Integration monitor
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.
May 14, 2008
- Andrejs Veisbergs assessed the status of the state language
- Diena interviews Tariq Modood on multiculturalism
Chairperson of the State Language Commission Andrejs Veisbergs assessed the status of the state language 18 years since declaration of Latvian independence. In a commentary published by Diena, he concludes that today Latvian language usage opportunities are very good – it has reclaimed lost spheres, became an official language of the EU and is widely used in computer sciences. According to Andrejs Veisbergs, the so-called school reform of 2004 can be mentioned as one the latest achievements in strengthening the positions of the state language. Andrejs Veisbergs believes that the noticeable influence of English language is not a threat yet. Diena
Diena published an interview with Tariq Modood, professor at the University of Bristol (UK). Replying to the journalists question on the possible threat posed by multiculturalism to the idea of national state, Tariq Modood noted that national culture should not be looked upon as an item of museum exhibition. National culture will be changing as long as it is alive; it is not a single unit, but rather a mixture. Citizens have a right to be part of this mixture, to influence it and to be able to recognise themselves in it. Citizens should not think that national culture is something that belongs to others, belongs to a dominant group. Multiculturalism is opposed to the idea that national culture belongs only to some people. Diena