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

Diena

publishes an article by editor of The Review on Education in Latvia, Dr.hist. Guntars Catlaks about the work done by the 7th Saeima in the field of education. He stresses that the 7th Saeima started and the next Saeima will have to continue several education reforms. In particular, the author emphasises the switch to Latvian as the language of instruction in minority secondary schools in 2004. He believes that a broad awareness programme for teachers and parents should be urgently developed before the reform in 2004. Guntars Catlaks is convinced that there are two aspects, which will ensure the quality and success of the reform – first, highly qualified teachers and second, support for the reform at least from one of the groups -- either from parents or from teachers. publishes an article by editor of “The Review on Education in Latvia,” Dr.hist. Guntars Catlaks about the work done by the 7th Saeima in the field of education. He stresses that the 7th Saeima started and the next Saeima will have to continue several education reforms. In particular, the author emphasises the switch to Latvian as the language of instruction in minority secondary schools in 2004. He believes that a broad awareness programme for teachers and parents should be urgently developed before the reform in 2004. Guntars Catlaks is convinced that there are two aspects, which will ensure the quality and success of the reform – first, highly qualified teachers and second, support for the reform at least from one of the groups -- either from parents or from teachers.

Vesti Segodnya

reports that the presentation of The Analysis of the Implementation of Bilingual Education conducted by the Baltic Institute of Social Sciences will take place. The study is funded by the Soros Foundation in Latvia, the OSCE and the Canadian International Development Agency. The newspaper draws attention to technical failures and other bottlenecks of the study, such as the fact that the analysis was made mostly by people just graduated from the university and holding only a bachelors degree. The study draws two contradictory conclusions: one, that the implementation of bilingual education is going well and the other, that many principles of minority schools admit that their schools are not ready for the switch of their secondary school to Latvian. Director of the Baltic Institute of Social Sciences Brigita Zepa explains that the majority of the working group disagreed with one of the authors of analysis, Elmars Vebers, therefore the study has two conclusions. reports that the presentation of “The Analysis of the Implementation of Bilingual Education” conducted by the Baltic Institute of Social Sciences will take place. The study is funded by the Soros Foundation in Latvia, the OSCE and the Canadian International Development Agency. The newspaper draws attention to technical failures and other bottlenecks of the study, such as the fact that the analysis was made mostly by people just graduated from the university and holding only a bachelor’s degree. The study draws two contradictory conclusions: one, that the implementation of bilingual education is going well and the other, that many principles of minority schools admit that their schools are not ready for the switch of their secondary school to Latvian. Director of the Baltic Institute of Social Sciences Brigita Zepa explains that the majority of the working group disagreed with one of the authors of analysis, Elmars Vebers, therefore the study has two conclusions. BNSBNS

Chas

reports on the first TV show The Russian Issue, which was devoted to language policy issues. The newspaper summarises that almost all parties representatives, including leader of Latgales Light Rihards Eigims, did not support granting Russian the status of the official language. Only FHRUL MP Boriss Tsilevich supports the idea. The newspaper also points out that although the show was run in Russian and targeted at a Russian audience, half of parties representatives, such as members of the New Era Ina Druviete, FF/LNNK Juris Vidins and the Peoples Party Dzintars Abikis, spoke only Latvian. reports on the first TV show “The Russian Issue,” which was devoted to language policy issues. The newspaper summarises that almost all parties’ representatives, including leader of Latgale’s Light Rihards Eigims, did not support granting Russian the status of the official language. Only FHRUL MP Boriss Tsilevich supports the idea. The newspaper also points out that although the show was run in Russian and targeted at a Russian audience, half of parties’ representatives, such as members of the New Era Ina Druviete, FF/LNNK Juris Vidins and the People’s Party Dzintars Abikis, spoke only Latvian. Vesti Segodnya, Panorama LatviiVesti Segodnya, Panorama Latvii The attempt of FF/LNNK to amend this year’s state budget before the 8th Saeima elections did not receive the support of Prime Minister Andris Berzins. FF/LNNK suggested allocating more funding to education, including the programme aimed at strengthening the status of the Latvian language, which should be elaborated by the President’s Official Language Commission.

The attempt of FF/LNNK to amend this years state budget before the 8th Saeima elections did not receive the support of Prime Minister Andris Berzins. FF/LNNK suggested allocating more funding to education, including the programme aimed at strengthening the status of the Latvian language, which should be elaborated by the Presidents Official Language Commission. Diena, Vechernaya Riga, Chas

Yesterday the Cabinet of Ministers amended the Law on Radio and Television. The new amendments stipulate that the National Radio and Television Council is entitled to impose fines on radio stations for violating the Law on Radio and Television.

Yesterday the Cabinet of Ministers amended the Law on Radio and Television. The new amendments stipulate that the National Radio and Television Council is entitled to impose fines on radio stations for violating the Law on Radio and Television. Vesti Segodnya comments that the act is again oriented against Russian radio stations, as now the Council will be able to directly impose fines on any radio station without going through long court procedures as it had been until now.

Vesti Segodnya

talks to chairperson of the First Party Aleksandrs Brandavs, whose ethnic background is Russian. Alkesandrs Brandavs is also a conductor of the choir of old believers. He states that he is proud to be Russian, however, considers that the mentality and way of living of Russians in Latvia are very different from the mentality and way of life of Russians in Russia. Aleksandrs Brandavs stresses that all efforts should be made to make Russians and Russian children in Latvia aware of their identity. Regarding education issues, Brandavs believes that all issues should be solved gradually, taking into account the opinions of all involved parties. He also states that Latvia should have an institution at the national level, which would deal with ethnic minority issues. Brandavs is convinced that it is time to ratify the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. talks to chairperson of the First Party Aleksandrs Brandavs, whose ethnic background is Russian. Alkesandrs Brandavs is also a conductor of the choir of old believers. He states that he is proud to be Russian, however, considers that the mentality and way of living of Russians in Latvia are very different from the mentality and way of life of Russians in Russia. Aleksandrs Brandavs stresses that all efforts should be made to make Russians and Russian children in Latvia aware of their identity. Regarding education issues, Brandavs believes that all issues should be solved gradually, taking into account the opinions of all involved parties. He also states that Latvia should have an institution at the national level, which would deal with ethnic minority issues. Brandavs is convinced that it is time to ratify the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities.