| Abstract [eng] |
Experts state that Lithuania remains one of the most intolerant countries in Europe. Intolerance towards some specific social minorities is extremely high. Prejudices, stereotypes and discrimination are a concurrent in many minorities’ daily life. Discrimination has a negative influence not only on the discriminated but also on the society as such. There is a lack of studies analyzing the causes and sequences of discriminatory beliefs and behaviors in Lithuania. There is neither a real integral conception of minorities nor a systemic approach to minorities’ problems and possibilities to solve them. This ends in inaccurate preventive and interventional measures. The object of this work was to survey equal opportunities and antidiscrimination field experts’ prospects of discrimination against minorities in Lithuania and approach to possibilities of overcoming discrimination. The set tasks were to survey experts’ (1) concepts of minorities and discrimination; (2) prospects of situation of minorities; (3) supposed causes and sequences of discrimination; (4) evaluation of current antidiscrimination policy in Lithuania; and (5) supposed possibilities and means of overcoming discrimination. A qualitative descriptive research was made. The method: a qualitative analysis of semi-structured interview. Four experts were selected from different fields of antidiscrimination and equal opportunities policy implementation covering wide field of working issues on all minority groups. The survey has revealed experts’ complex concept of minorities, vital discrimination on the grounds of sexuality and ethnicity, causes of discrimination (firstly related to social structures), negative effects of discrimination on the individual and society, negative evaluation of current antidiscrimination policy, and possibilities of overcoming discrimination through education and alternation in political culture. These results can be helpful with a view to develop effective antidiscrimination strategies. |
