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On August 8, Lithuanian Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Asta Skaisgirytė Liauškienė took part in the 14th World Lithuanian Symposium held to discuss on the cooperation between Lithuanian institutions and communities across the world. Vice-Minister emphasized that it is a strategic target for Lithuania to develop its relations with Lithuanian diasporas and institutions that needs new and more efficient measures to be implemented.

 “Strengthening of the cooperation between Lithuania and the diasporas is of strategic importance. In order to meet complex needs of Lithuanian diasporas and to successfully implement the policy of relations, we need to work all together: governmental institutions, non-governmental organizations, private sector representatives, local government and, in particular, Lithuanians living abroad”, A.Skaisgirytė Liauškienė said.

Vice-Minister pointed out that it is necessary to look for new measures to help Lithuanian diasporas to participate in the public life, because the old ones are not always efficient.

“We have many diasporas, but the difference between the previous emigration waves and today's is that the current situation not only reveals challenges, but also offers completely new opportunities to communicate for Lithuanians living abroad, to be involved in economic, cultural and social life, to actively participate in the creation of today’s Lithuania and its future", Vice-Minister said.

While presenting the program of Global Lithuania (involving Lithuanians living abroad in the public life), Vice-Minister stressed that the development of a network of professionals, popular mentorship programs and traineeships of diasporas’ members in Lithuania are crucial for the country and will transform the "brain drain" process into the productive process.

A.Skaisgirytė Liauškienė encouraged Lithuanians living abroad to participate in the forthcoming 4th Lithuanian World Economic Forum that will take place in Chicago in September.

She also thanked the representatives of WLC for their role in protecting Lithuanian language, customs and traditions, their significant contribution to the strengthening of the statehood of Lithuania and wished them to accept global challenges, referring to ambitious ideas and innovative initiatives, and to involve every person identifying himself as Lithuanian.

The Symposium is held on 7-10 August in Vilnius and will gather over 150 delegates from more than 40 countries having Lithuanian communities.

The first World Lithuanian Symposium convened in New York in 1958, during which the Constitution was voted and the first Board was elected. Later, the event took place every five years alternately in the US and in Canada. Since 2000, Symposium is held once in three years in Vilnius.