VISION
The Program exhibits the political vision of the Government for development of society.
Latvia considers the process of EU and NATO accession and the integration of society in Latvia to be mutually reinforcing processes.
POINT OF REFERENCE
The Program will serve as a point of reference for the people of Latvia. The text provides for a common understanding of what integration means and how it will be carried out.
THE GOAL
The goal of integration is a consolidated civil society based on shared principles democracy, rule of law, respect for and observance of human rights. Integration is unthinkable without the support and active participation of the political forces in Latvia.
ENHANCING CO-ORDINATION
The Program development is a sign that Latvia is enhancing co-ordination of various efforts aimed at integration of society.
- The Program will establish a unified system for facilitating integration of all residents as well as members of the Latvian diaspora that wish to return to Latvia.
The Framework Document is a basis for a comprehensive program which will address integration problems in all spheres of life.
- Latvian language training,
- naturalization, and
- reform of the educational system.
Aspects of the Program
Chronology
Implementation Mechanism of the Integration Program
International Assistance
The integration of society includes processes that occur in various spheres - political, judicial, social, educational, cultural; all these areas are covered by the Framework Document.
- Promoting pluralism
- NGOs
- Equal opportunity
- Strengthening Latvian Language Teaching
- In March 1998, a ministerial Integration Council was established and tasked with drafting the Framework Document of the National Program “Integration of Society in Latvia.”
- In March-September 1998, a group of experts established by the Integration Council prepares the first draft of the Framework Document.
- On September 29, 1998, the Cabinet of Ministers accepts the draft Framework Document as a basis for future discussions.
- On January 3, 1999, the ministerial Integration Council is re-established, following the change of Government. The Integration Council is chaired by the Minister of Education and Culture, and its members are the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Welfare and the Minister of Justice.
- On February 18, 1999, a Steering Group is established to co-ordinate the public debate and revision of the draft Framework Document the National Program.
- On March 10,1999, the public debate commences; it lasts until the end of May. An estimated 25,000 persons take part in the debate, an unprecedented number for Latvia. More than 80 events take place during this period, including national and regional conferences and seminars on particular issues dealt with in the Framework Document.
- In June-July 1999, the draft Framework Document of the National Program is revised and updated taking into account the results of the public debate. In the text of the final draft, two new sections on civic participation and social integration are added.
- On August 4, 1999, the revised draft Framework Document the National Program is submitted to the Cabinet of Ministers.
- On September 22, 1999, the Cabinet of Ministers approves, in principle, the Framework Document the National Program, and assigns the task of coordinating implementation of the Integration Program to the Ministry of Justice.
- In December 1999, the Cabinet of Ministers gave final approval to the Framework Document of the National Program for Integration of Society in Latvia.
- By March1, 2000, the expanded version of the Integration Program and concrete projects for the next two years along with the corresponding calculations of financial requirements in the field of integration will be prepared.
The Ministry of Justice will co-ordinate the implementation of the Integration Program. A Co-ordination Council will be established in which representatives of ethnic minorities and leaders of society will participate.
In accordance with the Framework Document, a Foundation for the Integration of Society will be established. The Foundation will be charged with attracting financial resources to the implementation of the Integration Program and with the distribution of funds, including funds allocated from the state budget.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia regularly briefs Latvia’s international partners on the development of the National Program. The text of the draft Framework Document of the National Program has been submitted to Max van der Stoel, OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities. Mr. van der Stoel discussed the National Program during his visits in Latvia.
The UNDP office in Latvia has expressed its interest in coordinating the attraction of countries and institutions which may be able to provide assistance in funding for implementation of the Integration Program.
During the future work on the National Program, the participation of international donors will be very important given the large scale of the project. The Government of Latvia hopes that its international partners will support implementation of the Integration Program.