“Global Lithuania”:From challenge to opportunity

Ms. Gintė Damušis

Ambassador at Large, Department of Lithuanians Living Abroad

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania

Conference co-organized by the Latvian MFA and OECD

December 17, 2012

Lithuanians in the world. Threat, challenge or opportunity?

• Estimated size of the Lithuanian diaspora worldwide is 1,3 million people

• Around 300,000 are Lithuanian citizens

• In public discourse, emigration has been often depicted as a threat

• The shift in approach: Emigration is a challenge

• Outstanding question: How can this challenge be transformed into an opportunity?

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MFA and cooperation with the Lithuanian diaspora

• In 2010, MFA was assigned a new mission: coordination and implementation (along with other public institutions) of Lithuanian diaspora policy and programmes

• Objective: Strengthening the relationship between Lithuania and its diaspora, engagement of diaspora in the life of Lithuania

• 13 Government agencies have been mandated to implement the Global Lithuania programme under an Interagency action plan.

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Developing a more strategic relationship with the Lithuanian diaspora (1)

• In 2011, Lithuanian Government approved the “Global Lithuania” programme for 2011-2019, which aims

to develop a stronger strategic relationship with the Lithuanian diaspora.

• The idea of Global Lithuania is based on the understanding that: Lithuania and the diaspora are united by a common identity, historical memory, personal and

professional ties; Regardless of place of residence, the diaspora can:

Foster and promote Lithuanian identity, Maintain political, economic, civic and cultural ties with Lithuania, Engage in public diplomacy, promote trade and investment, strengthen democracy and civil society.

• Change in approach (→inclusion, participation, partnership): Building networks between Lithuania and

the diaspora to maximize impact and to work on issues of common interest.

• The „Global Lithuania“ programme is implemented through an inter-agency action plan, which is updated annually.

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Developing a more strategic relationship with the Lithuanian diaspora (2)

•The inter-agency plan is implemented by 13 institutions (6 ministries, 7 subordinate and other institutions). While

programme activities and goals are planned concurrently, each agency allocates funding for programme

implementation from existing budgetary resources.

•As the coordinating body, the MFA engages other agencies and organizations to encourage and launch initiatives,

which strengthen State-diaspora ties.

•“Global Lithuania” and its action plan aims to facilitate five main goals among the Lithuania diaspora: 1. Encourage

the maintenance of Lithuanian identity, 2. Promote engagement in the life of Lithuania, 3. Support public

diplomacy efforts , 4. Transform „brain drain“ into „brain circulation“, 5. Strengthen communication through

innovative technologies.

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TASK 1: encouraging Lithuanian diaspora to maintain its Lithuanian identity and historical memory

Measures:

(1) Promotion of “Global Lithuania” idea GLL Awards 2012

(2) Support of activities launched by organizations (among them youth organizations), which promote

Lithuanian identity, sense of community and cooperation. Provide financial support for projects:Y2012 – 97 projects initiated and implemented by Lithuanian diaspora organizations worldwideEvents and activities developed by Lithuanian diplomatic missions together with Lithuanian diaspora organizations

(3) Support for Lithuanian educational activities organized by formal and non-formal educational institutions operating abroad.

(4) Placement of teachers and cultural workers, where necessary.

(5) Professional development seminars and courses for teachers of Lithuanian schools and cultural workers.

(6) Daily news updates to Lithuanian media agents operating in foreign countries.

(7) Creation and provision of a widely accessible learning module (text, visual and audio materials) for Lithuanian schools via modern information technologies.

(8) Human rights monitoring of the situation of Lithuanian national minority in foreign countries.6

TASK 2: motivating Lithuanian diaspora to get involved in Lithuania’s political, economic, scientific, social

and cultural life Measures:

(1) Creation of an e-voting system (dependent on Seimas decisions)

(2) Tackling issues (relevant for Lithuanian citizens residing abroad), such as the establishment of electoral

constituencies and initiating appropriate legislative acts (dependent on Seimas decisions)

(3) Disseminating information about the investment climate in Lithuania, the use of EU Structural Funds and

possibilities for Lithuanians living abroad to participate in the implementation of projects aimed at promoting

innovation, investment and trade

(4) Developing activities of World Lithuanian Economic Forum

(5) Identification, preservation and recovery of Lithuanian cultural heritage worldwide

(6) Identification of Lithuanian archives abroad, integration into a common information system, coordination

of their administration and use

(7) Encouraging Lithuanians living abroad to study in Lithuania

(8) Strengthening the ties between Lithuanian scientists and artists (working in Lithuania and abroad) and

organizing common eventsArtists’ workshop “Migrating Birds”, World Lithuanian Symposium on Science and Art, Music festival “Returns”

(9) Support for sport activities World Lithuanian sport games

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TASK 3: transforming the phenomenon of ,,brain drain” into the process of ,,brain circulation”

Measures:

(1) Compilation of statistics and data on the number of Lithuanians living abroad based on national

censuses

(2) Research activities and studies on the situation of Lithuanians living abroad

(3) Improvement of outreach activities, including the provision of information to Lithuanians living abroad

(4) Inclusion of July 17th (World Lithuanian Unity Day) in the list of commemorative days. Support for joint

initiatives and projects (in collaboration with municipalities) 2012 World Lithuanian Youth Meeting

(5) Creation of a system of reintegration services (psychological consultations and other services associated

with the reintegration process)Bulletin “Life and work in Lithuania”

(5) Support for Lithuanian youth studying abroad to participate in internship and mentoring programs„LT Big Brother” Professional Mentorship Program Internships (LISS – for students from the USA and Canada; JKLJS internship – students from UK)

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TASK 4:using innovative technologies with the aim of creatinga new system of communication

Measures:

•Creating a network of professionalsMemorandum of understanding with GLL (Global Lithuanian Leaders)Tripartite agreement (GLL + Enterprise Lithuania + MFA)

•Maintaining and developing, in accordance with possibilities, the broadcasting network of TV channel “LTV

World” with the aim of providing access for more Lithuanians living in Europe and Northern America to

Lithuanian programs•Initiating and preparing special TV and radio programs about Lithuania and about Lithuanians living abroad,

their organizations and activities as well as creating broadcasting possibilities in Lithuania and in foreign

countries•Conducting a survey on the needs of Lithuanians living abroad

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TASK 5 : encouraging Lithuanian diaspora to represent and to promote Lithuania

Measures:

•Involving Lithuanians living abroad and “Friends of Lithuania” in Lithuanian public diplomacy worldwide,

providing them with information about Lithuania, its interests and opportunities. Common activities promoted by Lithuanian diplomatic missions, cultural attachés, Lithuanians living abroad

•Preparing and disseminating information about Lithuanian culture in foreign languages

•Disseminating information about Lithuania’s diaspora activities in the HomelandLithuanian National Radio and Television involved in 2012 World Lithuanian Youth Meeting

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The Purpose of Lithuanian Studies and State Funding

Lithuanians abroad place high priority on Lithuanian studies, a primary tool for preserving national identity.

The purpose of Lithuanian studies is to:

•promote Lithuanian language-learning and preservation;

•uphold national identity;

•familiarize students with the history, culture and heritage of the State of Lithuania;

•encourage self-expression in the Lithuanian language.

State funding, which is covered by the Law on Education, targets:

•schools abroad in which the Lithuanian language is taught or instruction received in the Lithuanian language;

•persons who work as teachers and lecturers in institutions promoting Lithuanian studies;

•Centers of Lithuanian studies abroad.

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Non-formal Education (1)

The programme of „Global Lithuania“ is a significant instrument for:

•consolidating State policy on promoting Lithuanian identity and language studies by combining efforts and resources of competent authorities;

•strengthening ties across Lithuania and abroad, engaging more stakeholders with Lithuanian roots in various spheres of public life in Lithuania.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs coordinates the “Global Lithuania“ program, which is financed from the MFA budget through 2012. From 2013, the MFA will hand over coordination of non-formal education programs to the Ministry of Education and Science, which

will assume full responsibility for both formal and non-formal education of Lithuanians abroad.

As of this moment, there are:

•164 non-formal education institutions in 30 countries;

•about 6300 schoolchildren.12

Non-formal Education (2)

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs supports non-formal education by:

•financing salaries and other expenses of teachers, who work in Lithuanian non-formal education institutions abroad (7 countries: – 34 teachers of Lithuanian language and ethnic culture);•organising seminars for teachers of Lithuanian schools abroad (annual participation ~ 50 teachers);•providing reference materials, national symbols, Lithuanian periodical literature;•financing projects of foreign Lithuanian organizations, educational summer camps and creative competitions (drawing and essay contests – „1410 – The battle of Žalgiris“, „My Lithuania“ and etc.).

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Non-formal Education Institutions (36)

Formal Education Institutions (12)

BelarusGeorgiaLatviaPoland

MoldovaRussia

Ukraine

Belarus (2) Latvia (1)Poland (7)Russia (1)

Germany (1)

LITHUANIAN STUDIES

 

Thank you for your attention today!

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Questions?