HEADLINES
Naturalisation Board organises Information Day On 16 March 2005, Information Day was organised at the Naturalisation Board (NB) Methodology and Examination Centre. The NB Information Day is held once a month. The NB continues to inform the residents on naturalisation, as the statistics summed up by the NB shows that interest in acquisition of citizenship is constantly raising – more than 2 thousand naturalisation applications per month are received. In the Open Day candidates for citizenship could get information about the content and procedure of naturalisation tests, as well as about the documents necessary for naturalisation. Visitors to the Centre had the opportunity to test their knowledge of the Latvian language, basic provisions of the Satversme (the Constitution), Latvia's history, and the national anthem. Therefore, the candidates for the citizenship could verify their readiness for naturalisation tests and get acquainted with the overall procedure. LETA (16.01.2005)
2000 new citizens in this year's first months In the first two months of this year, the Naturalisation Board (NB) has received more than four thousand applications for citizenship, and two and a half thousand applicants have already obtained the Latvian citizenship. Since the beginning of the operation of the NB in 1995, citizenship in the general naturalisation procedure has been obtained by almost 88 thousand residents, including almost 11 thousand under-age children, who were naturalised together with their parents. Also 3,428 children of stateless persons and non-citizens, born after 21 August 1991, have become citizens, as well as 5,694 residents who have obtained primary or secondary education in the Latvian language or have proved their Latvian origin. However, there are still approximately 2 thousand non-citizens in Latvia who have a record in their passports that they are Latvians, but who because of various reasons do not want to obtain the Latvian citizenship. BNS (15.03.2005) Statistics on naturalisation (Naturalisation Board, 28 February 2005)
Europe-wide Action Week Against Racism From 14 to 21 March 2005, the Europe-wide Action Week Against Racism was celebrated throughout Europe. On 19 March, as part of this week's events, the Secretariat of the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration and European Youth Human Rights Network gave the opportunity for all interested persons to observe what victims of racism feel, by building a pastiche tunnel, which symbolised all tunnels of the city taken together and which had a succession of slogans reflecting intolerance and racism written on its walls. The slogans demonstrated what the feelings of those are towards whom these slogans are usually directed. People could participate in a street campaign "Fortunately, We are Different!" and in a culture relay "Get Acquainted with Diversity of Cultures!" On 22 March, a youth discussion about racism, xenophobia and discrimination in Latvia, organised by the European Youth Human Rights Network, was held at the National Minority Culture and Information Department of the Secretariat. It is planned that the "Tunnel against Racism" will continue its educating mission and in this year's time it will visit other largest cities of Latvia. The Europe-wide Action Week Against Racism was supported by the working group of the National Programme for the Promotion of Tolerance, the European Union Initiative "For Diversity. Against Discrimination" and the national minority children and youth programme "Zelta kamolins". Secretariat of the Special Assignments Minister For Social Integration (15.03.2005)
News from the Secretariat of the Special Assignments Minister For Social Integration 12 March 2005 marked the first 100 days of the Secretariat of the Special Assignments Minister For Social Integration under the leadership of Ainars Latkovskis. One of the most significant events during the 100 days of his office was the endorsement of "The Guidelines for a Civic Society Strengthening Policy for 2005-2014" and National Programme "Strengthening of a Civic Society 2005-2009" by the Cabinet of Ministers. In the first 100 days of Minister Ainars Latkovskis, work in the sphere of social and regional integration has been activated: cooperation agreement with the National Youth Council of Latvia was signed, under which educational and informative seminars for representatives of local governments are organised. Work has been initiated on a manual on the development of integration programmes in the local governments. The Secretariat continues to work actively on the implementation of the National Programme "Latvian Diaspora Support Programme 2004-2009". During this time the promotion of national minority integration has been continued as well. Financial and administrative support has been given to the NGOs of different national minorities. "The Ukrainian National Traditions in Latvia", organised as part of the series of events called "National Weeks", were devoted to the Ukrainian history, traditions and language in Latvia. Secretariat of the Special Assignments Minister For Social Integration (11.03.2005)
Polish minority issues in Latvia discussed with the Ambassador of Poland to Latvia On 9 March 2005, the Special Assignments Minister For Social Integration, Ainars Latkovskis, met with the Ambassador of the Republic of Poland to Latvia, Tadeusz Fiszbach. During the meeting the Ambassador noted several initiatives of the Republic of Poland being implemented in cooperation with the Polish Community of Latvia, which have received support from the Latvian authorities. These initiatives are directed towards the maintenance of the Polish culture, enrichment of Latvian multinational cultures by broadening the societal integration process in Latvia. The Minister evaluated positively these initiatives. He also said that Poland provided a considerable support to its minority living in Latvia and that such support was assistance also to Latvia, as it promoted cooperation between both countries. Latkovskis emphasized that the loyalty of the Polish minority living in Latvia toward Latvia deserved respect and appreciation.
Special Assignments Minister For Social Integration (09.03.2005)
Social Integration Minister discusses societal integration issues with the Ambassador of Turkey to Latvia On 17 March 2005, Special Assignments Minister For Social Integration, Ainars Latkovskis, met with the Ambassador of Turkey to Latvia, Kadrye Şanivar Kizildeli, to discuss societal integration issues. The Ambassador was interested in the National Programme for the Promotion of Tolerance in Latvia and the process of its implementation. Mr Latkovskis informed the Ambassador about the informative youth campaign "Religious Minorities in Latvia – Diversity is habitual", to be implemented under of the programme. The purpose of this campaign is to raise the level of knowledge of the Latvian youth about the groups of religious minorities living in Latvia, thus promoting tolerance toward cultural and religious diversity. Mr Latkovskis and Ms Kadrye Şanivar Kizildeli discussed prospects for further cooperation between the Secretariat of the Special Assignments Minister For Social Integration and the Embassy of Turkey, in order to reduce prejudice and to inform the residents of Latvia about Turkish traditions, history, culture and religion. The Minister and the Ambassador decided to organise jointly "The Turkish Day in Latvia" already in autumn of this year. Secretariat of the Special Assignments Minister For Social Integration (17.03.2005)
Opening of a Society Integration Centre in Jelgava On 4 March 2005, a Society Integration Centre was opened in Jelgava. The Chairman of the Jelgava City Council, Andris Ravins, the Head of the Naturalisation Board, Eizenija Aldermane and representatives of the Society Integration Foundation and the Secretariat of the Special Assignments Minister For Social Integration participated in the event. The Society Integration Centre of Jelgava has been established under the project "Participate!" which is supported by the EU Phare Grant Programme "Promotion of Society Integration in Latvia". The total amount of financing for the implementation of these projects is 69,205 LVL. The aim of the project is to promote the integration of society in Jelgava by stimulating involvement of youth aged between 14 and 18 in the integration processes. Until now, steps in the sphere of integration in Jelgava such as the establishment of the Society Integration Committee and the development of a society integration programme and an action plan have been taken. The Centre will initially serve as a support of resources for the Association of National Culture Societies and other NGOs, which participate actively in the processes of ethnic integration in Jelgava, and will gradually broaden its scope of operation. BNS (02.03.2005)
The third National Day organised at Cesis Museum of History and Art On 20 March 2005, the "National Jewish Day" was organised under the project "Museums for Society – Establishment of Multicultural Museum Network in Vidzeme, part II" at the Cesis Museum of History and Art. The historian Daumants Vasmanis lectured on the relations between Latvians and Jews viewed from the historical and cultural aspect. The agenda included also a performance given by Jewish folklore ensemble, talks and dialogues "How Do We Feel in Society of Latvia", as well as presentation of a Jewish Agency in the Baltic States "Sohnut" and tasting of Latvian and Jewish national cuisine. As part of the project, the development of a database of multicultural heritage is continued in the museums of the Vidzeme region and the network of multicultural museums has been widened in the regions of Kurzeme, Zemgale and Latgale. Multiculturally orientated products for visitors of the museums will be produced and tourism route will be developed in Vidzeme, which will delineate and follow its multicultural heritage. In order to increase interest in tourism, a booklet will be published, available in tourism agencies, museums and information centres, and keepsakes will be produced. Leta (15.03.2005) Integration of Roma in the Latvian society On 1 March 2005, Deputy Director of the National Minority Department of the Secretariat of Special Assignments Minister For Social Integration, Deniss Hanovs, and the Parliamentary Secretary, Inese Kalnina, informed the Saeima Subcommission for Society Integration about the situation of Roma in Latvia and the necessity for a national programme, which would coordinate the integration of Roma in Latvia. The Subcommission for Society Integration supported the development of such a programme. Mr Hanovs emphasized that the programme of integration would be effective only if it is acknowledged by the Roma community itself; therefore, he expressed the hope that representatives of the Roma community and especially the youth would involve in the development of the programme. The initiation of the programme development requires LVL 9,000 – this would include research in the situation of Roma in Latvia (the latest research was carried out by the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies in 2003), as well as organisation of seminars and attracting foreign experts. LETA (03.03.2005) Competition of the young Roma vocalists in Tukums On 13 March 2005, a competition of the young Roma vocalists of Latvia started at the Culture House of Tukums. On 23 April, it will continue at the Culture House of Sabile district, and the closing concert is scheduled for 21 May at the Ventspils House of Culture "Juras Varti". The purpose of the competition is to gather information about the young talents aged from 6 to 25 and to give the young people the opportunity to express themselves in pop music. The participants of the competition are vocalists, duets, trios, pop groups and vocal-instrumental ensembles, which perform one song each. Songs can be self-composed. The jury will assess the vocal abilities and artistic value of the young talents, as well as their creative approach to the performance and staging of the song. The participants will be assessed in two age groups – from 6 to 14 years and from 15 to 25 years. The competition is organised by the leader of the Roma youth group of Sabile district "Taboras Romance", Kaspars Arhipovs, with the support of the EU programme "Youth". Financing has also been allocated to the project "Educating and Creative Activity in Culture, Folklore and Traditions of Roma Youth Group "Taboras Romance"". BNS (06.02.2005)
Joint celebration of Latvian "Meteni", Liv "Vastalova" and Russian "Maslenica" On 16 February 2005, a seminar "Annual Traditions of Livs and Russians: Similarities and Differences" was organised, in which people were acquainted with the old customs of celebrating Maslenica and Vastalova (celebration of the arrival of spring). The purpose of the seminar is to stimulate the preservation of cultural traditions and languages of different nations, to popularise national cultural heritages and to involve it in the modern-day world, to develop respect and tolerance in people to the culture of other nations, as well as to promote the interethnic dialogue in the society. The seminar and joint celebration of the festivities is the first undertaking of the Liv Association "Līvōd Īt" and the interethnic NGO "Youth. Traditions. Eternity" implementing this project. The things learnt in the seminar about the preparation of national dishes, singing of songs and playing of games were put into practice on 4 and 5 March in the town of Mazirbe, when everybody could participate in the joint celebration of Latvian "Meteni", Liv "Vastalova" and Russian "Maslenica" together with the folklore ensembles "Skandinieki", "Berendeyka" and "Karagod" and the folklore theatre "Zvonnica". LETA (14.02.2005) BNS (01.03.2005)
Campaign "Let Us Help Latvians of Siberia!" On 1 March 2005, the Latvian University Department of Philology and the Society Integration Foundation organised a campaign "Let Us Help Latvians of Siberia!" in the Riga Latvian Society building in order to gain funds for the Latvians living in Siberian villages. A strong stimulus for the campaign was given by the discovered values and study of problems in the expedition of the Department of Philology to the village of Timofeyevka. The expedition took place in September 2004, with the financial support from the Society Integration Foundation, Latvian Culture Capital Fund and the University of Latvia. More than a half of the 170 inhabitants of Timofeyevka village are of Latgalian origin. The youngest inhabitants want to learn the language of their ancestors, but there is shortage of resources for the provision of Latvian textbooks and for studies in Latvia. In order to maintain the Latvian identity, the inhabitants of this, as well as of any other Latvian village in Siberia, are in great need for the help of their fellow-countrymen. Therefore, cultural workers, politicians, entrepreneurs and representatives of the media were invited to the event to talk about the possible assistance to the Latvians of Siberia. The Society Integration Foundation has opened an account for donations with reference: "Let Us Help Latvians of Siberia!" Diena (28.02.2005) 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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