Latvia develops diaspora policy plan

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A year ago there were more than 370 thousand Latvian citizens living outside Latvia, according to data from the University of Latvia. A plan has been developed to strengthen their relationship with Latvia during the period 2021-23, the Foreign Ministry said January 14.

The plan was supported by the government on Thursday. Without a targeted diaspora policy, the nation will not only be smaller but also weaker and scattered, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

The Ministry said that the main task of the next three-year plan will be to encourage returns to Latvia and to ensure the best conditions for those families who will do so. It will also look at how to involve young people and strengthen their links with Latvia.

"One of the main challenges to which many projects and funding have been devoted so far is to promote the remigration process. We feel that there is not a very fast process, but there are a lot of good examples where we see people deciding to come home. Very talented people are returning, who have accumulated experience and invested financial resources to open their business," said ambassador for diaspora of the Foreign Ministry, Elita Gavele.

According to the Ministry's statement, the plan will take four main directions of action:

  • strengthening Latvian identity and sense of belonging to Latvia, preserving Latvian language and culture outside Latvia;
  • promoting the civil and political participation of the diaspora;
  • involvement of the diaspora in the development of Latvia's economy and science;
  • support for remigration.

 

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