To carry out such an assessment on the progress made in the field of public cohesion, the participants of the meeting agreed on establishment of a small group of experts, composed of experienced experts in minority affairs, but who were not involved in the work of public administration. The Council would be represented by its Chairman Roman Aliyev in the expert group.
“Issues relating to ethnic minorities are very important in the Latvian public. We often forget how the state of Latvia was formed. Both in 1918 and in the 1990s, having restored national independence, the territory of Latvia has always been multi-ethnic and multicultural, and minorities have played a major role. It is our advantage, because our strength lies in diversity. That strength should be used to make Latvia even stronger,” said the President of Latvia.
New Statute of the Minorities Advisory Council was adopted at the meeting on Monday. It defines the main objective to include promotion of minority participation in civic society and support to facilitation of social and political participation of minorities, and facilitation of a dialogue on the issues of ethnic, cultural, linguistic, and religious identity of the minorities.
During the meeting, the President of Latvia welcomed a wide range of experts from different fields represented in the Minorities Advisory Council and the fact that young and active people were engaged in operation of the Council then. The following membership of the Council was approved on Monday:
- Ms. Aldona Treija, Principal of Riga Lithuanian Secondary School, representative of Latvian Association of Lithuanians;
- Mr. Aleksandrs Mirlins, media expert, the University of Latvia;
- Ms. Anna Ivane, representative of Latvian Association of Belarusians, Principal of Riga Belarusian Primary School named after Yanka Kupala;
- Mr. Biomins Kajems, Vice-chairman of Latvian Council of Jewish Congregations and Communities;
- Mr. Deniss Hanovs, professor of Riga Stradiņš University;
- Ms. Ieva Ernštreite, Chairwoman of Liv Association;
- Mr. Igor Gubenko, Lecturer at the University of Latvia, web magazine editor;
- Ms. Ilze Garda, Board Member of the Latvian Association of Germans, Chairwoman of Riga Association of German Culture;
- Ms. Jelena Matjakubova – Chairwoman of the Latvian Association of Russian Culture;
- Mr. Klāvs Sedlenieks, social anthropologist, lecturer at the Riga Stradiņš University;
- Ms. Lidija Kravčenko, representative of the Latvian Association of Ukrainians, Principal of Riga Ukrainian Secondary School;
- Mr. Normunds Rudēvičs, President of International Roma Association;
- Mr. Nugzar Mdzinarišvili, Chairman of the Latvian Association of Georgians Samshoblo;
- Mr. Rafi Haradžanjans – Chairman of the Latvian Association of National Cultural Societies;
- Mr. Toomas Kalda – Chairman of the Latvian Association of Estonians;
- Mr. Zufar Zainullin, Chairman of the Latvian Association of Tatars and Bashkir Chishma, Chairman of the Latvian Association of Muslim Congregations.
