One of the most effective ways to maintain the Latvian language and identity in the younger generation who live outside Latvia is via children’s and youth camps summer high schools. Children and youth who attend diaspora camps are happy to get involved in activities where their use of the Latvian language is encouraged, and an understanding of their ancestors’ homeland is enhanced.
Despite the choice of diaspora camps being very limited this year due to Covid-19, the Diaspora and Migration Research Centre at the University of Latvia, commissioned by the the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is launching a survey with the aim to find out how camps for children and youth of Latvian descent or Latvian nationals who are living outside Latvia are rated and ways to improve the how they are run and operate.
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.
We thank all young people and parents who took part in this survey!
This study aims to find out the opinions of youth and parents of children about camps and summer high schools, information accessibility, as well as their wishes regarding the length, thematic focus, participants and content of these camps.
The study will also comprise focus groups where in-depth knowledge will be gained about the opinion of organisers, as well as parents involved regarding the effectiveness of diaspora camps and summer high schools.
A report will conclude the study, providing an overview of how satisfied participants and their parents are with current options for diaspora Latvian camps and summer high schools. The report will include recommendations for improving the options for diaspora camps so that camps can be more targetted in helping to maintain a sense of Latvian identity within the younger generation in the diaspora.
The findings of the study will be published on the website diaspora.lu.lv and migracija.lv.