HEADLINES
Latvian Parliament ratifies Council of Europe's Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities On 26 May 2005, the Saeima (Latvian Parliament) ratified the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities of the Council of Europe. With the ratification of the convention, another significant step has been made towards the protection of rights of persons belonging to national minorities. Since the restoration of its independence, Latvia has been guaranteeing its minorities all fundamental rights under the Law "On the Unrestricted Development and Right to Cultural Autonomy of Latvia's National and Ethnic Groups" passed in 1991, and under other regulatory enactments. Since the term 'national minorities' has not been defined in the convention, the Saeima came to an agreement that under the convention this term refers to those citizens of Latvia who differ from Latvians in terms of culture, religion or language, who have been traditionally living in Latvia for generations, who consider themselves as belonging to the state of Latvia and the Latvian society, and who would like to preserve and develop their culture, religion and language. Latvia has based its definition on those of the member states of the convention, including an additional significant item, namely, that persons who are not citizens of Latvia or other country but have been living in Latvia permanently and legally and do not belong to a national minority based on the definition of the term by the Framework Convention, but who identify themselves with a national minority corresponding to the said definition, are entitled to the rights determined by the Framework Convention, unless otherwise provided by the law. Upon ratifying the convention, the Saeima also passed two declarations, which state that Latvia considers binding Part 2 of Article 10 and Part 3 of Article 11 of the convention regulating separate spheres of the use of minority languages, provided they do not contradict the Satversme (Latvian Constitution) and other regulatory enactments defining the use of the state language effective in the Republic of Latvia. By ratifying the Convention, Latvia has once again attested that the protection of human rights in Latvia conforms to the highest international human rights standards. Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Current News (27.05.2005)
Schoolchildren from national minority schools participate in competition "Latvian Youth with a European Outlook" On 3 May 2005, schoolchildren from Form 9 of the national minority schools of Riga competed to show their knowledge of the Latvian and European history and organisations in the competition "Latvian Youth with a European Outlook". The event was organised by the Naturalisation Board of Latvia and the Education, Youth and Sports Department of the Riga City Council. It took place as part of the European Week with the aim to promote schoolchildren's civic consciousness. Six national minority schools from all the districts and suburbs of Riga participated in the competition. The participants had to compete by showing their knowledge of the Latvian history, Latvian Parliament, public authorities, Latvian constitution, citizenship, human rights, European Union and the Council of Europe. The competition consisted of six tasks: a relay-race, test, captains' brain bank, roulette, picture lotto and presentation of an advertisement clip. The jury of the competition consisted of representatives of the Naturalisation Board of Latvia, the Secretariat of the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration, and the Education, Youth and Sports Department of the Riga City Council. Naturalisation Board of the Republic of Latvia (03.05.2005) BNS (03.05.2005) Integration of Roma children in schools discussed in a conference Convening for a conference on 19 May 2005, representatives of the Association "Education Initiative Centre" (EIC) presented the results of the centre's integration projects for Roma children who have reached the school age. The main success of the projects is that Roma children who have reached the age of compulsory education, have started and continue studying at schools. At the conference, the progress of the children engaged in the project was discussed, as well as their relationships with other classmates. The participants sought to identify which factors promote or burden the reaching of maximum integration results, what the measures would be to increase the effect of contributing factors and to weaken or exclude the obstructive factors, and what answers to these questions can be found in the pedagogy science and teaching practice of Latvia and other countries. The results of the practical work were demonstrated at the conference, as well as a study and video about the integration of Roma children in general education establishments. In addition, strategies of work of state and non-governmental organisations and the experience of other countries in integration was considered. As part of the project more than 40 Roma children began to attend school or kindergarten in nine local municipalities of Latvia in the current school year. Together with the project launched last year the EIC has managed to integrate more than 100 Roma children in educational establishments. The project has been implemented in the districts of Valmiera, Aizkraukle, Preili and Jelgava. Although most of Roma live in the Kurzeme region, the EIC decided to implement the project in places where no activities for integration of Roma have taken place so far. Involving teacher assistants of Roma nationality was considered as a very positive aspect of the project. The integration of Roma children has been more successful in the educational establishments in which an adult Roma had got involved. Using the help of teacher assistants is a completely new practice in the education system of Latvia. These assistants are representatives of the local Roma community, who care for the future of children and processes ongoing in the local society – for the most part these are mothers of the Roma children. Pedagogues have to undergo specific training in order to work in multi-cultural classes. The participants of the project were taught how to work with Roma and Latvian children, as well as with their parents and the surrounding society so as to increase tolerance. In order to promote integration and mutual understanding of cultures, the environment in the rooms for Roma children is brought nearer to their ethnic environment. The studies are in Latvian; however, during celebrations such as Christmas, the performances are prepared in accordance with the Roma culture. Social events are organised as well, involving parents of the Roma children. BNS (19.05.2005) Students of Daugavpils University participate in society integration research On 19 and 20 May 2005, the Head of the Secretariat of the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration, Kristine Vagnere, visited the city of Daugavpils to meet with representatives of Daugavpils non-governmental organisations of national minorities, Daugavpils University, Daugavpils Regional Department of the Naturalisation Board and the Daugavpils City Council, and to greet the new citizens. On 19 May, Ms Vagnere met with the Head of the Daugavpils Centre of Russian Culture (Kalistratov's House), Geroid Bogdanov, to discuss the distribution of the funding (LVL 10,000) allocated to the Centre by the Secretariat for renovation of the Kalistratov's House. Ms Vagnere explained that this building was unique not only for its architecture but also because of its traditions – it united organisations of different nationalities. It is one of the symbols of Daugavpils, which shows that in Daugavpils it is possible for different nationalities to get along in one building. Ms Vagnere also met with representatives of the Daugavpils Ukrainian Culture and Education Society "Mrija" and the Daugavpils Lithuanian Cultural Society "Rasa" to discuss cooperation possibilities. She also attended the Information Day of the Daugavpils Regional Department of the Naturalisation Board. On 20 May, the Head of the Secretariat of the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration met with the Daugavpils University administration in order to discuss the prospects for cooperation. A cooperation agreement was concluded between the Daugavpils University and the Secretariat of the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration on ensuring practice for students and cooperation in research. Ms Vagnere said there was always at least one trainee working in the Secretariat. Students perform works that allow them to gain new skills. At the moment a second year student, specialising in administrative rights, studies the possibilities of improving the procedure of how national minorities can apply for state subsidies. One trainee also works in the Public Relations Department. On the whole the students cope with the work very well. The Secretariat has concluded similar agreements with the Riga Stradina University and Vidzeme University College. It is planned to sign such an agreement with the Rezekne University in July. An agreement on the provision of practice sites for students has been concluded also with the School of Business Administration "Turiba". Ms Vagnere met with representatives of the Daugavpils City Council and the Naturalisation Board and greeted the new citizens – 74 residents of the Daugavpils City and 8 of its district, who had received the Latvian citizenship under the naturalisation procedure. Secretariat of the Special Assignments Minister For Social Integration (18.05.2005) BNS (19.05.2005) Delegation from Georgia visits Latvia On 16 May 2005, a delegation from Georgia was in Latvia on a six-day visit. The delegation consisted of Civic Integration Minister, Zianida Bestaeva, Head of the Civic Integration Ministry, Davit Pitskhelauri, Deputy Minister of Education, Bela Tsipuria, as well as Assistant to the Head of the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Programme, Tata Khuntsaria. The Georgian delegation visited Latvia in order to learn about Latvia's experience in promoting and strengthening social integration and a civic society. Visit of the Georgian delegation to Latvia was organised by the Office of the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities in cooperation with the Secretariat of the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration. The Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration, Ainars Latkovskis, considers the fact that the OSCE has chosen Latvia to receive the delegation from Georgia a testimony that Latvia has gained experience and knowledge which can be of use to other countries – in societal integration issues on the whole, as well as in the area of promoting a civic society. During the visit, the delegation also met with UN officials working in Latvia and the Head of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies. The delegation visited the Naturalisation Board, Society Integration Foundation, Ministry of Education and Science, National Agency for Latvian Language Training and met with members of the Georgian Cultural Association Shamshablo, as well as with schoolchildren and teachers from Riga schools. Secretariat of the Special Assignments Minister For Social Integration (16.05.2005)
Exhibition of competition "Latvian Children Draw the Old Synagogues" On 16 May 2005, the exhibition of the best works from the competition "Latvian Children Draw the Old Synagogues" was opened and the winners were rewarded at the Riga Congress House. By drawing the first synagogues of the Republic of Latvia, the schoolchildren had the opportunity to share their thoughts and opinions about the Jewish culture and traditions. The Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration, Ainars Latkovkis, officials from the Secretariat and the Director of the Department for Minority Affairs of the Secretariat, Irina Vinnika, participated in the event. The opening of the exhibition concluded the six month long project, which was devoted to the remembrance of the Chief Rabbi of Riga and Latvia, Natan Barkan. The main purpose of the project was to promote tolerance in the Latvian society, as well as to improve the schoolchildren's knowledge of the Jewish history and the Holocaust. The project was headed by the Latvian Jewish society "Shamir", which seeks to maintain the awareness of the Jewish culture. Therefore, the exposition of pre-war Latvian Jewish chapel models and photos was included in the exhibition as well. BNS (16.05.2005) National Minority Children and Youth Sports Festival held in Riga On 15 May 2005, the 15th traditional National Minority Children and Youth Sport Festival took place in Riga. More than 30 national minority organisations competed in the festival. The aim of the Festival is to foster the feeling of togetherness in children and youth of different nationalities living in Latvia and to promote friendship between them in an undivided state. Five to fourteen year old children and youth of Latvian, German, Polish, Georgian, Tatar, Russian, Belarusian, Ukrainian, Estonian, African origin, Roma, Jewish, Lithuanian and other nationalities were invited to participate in the Festival together with their relatives, friends and supporters. The event was joined by the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration, Ainars Latkovskis who considers that sport is a language understood by everyone; therefore, it is an excellent means for creating friendship and understanding. Also such sport celebrities as Inese Jaunzeme, Raimonds Bergmanis and Viktors Scerbatihs participated in the Festival together with the children. More than 600 participants competed in the Festival. The motto of the Festival is: Fair game is more important than victory. Everyone who had participated in a certain number of games, received a prize. The National Minority Children and Youth Sports Festival was organised by the Latvian Olympic Academy, Secretariat of the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration, Sports Administration of the Ministry of Education and Science and the Education, Youth and Sports Department of the Riga City Council. Secretariat of the Special Assignments Minister For Social Integration (15.05.2005) BNS (15.05.2005) Campaign "Successful Projects Fair" organised by "Zelta Kamolins" On 20 May 2005, the non-governmental organisation "National Minority Children and Youth Programme "Zelta Kamolins"" organised a campaign "The Successful Projects Fair". The campaign was organised with a financial support from the EU within the project "Participation School of National Minority Non-Governmental Organisations". The aim of the campaign was to promote mutual exchange of positive experience and ideas, which would stimulate cooperation among different non-governmental organisations, as well as to present projects which have been successfully implemented by national minority non-governmental organisations and grantees of other funds. The campaign was planned as an informal, informative and entertaining event with exhibitions, interviews and entertaining elements such as concerts and tasting of national dishes. Five national minority non-governmental organisations presented their projects – Union of Latvian Belarusian Associations, Roma non-governmental organisation "Nevo Drom", children and youth national minority non-governmental organisation "Jauniba. Tradicijas. Muziba" (Youth. Traditions. Eternity), Latvian Old Believers Society and the Latvian Tatar Association "Idel". The overall goal of the project is to strengthen and develop national minority non-governmental organisations, to increase their functional and administrative capacities, cooperation, capabilities and wish to participate in decision making at various levels of public administration. LETA (20.05.2005) Musical Roma performance staged at Ventspils Seaside Open-Air Museum On 21 May 2005, a Musical Roma performance, "The Old Kaca Tells...", was staged at the Ventspils Seasisde Open-Air Museum. The spectators of the performance had the opportunity to have an insight into the Roma culture and traditions. The visitors of the event could also see the exhibition of works created by Roma children and youth in the mill of the Museum. The event was supported by the Society Integration Foundation, Ventspils Museum, Ventspils Culture Centre, and Ventspils Education Board. It took place as part of the project for the integration and education of the Roma, "To Find Out and Get Acquainted in Order to Understand Each Other". The aim of the project was to promote the opportunities for the Roma children and youth to maintain their ethnic identity and culture during the education process, through increasing the level of knowledge of Roma pedagogues, so that they could fully use the bilingual method in the study process. Another aim of the project was to strengthen tolerance towards Roma also beyond the study room and to continue eliminating the stereotypes prevailing in the society. BNS (21.05.2005) Number of people obtaining citizenship in Olaine increased by initiative of college students The project for promoting the obtaining of citizenship implemented by students from the Olaine College of Mechanics and Technologies has produced results among the residents of the Olaine City – the number of applications for naturalisation has tripled. In 2004, 125 applications for naturalisation were submitted to the Naturalisation Board (NB), whereas from January to March 2005 (during the implementation of the project) – 97. A representative of the NB admitted that a project of this kind was very beneficial for Olaine, in which 40% of the residents are non-citizens. During the implementation of the project the residents of Olaine were surveyed, and it turned out that people were not informed about the benefits that the citizens of Latvia had. Information days were organised, in which people could receive informative booklets on the most important naturalisation issues, and four seminars were organised as well. The main achievement of the project was the opening of an Informative Office, which would be visited by a NB representative once in a month, in order to provide the necessary information about the obtaining of citizenship. This was the first time that the college students had implemented such an important project, and now they are considering ways to continue the things started. The students have received an offer from the European Cultural Foundation to apply for financing for society integration promotion projects. Neatkarīgā Rīta Avīze (13.05.2005)
Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration discusses intercultural education issues with schoolchildren On 11 May 2005, schoolchildren from Forms 7 and 8 of the Valka Gymnasium and Valka Primary School, who had been involved in an intercultural education project, visited the Secretariat of the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration. The schoolchildren met with the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration, Ainars Latkovskis, and the Head of the Secretariat, Kristine Vagnere. The aim of the visit was to get acquainted with the work of the Secretariat and to learn about what has been done and what would still be needed in the sphere of intercultural education. Mr Latkovskis informed the schoolchildren about the work of the Minister and explained that the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration is the person who is politically responsible for the society integration in the country. The schoolchildren, in their turn, told about their intercultural education project, during which they participated in various events, such as seminars on intercultural education, discussions, questionnaires and others. The schoolchildren also met with representatives of the Department for Minority Affairs of the Secretariat, who informed about the diversity of cultures in Latvia and problems connected with it, as well as about the non-governmental organisations and their importance in the development of the state policy. The aim of the intercultural education project implemented by the Valka schoolchildren was to build mutual understanding, cooperation and congeniality among youth of different nationalities on the way to a democratic and consolidated society. The main topics were: intercultural education, civic education, culture of discussions, methods for organising questionnaires, and the state policy on intercultural issues. Secretariat of the Special Assignments Minister For Social Integration (11.05.2005) 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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