In the Western world it may seem that caste systems have disappeared long time ago and that caste discrimination has been eliminated, however, some 260 million people in South Asia are victims of this form of discrimination. The number is a rough estimation of people who are considered to belong to the lowest caste, also known as "untouchables", "the fifth caste", or Dalits. (Read more...)

Leonidas Donskis, Member of the European Parliament, supports the nomination of Mustafa Jemilev for the Nobel Peace Prize 2011 in cooperation with the UNPO, an organisation which campaigns in favour of ethnic minorities, indigenous peoples and unrepresented nations. (Read more...)

Last weekend, Leonidas Donskis participated in various events organised within the framework of the Vilnius book fair. Member of the European Parliament had the most enjoyable experience in the fair, although he did not have time to explore stands of publishers or to take part in other events. (Read more...)

During the plenary session in Strasbourg, 14-17 February, MEPs gave a positive evaluation of Croatia`s membership negotiations, finalised the process on the protection of passenger rights for bus and coach travellers, discussed pension reforms and the implementation of the Services directive, expressed their views on the situation in Egypt, and the rule of law in Russia. (Read more...)

The beginning of 2011 marks creative activities of  Leonidas Donskis with two new books. In January, an international academic publisher "Rodopi" has published a book "Niccolò Machiavelli: History, Power, and Virtue", which was compiled and edited by L. Donskis. A book "Power, imagination, memory: studies in politics and literature" in Lithuanian will also be published shortly and presented by the author and a publisher "Versus aureus" during the Vilnius book fair this week. (Read more...)

Member of the European Parliament Leonidas Donskis has dedicated the month of February to meetings in Lithuania. Last weekend he visited Panevėžys, Marijampolė, Jonava, and paid homage to the Tolerance Persons of the Year in Kaunas. (Read more...)