On 6 and 7 August 2024, in a gathering for almost 90 young Latvians from 12 countries gathered at the camp of the “2x2” movement, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Baiba Braže, and the participants looked back at Latvia’s 20 years in NATO and the EU, engaged in a discussion on the role of diplomacy in the current geopolitical environment, as well as sharing experience and ideas on what young people are already doing and would be prepared to do for the benefit of Latvia’s economy and security.
Baiba Braže: “It is a joy and privilege to meet in person so many young people from our diaspora around the world. Regardless of the country of residence, our diaspora has an important role to play in strengthening of cooperation between Latvia and other countries of the world, preserving Latvian language and cultural heritage outside Latvia, maintaining and cultivating education and science, as well as promoting economy and security. In the current geopolitical situation, is of particular importance and need to reinforce our mutual ties so that we cultivate a sense of community and belonging, share knowledge and experience, understand and support each other better, and join efforts to make our Latvia stronger. We discussed with the young members of our diaspora what we can give to Latvia, contribute to Latvian identity, and how to be a modern Latvian in a present-day world – how to organise ourselves at a personal level, while not expecting anything from others – society, government and the like. Such camps, bringing together our young people for a discussion on both fundamental and contemporary themes, are an invaluable long-term investment, because each of our young people is Latvia’s ambassador to the world, whose voice is heard by fellow citizens, friends, associates.”
Baiba Braže also underlined that volunteering, charity, time devoted to those beside you, active involvement in organising and participating in meaningful events, sharing knowledge and experience, physical fitness and moral resilience – those are some of the things that each individual can do to improve their quality of life and strengthen both the economy and security of Latvia together.
She also pointed out that all of us together, regardless of geographical location, are responsible for what happens in Latvia. “Our common priority is Latvia’s security, economy and people – in a direct and broadest sense. Latvia has no military threat, but we cannot ‘delegate’ others to take care of our security. I therefore call on everyone to strengthen themselves at an individual level, their resilience – by undergoing military reserve training, taking up medical aid courses, joining the National Guard, developing critical thinking and recognising fake news. I wish everyone of you to be the ones who can give to others rather than those who need help; therefore, it is important to invest in ourselves,” Baiba Braže called on the young participants.
During the discussions, young people also showed interest in topics such as the National Guard training, U.S. presidential elections, diplomatic tools and tactics, resilience and deterrence capabilities at the individual and national levels, among many other issues.
The Foreign Minister Baiba Braže, while on a working visit in Germany, is taking part in the “2x2” programme of the World Latvian Youth Seminar, “Return”. The event is taking place at the Bērzaine Latvian Cultural Centre in Freiburg. The “2x2” camp in Freiburg is bringing together about 90 young Latvians aged 18 to 30 from 12 countries – Latvia, Germany, Sweden, Portugal, Poland, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Ireland, the USA, Belgium and Switzerland. Most of the participants are students and young professionals interested in exploring and maintaining their Latvian roots, engaging in social activities, building new contacts and sharing experiences. For a substantial portion of them, this is their first 2x2 camp.
The 2 x 2 movement marks 60 years this year since the first 2 x 2 youth seminar took place and 40 years since the 2 x 2 seminar took place in Germany.
About the “2x2” movement
The first “2 x 2” camp took place in 1964 in the State of Ohio, USA, which started off as six-day seminars (camp) to encourage and promote the Latvian identity among young people born outside Latvia. The initiator of the idea was Brunis Rubess, who believed it necessary to set up such a venue for meetings due to an emerging generational divide (young people did not want to engage in organisations for the older generation) and to promote pride in their Latvian identity, creating an opportunity for young people to meet each other and prominent personalities, and build cooperation networks.
The “2 x 2” movement serves as one of the best known and most up-to-date ways to preserve Latvian language, culture and Latvian identity among the diaspora, especially the younger generation.
Participants in “2 x 2” are high school graduates. Activities take place in interest groups, where the key areas are the Latvian language and literature, music, traditions, history and politics.
Facts
Latvia has a large diaspora: a significant number of our compatriots – at least 420,000 people – live outside Latvia.
The largest Latvian diasporas are hosted by the United Kingdom, the USA, Germany, Ireland, Canada, Australia, Sweden, Estonia, Denmark, the Netherlands, Spain, Lithuania. Currently, one of the largest Latvian communities lives in the UK.
According to the Register of Natural Persons of the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs, there were 26,330 Latvian nationals residing in Germany as of 1 January 2024.
The Latvian community in Germany is one of the largest and most active. Germany is home to 11 Latvian diaspora schools, six Latvian societies, seven Latvian choirs, seven dance groups and other diaspora-related organizations, such as congregations, ensembles.
