The Center for the Support of Lithuanians Living Abroad on Nov. 17 announced a tender aimed at reducing the consequences of emigration from Lithuania. The winner of the public tender will have to organize brief visits of Lithuanian scientists working abroad to Lithuanian science centers, in order to carry out a social study and eventually prepare a program on bringing intellectuals back home. The plan envisions up to 70 Lithuanian specialists and scientists working abroad to visit Lithuanian scientific institutions and high-tech companies. The visits will last from 2 weeks to 3 months. The study will be aimed at assessing the extent, structure and reasons that intellectuals migrate away from Lithuania. Such an effort is required to analyze possibilities for cooperation among Lithuanian companies and Lithuanian scientists working abroad, and to uncover new ways to bring Lithuanian emigrants home. The Center for the Support for Lithuanians Living Abroad is a non-governmental organization which was established in 2000. Over 300,000 people have emigrated from Lithuania in the 16 years of Lithuania's restored independence.
