Project’s “Academy of equal opportunities: Accept. Encourage. Change” main aim is to enable Lithuanians schools communities (teachers, students and their parents), employers organizations and general public deal with multiple discrimination of age, gender, race, nationality, language, origin, social status, faith, beliefs or opinions, sexual orientation, disabilities, ethnicity, religion problems, motivate social activity by creating an equal opportunities in labor market.

Why this Project?

Equal opportunities are one of the most important nowadays society’s values and principles. Each member of the public, including young people, must have an equal opportunities (without discrimination of gender, age, sexual orientation, disabilities, race or ethnicity, religion, beliefs, social status, origin, in respect of language) of seeking an education, career, improving themselves, operating in all political and social activities. Discrimination is a result of human’s attitude in respect of some group of people. One of the most important discriminations which have a huge influence to further social and economic human’s life is a discrimination of age in labor market. Discrimination in labor market named as a main problem not only in Lithuania, Europe but in whole world as well.

Today in Lithuania’s television and radio is often emphasizing that modern’s society’s values, stereotypical thinking, disrespect and intolerance gender, age, sexual orientation, disabilities, ethnicity, religion, beliefs, social status and etc. are changing. However, in the same time often observed and recorded equal opportunities (human rights) violation actions, conclusions of employment hitches for working people who in one or another way are different from dominated group. In office’s of the Equal Opportunities Ombudsman 2010 report says that much more investigation is started because of discriminatory advertisements in social media in which are saying that job offers are just for certain age or gender groups. Observed that a number of these kind discriminative advertisements increased during 2008 – 2010, by reduction in labor supply because the number of unemployed people increased and in the same time bigger opportunities for employers to choose an employee which is best for their needs and identify a discriminatory requirements for potential applicants.

Increasing number of complaints because of damaged rights in the field of employment is a consequence of the economic crisis. Another consequence of economic crisis – emigration. According to Lithuanian Department of Statistics from Lithuania emigrated 53,9 thousands residents. Main country to emigrate – United Kingdom. In 2011 every second Lithuanian resident emigrated to United Kingdom, tenth (10,4 percent) – to Ireland, 7,1 percent – to Norway, 7 percent – to Germany, 3,6 percent – to Spain, 3,3 percent – to United States of America, 2,4 percent – to Sweden, 2 percent – to Russian Federation.

In 2009 where questioned 23 500 residents of immigration and ethnic minority in EU country members. Questioner revealed that majority of them has to deal with discrimination: they are discriminated in employment and in their working places, prevented from better quality education, experience violence. “We are not going to change anything”, - for the question why they don’t tell anyone about experienced obvious discrimination or with it connected violence, that’s the response from most immigrants (www.anglija.lt/straipsniai/naujienos/britanijoje/kviecia_atkreipti_demesi_i_emigrantu_diskriminacija.html). With the problems of discrimination in labor market and societies life can deal Lithuanians as well.

The main purpose

Project goals:
• Formatting societies positive provisions to young people rights, motivate variety in work, respect and tolerance “for different”, suffering and people at risk to suffer from discrimination.
• Enable employers integrated position to young employee, to enable communicate together.
• Motivate teachers, students and their parents to accept themselves and others for equality, exploring personal values system.

Projects benefits receivers – Jonas Greiciunas gymnasium in Kelme, high schools of “Rytas” in Druskininkai, “Vetrunge” in Klaipeda, district of Ignalina, Mažeikiai Merkelis Račkauskas, “Skaudvile” in district of Taurage, “Ariogala” gymnasium in Raseiniai district and “Naujamiestis” in Panevezys district, “Baltosios Vokes” in Salcininkai district, “Silas” and “Kriuku” high school in Sakiai district community’s (teachers, students and their parents). In educational seminars participated the commerce, industry and crafts association presented by their employers.

Project realized in partnership with “The West Midlands Creative Alliance Limited” (United Kingdom).

During the project were organized informational and preventive events in all 10 districts (Alytus, Kaunas, Klaipeda, Marijampole, Panevezys, Siauliai, Taurage, Telsiai, Utena, Vilnius). For general public was presented fifteen TV shows cycle. Created and filmed “real” cases by personal and other people’s experience in Lithuania and abroad, newspapers and magazines articles, and TV programs. Those are specific situations which for real had to be experienced by people/characters and in which you can see facts, opinions, provisions and positions.

All Lithuanians who lives here and abroad and all others who had to experience discrimination because of their age, gender, race, nationality, language, origin, social status, faith, beliefs or positions, sexual orientation, disabilities, ethnicity, religion we welcome to share your ideas, say your opinion, valuable position for discrimination in labor market. Contact us by e-mail integracija@gmail.com, phone: (8 41) 552061, mobile phone: 867526246