take the next step, which could be establishment of a museum. The minister said that the Minority Museum would help us better understand ourselves, and serve as practical educational material for future generations. He believes that there are enough people and resources to establish such a museum in Latvia. "We could demonstrate the contribution of the Baltic Germans to the national culture and economy, reflect the situation and experience of the Jews in Latvia, as well as the arrival of the Russian and Belarusian minorities," Dr Pabriks pointed out. He also indicated that scientists as well as the state, NGOs, and private capital could be attracted to this project. The director of the Secretariat of the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration, Kristine Vagnere, addressed the audience stating that ethnic minorities such as Poles, Lithuanians, Jews, Russians and many others have been living in Latvia alongside native Latvians for centuries, and have influenced the formation and development of the state of Latvia; therefore, it is very important to evaluate and analyse this influence. BNS (21.05.2006) LETA (30.05.2006)
Conference on national minorities held in the Jelgava Museum Integration Week ended in the City of Jelgava on 19 May 2006 with a conference on National Minorities in Jelgava, Latvia, European Union. The discussion took place in the Jelgava History and Art Museum and was opened by the Chairman of the Jelgava City Council, Andris Ravins, and the Minister for Social Integration, Karina Petersone. The topics under discussion included the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities of the Council of Europe and the issue of discrimination, as well as the experience of Jelgava in the area of societal integration. The events of Integration Week marked the end of the project Piedalies! 2 (Take Part 2), co-financed by the EU Phare 2003 Society Integration Programme. The aim of the project was to develop a multi-cultural, united, and well-informed society in the City of Jelgava. Project activities included the organisation of four parents' school classes, a cycle of seminars for the leaders of national minority amateur groups, two debate tournaments for schoolchildren, the provision of national costumes for four national minority amateur groups and national music instruments for two national minority amateur groups. Other activities included the presenting of ten charity concerts, the formation of audio-tours in four languages for the exposition of the Jelgava History and Art Museum, improvement of the museum's website, and the organising of creative workshop classes for youth. Total funding of the project was approximately 50,000 LVL. LETA (19.05.2006) The 3rd national minorities festival held in Valmiera On 27 May 2006, the 3rd National Minority Festival was organised in the castle ruins and museum of the City of Valmiera. This year the festival was organised implementing the project of the Vidzeme Development Agency (VDA) Cultural Initiatives for Vidzeme Society Integration. The aim of the festival, as well as of the project, was to promote cultural dialogue between various nationalities in the Vidzeme region, to broaden knowledge and understanding of the culture of various national minorities among the residents of Vidzeme, as well as to demonstrate the culture of these different nationalities in an interesting and attractive way. Together with the national minority groups of the rural municipalities, which were involved in the project, schoolchildren of the Valmiera Secondary School No. 2, the Russian folklore ensemble Karagod, the Latvian Belarusian Association Svitanak, the Ukrainian song ensemble Veselka and the Moldovan-Rumanian Cultural Society Doina also participated in the festival. At the opening of the festival, spectators were addressed by the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration, Karina Petersone, Director of the VDA, Jolanta Vjakse, representatives of the administration of the Valmiera District Council and of the Valmiera City Municipality, and other guests. During the project a booklet was created about national minorities in Vidzeme. It comprised information on the life of representatives of national minorities in the rural municipalities involved in the project and many interesting historical facts about the reasons for development of diversity of nationalities in Vidzeme. The project Cultural Initiatives for Vidzeme Society Integration was implemented by the VDA with support of the EU Phare programme. LETA (27.05.2006)
Liv Culture Days event held On 16 May, the official opening ceremony of the Liv Culture Days in Latvia 2006 took place at the Secretariat of the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration. During the Liv Culture Days, a series of events have been scheduled to take place in various Latvian cities until 2 July. During the Culture Days, interested visitors will be able to see various exhibitions such as: Liv culture beside us, a photo exhibition by Juki Nakamura: Photo Story of the Liv People on Kurzeme's Shores in the Talsi District Museum, an exhibition Liv people's culture: photographs from Liv villages in Kurzeme region 1902-1927. In Mazirbe, Ventspils, Turaida and Sigulda, visitors will be able to see Janis Mednis' and Raimonds Tigulis' photo and musical album Green. White. Blue. Secretariat of the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration (15.05.2006)
110 thousandth Latvian citizen naturalised On 26 May 2006, the Daugavpils Council Chambers was the location for the presentation of certificate of the Cabinet of Ministers' decree on the granting of citizenship of the Republic of Latvia through naturalization to 34 new citizens. The ceremony was significant especially due to the fact that among these new citizens was the 110 thousandth naturalized Latvian citizen – a Pole, Julija Shurhovecka, who was born in Russia in 1986. She moved to Latvia together with her parents in 1990. Also, the 8 thousandth naturalized resident of Daugavpils was congratulated during the ceremony. The Minister of Justice, Guntars Grinvalds, Head of the Naturalization Board, Eizenija Aldermane, Deputies of the Parliament, representatives of the City of Daugavpils and its district, as well as workers of the Daugavpils Regional Department of the Naturalisation Board all participated in the ceremony. Naturalizatioin Board (26.05.2006) Statistics on naturalisation (as at 31 May 2006) For more information:
Newsletter "Societal Integration in Latvia: Towards Mutual Understanding and Cooperation" is a compilation of press releases and news reports drawn from the mass media and official sources. Not all of the views published reflect the official position of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. |
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