Transcript “Global Lithuania”: from challenge to opportunity
“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
professional ties
;
united by a common identity, historical memory, personal and
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,
promot
e 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
updated annually.
is
implemented through an inter-agency action plan
, which is 4
Developing a more strategic relationship with the Lithuanian diaspora (2)
• The inter-agency plan is implemented
by 13 institutions
(6 ministries,
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subordinate and other institutions). While programme
activities and goals
are planned implementation from existing budgetary resources.
concurrently,
each agency allocates funding for programme • 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 worldwide Events 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.
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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 events
Artists’ 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 17 th
(
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 creating a new system of communication
Measures:
• Creating a
network of professionals
Memorandum of understanding with GLL (Global Lithuanian Leaders) Tripartite agreement (GLL + Enterprise Lithuania + MFA)
• • • Maintaining and developing, in accordance with possibilities, the
“LTV World” broadcasting network of TV channel
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 Homeland
Lithuanian 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 resources of competent authorities;
Lithuanian identity and language studies
by combining efforts and • 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
.
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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 Ž algiris“, „My Lithuania“ and etc.).
LITHUANIAN STUDIES Non-formal Education Institutions (36) Formal Education Institutions (12) Belarus Georgia Latvia Poland Moldova Russia Ukraine Belarus (2) Latvia (1) Poland (7) Russia (1) Germany (1)
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Questions?
Thank you for your attention today!
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