Project dutration:
The first stage – 15 June-15 November 2010
The second stage – 1 June-15 November 2011
Project rėmėjas: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania
Project aplicant: Association LITDEA (Lithuanian NGOs Network of Development Education and Cooperation)
Project coordinator: National Development Institute (LITDEA member)
Project partner: The Association of Chiefs of Local Authorities of Lithuania
Freepik.com photo
PROJECT RELEVANCE
European politicians, including those in Lithuania, increasingly recognize the importance of expanding public information and Global Development Education. These efforts are essential for introducing civil society to key global perspectives on sustainable development.
As a member of the European Union, Lithuania is a donor country providing assistance to less developed nations. To ensure that this aid is useful and effective, greater attention must be devoted to public information and education regarding development cooperation. Lithuanian citizens currently have limited knowledge about this significant area of national activity and the responsibilities it entails. Information about development cooperation is even less accessible to those living in areas remote from Lithuania’s major cities. Only a small fraction of the population could define what development cooperation is, its objectives, or the Millennium Development Goals and their significance. Furthermore, few understand the importance of activities related to peacekeeping, the promotion of democracy, the emphasis on the rule of law and good governance, global economic growth, social stability, and the reduction of disparities between developed and developing nations—or the unique contribution Lithuania can make in this field.
Due to the insufficient dissemination of information and education on development cooperation, artificial barriers arise. These obstacles limit the ability of Lithuanian citizens to contribute actively and effectively to the development of cooperation concepts and the implementation of related projects and activities.
PROJECT AIM
To convey information to the public on development cooperation, promoting not only interest in it, but also active participation in contributing to its development, to promote public interest in global problems, its members, as Europeans, contribution to the strengthening of developing countries.
PROJEKTO DALYVIAI
Chiefs of Lithuania local authorities, community leaders, coordinators of youth affairs, workers responsible for the work with NGO.
PROJECT ACTIVITIES
During the year 2010 project experts selected the group of chiefs of local authorities, which have participated in two days training on development cooperation according specially prepared program.
After trainings each group of participants have got consultations on specific local authorities’ action programs improvement, in order to evaluate the inclusion of aspects of development co-operation opportunities. It is expected that chiefs of local authorities will transfer gained knowledge to the local community and other local representatives.
In total 80 chiefs of Anyksciai, Jonava, Jurbarkas, Kaisiadorys, Kaunas, Kazlu Ruda, Kelme, Klaipeda, Kretinga Lazdijai, Mazeikiai, Pasvalys, Prienai, Raseiniai, Rokiskis, Skuodas, Sakiai, Siauliai, Silute, Sirvintos, Svencionys, Taurage, Telsiai, Trakai, Utena, Varena, Siauliai, Vilnius municipalities have participated in project activities.
With regard to Lithuania chiefs interest in the project and the fact that development cooperation/education theme remains unknown to many residents of Lithuania, there was planned the continuation of this project.
In 2011 m. there was developed a special development cooperation training program and basing on it trainings have been organized for project target groups.
PROJECT RESULTS
During the project, special training program were developed and training sessions were held for 80 local leaders (elders, sub-elders, and community heads), who became multipliers of knowledge about development cooperation within their communities. Participants were provided with consultations on how to integrate aspects of this topic into specific elderate activity programs, thereby encouraging public interest in global issues.