Office of the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities organizes roundtable on 'Recommendations on the Effective Participation of National Minorities in Social and Economic Life'

The office of the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities (HCNM) and the Department of National Minorities under the Government of the Republic of Lithuania organized an expert roundtable on the Recommendations on the Effective Participation of National Minorities in Social and Economic Life (Socio-economic Recommendations) on 25 March 2024 in Vilnius, Lithuania.

Decision makers, experts, and representatives of civil society and minority communities, shared practical implications and good practices from Estonia, Lithuania and the United States to promote the effective participation of national minorities in social and economic life.

Addressing the participants, Director of the office of the HCNM Marek Szczygieł said: “Economic inclusion is not just about creating opportunities; it's about building unity, breaking down divisions in society, and ensuring equal participation in the economic life of our nations. These Recommendations recognize the links between conflict prevention, national minorities, and social and economic inclusion. By empowering national minorities economically, we will be in a stronger position to enhance peace and security, prevent inter-ethnic conflicts, and contribute to overall economic growth within our societies.”

Director of the Department of National Minorities under the Government of the Republic of Lithuania Dr. Vida Montvydaitė said: “It is important to underline that in Lithuania, with a shortage of skilled workers, every highly qualified immigrant who works in unskilled jobs because of unrecognized education, qualifications, language or social issues is an inexcusable loss for our country. These issues need to be dealt with flexibly and urgently, not only for the sake of the arrivals, but also in the interests of our country.”

The guests and experts included US State Department Special Representative for Racial Equity and Justice Desiree Cormier-Smith, US Environmental Protection Agency Principal Deputy Assistant Administrator Theresa Segovia, Narva Estonian State High School Director Irene Käosaar and Lithuanian Centre for Social Sciences Director Professor Boguslavas Gruževskis.

The Socio-economic Recommendations assist policymakers to design policies that increase the participation of minorities in education, employment, housing, health care, the digital sphere, regional development and the environment. Each of these areas gives specific consideration to minority women and youth.

The roundtable provided an opportunity to discuss the practical implications of the Recommendations and good practices related to the socio-economic inclusion of national minorities from the OSCE region.