Integration and Minority Information Service

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

Vechernaya Riga continues to feature articles about education and the switch of minority secondary schools to Latvian in 2004. The newspaper quotes the data of an opinion poll: 42% of teachers support the switch. However, the newspaper states that in reality almost all Russian language teachers inquired by the newspaper are against the switch, but are afraid to say it openly. The newspaper calls on teachers to state their true views.

Vechernaya Riga continues to feature articles about education and the switch of minority secondary schools to Latvian in 2004. The newspaper quotes the data of an opinion poll: 42% of teachers support the switch. However, the newspaper states that in reality almost all Russian language teachers inquired by the newspaper are against the switch, but are afraid to say it openly. The newspaper calls on teachers to state their true views.

Representatives from Russia’s mass media will visit Rezekne, a town in the eastern part of Latvia to get familiar with minority integration issues there.

Representatives from Russias mass media will visit Rezekne, a town in the eastern part of Latvia to get familiar with minority integration issues there. BNS

Programme Director of TV5 Gunta Lidaka submitted a letter to the Saeima Standing Committee on Human Rights and Social Affairs asking it to reduce limiting language quotas for commercial TV channels. According to the Law on Radio and Television only 25% of programmes aired by commercial TV channels can be in a foreign language. In the interview to

Programme Director of TV5 Gunta Lidaka submitted a letter to the Saeima Standing Committee on Human Rights and Social Affairs asking it to reduce limiting language quotas for commercial TV channels. According to the Law on Radio and Television only 25% of programmes aired by commercial TV channels can be in a foreign language. In the interview to Chas Gunta Lidaka states that language quotas, first, limit her business interests and, second, they discriminate the rights of Russian-speakers to receive information in their native language.

Chas

held an on-line forum with Latvias Way MP Kristiana Libane and the newspaper provides excerpts of key statements Latvias Way will not postpone the implementation of the switch of minority secondary school to Latvian in 2004 and the Latvian language must be the sole state language in Latvia and all names of streets must be only in Latvian. held an on-line forum with Latvia’s Way MP Kristiana Libane and the newspaper provides excerpts of key statements Latvia’s Way will not postpone the implementation of the switch of minority secondary school to Latvian in 2004 and the Latvian language must be the sole state language in Latvia and all names of streets must be only in Latvian. Russian Foreign Affairs Deputy Minister Yevgeny Gusarov stated that appearance of new tendencies in relations between Latvia and Russia mostly depends on the stance of Latvia towards Russia’s serious and long-term concern about its compatriots residing in Latvia. Yevgeny Gusarov expressed a hope that the new Saeima will have a more constructive approach to these issues, which hamper signing of bilateral agreements.

Russian Foreign Affairs Deputy Minister Yevgeny Gusarov stated that appearance of new tendencies in relations between Latvia and Russia mostly depends on the stance of Latvia towards Russias serious and long-term concern about its compatriots residing in Latvia. Yevgeny Gusarov expressed a hope that the new Saeima will have a more constructive approach to these issues, which hamper signing of bilateral agreements. Chas, Panorama Latvii

Telegraf

interviews FHRUL MP Janis Urbanovics. He states that in comparison to Estonia and Nordic countries Latvia has a huge advantage - a big number of Russians. However, Latvia does not use this advantage to ensure very good relations with Moscow. Janis Urbanovics is convinced that FHRUL will be the ruling party. interviews FHRUL MP Janis Urbanovics. He states that in comparison to Estonia and Nordic countries Latvia has a huge advantage - a big number of Russians. However, Latvia does not use this advantage to ensure very good relations with Moscow. Janis Urbanovics is convinced that FHRUL will be the ruling party.

Panorama Latvii

reports that election observers from the OSCE have shown interest in a campaign Non-elections and that the campaign now is held outside Riga. reports that election observers from the OSCE have shown interest in a campaign “Non-elections” and that the campaign now is held outside Riga.

Integration and Minority Information Service

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

Justice Minister Ingrida Labucka supports the candidacy of Agris Timuska for the post of the director of the State Language Centre. The government will take the final decision.

Justice Minister Ingrida Labucka supports the candidacy of Agris Timuska for the post of the director of the State Language Centre. The government will take the final decision. Diena, Chas

FHRUL submitted to the Saeima draft amendments to the Education Law. FHRUL proposes abolition of the norm, which stipulates the switch of minority secondary school to Latvian in 2004.

FHRUL submitted to the Saeima draft amendments to the Education Law. FHRUL proposes abolition of the norm, which stipulates the switch of minority secondary school to Latvian in 2004. Vesti Segodnya

Vechernaya Riga

features an in-depth article about the third parents conference Learning in ones Native Language held last Saturday. The newspaper concludes that before the elections parties will not amend the Education Law. If the situation does not change after the elections, people – parents, teachers and even politicians – are ready to use more extreme measures to protest against the switch of secondary minority schools to Latvian, such as a strike and protest meetings.

Vesti Segodnya

features an article about teaching of the Russian language and literature in Latvia. Russian language and literature teacher Taisiya Yosifovna says that now Russian grammar study books are very qualitative and specially adopted for children in Latvia. features an article about teaching of the Russian language and literature in Latvia. Russian language and literature teacher Taisiya Yosifovna says that now Russian grammar study books are very qualitative and specially adopted for children in Latvia.

Vesti Segodnya

reports that the anti-NATO NGO Prata Speks with the support of the Institute of Transport and Communication and the Latvian Sports Academy will launch Latvian language courses free of charge. The key goal of the project is assist non-Latvians with integration into Latvian society. reports that the anti-NATO NGO “Prata Speks” with the support of the Institute of Transport and Communication and the Latvian Sports Academy will launch Latvian language courses free of charge. The key goal of the project is assist non-Latvians with integration into Latvian society. Panorama LatviiPanorama Latvii The Latvian Transatlantic Organisation (LATO) will held a seminar “Societal Integration and Latvian Security” on 27 September. The seminar will discuss the link between integration of society in Latvia and Latvia’s integration into NATO. High Latvian and NATO officials will take part in the conference.

The Latvian Transatlantic Organisation (LATO) will held a seminar Societal Integration and Latvian Security on 27 September. The seminar will discuss the link between integration of society in Latvia and Latvias integration into NATO. High Latvian and NATO officials will take part in the conference. BNS

The Integration Foundation has received in total 94 project applications for the tender of projects which will be funded from the state budget and “Phare” programme aimed at integration of society.

The Integration Foundation has received in total 94 project applications for the tender of projects which will be funded from the state budget and Phare programme aimed at integration of society. BNS

Panorama Latvii publishes its weekly supplement “Our Latvia.” It features an article about Ukrainians residing in Latvia and their cultural and non-governmental organisations.

Panorama Latvii publishes its weekly supplement Our Latvia. It features an article about Ukrainians residing in Latvia and their cultural and non-governmental organisations.

Integration and Minority Information Service

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

Saturday the third parents’ conference “Learning in one’s Native Language” held by the Association for the Support of Russian Language Schools in Latvia took place in Riga. About 800 participants, mostly parents and teachers, came to the conference. The key demand of the conference was abolition of the norm in the Education Law which stipulates a gradual transfer to studies primarily in the state language in 2004. The Association demands including in the Law a norm, which stipulates that primary and secondary education, can be acquired in minority languages.

Saturday the third parents conference Learning in ones Native Language held by the Association for the Support of Russian Language Schools in Latvia took place in Riga. About 800 participants, mostly parents and teachers, came to the conference. The key demand of the conference was abolition of the norm in the Education Law which stipulates a gradual transfer to studies primarily in the state language in 2004. The Association demands including in the Law a norm, which stipulates that primary and secondary education, can be acquired in minority languages. Diena

The Russian language press stresses that neither Minister of Education and Science Karlis Greiskalns nor any officials from the Ministry came to the conference. Latvia’s Way, the Union of the Green Party and the Farmers’ Union and FHRUL were the parties which responded to the invitation of the Association.

The Russian language press stresses that neither Minister of Education and Science Karlis Greiskalns nor any officials from the Ministry came to the conference. Latvias Way, the Union of the Green Party and the Farmers Union and FHRUL were the parties which responded to the invitation of the Association. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf, Panorama Latvii

Rigas Balss

interviews a possible candidate of Latvias Way for the post of education minister Janis Gaigals. About the education reform in 2004, he says that only big cities claim that they will experience problems with the implementation of the switch but not schools in the countryside. Therefore there are no grounds to amend the Law. Janis Gaigals says that schools which will not be ready for the switch in 2004 should be set additional transfer regulations, while the work of administrations of these schools should be discussed. interviews a possible candidate of Latvia’s Way for the post of education minister Janis Gaigals. About the education reform in 2004, he says that only big cities claim that they will experience problems with the implementation of the switch but not schools in the countryside. Therefore there are no grounds to amend the Law. Janis Gaigals says that schools which will not be ready for the switch in 2004 should be set additional transfer regulations, while the work of administrations of these schools should be discussed.

Panorama Latvii

provides in-depth information about the course of the campaign Non-elections. provides in-depth information about the course of the campaign “Non-elections.”

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 associate professor of the Social Work and Social Pedagogy University Attistiba Liesma Ose about the two-community situation in the country. Liesma Ose believes that both Russian and Latvian communities are very closed and not willing to accept the other. Regarding education issues, she states for the time being in the education system in Latvia community values dominate over human and individual values… A person who represents a minority in Latvia, where a major ethnic group is dominant, first of all receives an ethnic label. When describing interaction between ethnic groups she writes that everybody wants to stress his/her affiliation to a particular ethnic group and to preserve its seclusion. The author concludes that a modern multicultural approach can be implemented if people are perceived as individuals and not Latvians, Russians, Poles, etc.

Diena

looks into the language situation in the country and provides the stances of the- most popular parties 7 – FF/LNNK, FHRUL, the Latvian Social Democrats, the New Era, the Peoples Party, Latvias Way and the Union of the Green Party and the Farmers Party. All parties agree that the Latvian language should be the only state language. FHRUL wants to grant Russian the status of the official language in municipalities where 20% or more of residents are non-Latvians. Concerning the education reform in 2004, FF/LNNK states that the reform must be implemented on schedule, while FHRUL believes that the reform should be reviewed. The Latvian Social Democrats say that the reform should not be postponed, however, children should not be victims of the reform. The New Era is convinced that the reform should be implemented otherwise it will be perceived as a victory by supporters of the two-community idea. The opinion of the Peoples Party is that the reform should be continued, while providing support to teachers and fostering a dialogue with students and parents. Latvias Way stresses that the state should focus on ensuring Latvian language training for teachers. The Union of the Green Party and the Farmers Union states that the reform should be continued and those schools which are ready in 2004 should implement the switch. About the effort and plans of each party regarding promotion of the usage of the Latvian language among adults, FF/LNNK believes that the state should be responsible for creating a positive atmosphere to speak Latvian. The New Era is convinced that learning Latvian is the responsibility of all socio-economically active people. The Peoples Party agree that state support for Latvian language courses should be given to specific adult target groups, while Latvia s Way wants to regulate standards in private language teaching companies and facilitate the usage of the language with the help of promotion campaigns funded from the state budget. looks into the language situation in the country and provides the stances of the- most popular parties 7 – FF/LNNK, FHRUL, the Latvian Social Democrats, the New Era, the People’s Party, Latvia’s Way and the Union of the Green Party and the Farmers’ Party. All parties agree that the Latvian language should be the only state language. FHRUL wants to grant Russian the status of the official language in municipalities where 20% or more of residents are non-Latvians. Concerning the education reform in 2004, FF/LNNK states that the reform must be implemented on schedule, while FHRUL believes that the reform should be reviewed. The Latvian Social Democrats say that the reform should not be postponed, however, children should not be victims of the reform. The New Era is convinced that the reform should be implemented otherwise it will be perceived as a victory by supporters of the two-community idea. The opinion of the People’s Party is that the reform should be continued, while providing support to teachers and fostering a dialogue with students and parents. Latvia’s Way stresses that the state should focus on ensuring Latvian language training for teachers. The Union of the Green Party and the Farmers’ Union states that the reform should be continued and those schools which are ready in 2004 should implement the switch. About the effort and plans of each party regarding promotion of the usage of the Latvian language among adults, FF/LNNK believes that the state should be responsible for creating a positive atmosphere to speak Latvian. The New Era is convinced that learning Latvian is the responsibility of all socio-economically active people. The People’s Party agree that state support for Latvian language courses should be given to specific adult target groups, while Latvia’ s Way wants to regulate standards in private language teaching companies and facilitate the usage of the language with the help of promotion campaigns funded from the state budget.

Chas

and and Panorama LatviiPanorama Latvii report about launching of the campaign Non-elections in which all people, irrespectively of their citizenship status, can take part and vote for all persons, including those who do not have the right to run for seats in public office according to Latvian legislation. The campaign started on Saturday and will go on for 2 more days. Newspapers report that the interest of people is very high. report about launching of the campaign “Non-elections” in which all people, irrespectively of their citizenship status, can take part and vote for all persons, including those who do not have the right to run for seats in public office according to Latvian legislation. The campaign started on Saturday and will go on for 2 more days. Newspapers report that the interest of people is very high.

Integration and Minority Information Service

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

Yesterday the National Programme for Latvian Language Training presented new Latvian language study books developed for teaching Latvian to national minorities, as well as bilingual study aids.

Yesterday the National Programme for Latvian Language Training presented new Latvian language study books developed for teaching Latvian to national minorities, as well as bilingual study aids. Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

The Russian language press calls on readers to take part in the conference of Russian Students’ Parents this Saturday and protect the right of national minorities to study in their languages.

The Russian language press calls on readers to take part in the conference of Russian Students Parents this Saturday and protect the right of national minorities to study in their languages.

Vesti Segodnya

columnist Natalya Sevidova writes that the government does not pay very much attention to ensuring all possibilities for people who want to learn Latvian – there are very few teaching aids in the market, free Latvian language courses are offered only to specific groups, such as applicants for citizenship, teachers and the latest Latvian-Russian dictionary was issued in 1955. columnist Natalya Sevidova writes that the government does not pay very much attention to ensuring all possibilities for people who want to learn Latvian – there are very few teaching aids in the market, free Latvian language courses are offered only to specific groups, such as applicants for citizenship, teachers and the latest Latvian-Russian dictionary was issued in 1955. The European Standing Conference of History Teachers’ Associations Euroclio and the Latvian Association of History Teachers held a round-table discussion on “Citizenship.” History teachers as well as students from Russian and Latvian schools took part in the round-table discussion about teaching history in relation with civic education.

The European Standing Conference of History Teachers Associations Euroclio and the Latvian Association of History Teachers held a round-table discussion on Citizenship. History teachers as well as students from Russian and Latvian schools took part in the round-table discussion about teaching history in relation with civic education. Chas

Rigas Balss

publishes a pre-election discussion among leader of FF/LNNK Maris Grinblats, leader of FHRUL Janis Jurkans and deputy chairperson of the Russian Party Vyacheslav Starostin. When discussing ethnic relations, Maris Grinblats stresses that at the moment social and economic issues are more important than national questions, while Janis Jurkans states that demographic situation in the country is catastrophic for both Russians and Latvians and therefore Latvia has no future. In his opinion, an ideal model of Latvia would be a country where all persons can call themselves Latvians. Vyacheslavs Starostin states that relations between Russians and Latvians should not be as relations between a major ethnic group and a minority. publishes a pre-election discussion among leader of FF/LNNK Maris Grinblats, leader of FHRUL Janis Jurkans and deputy chairperson of the Russian Party Vyacheslav Starostin. When discussing ethnic relations, Maris Grinblats stresses that at the moment social and economic issues are more important than national questions, while Janis Jurkans states that demographic situation in the country is catastrophic for both Russians and Latvians and therefore Latvia has no future. In his opinion, an ideal model of Latvia would be a country where all persons can call themselves Latvians. Vyacheslavs Starostin states that relations between Russians and Latvians should not be as relations between a major ethnic group and a minority.