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 features an article by Russian journalist Aleksandr Shabanov about Latvian Russians. He states that the purpose of the article is to reveal an alternative viewpoint on the self-identity of Latvian Russians. The key thesis of the article is that in our society (at least among Russian speakers in Latvia) a Soviet and totalitarian way of thinking prevails … although it does not want to admit it.

Ahead of Latvia’s move to the European Union, teachers in the Baltic countries must prepare for teaching various ethnic groups in public schools. They also must improve foreign language training, enhance children’s social protection and the prestige of the teaching profession. These were the key points discussed at the meeting of leaders of school trade unions from the Baltic countries, Finland and France.

Ahead of Latvias move to the European Union, teachers in the Baltic countries must prepare for teaching various ethnic groups in public schools. They also must improve foreign language training, enhance childrens social protection and the prestige of the teaching profession. These were the key points discussed at the meeting of leaders of school trade unions from the Baltic countries, Finland and France. Neatkariga stresses that public schools could soon include more nationalities.

Telegraf

interviews Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs Indulis Berzins (Latvias Way). He states that those people who previously voted for Latvias Way got tired of the party as a ruling party and wanted to experiment, and therefore gave their votes to other parties. Indulis Berzins believes that 24% people who voted for FHRUL associate this party with Russia and vote for this party not because they like the ideas of FHRUL, but because they believe that FHRUL has the power to protect them. He states that a new liberal force should be formed which could give local Russians assurance in their future. Berzins admits that Latvias Way could be this new force and become more leftist. interviews Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs Indulis Berzins (Latvia’s Way). He states that those people who previously voted for Latvia’s Way got tired of the party as a ruling party and wanted to experiment, and therefore gave their votes to other parties. Indulis Berzins believes that 24% people who voted for FHRUL associate this party with Russia and vote for this party not because they like the ideas of FHRUL, but because they believe that FHRUL has the power to protect them. He states that a new liberal force should be formed which could give local Russians assurance in their future. Berzins admits that Latvia’s Way could be this new force and become more leftist.