Recently initiatives of integrating paradigms of Multicultural and Intercultural Education into the System of General Education have appeared in Lithuania. The directives of Ministry of Education determine the integration of Intercultural learning into School curriculum as optional. Therefore its implementation in public schools depends mostly on teachers’ will. As a result Intercultural learning is most often reduced to superficial and less intricate topics (like ethnographic diversity, languages, etc), social issues and especially LGBT issues being expelled almost entirely from the notion of Diversity of Society. LGBT issues are successfully avoided in all levels of General Education System with rare exceptions of personal initiatives of teachers and school pupils. Accordingly, the environment of General Education System stays deeply homophobic.

LGBT issues are often met with repulse and ignorance in public discourse because of prevailing myths and stereotypes. Therefore the measures aiming at effectively struggling myths and stereotypes in public discourse must be taken so to promote efficiency of public discussion focusing on LBGT issues.

On behalf of four LGBT organisations in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania we would like to invite you to participate in the Baltic Pride 2010 in Vilnius, Lithuania, from 7 – 8 May 2010. The Baltic Pride 2010 is an unique opportunity for human rights defenders across Europe to get together and discuss common problems and challenges, share experiences and best practices on tackling discrimination and advancing equality and human rights for LGBT people, as well as celebrating achievements. The “Baltic Pride 2010” is dedicated to highlight the importance of equality of homosexual, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) persons.

In June 2009 Tolerant Youth Association began the realisation of the ‘Fight for Yourself – for LGBT Rights’ project funded by the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The Project is sponsored by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, its duration is one year.

“Refugee integration using active methods of socialisation” is a joint project of the Office of the Ombudsman of Equal Opportunities and Tolerant Youth Association and is being carried out as part of the the European Refugee Fund’s five-year (2008-2013) and year-long (2008) programmes.The project’s target group is persons who have received protection in Lithuania (refugees).

During the year of 2009 we were busy carrying out a project whose aim was to bend the society towards a more positive view on third country nationals’ integration. The number of international migrants in Lithuania is expected to rise, yet the locals retain an adamantly negative view of foreigners living here. No institution coordinating their integration exists in Lithuania, thus with this project we endeavoured to contribute to preparing Lithuanians for living with and trusting people originating from countries outside the EU.