A/HRC/7/19/Add.4 page 20 70. Due to the multicultural character of the city, language issues come to fore. In this regard, the Special Rapporteur was informed by the Vice-Mayor of ongoing efforts to improve access by persons of non-Lithuanian origin to the full range of State services. This includes, for example, the possibility of addressing municipal institutions in Russian, including the Municipal Council. Ethnic minorities are also represented in the local political system - only a quarter of the members of the Municipal Council are ethnic Lithuanians. According to local authorities, despite the potential problems that would arise due to linguistic diversity, the actual experience is quite positive and encouraged most of the Visaginas population to become proficient in several foreign languages. 71. In Visaginas, the Special Rapporteur also visited the local community centre where national minorities develop an array of cultural activities, particularly involving children. In the community centre, the Special Rapporteur met representatives of the Russian, Ukrainian, Tatar and Jewish communities. They explained that the centre focuses on three main strategies. First, Sunday schools are made available for children belonging to minorities. Whereas the Russian community, due to its larger size, is able to have Russian-language education in regular schools, smaller minorities organize after-school lessons for their children. So far, classes for seven different minorities are available, not only for linguistic proficiency but also focusing on social studies, history and traditions of each minority. The second strategy is to go further than classes and also to meet the cultural needs of minorities through the creation of national associations that organize year-long activities and events, such as special celebrations organized by the Muslim community during Ramadan and music lessons for traditional folkloric music. Finally, the centre also serves as a means to enhance communications and consultation between the minorities and the national Government, particularly through the Department of National Minorities and Lithuanians Living Abroad. 72. The underlying message expressed both by local authorities and community leaders in Visaginas was that the different ethnic communities managed to become well integrated in the fabric of the local society whilst not only preserving but also strengthening their own particular identities. In this sense, Visaginas is an important test of the strength of Lithuania’s multiculturalism and the way it will meet its future challenges. Some Sri Lankan migrants had recently moved to the city for work, which points to the tendency of non-European migration in the future. Furthermore, the nuclear power plant, which is one of the main sources of income in the city, is scheduled to be deactivated in 2009, which has created some uncertainty and fears regarding the city’s future welfare. Although the existing network of intercultural relations in Visaginas offers a solid basis to tackle these challenges, constant vigilance by authorities and civil society will be required in the future. In this regard, Visaginas’ successful experience in overcoming the challenges of globalization in times of more difficult economic conditions could serve as an example for other parts of the country as well as the region itself. IV. ANALYSIS AND ASSESSMENT OF THE SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR 73. After carefully assessing the statements of government officials as well as those of representatives of civil society organizations, ethnic and religious minorities as well as other communities, the Special Rapporteur reached the following conclusions. 74. Lithuania has put in place a progressive and comprehensive legal strategy to address the issue of racism and discrimination. The Law on Equal Treatment became a holistic instrument to