HEADLINES
Rapid growth in the pace of naturalisation after Latvia's accession to the EU The Head of the Naturalisation Board of Latvia (NB), Eizenija Aldermane, informed that since the accession of Latvia to the EU on 1 May 2004, rapid growth in the pace of naturalisation has been observed. Each month the NB receives approximately two thousand applications, in which people express their readiness to obtain the Latvian citizenship. In summer, however, the situation is different as the number of candidates for citizenship decrease due to the fact that people go on vacations. In more than 10 years' time the Latvian citizenship has been obtained by almost 91 thousand people. Among them 11,200 were children who became citizens together with their parents. Altogether the NB has received applications from more than 109 thousand residents. The Head of the NB also informed that a queue of candidates for citizenship has formed in several cities. There is a two-month queue in Riga, for example, and Liepaja is in a similar situation. Also in such cities as Valmiera, Tukums and Jelgava candidates for citizenship have to wait in a queue in order to be able to take the naturalisation examination. The NB has granted citizenship also to more than 3,500 children of non-citizens and stateless persons born in Latvia after 21 August 1991. BNS (11.04.2005) International conference "National Minorities in Latvia: Problems and Prospective Solutions"
On 22 April 2005, an international scientific applied conference "National Minorities in Latvia: Problems and Prospective Solutions" was organised at the initiative of the Latvian Association of Public Organisations of National Minorities "Sadraudziba" (Friendship). It was attended by scientists, legislators, and representatives of the Secretariat of the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration, leaders of the largest ethnic communities in Latvia, guests from Lithuania, Estonia and Belarus. The participants of the conference had a practical and open discussion about the problems which at the moment are the object of concern for the national minorities, and about their role in the formation of the civic society. The participants noted that national minorities are a constituent part of the Latvian nation and that they are truly interested in the maintenance of peace and mutual understanding in the society and in widening and deepening of a dialogue on all the problems between the authorities and the public organisations of national minorities. The participants considered that one of today's most pressing problems is the ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. This document of international importance would serve to promote the integration of the Latvian society and enhancement of mutual understanding between the people living in Latvia. The participants of the conference urged the Saeima (Parliament) and the Cabinet of Ministers to do their utmost in order to accelerate the ratification of the Framework Convention. That would do well to the Latvian society and promote the improvement of Latvia's image on the international stage. LETA (29.04.2005) Series of informative seminars for non-governmental organisations On 22 April 2005, the first informative seminar on obtaining public benefit status and re-registering of associations and foundations, as well as on the development of a civic society in Latvia took place in Madona. The free of charge series of informative seminars for non-governmental organisations is being organised by the Secretariat of the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration in cooperation with European Youth Human Rights Cooperation Network and association "Latvian Civic Alliance". The Consultant on Civic Society informed about the civic society policy documents approved on 8 February 2005 – the National Programme "Strengthening of a Civic Society, 2005-2009" and "Guidelines for Strengthening of a Civic Society 2005-2009". He indicated that having worked in the non-governmental sector for a long time, he knew how important the state support for the work in this sector was. Mr Grafs also notes that the documents for strengthening of a civic society, which were developed by the Secretariat and approved by the government, are a significant step for the non-governmental organisations and demonstrate that the state acknowledges the need to develop and support the non-governmental sector. Secretariat of the Special Assignments Minister For Social Integration (20.04.2005) NB organises schoolchildren competition "On the Way to a Civic Society" From 21 to 23 April 2005, the finals of the schoolchildren's competition "On the Way to a Civic Society" organised by the Naturalisation Board of Latvia took place. Teams from five schools (the Valmiera State Gymnasium, Liepaja Secondary School No.15, Olaine College of Mechanics and Technology, Ugale Secondary School and Riga Secondary School No.40) competed for the main prize – a trip abroad. As part of the competition, children developed projects in the spheres of civic participation and public information, and the best five teams were granted financing of up to 500 lats for the implementation of their project. In the finals of the competition the teams presented the results of their projects, as well as competed with each other by demonstrating their knowledge on such issues as civic society, the governmental system, general principles of human rights, the history of Latvia and other. The winner of the main prize was named by summing up the results of the knowledge tests and the project competition results. The participants of the seminar had the opportunity to perfect their knowledge in different spheres. The children could attend lectures on ethnopolitics, migration and human rights, get acquainted with the daily work of the Prime Minister and the head of the local government, as well as obtain detailed information on citizenship issues in Latvia. This is the eighth year in turn that the competition "On the Way to Civic Society" takes place. It is organised in cooperation with the Latvian Ministry of Education and Science and the Council of Europe's Information Bureau. Naturalisation Board of the Republic of Latvia (21-23.04.2005) NATIONAL MINORITY SCHOOLS IN LATVIA: a glimpse into daily routine Riga Belarusian Primary School Riga Belarusian Primary School in Mezciems is 'hidden' within the territory of a kindergarten and with the small group of schoolchildren and teachers it reminds more of a private school. However, this is a state-founded school. It started its operation ten years ago with only two pedagogues teaching a small class of children in the premises of the Riga Secondary School No.15. From the very first day the school staff wanted to establish a real national Belarusian school. When four classes were assembled, the school obtained the status of a state founded school. After that the programme of the school was licensed by the Ministry of Education and Science. The school has been established with the aim of giving an opportunity to Belarusian children living in Riga to be conscious of belonging to the ethnic culture of their parents, at the same time also raising them as loyal residents of Latvia. The School Principal, Anna Ivane, emphasised that her wish was to preserve the Belarusian language, culture and traditions, as well as to imbue the children with love to the Latvian language and culture and to promote a successful integration of these children in Latvia. There is a lot of Belarusians living in Latvia – they form the second largest minority in Latvia following the Russians. However, few children choose to learn in the Riga Belarusian School, as their parents themselves do not speak the Belarusian language. In the Primary School the children are partly taught bilingually. Latvian and Belarusian are the languages of instruction in subjects such as music, drawing, natural science and sports. Mathematics is taught in Russian. It is the language, which is the language spoken in most of the children's families. Being a teacher of the Belarusian language and literature, the Principal has taught every child in the school to read in Belarusian. She often speaks to the children about how they feel in Latvia. The children understand that Latvia is their homeland, knowing at the same time that the originally their families come from Belarus, as most of them have grandmothers and grandfathers still living in Belarus. Therefore they feel at home both in Latvia and in Belarus. LETA (27.04.2005) Riga Estonian Secondary School
The small Riga Estonian Secondary School has already established its own traditions – each spring excursions to Estonia are organised, project week devoted to Estonian culture has taken place and an amateur group has taken part in the Estonia Dance Festival. It is written in the statutes of the school that it provides a more profound knowledge of the Estonian history, geography and cultural history. The School Principal remembered that when the school began its operation in 1989, it was attended by 32 children. Now the number has grown to 150. When it became too tight in the Estonian Society house, the Riga City School Board supported the school's request for new premises. The school offers a multilingual studies system. Already in the first grade each child has two ABC books – Latvian and Estonian. Many children start schooling without any knowledge of the Estonian language. In practical classes in the primary school, the teacher and children communicate in Estonian. Alongside with that, the school has to guarantee its pupils good knowledge of the state language. Mathematics, for example, is taught in Latvian, as upon finishing Form 3 all children have to take a test elaborated by the Ministry of Education in which the tasks are written in Latvian. English is taught starting from Form 2. In Form 5 Estonian becomes one of the subjects and the rest of the classes are continued in Latvian. In the history and geography classes the teacher tells about both Latvia and Estonia. Each year the Estonian Ministry of Education donates Estonian language books, ABC books, and exercise books to the school. This year the school has also developed a successful cooperation with the National Library of Estonia, the publishing house "Kolibri" and the Estonian Ministry of Culture. In the future, the school is determined to become a full secondary school. Latvijas Avīze (13.04.2005)
Polish schools When asked to assess what opportunities the programmes for national minority schools provide to preserve the traditions and values of their cultures for the next generations, the Chairperson of the Latvian Polish Union, Vanda Krukovska, said that children learn their national traditions and customs in classes such as literature, music, history and others, in which the children are acquainted with both Latvian and Polish national traditions. Ms Krukovska also noted that the Union had a very good cooperation with all Polish schools in Latvia. Last week The Youth Forum of Polish Schools took place in Daugavpils, where the schoolchildren could participate in a sports competition, other contests, and concerts. Not only children but also their parents are interested in the possibilities of learning the Polish language. There are several schools which offer Polish language courses and courses on the national traditions to the parents as well. In addition, members of the Latvian Polish Union as well as schoolchildren make use of the opportunity to visit Poland and to welcome their fellow countrymen in Latvia. Latvijas Avīze (13.04.2005)
Riga Jewish school The Riga Jewish School is supported by the Riga Jewish Community. The Chairman of the Riga Jewish Congregations and Community, Arkady Suharenko, noted that the Community and the Jewish school were closely related to each other. The community gives financial support and provides funding for the necessary renovation. The community also takes part in the selection of teachers for each subject. The course of Judaism is taught by teachers from Israel. In this course children learn the history of the Jewish culture, as well as the Ivrit language. The school has its own programme of Jewish celebrations and commemoration days. In order to provide quality education, a fund for the support of the school, NGO "Milev El Levv", has been established. The Jewish children attend amateur hobby groups and participate in celebrations organised by the community. Latvijas Avīze (13.04.2005) Classes for Roma children A couple of years ago the Chairman of the non-governmental organisation "Nevo drom", Anatoly Berezovsky, invited the children of his fellow countrymen – Roma or Gipsies – to attend classes intended specifically for them in the Tukums Secondary School No.3. It is a general education school programme. After Form 4 the schoolchildren are transferred to the "common" classes. Previously the ethnic studies class was included in the programme for Roma children, during which the teacher told them about their national traditions, culture and history. At the moment these classes have been discontinued due to the lack of resources, but it is planned to restore these classes on 1 September 2005. The school employs a Roma teacher who has a good knowledge of the Roma culture and traditions. The children take part in various cultural events. Several years ago the parents were hesitant to let their children participate in such events, but for the last four years they themselves have been participating actively in all celebrations. Latvijas Avīze (13.04.2005)
Latvian Diaspora Support programme starts sprouting
The Secretariat of the Special Assignments Minister For Social Integration has taken the first steps towards the implementation of the tasks of the Latvian Diaspora Support programme – to unite the Latvians abroad, to keep up their wish to return to Latvia, and to help them preserve the Latvian language. For the implementation of the Diaspora support programme this year the Secretariat has received 92,523 lats from the privatisation funds. The biggest problem that the implementers of the Diaspora support programme have to deal with is the lack of information and accurate data about the situation of Latvians all around the world. Therefore, the Secretariat plans to commission an appropriate sociological research already this year. The purpose of the Diaspora programme is also to draw together the fellow-countrymen who were forced to leave Latvia due to the Soviet occupation and their descendants with the new Diaspora – Latvians who have emigrated from Latvia after the restoration of independence in search for jobs or education. Mutual introduction and establishing of contacts would be necessary also between the fellow countrymen who live in the East on the one hand, and those in the West on the other. The Secretariat has an idea to organise a conference this autumn assembling Latvians from Russia and the Western countries. In order to help Latvians meet each other, an internet website has been created – www.latviesi.com. The Secretariat of Social Integration plans to publish ten booklets about the Latvian Diaspora in the USA, Russia, Great Britain, Germany and other countries. At the moment the Secretariat is also developing a manual "A Guide for Latvians Abroad", which would sum up useful information about where one can seek help outside Latvia in different situations, what formalities need to be gone through in order to work or study abroad, and other issues. The funds allocated for the implementation of the Diaspora programme will also enable support to the Latvian organisations abroad. Latvijas Avīze (19.04.2005) 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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