The Lithuanian Poles, who presented the Vilnius region 2040 strategy, do not want Russification or Russian influence

This strategy deals with the preservation and development of the Polish language and the Polish community in Lithuania. Its scope is really wide, it is based on the analysis of scientific sources, knowledge of Lithuanian and Polish experts, and the strategy tries to cover all areas of the life of the Polish national minority.

Representatives of the Polish Discussion Club, journalist Evelina Mokšecka, political scientist Marijušas Antonovičius, lawyer Gžegožas Miloševičius, political scientist Andžejus Pukštas, as well as a representative of the Lithuanian Society of Polish Scientists prof. Yaroslav Volkonovsky and Boguslav Gruzevsky, director of the Institute for Labor Market Research.

Attractive polish and awareness

How 15 minutes Antonis Radchenko, director of the Polish Discussion Club, said that the strategy was expected to be presented before the elections, but the pandemic paralyzed the last work and did not catch up, although it was planned to meet with representatives of all parties before of the elections. But it is getting better and better, in this way no political party could use the strategy in its electoral campaign.

This strategy sets out two key goals that are expected to be achieved by 2040. First, it is an attractive Polish, the implementation of which will require solutions in the fields of demographics, the Polish language, Polish culture, Polish-language media and the Lithuanian Polish education. The second objective is related to the rich Vilnius region, where work awaits in the field of awareness and citizenship education of the Lithuanian Polish community and, indirectly, a coherent and intelligent development of the economy and social life of the region of Vilnius.

The drafters of the strategy wanted to meet with the president and his advisers, as the new ruling majority is currently being formed, the new Seimas will be sworn in and the new government will take office. “We are very happy that the president wanted to meet us. From what we understand, he was very interested in this strategy of ours, where the whole situation of the Lithuanian Poles and the Vilnius region was defined: economic, cultural, educational, etc.”, A. Radchenko said.

There is much talk, but scattered

The President’s support is expected when this strategy is presented to officials and politicians responsible for education, culture and other areas, since concrete steps will be discussed in these groups and projects will be prepared and presented to the Seimas and the Government. He mentioned that in the near future he hopes to meet with the representatives of all the parties that have joined the Seimas, first the politicians of the future position and then the opposition.

From what we understand, the president was interested in this strategy, which defines the whole situation of the Lithuanian Poles and the Vilnius region – economic, cultural, educational, etc. – said A. Radchenko.

“When developing this strategy, we took into account that there is a lot of talk about the problems of the Polish minority in Lithuania, but it has not been put in one place: what are the problems that the Polish minority wants. In our opinion, decisions should be systematic, and all responsible authorities will also receive some factual basis for the situation, as there are many myths and stereotypes. “It seems to me that this strategy will make things easier for politicians, journalists and academics interested in these issues,” Radchenko said.

The strategy was developed by the Polish Discussion Club in 2018 as a non-governmental organization, avoiding any direct link with one or the other party and possibly leading to accusations of politicking. The club was also joined by professionals from the academic world, entrepreneurs, professors and more.

Education is paramount

When asked to name the main points of this strategy, Radchenko first highlighted education, which, according to him, is a conversation with the president and members of his team.

“It probably shows that we can agree decisions in this area with the future government. Schools in the Polish language of instruction are well equipped, but according to the number of people with higher education, Lithuanian Poles are at the bottom of the list, although they have passed 30 years since they regained independence.

Another similar phenomenon, on which we also place great emphasis, is, let’s call it, secondary Russification. For example, according to research, the number of people of Polish nationality for whom the Polish language is prestigious is decreasing every year. Then comes the influence of Russia, it seems to us that the situation in this place needs to be improved, “Radchenko said.

He also recalled the problems of the lack of a unified Lithuanian language test and a proper methodology for teaching the Lithuanian language in non-Lithuanian schools, recognizing that learning the state language is simply mandatory in Lithuania to pursue a career here.

I would like Lithuanian support

Another thing that, according to Radchenko, is very important is the funding of the Polish media.

Another similar phenomenon is like secondary Russification. According to research, there is a decrease in the number of people of Polish nationality for whom the Polish language is prestigious. Then comes the influence of Russia.

“Until now, the Polish media in Lithuania is funded by Warsaw. Of course, we are strategic partners with Poland, it is not a way to fund the Kremlin or any other state hostile to Lithuania, but still it should not be up to 90 percent. the funds needed for the media come from another state.

Although we are both in NATO and the European Union, but for the Lithuanian Poles to identify with Lithuania, it seems to me that the Lithuanian state should pay more attention to both the media and culture, as well as funding ”, the director of the Polish Discussion Club is convinced.

He said colleagues who attended the president’s remote meeting had heard a promise to support the decisions dictated by the strategy. Therefore, although the strategy is foreseen until 2040, at least some of the problems can be solved in the near future.

National minorities are not a problem but an asset

The report circulated by the Presidency states that in the remote meeting, the President stressed that the creation of a welfare state in Lithuania is inseparable from the reduction of any form of exclusion, including on the grounds of nationality.

“National minorities are not our problem. This is our property, which we must take care of and protect,” said G. Nausėda, thanking the organizers of the “Vilnius Region 2040” strategy for the initiative to outline a vision of the national community. Polish of Lithuania, covering the most important areas: education, culture, economy and civil society.

“The most important thing is that this document is open and encourages dialogue. I suggest continuing discussions both within the Polish community and with Lithuanian state institutions on the improvement and implementation of this strategy,” said the president, emphasizing that many of the Most important proposals: innovative education, culture, digital economy, strengthening civil society and economic development of the Vilnius region coincides with the vision of prosperity that Lithuania previously presented to the public.

The strategy was developed for 2018-2020. The project was initiated and coordinated by the Polish Discussion Club and involved many organizations from the Lithuanian Polish community (Association of Polish Lithuanian Scientists, Polish Lithuanian Scout Union, European Foundation for Human Rights, Polish Business Forum Korona, Polish Chamber of Commerce -Lithuanian, radio station Znad Wilii ”, the daily“ Kurier Wileński ”, TVP Wilno) and representatives of Lithuanian higher education institutions.