On 15 September, Karen Ellemann, Secretary General of the Nordic Council of Ministers, visited the Society Integration Foundation (SIF), reaffirming support of the Nordic countries for an organisation that has come under public scrutiny during the pre-election period.
During her meeting with Inese Kalvāne, Director of the SIF, the discussion focused on SIF’s areas of work and its role in Latvian society. Karen Ellemann highlighted several areas in particular – support for NGOs, residents of poor means, Ukrainian civilians, the media and families – as essential contribution to building a resilient society.
She noted on a strong and resilient society – and citizens who actively participate at national or local level – being one of the pillars of democracy. Politicians have significant influence, but do not always have a sufficiently close view of the everyday needs of different groups in society that the SIF is dealing with.
Drawing on experience from similar Nordic initiatives, the Secretary General particularly praised SIF’s One-Stop Agency project – directed by Inese Saldābola – which provides faster support for third-country nationals that are legally residing in Latvia. She was also particularly interested in the work being carried out in Latgale and the challenges facing the region, where the Nordic Council of Ministers’ Office in Latvia has also been present for the past five years.
The Society Integration Foundation has been our long-standing partner in advancing shared values – with people at the centre, and with citizens actively contributing to shaping their country, whether by representing an NGO or individually.
The Secretary General of the Nordic Council of Ministers was accompanied by Director Nina Hvida Enevoldsen, Senior Adviser for Equality, Social Welfare and Resilience Katrīna Vītola, and Head of Communications Anita Miruškina.
