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2004/2005 LATVIA Human Development Report Human Capability Latvija in the Regions ISBN 9984-684-34-2 The analysis and policy recommendations in this Report do not necessarily refl ect the views of the United Nations Development Programme. There is no copyright attached to the text of this publication, which may be reproduced in whole or in part without the prior permission of the United Nations Development Programme and its co-operation partners. However, the source should be acknowledged. Foreword I am pleased that this Human Development Report This Report also addresses Latvia’s place within Europe is following in the footsteps of the previous Human and in the broader world at large. I am pleased that Development Reports on Latvia, which had been the Report off ers recommendations for action to the prepared under the auspices of the United Nations and executive and decision-making powers at various levels which are now being published by researchers at the of governance. Therefore, I encourage Latvia’s national University of Latvia. Latvians can be proud of the fact and local government politicians, research experts, that the authors of several past reports have received non-governmental organisations, and entrepreneurs to awards at the UN for introducing scientific research acquaint themselves with the conclusions off ered by the innovations in their work. Report. I hope that this Report will serve as a valuable source of information, as well as an inducement to The Human Development Reports on Latvia are known further action for the benefi t of the entire country. for their serious attempts to establish, by way of a clear diagnosis, the current situation in the country. A number of important areas, such as education and demography, still need to be addressed, both in the country as a whole and in its regions. For example, the quality of education, along with the educational opportunities available, are Vaira Vīķe-Freiberga generally better in Riga than elsewhere in the country. I President of the Republic of Latvia am glad that the research in this Report complements the work already undertaken by the Strategic Analysis Commission, which was founded under my auspices as President of the Republic in 2004. HUMAN CAPABILITY IN THE REGIONS 3 Foreword In the work of the United Nations Development The authors of this Report have chosen a current and Programme (UNDP), the Human Development Report painful topic – human capability in the regions. As has a special place. It is like a development compass that the Government of Latvia is preparing a new National shows the trends in the human development of Latvia Development Plan, it is the right time to analyse the and off ers new directions for action. The preparation preconditions for development in the regions. The of these reports has always been in the hands of economic polarisation of inhabitants of Riga and the Latvian researchers and policy-makers, but UNDP in regions, of the rural and urban inhabitants is increasing Latvia has off ered a platform for discussion and global yearly. At the same time, implementation of regional development experience. policy seems more like a spontaneous attempt to solve all the problems simultaneously and satisfy all confl icting The publication, „Latvia Human Development Report interests. As a result, Latvia is still a country with more 2004/2005: Human Capability in the Regions,” is the than 530 local governments, the complex regional last report in which UNDP will be involved, and at, the co-operation of which is co-ordinated by planning same time, the fi rst report prepared by the Advanced regions that are based on the principle of voluntary Social and Political Research Institute (ASPRI) of the participation. University of Latvia. In the future, the compass of human development will rest with the co-operation network The in-depth analysis of human capability in the regions between the University of Latvia and the regional higher done by the authors of the Report leads us to conclude education institutions. Henceforth, upon the conclusion that it is high time for purposeful and strategic human of operations by the UNDP Country Offi ce in Latvia at development planning at the regional level. Little Latvia the end of 2005, the preparation and promotion of the needs strong regions, which can put forth regional Human Development Reports will be headed by ASPRI priorities, balance the internal fragmentation, and together with its co-operation partners. represent, legitimately and decisively, the interests of the regions at the national and European Union level The Report on Human Capability in the Regions at the same time. analyses the human opportunities and resources in various areas of Latvia. It looks at the issues of local identity, the demographic situation, health and migration as well as evaluates the manifestations of regional capabilities in entrepreneurship, culture, political and social life. In parallel, the Report evaluates Inita Pauloviča the development resources available in the regions. Head of the UNDP Latvia Country Offi ce 4 LATVIA. HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2004/2005 Foreword Dear Readers, of the quality of life is the expansion of human social capability. For that reason, the current Report, which has I am really pleased that the „Latvia Human been dedicated to human capability in the regions, is a Development Report 2004/2005: Human Capability signifi cant study both in thinking about the future – the in the Regions” has reached the public. drafts and implementation of the National Development Plan – and looking back at the past – the Report, as if The year 2004 has been very signifi cant for Latvia. One in a snapshot, refl ects the human development trends of the greatest changes that has aff ected us all is Latvia in Latvia in 2004/2005. joining the family of the European Union. Therefore, since May 1, 2004, much broader possibilities have opened up I would like to express my gratitude to the authors of for Latvia in regional development and local government the Report – the Advanced Social and Political Research matters. By utilising Structural Funds and other fi nancial Institute of the University of Latvia and the United instruments it will be possible to achieve a much more Nations Development Programme for the initiative and rapid and purposeful regional development. the invested eff ort in the preparation of the Report. Work on the Latvian National Development Plan I hope you fi nd useful information and an overview of 2007–2013 has been one of the priorities of the Ministry human development in Latvia in this Report. of Regional Development and Local Governments in 2004 and 2005. It is important that a very broad part of society – entrepreneurs, scientists, non-governmental organisations and other interested persons – are involved in creating the future vision of national development. The task of the Plan is to show the growth opportunities Sincerely, Māris Kučinskis, for the human quality of life in our country. However, as Minister for Regional the authors of the Report have noted, the main measure Development and Local Governments HUMAN CAPABILITY IN THE REGIONS 5 Latvia Human Development Report 2004/2005 Team Editor-in-Chief: Aija Zobena Project Director: Tālis Tisenkopfs Statistical Advisor: Anita Švarckopfa Project Coordinator: Karīna Vasiļevska Research Assistant: Anita Kalniņa Authors of Chapter 1 Baiba Bela-Krūmiņa (Chapter Coordinator) Juris Krūmiņš, Janīna Kursīte-Pakule, Aija Priedīte-Kleinhofa, Aivita Putniņa, Pēteris Šķiņķis Authors of Chapter 2 Inta Brikše (Chapter Coordinator) Daina Pakalna, Līga Paula, Ilze Trapenciere, Inga Vilka Authors of Chapter 3 Margarita Dunska (Chapter Coordinator) Jānis Ikstens, Līga Rasnača, Laura Sūna Calling Cards of the Regions Aivita Putniņa (Working Group Coordinator) Voldemārs Bariss, Vera Boroņenko, Arturs Medveckis, Agita Šļara English Language Editors: Ģirts Budkēvičs, Nils Muižnieks, Sherwin Das Translator: Biruta Freimane Human Development Report Working Group Inita Pauloviča (United Nations Development Programme), Tālis Tisenkopfs (Advanced Social and Political Research Institute), Inta Brikše (Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Latvia), Līva Biseniece (United Nations Development Programme) Cover Design: Inga Poļevska Layout Design: Vanda Voiciša Layout: Vanda Voiciša Special thanks to the President of Latvia, Vaira Vīķe-Freiberga, for inspiring the selection of the topic of the Report Our thanks to: Painter Sabīne Amoliņa for the opportunity to use her work “782” for the cover design and Jānis Mazitāns, Inga Reinalde, Ieva Plauks and Artūrs Alksnis for their photographs Partner Institutions: Daugavpils University, Latvia University of Agriculture, Liepāja Academy of Pedagogy, Vidzeme University College Žaneta Ozoliņa, Marta Jaksona, Dace Dzenovska, Māra Sīmane, Ināra Stalidzāne, Aija Lulle, Bjørn Moen, Sherwin Das, Vladimirs Menšikovs, Viesturs Zanders, Nils Muižnieks, Arnis Kaktiņš, Zaiga Krišjāne, Andris Bauls, Anda Laķe, Ritma Rungule, Gunārs Krusts, Ilze Brants, Biruta Kampiņa, Jānis Daugavietis, as well as Jānis Dimitrijevs (Viesīte Town Council), Vents Armands Krauklis (Valka Town Council), Gints Šķenders (Cēsis City Council), Uldis Sesks (Liepāja City Council), Māris Kučinskis and Ilze Kukute (Ministry of Regional Development and Local Government of the Republic of Latvia), Zaiga Sneibe and Ilvija Vule (Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Latvia), Anna Pavlina (Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Latvia), Edvīns Vanags (Institute of Statistics of Latvia),