European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI)

ECRI’s Round Table in Lithuania
Constitution Hall – Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania
Vilnius, Thursday 12 June 2003

PROGRAMME

9:30 – 9:45

OPENING

 

Opening Address

Welcome and introductory statements by Mr Michael HEAD, Chair of ECRI and by the Moderator of the morning session of the Round Table Professor Algirdas GAIŽUTIS, Rector of the Vilnius Pedagogical University

9:45 – 10:45 THEME I – ECRI’S REPORT ON LITHUANIA

9:45 – 10:00

Introduction to ECRI’s work

by Ms Isil GACHET, Executive Secretary to ECRI

10:00 – 10:15

Conclusions to be drawn from ECRI’s Report on Lithuania

by Mr Michael HEAD, Chair of ECRI

10:15 – 10:45

Discussion: open to the floor

10:45 – 11:00

Coffee Break

11:00 – 1:00 THEME II – LITHUANIA´S PROGRAMME FOR THE INTEGRATION ROMA INTO LITHUANIAN SOCIETY

11:00 – 11:15

“Programme for the Integration of Roma into Lithuanian Society 2000-2004”

by Mr Stanislav VIDTMANN, Deputy Director General of the Department of National Minorities and Lithuanians Living Abroad

11:15 – 11:30

Assessment of the Programme for the Integration of Roma into Lithuanian Society,

by Ms Teofilė BAGDONAVIČIENĖ, Head of the Panevėžys’ Roma Community “Novo drom”, Member of the Council of National Minorities

11:30 – 11:45

Covering diversity and minority issues in the media with a special emphasis on Roma,

by Ms Egle KUCINSKAITE, volunteer with "Rroma Mission" Kaunas

11:45 – 1:00

Discussion: open to the floor

1:00 – 2:30

Lunch break

2:30 – 3:45 THEME III – NATIONAL LEGISLATION TO COMBAT RACISM AND RACIAL DISCRIMINATION – THE WAY FORWARD

2:30 – 2:45

ECRI’s General Policy Recommendation No.7 on national legislation to combat racism and racial discrimination,

by Ms Isil GACHET, Executive Secretary to ECRI

2:45 - 3:00

The Office of the Ombudsman for Equal Opportunities as a model for a national specialised body in combating racism,

by Ms Aušrinė BURNEIKIENĖ, Ombudsman for Equal Opportunities

3:00 – 3:45

Discussion: open to the floor

3:45 – 4:00

Coffee Break

4:00 – 5:30 THEME IV – FINDING A SAFE HAVEN – REFUGEES AND ASYLUM SEEKERS IN LITHUANIA

4:00 – 4:10

Governmental policies in respect of asylum seekers and refugees,

by Ms Violeta TARGONSKIENE, Deputy Head of the Asylum Affairs Division of the Department of Migration

4:10 – 4:20

The situation of refugees and asylum seekers in Lithuania,

by Ms Audra SIPAVIČIENĖ, Head of the IOM Office Vilnius

4:20 – 4:30

Access to asylum and assistance programmes for refugees and asylum seekers,

by Ms Diana BARTKUTE, Lithuanian Red Cross

4:30 – 5:30

Discussion: open to the floor

5:30 – 6:00

Conclusions of the Round Table

 

Presentation of the Conclusions of the Round Table by the Moderator of the afternoon session of the Round Table Professor Arvydas Virgilijus MATULIONIS, member of ECRI