The mission of the Lithuanian Emigration Institute (LEI) is to collect, preserve, research, and exhibit the cultural heritage of the Lithuanian diaspora; to initiate and carry out national and international fundamental and applied interdisciplinary research on the history of diaspora culture and contemporary migration processes, addressing the needs of Lithuanian science, society, and the state.
The activities of the LEI encompass the following main directions:
- Archival – the collection, organization, preservation, and exhibition of archival documentary heritage from emigration organizations and individuals;
- Scientific research – conducting fundamental and applied research;
- Publishing – dissemination of research results in Lithuania and abroad; publication of sources;
- Educational and public – public education, information dissemination, and communication; organizing scientific and cultural events; collaboration with social (national, regional, and international) partners.
The interdisciplinary research carried out by the LEI covers the following research areas (but is not limited to them):
- Issues of preserving national identity in emigration;
- Academic, political, and cultural Lithuanian activities in emigration;
- The Lithuanian diaspora in the international anti-communist movement;
- The historical development of international migration processes;
- The comparative development of post-Soviet diasporas;
- Diaspora relations with Lithuania.