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.

• Mayor of Riga Nils Usakovs signed for the initiative on granting Russian status of official language in Latvia
• Minister of Culture Zaneta Jaunzeme-Grende: culture is the beginning of integration
• Chas prints a schools project on involvement of Roma children in the education process

Newspapers print an opinion of the Mayor of Riga Nils Usakovs about the collection of signatures in support of granting Russian language status of official in Latvia. Mr. Usakovs states that he has signed for support of the initiative and he believes that this way he, as a Latvian citizen, displayed his protest against politicians who do not take into account interests of Latvian residents including ethnic Latvians. Mr Usakovs believes that those citizens who support the initiative do not stand against the Latvian language and ethnic Latvians, but they just want to show the politicians that they want to preserve their dignity.

Newspapers print an opinion of the Mayor of Riga Nils Usakovs about the collection of signatures in support of granting Russian language status of official in Latvia. Mr. Usakovs states that he has signed for support of the initiative and he believes that this way he, as a Latvian citizen, displayed his protest against politicians who do not take into account interests of Latvian residents including ethnic Latvians. Mr Usakovs believes that those citizens who support the initiative do not stand against the Latvian language and ethnic Latvians, but they just want to show the politicians that they want to preserve their dignity. Telegraf, Vesti Segodnya, Neatkariga

Diena prints an interview with the new Minister of Culture Zaneta Jaunzeme-Grende. The Minister believes that culture is the beginning of integration, because culture brings positive emotions to people. The Minister also believes that many residents do not feel fully attached to Latvia, and the task is to achieve that they feel here like home and that Latvian culture gives richness to identity.

Chas prints an article about Jurmalas Mezmalas secondary schools project funded by the Latvian – Swiss co-operation fund on involvement of Roma children in the education process. In the framework of the project, Roma children in the age of 5-8 years take part in common school events and some classes (music, sports, dances etc.) together with other school kids but the rest of the lessons they study within one special class. Roma teachers assistant takes part in the classes helping the children to explain things in their native language. According to the director of the school, the main task of the project is to achieve that Roma children successfully start the education process and continue it.