Lithuania

Objective 1: ensuring State’s duty to protect, defend and respect human rights

C. Measures related to research and training on non-discrimination and other human rights [page 2-3]

1. “Research and training in non-discrimination. The Inter-institutional Action Plan for the Promotion of Non-discrimination for 2012-2014 was approved by Resolution No 1281 of the Government of the Republic of Lithuania of 2 November 2011, aims to ensure the implementation of educational measures on promotion of non-discrimination and equal opportunities, to increase legal awareness, mutual understanding and tolerance in terms of gender, race, nationality, language, origin, social status, belief, convictions or views, age, sexual orientation, disability, ethnic origin and religion, to inform the public about manifestations of discrimination in Lithuania and its negative impact on equal opportunities of certain social groups to actively participate in public life.”

2. “Promotion of employment of persons with disabilities … Measures foreseen:

• to organize training of the employers with a view to encourage their social responsibility as regards employment of persons with disabilities.”

D. Measures related to research and training on equality between men and women [page 3-4]

1. “Research and training on equal opportunities between men and women. National Programme on Equal Opportunities for Women and Men for 2010-2014, approved by Resolution No 530 of the Government of the Republic of Lithuania of 4 May 2010 and the Action Plan for the implementation of the National Programme on Equal Opportunities for Women and Men for 2010-2014, adopted by Order No Al-323 of the Minister of Social Security and Labour of7 July 2010, aims to ensure consistent, comprehensive and systematic cross-field implementation of the provisions of the Law on Equal Opportunities for Women and Men, as well as European Union (hereinafter referred to as the EU) and international commitments regarding gender equality.

On-going measures: …

• to organise seminars to encourage employers to systematically promote equal treatment of women and men in the workplace and equal opportunities for women and men as regards access to employment or promotion to a senior position;
• to organise a round table discussion on the role of social partners in the implementation of equal opportunities for women and men in the labour market;
• to organise seminars on discriminatory treatment of women and men in education;
• to organise seminars in all regions of Lithuania on the implementation of provisional special measures;
• to organise a competition for employers ensuring equal treatment for men and women.”

Objective 2: promoting corporate responsibility and respect in the field of business and human rights

A. Implemented and on-going measures for the development of CSR in Lithuania [page 7]

3. “The application of CRS principles to the state-owned enterprises. … Lithuania already has SOEs engaged in socially responsible business initiatives. Model CSR application plan and its implementing guidelines for state-owned enterprises were prepared in 2012 aimed to facilitate introduction of CSR in state-owned enterprises, and to promote the use of CSR principles in their operations. This document lists examples of good practise of CSR in Lithuanian state-owned enterprises, naming among others AB Lesto, AB Lietuvos Gelezinkeliai, and Vilnius International Airport.”

4. “National network of responsible business. A Lithuanian National Network of Responsible Business was created in 2005 to provide training opportunities; promote cooperation and partnership among various sectors in Lithuania and abroad towards sustainable development. The Lithuanian Association of the Responsible Business (hereinafter referred to as the LAVA) was founded on 30 August 2013 on the basis of the former informal Lithuanian National Responsible Business Network, having brought together Lithuanian responsible businesses and organizations, mainly members of the United Nations Global Compact.”

C. Planned measures [page 8]

1. “Promotion of social and socially responsible business. The National Progress Programme 2014-2020 approved by the Government of the Republic of Lithuania by Resolution No 1482 of 28 November 2012 (hereinafter referred to as National Progress Programme) establishes priorities for the implementation of Lithuanian progress strategy ‘Lithuania 2030’. Lithuanian Progress Strategy ‘Lithuania 2030’ defines smart economy as able to compete in the world, generating high added value and based on knowledge, integrity and social responsibility. Task 3.3 ‘Implementation of sustainable development principals in businesses’ of the Lithuanian Progress Strategy goal 3 ‘Promotion of business productivity and sustainable development’ presents measures related to promotion of CSR and social businesses:

• to promote social and socially responsible business perceiving it as modern business practice;
• to promote social business by establishing a centre for competencies and good practice, accelerators, work environments for social business, mobility incentives and implementing other measures.”