Experts from Lithuania and the Nordic countries will discuss societal and business resilience, culture, gender equality, and the future of the Nordic-Baltic region. We will explore women’s health and science-based approaches to well-being, discuss critical thinking in the digital age, and debate whether the time has come for universal military service in Lithuania. As we mark the 35th anniversary of the Nordic Council of Ministers Office in Lithuania, we will also look ahead and imagine the future of our region together.

All discussions will be held in English with simultaneous interpretation into Lithuanian available.

Photos

Programme at the Nordic Tent

AUGUST 28

14:00 – 15:00 Health Jungle: Where Science Meets Marketing

Lithuania spends significantly more on medicines than the EU average, yet its rates of preventable deaths remain among the highest in Europe. Why is that? How can we tell science-based health information from clever marketing? Why doesn’t “clinically proven” always mean credible? And what can we learn from the Nordic countries?

Join us for a discussion on how to critically assess health claims, spot pseudoscience, and make more informed decisions about your health.

What will you learn?

• Why Lithuania’s health statistics should concern us.
• How “science washing” works—and why it’s perfectly legal.
• Five simple signs that can help you identify misleading health claims.
• How an innovative tool can help evaluate whether health claims are truly backed by science.

This discussion is organised in partnership with LithuaniaBIO, the association representing Lithuania’s life sciences, biotechnology, and health technology sectors.

Panlelists:

• Aivaras Vilutis, PR Lead & Strategist, Sensus PR
• Prof. Lina Jankauskaitė, Pediatritian, Head of the Coordinating Centre for Rare and Undiagnosed Diseases at Kauno Klinikos
• Jan Deresiewicz, Managing Director, Tillotts Pharma (Sweden)
• Moderator: Simona Šimulytė, Executive director, LithuaniaBIO

15:30 – 16:30 Boys, Bros and the Algorithm: How Are Young Men Shaped Today?

Who teaches boys what it means to be a man today? Families, schools and communities remain essential sources of guidance, but young men are increasingly influenced by algorithm-driven online content that can distort their outlook on life, impact their behaviours, women’s rights and the meaning of gender equality itself.

At a time of growing social and political uncertainty, stereotypes about masculinity are regaining traction and anti-gender narratives are spreading across digital spaces. Gender equality cannot be achieved by women alone. Engaging men and boys helps build more resilient democracies, strengthen social cohesion and prevent violence. This session will explore what is driving these shifts, what consequences they may have for attitudes towards women and how societies can create positive pathways for men and boys to become active partners in advancing equality.

This discussion is organised in partnership with the Embassy of Sweden in Lithuania and the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE).

Panelists:

• Jolanta Reingardė, European Institute for Gender Equality
• Peter Söderström, Violence-prevention expert, Swedish Gender Equality Agency
• Indrė Vareikytė, Communications and Strategic Relations Lead in defense sector
• Umberto Masi, President of Lithuanian Youth Council
• Moderator: Georgie Bradley, Spokesperson and the Media Officer, European Institute for Gender Equality

17:00 – 18:00 How Can Culture Drive Societal Resilience?

Across Europe, societies are being tested by disinformation, polarization, uncertainty, and growing geopolitical pressure. In this new reality, resilience is not only about military preparedness or infrastructure. It is also about culture, identity, trust, and social cohesion.

As Denmark and Lithuania rethink preparedness in an uncertain world, this panel will explore the role of culture in resilience, democracy, and “total defence” thinking – and what our societies can learn from each other about strengthening resilience from within.

The discussion is organised in partnership with Embassy of Denmark in Lithuania and Danish Cultural Institute in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.

Panelists:

• Katrine Baunvig, Professor at School of Culture and Society – Center for Grundtvig Studies at Aarhus University
• Rūta Kačkutė, PhD, Director General of the National Museum of Lithuania
• Kristina Petrauskė, Deputy Director of Vytautas the Great War Museum in Kaunas
• Moderator: Anna Enemark, Regional Director for Danish Cultural Institute in the Baltic States and Baltic Sea Region

18:30 – 19:30 The Nordic Cooking Show: a Discussion on Food, Health and Lifestyle

Eat, exercise, sleep more. We’ve heard it all before. But what does the latest data from 2025 edition of the Nordic Monitoring of Diet, Physical Activity and Overweight (NORMO 2025) actually say about how healthy we are? Do the Nordics have it figured out, or are Lithuanians doing better than we think?

Join the Lithuanian and Nordic experts who will cook, talk and share their recommendations on how we could all be living a little healthier. There will be something to taste at the end!

Panelists:

• Sisse Fagt, Senior Adviser, National Food Institute, Denmark
• Tomas Vaičiūnas, PhD, Lecturer at VU Faculty of Medicine, Director of Masters Programme in Lifestyle Medicine
• Jugnė Jūnė Jonušaitė, Public Health Specialist, Vilnius City Public Health Bureau
• Moderator: Beata Nicholson, author of cookbooks,  TV show host

AUGUST 29

11:00 – 12:00 Women’s Health: Where Science is Silent and Policy is Blind

Biological sex is still frequently ignored in medical research. For methodological convenience, clinical decisions are designed based on a male model. The consequence: diagnoses for women are delayed, and treatments are less effective. This issue is not limited to medicine – it is directly linked to economic inequality, increasing the risk of poverty and deepening exclusion in the labor market.

UNESCO emphasizes that integrating the gender perspective into scientific research is a prerequisite for creating fair policies. In a discussion with female scientists, journalists, doctors, and experts, we will explore how to view this issue through a human rights lens and outline guidelines for systemic change. Equality in science and healthcare is not just about who works, but also about what we research.

The discussion is organised in partnership with the Lithuanian National Commission for UNESCO and Lithuanian Journalism Centre.

Panelists:

• Lone Frank, PhD, Science Journalist, Author (Denmark)
• Ramunė Jakštienė, PhD, Legal Scholar and Associate Professor at the Institute of Law and Law Enforcement of Mykolas Romeris University
• Diana Žilovič, PhD, Medical Doctor, Gynecologic Oncologist
• Eglė Pavydė, PhD, Pharmacist, PhD in Regenerative Medicine
• Moderator: Goda Raibytė-Aleksa, Science Journalist

12:30 – 13:30 Workshop: Cultural Prepping Now!

An open, hands-on workshop inspired by the Cultural First Aid Kit developed by the Danish Cultural Institute. It explores how culture, creativity, and community can strengthen resilience in times of pressure and change.

We create scrap sculptures from recycled materials and everyday objects and integrate a message of hope, friendship and peace. Everybody is welcome!

Workshop facilitator: Anna Enemark, Regional Director for Danish Cultural Institute in the Baltic States and Baltic Sea Region.

The workshop is organised in partnership with Embassy of Denmark in Lithuania and Danish Cultural Institute in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.

14:00 – 15:00 TikTok vs School: Who Teaches Young People How to Think?

Algorithms increasingly shape what young people see, read and believe often before formal education has a chance to do so. At the same time, schools are expected to equip students with critical thinking skills, media literacy and the ability to navigate an increasingly complex information environment.

Can education keep pace with the digital world? What should schools teach in the age of AI, algorithms and endless information? And who ultimately has the greatest influence on how young people understand the world? This discussion brings together Nordic and Baltic perspectives on one of the defining educational challenges of our time.

The discussion is organised in partnership with Embassy of Finland in Lithuania and Embassy of Norway in Lithuania.

Panelists:

• Patricija Lenčiauskienė, PhD, Communication and Information Sciences Researcher at Vytautas Magnus University
• Kari Kivinen, PhD, Education Outreach Expert, European Union Intellectual Property Office
• Kari Spjeldnæs, Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Leadership and Innovation, Kristiania University of Applied Sciences (Norway)
• Moderator: Aleksandra Ketlerienė, LRT.lt Deputy Editor-in-Chief, Journalist, Media Literacy, Information Warfare Expert

15:30 – 16:30 Should Everyone Serve? Lessons from the Nordics and the Baltics

As European countries strengthen their defence and preparedness, universal conscription is once again becoming a central topic of public debate. Finland, Norway and Lithuania have adopted different models, ranging from broad societal participation to gender-neutral and selective systems.

What should countries do today to rapidly expand their capacity to train reservists and prepare larger numbers of reserve personnel in a short period of time? Could broader participation in military service strengthen not only defence capabilities, but also societal resilience? Should women and men serve under the same conditions? How can military service be made modern, meaningful and attractive to young people while fostering civic responsibility and a stronger sense of citizenship?

This discussion will explore the role that modern conscription can play in strengthening national defence, increasing the number of trained citizens, and enhancing societal resilience.

The discussion is organised in partnership with Embassy of Norway in Lithuania and Embassy of Finland in Lithuania.

Panelists:

• Kristin Lund, Former Force Commander, United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), Norwegian Armed Forces / United Nations
• Charlotte Isaksson, Gender Advisor at Directorate of Strategic Plans and Policy, Swedish Armed Forces
• Vytautas Leškevičius, Chief Foreign Policy Advisor at the Geopolitics and Security Studies Center, Former Lithuanian Ambassador to NATO
• Arvydas Pocius, Member of Committee on National Security and Defence, Lithuanian Parliament, Former Chief of Defence of Lithuania
• Moderator: Vaidotas Malinionis, Retired Colonel, Director of the Colonels Association

17:00 – 18:00 One Region or Eight Countries? 35 Years of Nordic-Baltic Cooperation

Thirty-five years after the launch of Nordic-Baltic cooperation, it is time to ask not only what has been achieved, but what this partnership has created. Can we already speak of a new Northern Europe – a region that increasingly thinks and acts together politically, economically and strategically? Or does cooperation remain primarily a pragmatic response to shared challenges rather than a genuinely common regional identity?

Russia’s war against Ukraine, growing geopolitical uncertainty and wider political and economic transformations have brought the countries of Northern Europe closer together than ever before. But have these developments created a more coherent region, capable of acting collectively in an increasingly fragmented world?

The discussion will explore whether Nordic-Baltic cooperation has laid the foundations for a new regional identity. If not, what political, economic and societal steps are still needed for Northern Europe to evolve from a successful framework for cooperation into a more resilient, influential and self-confident regional actor?

Panelists:

• Ingrida Šimonytė, former Prime Minister, Member of the Lithuanian Parliament
• Tobias Billström, Head of Strategy and Governmental Affairs at Nordic Air Defence, Former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sweden
• Ole Andreas Lindeman, Director of the Nordic Council of Ministers office in Lithuania
• Liutauras Gudžinskas, PhD, Associate professor at Vilnius University Institute of International Relations and Political Science
• Moderator: Linas Kojala, CEO, Geopolitics and Security Studies Center

18:30 – 19:30 Are We Really Prepared? A Nordic–Baltic Reality Check on Business Resilience

The Nordic and Baltic countries are often seen as leaders in resilience, built on strong institutions, digital innovation, and close collaboration between the public and private sectors. Yet recent years have shown that resilience cannot be taken for granted. From the pandemic and supply chain disruptions to cyberattacks, energy insecurity, and rising geopolitical tensions, the true test of preparedness comes when crises become reality.

But how prepared are our businesses, really? Could companies continue to operate through a prolonged crisis – or several crises unfolding at the same time? And what can the Nordic and Baltic countries learn from each other’s experiences?

This discussion will examine how we can strengthen the preparedness of enterprises and ensure that resilience is not simply a box to tick, but a core element of business strategy.

This discussion is organised in partnership with the Embassy of Sweden in Lithuania.

Panelists:

• Aku Sorainen, founder and senior partner of law firm Sorainen
• Rytis Laurinavičius, CEO of Omnisend; Chairman of the Board of Edcation #1 initiative; one of the founders of Total Defence Association
• Kārlis Danēvičs,  SEB Latvia, Member of Management Board, Chief Risk Officer; SOS Children’s Villages Latvia, Chairman of the Supervisory Council
• Orijana Mašalė, Experienced Board Member and Chair, Former Vice Minister of National Defense
• Moderator: Marius Dubnikovas, Investment Director at Orion Securities, Vice President of the Lithuanian Business Confederation