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So far, there have been initiatives in Latvia to develop and implement various training courses for specific target audiences. However, although the range of training courses and programmes developed is very wide, not all of these training programmes have so far included topics around working with different clients, human diversity as such and its management, or on intercultural communication and anti-discrimination issues, especially taking into account the Latvian situation and the needs of specific populations at risk of social exclusion and discrimination.

For example, only a small proportion of companies (33% of large companies and 22% of SMEs) train their employees on diversity and equality issues and develop the intercultural communication skills of managers and employees.
To be successful in anti-discrimination and facilitate diversity, employers recognise that they need regular support in developing their professional competences and in educating their employees on discrimination issues. This is particularly relevant in situations where societal changes have led to the emergence of new groups at risk of discrimination, new different attitudes and new forms of discrimination.

The objective of the activity is to create equal access to information on social inclusion and anti-discrimination issues that meets the needs of employers and their employees, and to strengthen inter-sectoral and inter-professional cooperation, educational activities are needed for private entrepreneurs, employees of non-governmental organisations (associations and non-governmental organisations), state and municipal authorities. Educational activities should include diversity and awareness training, both in training modules covering all aspects of persons at risk of discrimination (e.g. diversity management) and separately for each of the target groups, and should develop one’s ability to understand and analyse one's own values, norms and patterns of behaviour, to be able to review them all, and at the same time to learn how to handle diversity without prejudice.

The following target groups have been targeted for educational activities regarding social inclusion and anti-discrimination:

  • Senior managers of employers (senior managers of companies (board level or equivalent positions whose job responsibilities include participation in the development of a company's policies, strategic plans and core values), senior managers of state or municipal authorities, heads of associations or foundations) - training programme "Viewpoints: Benefits";
  • Employers' staff - training programme "Viewpoints: Respect".

Employers and their employees who have no or limited knowledge of anti-discrimination will be eligible for training.

Activity time: Q3 2017 - Q4 2022

"By the end of 2022, the project is intended to train at least 1 000 employees on all aspects of target groups at risk of discrimination and on social inclusion and anti-discrimination issues.

More on the educational activities: www.skatupunkti.lv.