Dr. Šadauskas’ participation reflects EHU’s continued commitment to engaging in international dialogue and contributing to discussions on democracy, security, and regional cooperation.
For EHU, the conference provided a valuable opportunity to meet and engage with international partners and friends of the university, including the Nordic Council of Ministers, strengthening existing relationships and fostering new avenues for cooperation.
The programme featured keynote speeches by prominent leaders, including Karen Ellemann, Secretary General of the Nordic Council of Ministers, Ole Andreas Lindeman, Director of the Nordic Council of Ministers Office in Lithuania, and Oleksandra Matviichuk, Nobel Peace Prize laureate (2022). Lithuania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Kęstutis Budrys also addressed participants, highlighting the importance of regional unity.
In her keynote address, Karen Ellemann introduced the “3C framework” – Collaboration, Community, and Culture as a guiding principle for strengthening ties among like-minded countries.
A central highlight of the event was Panel I: “Stronger together? Testing the Nordic–Baltic cooperation model after 35 years”, featuring distinguished speakers including Kristina Háfoss, Katja Chemnitz, H.E. Linas Linkevičius, Pia Hansson, and Matti Pesu, moderated by Ole Andreas Lindeman. The discussion reflected on the evolution of cooperation and explored ways to strengthen partnerships in an increasingly complex geopolitical environment.
Speakers underscored that dialogue is at the heart of democratic societies, with Vilnius serving as a vibrant platform for open exchange and collaboration. They highlighted that shared values must translate into practical cooperation across different fields, including innovation, infrastructure, and policy coordination.
The conference reinforced the idea that open dialogue and shared values are critical to addressing contemporary geopolitical challenges, while fostering innovation and sustainable development across the region.
Photo credit: Žygimantas Gedvila