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• Development and strengthening of civic society: a priority of the Minister for Social Integration
• Representatives of national minorities acquainted with the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage
• NGOs and Social Integration Secretariat agree on promotion of tolerance in society
• More than 200 projects registered for societal integration tender
• Seminar on National Minority NGOs: Current Aspects of Operation
• LVL 20,000 allocated to improve Roma (Gypsy) computer skills
• Public informed about Arabian and Muslim cultural diversity in Latvia
• Conference on the cultural heritage of Ukrainians living in the Baltic states
• Seminar for national minorities sports teachers
• Polish House renovated in Daugavpils
• Presentation on Romanian Traditions in Latvia
• Annual Roma Sharad celebration
• Traditional Roma youth music festival Urdenoro organised in Sabile 

Development and strengthening of civic society: a priority of the Minister for Social Integration

Priorities of the new Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration, Oskars Kastens, include the development and strengthening of civic society. Other important tasks, which the new minister has mentioned, are improvement of the administrative capacity of the Secretariat of the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration, and the giving of support to Latvians living abroad as well as to the groups within national minorities.

Mr Kastens also noted that in the area of integration it is very important to settle the NGO issue, to support and achieve the involvement of a larger part of society into NGO activities and in decision-making processes. He emphasized that NGOs are an essential element in the strengthening of civic society.

LETA (13.11.2006)

Representatives of national minorities acquainted with the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage 

On 2 November 2006, the Secretariat of the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration, in co-operation with the Latvian National Commission for UNESCO, organised an informative seminar for representatives of national minority NGOs on the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage.

The aim of the seminar was to improve the knowledge of national minorities' experience in the issues of safeguarding intangible cultural heritage, and to clarify existing problems and review preferable solutions, which should be taken into account when developing the national long-term policy for the safeguarding of the intangible cultural heritage.

The representatives were acquainted with the ideas expressed in the UNESCO Convention and with the commitments that Latvia has undertaken by joining it, as well as with the stages of Latvian national policy development, its history and the development of further policy offered by the Ministry of Culture. They were also briefed on research that was carried out during autumn 2006 on the topical issues connected with the safeguarding of the intangible cultural heritage, the possible solutions and development of a long-term policy.

Secretariat of the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration (30.10.2006)

UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage

NGOs and Social Integration Secretariat agree on promotion of tolerance in society 

On 25 October 2006, several NGOs and the Head of Secretariat of the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration, Kristine Vagnere, concluded co-operation agreements under the project Latvia – Equal in Diversity II regarding the promotion of tolerance in society. The co-operation agreements were concluded with the Baltic International Academy, the Latvian National Human Rights Office, the association dialogi.lv, the  National Minority Programme Zelta Kamolins (golden yarn ball), the  Arabian Culture Centre, and other organisations.

As part of the project Latvia – Equal in Diversity II, it is planned to introduce new strategies for the collection of data on cases of discrimination, to organise a campaign We Are Roma – Reducing the Gap between Society and Roma in Latvia; a cycle of seminars on Visual Minorities in Latvia – Arabophobia and Muslimophobia; a regional conference on Religious Diversity in Latgale – from Tension to Dialogue; an informative campaign for youth about racism: Paint Out Racism with Various Colours!; and a summer school for journalism students and professionals on the topic: Spreading Diversity.

It is planned to complete the project by 30 September 2007.

LETA (25.10.2006)

More than 200 projects submitted for societal integration tender

The Society Integration Foundation received 210 project applications in the project tender Promoting Societal Integration in Latvia, which closed on 20 November 2006. Of these, 123 projects were to do with ethnic integration within society and the acquisition of citizenship, 75 projects were on the elimination of discrimination and intolerance, and 12 projects on research support.

The aim of announcing the tender was to improve understanding and co-operation among representatives of the various ethnic and social groups living in Latvia.

Projects are traditionally submitted by NGOs, educational and culture establishments, research institutions, as well as local and regional municipalities. This time, however, several state administrative institutions also submitted projects. The evaluation of received project applications was carried out in two stages – administrative and contents assessment.

It is planned to complete the evaluation by the end of February 2007, and to commence  implementation of the supported projects on 1 March.

The grant scheme is financed by the EU financial instrument programme Transitional Resources for the Strengthening of Administrative Capacity, and the total funding for this scheme is 2 million EUR.

Society Integration Foundation (21.11.2006)

Seminar on National Minority NGOs: Current Aspects of Operation 

On 24 November 2006, the Secretariat of the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration organised a seminar for representatives of national minority NGOs. It was entitled   National Minority NGOs: Current Aspects of Operation. The aim of the seminar was to improve the capacity of national minority NGOs and to inform their representatives about developments in NGO matters.

In the first part of the seminar the Head of the NGO Section of the State Archives of Latvia, Ilga Robezniece, outlined the basics of record keeping and  – the rules and regulations of the Republic of Latvia for the elaboration, completion, accounting, preservation and use of documents. Participants of the seminar received templates of documents that are used most frequently.

During the second part of the seminar the participants were acquainted with NGO participation possibilities at national and EU levels; with the activities of the Latvian Civic Alliance, and on possibilities to stand for one's interests through the Federal Union of European Nations and the organisation Youth of European Nations.

The adviser to the Estonian Minister for Population and Ethnic Affairs, Olga Burmakina, also informed those present about the Estonian experience in the areas of financing and participation of national minorities.

BNS (22.11.2006)

LVL 20,000 allocated to improve Roma (Gypsy) computer skills
Microsoft Latvia, in collaboration with the Secretariat of the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration, and Nevo Drom, the Latvian Roma association, has begun a project on Computer Skills Training for Roma People to help integrate the Roma community into the information society. The total cost of the project is LVL 20,000, and it will help members of the Roma community obtain basic computing skills in various community centres in Latvia.

The project is being varied out as part of the national Roma (Gypsies) in Latvia 2007-2009 programme approved by the government on 17 October 2006. In accordance with the programme's guidelines, one of its aims is to offer the opportunity for members of the Roma community to obtain the basic skills necessary to integrate into the information society, thereby increasing their employment opportunities.

To support graduates of the computer skills course, and help them use their knowledge regularly and to reinforce it, consideration is being given to creating a "digital corner", which would consist of computerised work stations accessible to members of the community in the Roma association's premises.

The project is also supported by the Latvian Information and Communications Technology Association (LIKTA), the Ventspils Digital Centre, and the business enterprise LatInSoft in Daugavpils.

Current Latvia, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (17.-24.11.2006)

Public informed on Arabian and Muslim cultural diversity in Latvia

Between 25 November - 3 December, as part of the project Latvia – Equal In Diversity II (LED II), the Arabian Cultural Centre, in co-operation with the Secretariat of the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration, organised a cycle of seminars entitled Visual Minorities in Latvia – Arabophobia and Muslimophobia. Throughout the week, a series of seminars were held on the theme "Myths and truths about the Arab world". The objective of the seminars was to inform the public of the diversity of the Arab and Muslim cultures and their expression in Latvia, so as to facilitate dialogue and to create new opportunities for inclusion of Arab culture in the Latvian cultural spectrum.

During the Seminar, literary readings and discussions took place regarding topical modern problems, including Arabophobia and Muslimophobia; and an opportunity was provided to become familiar with Arabian musical master-works, to observe the art of belly dancing and to enjoy Arabian culinary delights.

LED II is Latvia's second such project organised by the Secretariat of the Minister for Special Assignments for Society Integration Affairs. It has attracted EU funding for State Administration institutions and NGO network activities to reduce discrimination, promote tolerance, and inform the public about the EU's anti-discrimination priorities.

Current Latvia, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (24.11.-02.12.2006)

Conference on the cultural heritage of Ukrainians living in the Baltic states

On 8-9 December 2006, the 3^rd international conference on The Cultural Heritage and Social Integration of Ukrainians Living in the Baltic States took place at the Riga International School of Economics and Business Administration (on 8 December) and also at the Latvian Academic Library (on 9 December). The purpose of the conference was to create a favourable environment for dialogue between Ukrainians and representatives of other ethnic communities living in the Baltic states.

Participants of the conference discussed such issues as the preservation of the Ukrainian cultural heritage and its integration into European culture, the teaching of the Ukrainian language, Ukrainian business development possibilities in the Baltic states and other current issues. The discussion was led by Mr Ivan Nalivaiko, the Chairman of Dnipro - the Ukrainian Cultural Education Society in Latvia, and the Chairman of the Latvian Ukrainian Society, Mr Victor Stefanovich.

LETA (08.12.2006)

Seminar for national minorities sports teachers 

On 16 October 2006, the Secretariat of the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration organised a seminar for Latvian national minorities sports teachers.  Teachers and students of the Riga Teacher Training and Educational Management Academy (RTTEMA) passed on the experiences they had gained in the City of Daugavpils under the project Physical Education and Sports as a Means of Integration to 49 sports teachers of Latvian national minorities schools. They also invited these sports teachers to implement similar projects in their home-base schools.

The seminar was opened by the British Ambassador to Latvia, Mr Ian Bond, and was organised as part of the project Kopa/Together which is an initiative supported by the British government with its main aim being to focus on the creation of a multi-cultural, diverse, inclusive society, as well as on sports and art as the means for creation of such a society.

During the project RTTEMA students, together with school pupils from Daugavpils, staged an aerobics performance, which was afterwards demonstrated to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II during her state visit to Latvia on 18-19 October.

During the academic component of the seminar the lecturers focused on physical education classes and outside-of-school sports trainings as a means of integration in a multi-cultural environment. In the practical part RTTEMA students acquainted participants of the seminar with aerobics, floor-ball and basketball teaching basics. The chairperson of the seminar, Associated Professor Tamara Skolnikova, explained the basic elements of developing project grant applications.

The aim of the Integration through Sports and Physical Education project, which was launched two years ago, is to create a positive communicative experience in physical education classes being offered in Latvian language for the national minority youth living in Daugavpils.

LETA (16.10.2006)

Polish House renovated in Daugavpils

The Polish House building was purchased in 1930 with resources gathered by the Polish community. During the years of Soviet occupation the building was expropriated, but was returned to the Poles living in the city of Daugavpils after Latvia regained its independence. In 1997 the Polish Culture Centre was established with support of the Daugavpils City Council.

Polish House is the only property belonging to the Polish community in Latvia and is the location at which the Polish Society Promen and the Polish Culture Centre perform their activities. Polish House has taken the folklore group Kukulecka, the mixed choir Promen, the children's theatre group and a skiffle-group under its wing. Last year the Daugavpils Polish Centre received a bronze figurine, which is conferred by the Polish Journalists Association, and this year the folklore group Kukulecka received the prestigious Polish television Polonia award for popularising Polish identity outside Poland's borders.

The assembled guests at the opening of the renovated building were acquainted with the Polish national tradition of Dozynki, which symbolizes the gathering of the harvest. Among guests at the event was Vice-marshal Macej Płazynski of the Senate of the Republic of Poland, the Chairman of the Wspolnota Polska Society, Andzhey Stelmahovski, and Macej Klimchak, the Polish Ambassador to Latvia.

At present the population of Daugavpils is almost 110 thousand people of whom approximately 15% are of Polish origin.

The Polish government allocated resources for the renovation of the stately building of the Daugavpils Polish Culture Centre.

Latvijas Avize (03.10.2006)

Poles in Latvia (The Latvian Institute)

Presentation on Romanian Traditions in Latvia 

On 13 December 2006, the Secretariat of the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration organised a presentation on Romanian Traditions in Latvia as part of the events cycle: Weeks of Ethnicities (Tautibu nedelas). This presentation acquainted the public with the culture and traditions of Romanians living in Latvia.

The Minister for Social Integration, Oskars Kastens, greeted those present at the presentation during which it was also possible to enjoy some traditional Romanian dishes. An exhibition of Romanian decorative art was also opened and it was open to visitors and interested persons until the end of 2006 at the Secretariat's National Minorities Culture and Information Division.

The event was organised by Romanian-Moldovan association Doina and supported by the Social Integration Secretariat.

The Secretariat has now organised the Weeks of Ethnicities cycle for three consecutive years with the concrete aim of popularising the lesser-known cultures of national minorities, to promote tolerance, and to foster inter-cultural dialogue in the Latvian society.

Secretariat of the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration (11.12.2006)

Annual Roma Sharad celebration takes place

On 23 December, the annual Roma autumn festival Sharad was held at the premises of the Riga Jewish Society and attended by Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Mr Oskars Kastens. The event was organised by Nevo Drom, the Roma public organisation, with financial support of the Secretariat.

"Latvia is a multicultural country, with over 150 different nationalities living here. The Roma people have been living in Latvia since the 16^th century, and their cultural traditions enrich Latvia's culture. I am really pleased and delighted that members of national minorities themselves actively promote their identity and cultural events, from which we can discover so much that is new about the people living amongst us," noted Minister Kastens.

Also performing at the festival were several groups of musicians and dancers from the Roma and other national minorities. Guests of the festival also had the opportunity to enjoy traditional Roma cuisine.

Current Latvia, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (15.-02.12.2006)

Traditional Roma youth music festival Urdenoro organised in Sabile 

On 4 November 2006, the traditional Roma youth music festival Urdenoro took place in the town of Sabile. This was an anniversary festival as it has now taken place for the fifth time.

The aim of the festival was to promote the preservation and development of Roma culture values, as well as to integrate them into the cultural life of Latvia. The participants of the festival included children and youths between the ages of six and twenty-five years who had prepared performances in musical, theatrical and other genres.

BNS (04.11.2006)

For more information:
Monthly newsletter "The News of the Naturalisation Board"

Secretariat of Minister for Special Assignments for Society Integration Affairs (SMSASIA) Elizabetes 20, Riga, LV 1050, Latvia Tel.: (+371) 7 365 332 Fax: (+371) 7 365 335 E-mail: iumsils@integracija.gov.lv http://www.integracija.gov.lv	Society Integration Foundation Brivibas 40-39, Riga, LV 1050, Latvia Tel.: (+371) 7 281 772 Fax: (+371) 7 281 752 E-mail: info@lsif.lv http://www.lsif.lv
Naturalisation Board of the Republic of Latvia Smilsu 1/3, Riga, LV 1050, Latvia Tel.: (+371) 7 814 001 Fax: (+371) 7 814 005 E-mail: np@np.gov.lv http://www.np.gov.lv	National Programme for Latvian Language Training Merkela 11, Riga, LV 1050, Latvia Tel.: (+371) 7 287 228 Fax: (+371) 7 220 700 E-mail: lvavp@lvavp.lv http://www.lvavp.lv