In the discussion on the reception of Ukrainian refugees in the Baltic-Nordic region countries, Latvia’s policy appears to be solid and consistent. In this blog, HROMADA member Oksana Žabko explains details of Latvia’s policy applied.

Restrictions caused by the pandemic have sped up digitalisation processes worldwide and have led to companies and institutions wholly or partly shifting to remote working. Migration researchers at the University of Latvia launched a study with the aim to identify incentives that the government can utilise for Latvia to become a choice for remote working for members of the diaspora and return migrants, as well as to evaluate the main obstacles and necessary adjustments that need to be made to taxation, social support, labour market regulation and in other areas.

Youth who are 16–30 years old, as well as parents whose children have participated or could possibly participate in camps and summer high schools for diaspora children and youth are invited to fill out the survey.

From 7^th December 2020 to 7^th January 2021 the University of Latvia, in collaboration with the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA) is conducting a survey with the aim to identify the travel habits of Latvian nationals and their descendants when travelling to Latvia. The other aim is to analyse usage trends of tourist services before Covid-19 travel restrictions and also during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The University of Latvia Centre for Diaspora and Migration Research is carrying out a study on how people who live outside Latvia make decisions about their personal and their children’s education - how they choose where to study, and whether they see Latvia as a potential destination for studies. Researchers invite youth of Latvian descent who live in different countries and are studying or consider doing it, as well as parents of children aged 10 to 25, to participate in this research.

Language skills and usage play a central role in the diaspora to maintain ties with Latvia and strengthen Latvian identity. Studies to date have shown that living abroad, especially in famiies of mixed ethnic origin, children of Latvian nationals assimilate very quickly. With your help researchers hope to establish the attitude of parents to the Latvian language and its use in the family and why and how Latvian language is maintained and strengthened among children.

Central and Eastern Europe must address a new phenomenon: it is now a place of immigration. How is the region responding? Watch the discussion webcast hosted by the LSE IDEAS.