Fostering a culture of dialogue is more important than ever. At the Nordic Tent, we bring together Nordic and Lithuanian experts to explore pressing issues such as resilience, sustainability, youth and other.

We believe we’re stronger together. Come join us at Būtent on August 29-30 in Vilnius!

Programme at the Nordic tent

AUGUST 29

14:00 When will we see nature not just as a resource, but as our mental health necessity?

Spending time in nature has clear, proven benefits for our mental health and well-being. Yet, natural environments are still too often viewed primarily through the lens of resource use, rather than as a means of promoting health. This discussion seeks to explore what changes – whether in policy, tools, everyday practices, or mindsets – are needed to better integrate nature into ways to support people’s mental well-being.

The discussion is organised in collaboration with the Environmental Psychology Group of the Lithuanian Psychological Association.

Panelists:

• Anna María Pálsdóttir, Associate Professor and Senior Lecturer at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), specialising in environmental psychology and nature-based interventions. Pálsdóttir is internationally recognised for her work on sensory environments, stress recovery, and the design of health-promoting landscapes.
• Austė Juozapaitytė Gruodė, creator of nature-based experiences, environmentalist, forest therapy guide, lecturer for the “Nature Therapy” program at the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, coordinator of the “Gyvo Žalio” Association, and member of the International Society of Forest Therapy (ISFT)
• Gintarė Tamašauskaitė-Janickė, scientist, expert in interdisciplinary social research, nature connection practitioner
• Gintarė Karelina, ecologist and a forest therapy guide; nature management specialist at the Lithuanian State Forest Enterprise (VMU), Trakai regional unit, coordinator of forest therapy experiential activities at VMU.
• Moderator: Dovilė Šorytė, PhD,  enviromental psychology researcher, member of  the Environmental Psychology Group of the Lithuanian Psychological Association

15:30 Lines cut, ties strengthened: Nordic-Baltic unity against sabotage

In recent years, the Baltic Sea has become a frontline in the evolving security landscape of Northern Europe. From the Nord Stream pipeline explosions to suspected sabotage of critical undersea infrastructure, the region faces a new generation of threats. How prepared are our societies to detect, respond to, and deter such operations? This discussion will bring together perspectives from security experts, policymakers, and civil society voices across the Nordic and Baltic states. The conversation will underline the importance of solidarity in the face of hybrid threats, showing that while infrastructure may be vulnerable, political and societal ties across the region are growing stronger than ever.

The discussion is organised in collaboration with Geopolitics and Security Studies Center.

Panelists: 

• Magnus Hjort, Director General of the Swedish Psychological Defense Agency
• Nerijus Maliukevičius, PhD, lecturer at Institute of International Relations and Political Science of Vilnius University, expert of information warfare
• Piotr Szymański, Senior Fellow, Centre for Eastern Studies, Poland
• Moderator: Gytė Augustinaitytė, project assistant at Geopolitics and Security Studies Center

17:00 How green are we? Let’s look at the numbers!

This panel invites you to learn what people across the Baltic and Nordic countries are saying about sustainability, based on a new consumer survey. What are the biggest environmental concerns today? Why do people find it so hard to shop sustainably? Who do they trust – and who should they trust – when it comes to green choices? We’ll be joined by voices from both business and civil society to unpack these questions and share practical ideas.

The discussion is organised in collaboration with Embassy of Sweden in Vilnius and Embassy of Denmark in Vilnius.

Panelists:

• Christel Søgaard Kirkeby, Project manager, The Danish Consumer Council Tænk
• Ugnė Marija Andrijauskaitė, PhD, Historian, mother of 2 toddlers, practitioner of sustainable (as much as possible) living
• Aušra Juozapaitytė, Policy and Business Promotion Officer, Embassy of Sweden in Vilnius 
• Moderator: Medeina Andriulienė, Parenting & education advocate, author

18:30 A Nordic conversation: 8 years of insight, 8 days of first impressions

What do eight years of experience and eight days of fresh impressions reveal about Lithuania? About the Nordics? About how we connect, cooperate, and grow together?

Join us for an open and engaging conversation with Helen Nilsson and Ole Andreas Lindeman, two directors of the Nordic Council of Ministers Office in Lithuania with different timelines.

We’ll talk about how Lithuania has changed, what has surprised and inspired, how Nordic–Lithuanian collaboration has evolved, and what the road ahead might look like.

A conversation about people, cultures, and cooperation – open, personal, and light-hearted. Moderated by journalist and TV/radio host Živilė Kropaitė.

AUGUST 30

11:00 If children know about online threats, why do they still fall victim?

This discussion will focus on children’s vulnerability and grooming in the digital space: why awareness of online threats alone is not enough to stay safe, and what psychological, social, and technological factors influence children’s online safety. We will also explore how children become involved in online risks, and the role of adults – including parents, teachers, and professionals – in strengthening children’s critical thinking, emotional resilience, and overall digital safety.

The discussion is organised in collaboration with Embassy of Denmark in Vilnius, Embassy of Norway in Vilnius and Childline.

Panelists:

• Rugilė Butkevičiūtė, Co-Founder and Director of Ribologija, the first NGO in the Baltic states focused on preventing sexual violence
• Eglė Tamulionytė, Coordinator of Childline’s Campaign Without Bullying in Lithuania
• Aida Bikic, PhD, Psychologist, researcher and lecturer with passion for children and young people. Focus on gaming, screen & social media. Special knowledge about ADHD and the effects of screen time.
• Nelli Kongshaug, Head of Unit for the Norwegian Red Cross helpline, Kors på halsen
• Moderator: Živilė Kropaitė-Basiulė, journalist and TV/radio host

12:30 From catch-up to forefront: Lithuania’s innovations to drive the Nordic–Baltic region

Ever since regaining independence, Lithuania has pushed toward integration with Western communities, with Nordic countries often seen as role models. In 2004, the country joined the EU and NATO, and in 2005, it became part of the Nordic Investment Bank alongside other Nordic and Baltic countries.

Fast forward 20 years, and the Nordic–Baltic region is more interconnected than ever before. What have we learned from this regional cooperation? How can we further drive economic growth and competitiveness? And what role can Lithuania play in truly cementing the Nordic–Baltic region as a global hub for innovation?

The discussion is organised in collaboration with the Nordic Investment Bank.

Panelists:

• Prof. Vladas Algirdas Bumelis, Executive Chairman of the Board, Northway Group,  CEO, Northway Biotech
• Agnė Paliokaitė, Chair of the Board of Innovation Agency Lithuania
• Egidijus Lazauskas, CEO of LTG Group 
• Moderator: Akvilė Skiparė, Head of Financial institutions, Nordic Investment Bank

14:00 The invisible battle: how can we equip society for psychological defense?

In today’s tense geopolitical climate strengthening psychological resilience is more urgent than ever. This panel will explore how education, government, and media sectors can work together to equip citizens with the tools to resist disinformation, fear, and division.

Panelists from Finland, Sweden, and Lithuania will share best practices, learned lessons as well as challenges, including integrating critical thinking and media literacy into school curricula, coordinating strategic communication across government bodies, and ensuring public trust through independent, credible media. The discussion will highlight how these efforts contribute to a psychologically strong and informed society – capable of withstanding information warfare and maintaining democratic stability under pressure.

The discussion is organised in collaboration with the Embassy of Finland in Vilnius and Embassy of Sweden in Vilnius.

Panelists:

• Magnus Hjort, Director General of the Swedish Psychological Defense Agency
• Monika Garbačiauskaitė-Budrienė, LRT Director General
• Lauri Palsa, PhD, Post-doctoral researcher, University of Jyväskylä, Faculty of Education and Psychology; Chairperson, The Finnish Society on Media Education
• Moderator: Linas Kojala, CEO of Geopolitics and Security Studies Center

15:30 Is politics only for boomers? Bringing young voices to the table

In many democracies around the world, political power remains concentrated in the hands of older generations, while young people are often sidelined in decision-making processes that will shape their futures. This growing tension between traditional political structures and the energy of emerging generations raises important questions: Why are young voices still underrepresented in formal politics? What are the structural and cultural obstacles keeping them from the table and how can those barriers be dismantled?

The discussion is organised in collaboration with the Embassy of Finland in Vilnius and Embassy of Norway in Vilnius.

Panelists:

• Alma Jokinen, EU Youth Delegate of Finland
• Håvard Handeland, Mayor of Sauda municipality, the youngest mayor ever in Norway
• Alexander Winge, President of Nordic Youth Council
• Andrius Grumadas, the youngest municipal council member in Lithuania
• Moderator: Gintarė Kučiauskaitė, Health psychologist, Board member of Lithuanian youth council

17:00 Is critical thinking really available to everyone? Psychological resilience and social politics

In socio-economically unstable situations, people’s ability to think critically and make rational and sustainable decisions is questionable. In a rapidly changing global environment, it is more important than ever to have strong social policies that balance inequality, create the prerequisites for the development of the foundations of critical thinking, and strengthen the overall resilience of society.

The discussion is organised in collaboration with Lithuanian skeptics society.

Panelists:

• Pontus Böckman, Co-founder of Swedish Skeptics Association
• Ramunė Dirvanskienė, PhD, Neuropsychologist, Assoc. Prof., Vilnius University Faculty of Philosophy
• Gražina Bielousova, PhD, Sociologist, lecturer  at Vytautas Magnus university
• Brigita Gaitanži, Educational scientist, education leader, science communicator. Specializes in research on gifted children’s education
• Kostas Gaitanži, PhD, Lecturer, Assoc. Prof. at European Humanities university
• Moderator: Algimantas Kvecys, Chairman at Lithuanian sceptics society

18:30 No one left behind: addressing diverse learning needs in Nordic and Lithuanian schools

Each of us is a person with special needs – sometimes temporary (such as relationship difficulties), and sometimes shaped by a diagnosis. How can we respond to individual cognitive differences and ensure a safe environment for every child to thrive at school?

Drawing on experiences from the Nordic countries, this discussion will explore key principles of education from the child’s perspective and various approaches to learning. Topics will include the right to one’s native language, development of social skills, inclusive education, support for children with dyslexia, and more – covering a wide range of real-life situations.

The discussion is organised in collaboration with Centre for Scandinavian Studies of Vilnius University.

Panelists:

• Agnė Motiejūnė, Sociologist, Deputy Principal of Vilnius Antakalnis Progymnasium
• Satu Grünthal, Assoc. prof. at the University of Helsinki & University of Vilnius
• Lina Narkevičienė, Speech therapist at the Vilnius Pedagogical Psychological Service. Her main area of interest is the possibilities of overcoming dyslexia in the context of today’s education.
• Barbora Kavaliauskaitė-Aleknienė, participant of the “Teach First Lithuania” programme, teacher of Lithuanian language and literature
• Aivaras Šarauskas, participant of the “Teach First Lithuania” programme. He obtained a bachelor’s degree at the Center for Scandinavian Studies at Vilnius University. In his final thesis, he compared teachers’ attitudes towards children with special needs in Lithuania and Norway.
• Moderator: Loreta Vaicekauskienė, professor at the Centre for Scandinavian Studies of Vilnius University, sociolinguist, co-author of the book “Language as an Error” (2022). Education is one of her professional and civic interests.