Some aspects of civic participation of the Polish ethnic group in Southeast Lithuania

Abstract

The article is based on the analysis of qualitative interviews with the leaders of ethnic voluntary organizations in Southeast Lithuanian cities. The article discusses the main objectives and activities of Polish ethnic voluntary organizations and the motives of involvement in the activities of such organizations. The self-organization of the ethnic group at the civic level is analyzed from the several theoretical perspectives which high­light the importance of cultural, political and economic factors. The research findings showed that the motivation of the Polish ethnic group for self-organization at the civic level is based on the factors mentioned above.