Integration monitor is a daily Latvian press digest on ethnic minority and society integration issues. The Monitor reviews the biggest Latvian dailies: Diena, Latvijas Avize, Neatkariga (in Latvian language), Vesti Segodnya (in Russian language). In specific cases other information sources are used. Latvian Centre for Human Rights is not responsible for information published by the media.

Integration and Minority Information Service

Integration and Minority Information Service
of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies

Yesterday Einars Repse’s New Era and the First Party decided on setting up a joint bloc. The parties discussed and agreed on the implementation of several pre-election promises, including formation of a Societal Integration Ministry. According to member of the First Party Oskars Kastens, the key tasks of the ministry will be promotion of naturalisation and provision of Latvian language courses. Oskars Kastens believes that it is time to discuss the ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. The Union of Greens and Farmers is also ready to join the bloc. If FF/LNNK joins the coalition, Repse can leave the People’s Party in the opposition as he has stated before.

Yesterday Einars Repses New Era and the First Party decided on setting up a joint bloc. The parties discussed and agreed on the implementation of several pre-election promises, including formation of a Societal Integration Ministry. According to member of the First Party Oskars Kastens, the key tasks of the ministry will be promotion of naturalisation and provision of Latvian language courses. Oskars Kastens believes that it is time to discuss the ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. The Union of Greens and Farmers is also ready to join the bloc. If FF/LNNK joins the coalition, Repse can leave the Peoples Party in the opposition as he has stated before. Diena, Neatkariga, Vesti Segodnya, Chas, Telegraf, Panorama Latvii

Riga City Council announced that it is not sure whether all city schools will be ready for the switch of national minority schools to instruction in Latvian. The City Council established a position of senior expert in national minority education. The expert will help schools to develop individual curricula to preserve their language while implementing the switch.

Riga City Council announced that it is not sure whether all city schools will be ready for the switch of national minority schools to instruction in Latvian. The City Council established a position of senior expert in national minority education. The expert will help schools to develop individual curricula to preserve their language while implementing the switch. Vesti Segodnya, Vechernaya Riga

Today and tomorrow a Latvian Russian conference discussing the development of civil societies in both countries will be held in Riga. Sufficiency of political culture to develop balanced civil societies, work of NGOs, citizen and non-citizen issues in the context of the EU, the key tasks in the field of integration and other issues will be the main discussion subjects. Experts, political scientists and journalists from Latvia and Russia will take part in the conference. Sponsors of the conference are the German Parliament, the Foundation of Friedrich Ebert, the Embassy of Norway, the National Programme for Latvian Language Training and Academy of Culture.

Today and tomorrow a Latvian Russian conference discussing the development of civil societies in both countries will be held in Riga. Sufficiency of political culture to develop balanced civil societies, work of NGOs, citizen and non-citizen issues in the context of the EU, the key tasks in the field of integration and other issues will be the main discussion subjects. Experts, political scientists and journalists from Latvia and Russia will take part in the conference. Sponsors of the conference are the German Parliament, the Foundation of Friedrich Ebert, the Embassy of Norway, the National Programme for Latvian Language Training and Academy of Culture. Chas

Vesti Segodnya concludes that the latest progress report of the European Commission on Latvia suggests Latvia ratify the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities.

Vesti Segodnya concludes that the latest progress report of the European Commission on Latvia suggests Latvia ratify the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities.

Vesti Segodnya reports that yesterday Russian ambassador Igor Studennikov presented awards from the Russian government to the best Russian language and literature teachers in Latvia.

Vesti Segodnya reports that yesterday Russian ambassador Igor Studennikov presented awards from the Russian government to the best Russian language and literature teachers in Latvia. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf, Panorama Latvii