“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,

7

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

.

; 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 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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