"Sociumas": the New Issue

It is supposed there are from 5 % to 10 % of homosexuals in the world, but it is very difficult to determine exact number of people who belong to these minorities because a lot of them diligently hide their sexual orientation. About how representatives of sexual minorities maintain their relations and exchange information in Lithuania, how they are demonstrated in periodicals read in the article “Sexual Minorities in Lithuania’s Society” prepared by Victoria Jonikova.

Today Internet is used for various purposes: not only for studying, buying, work, but also for leisure. Possibility of interaction created by new technologies takes important place here. More and more people enter internet chat rooms, download technologies of virtual chats, number of ICQ or IRC users is increasing constantly. This technology becomes more and more applied in Lithuania as well – during last years the number of IRC users and channels in Lithuania increased very much. Read about peculiarities of Lithuanian IRC in the article “Life on the Net: Peculiarities of Lithuanian IRC” prepared by Ieva Èepulkauskaitë.

Political elites forming around political leaders are developing through long way of historical evolution, growing according to corresponding intellectual, cultural and social surrounding – the political culture. In Lithuania, like in all countries of Eastern Europe, the Parliament is a place of society’s political consolidation, its advanced forces. The prestige of Parliament is guaranteed by the fact that it confirms the government, controls its work and confirms budget of the state. Read about development of Lithuanian political elite in the article “1990-2000: Formation of Lithuania’s Political Elite” prepared by Aldona Vildþiûnienë and get acquainted with the results of this interesting research.

Not common event, the 10th Seimas of Lithuanian Community in the World, took place in Vilnius, 15-20 of August. More than 130 delegates representing Lithuanian communities from 31 countries participated there. During the congress Lithuanians from various countries were sharing their experience and problems, raising suggestions, creating projects. About the congress, problems and activity of emigrants “Sociumas” spoke to Anita Bieliauskaite de Lammersdorf, the leader of Venezuela’s Lithuanians’ community. Read the interview in “Sight of the Month”.