Moskva-Riga

Problems of Russians in Latvia (bilateral exchange)
15 to 22 of August and 7 to 12 of September 2005
Riga (Latvia) and Moskva (Russia)
30 participants (exchange)

Political relations between Russia and Latvia have been spoiling since the collapse of the USSR. Nevertheless in both camps there are ones deeply concerned that our peoples can be good neighbours and even good friends. AEGEE-Moskva and AEGEE-Riga decided to hold a conference for Russian and Latvian students to discuss our past, present and possible future ways of finding compromise.

The topic is the following: "Problems of Russians in Latvia", and precisely "The identity of Russians in Latvia". According to different data sources, from 30 to 40% of Latvian population are ethnic Russians. Many of them do not have any citizenship, do not speak Latvian language.

Since the Latvia has joined the EU, the significance of the cultural and ethnic identity problem for this part of Latvian population has raised. Solving those problems, and it is younger generation that may possess a non-trivial and efficient solution, not being weighed down by out-of-date conceptions.

Thus, AEGEE-Riga and AEGEE-Moscow have a strong will to find a compromise in situation evaluation, and to propose some solutions for official institutes, which may be the less painful way to incorporate Russians into Latvian and European culture, how the language problem can be solved, why diversity and tolerance are important and what advantages they can bring to population etc.

The aim of the project is to elaborate effective ways of integration Russian diaspora in Latvia as an adequate part of civil society. Lectures, discussions, focus-groups, Russian schools visiting, brainstorming are regarded as means of fulfilling this task. Moscow part of the project takes place from 15 to 22 of August. Riga will receive participants of the conference from 7 to 12 of September.