2025 May 22-23
iN'25: Integration & Inclusion Forum
Novotel Hotel, Gedimino Ave. 16, Vilnius
About iN'25: Integration & Inclusion Forum
What?
The Department of National Minorities under the Government of the Republic of Lithuania and the British Council for the first time are organizing 2-day international conference titled “iN'25: Integration and Inclusion Forum,” dedicated to addressing the rapidly evolving challenges related to national minorities, migrants, and cultural diversity.
When?
The iN'25 Forum, taking place on May 22–23, will bring together experts and professionals working in the fields of national minorities, migration, and human rights, as well as international partners, representatives of Lithuania’s ethnic communities, media representatives, public administration specialists, politicians, and decision-makers in Vilnius, at the Novotel Hotel (Gedimino Ave. 16).
Why?
The Forum is dedicated to the Day of National Communities, celebrated in Lithuania on May 21, and is part of a series of events marking this occasion. The celebration will begin on May 21 at 3:00 PM with a ceremonial event at St. Kotrynos Church, during which individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the cultures of national minorities will be honored. Those wishing to attend the awards ceremony are invited to register HERE (please note that the number of seats is limited).
iN'25 FORUM PROGRAM
Welcome coffee and registration
08:30 - 09:00
2025 May 22 d, Thursday
09:00 - 09:20
Forum Opening and Welcome Remarks
Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas
Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Lithuania Liz Boyles
Director of the Department of National Minorities Dainius Babilas
Director of the British Council in Lithuania Ona Marija Vyšniauskė
09:20 - 09:45
From inclusion to participation: A Pillar of Successful Minority Policy
Dr habil. Elżbieta Kuzborska-Pacha, Senior legal Advisor, OSCE HCNM
09:45 - 10:00
Social Cohesion and Cultural Diversity in Numbers
Jolita Gestautaitė, Head of the Immigration Division of the Migration Department
10:00 - 10:25
Prof. Bridget Kendall MBE Hon FBA, University of Cambridge
Peculiarities of Ethnic Composition: What the Lithuanian Population Census Data Reveals
10:25 - 11:30
Discussion: Changes Driven by Immigration and Necessary Measures
Dr. Monika Frėjutė-Rakauskienė, Head of the Department of Ethnic Studies at the Institute of Sociology, Lithuanian Social Research Centre (LSRC)
Eugenija Kovaliova, Ukreate Hub Lead, Open Lithuania Foundation International Projects manager
Narmin Aliyeva, „SPEAK Lithuania“ founder
To be confirmed, Representative of the Ministry of Social Security and Labour of the Republic of Lithuania
Discussion moderator: Karolis Vyšniauskas, NARA
11:30 - 12:00
Inclusive Education in a Multicultural Environment: Integration of Incoming Children in Lithuanian Schools
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Laura Kamandulytė-Merfeldienė, Head of the Department of Lithuanian Studies at the Faculty of Humanities, Vytautas Magnus University
12:00 - 13:00
13:00 - 14:30
14:30 - 15:00
15:00 - 15:30
Lunch
Political Debate: Ethnic Diversity in Lithuania – A Political Vision for Immigration and a Multicultural Society
Participants to be confirmed
The debate will be moderated by Rasa Tapinienė, journalist and TV presenter.
Coffee Break
15:30 - 17:00
Successful Communication – What Measures Enhance Inclution and Integration?
Simona Plienaitytė - Mikaliūnienė, British Council Lithuania, Project Manager
18:30 - 19:30
17:00 - 17:10
Discussion: Between integration and Assimilation – Experiences, Expectations and Fears of National Minorities
Dmitrij Moskovtsev, Director of Integration Foundation Estonia
Dr. Karina Firkavičiūtė, Head of the Lithuanian Karaim Cultural Community
Oleg Jerofejev, Delfi.RU Editor
Dr. Andrius Marcinkevičius, Head of the Institute of Sociology at the Lithuanian Centre for Social Sciences, and Chief Researcher at the Department of Ethnic Studies
The discussion will be moderated by Živilė Kropaitė
Closing remarks of the First Day of the Forum
19:30 - 21:00
Informal networking, refreshments
Cafe La Boheme, Šv. Ignoto str. 4, Vilnius
Cinema Theater „Pasaka“, Šv. Ignoto str. 4/3, Vilnius
Inconvenient Films: Screening of “Letters from Wolf Street”
Evening Program
2025 May 23, Friday
09:00 - 09:30
09:30 - 10:30
10:30 - 11:00
14:00 - 14:30
14:30 - 15:30
15:30 - 16:00
Welcome coffee and registration
Surveillance Art, Dying Phones and Fake Likes
Dries Depoorter, Speaker and creative technologist
From Heroes to Threats: What Do Narratives About National Minorities Reveal?
Vilūnė Kairienė, Mediaskopas, Data Strategist
Discussion: Propoganda Wars for the Minds and Hearts of Lithuania’s National Minorities
Dr. Auksė Balčytienė, Professor at the Department of Public Communication, Faculty of Political Science and Diplomacy, Vytautas Magnus University
Ernest Alesin, Head of the Association of Ethnic Community Language Media in Lithuania
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Viktor Denisenko, Vice Minister of Culture
The discussion will be moderated by Aleksandra Ketlerienė, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of LRT.lt
Lunch
Inclusive Identity Formation Workshop
Storytelling Workshop by Milda Varanauskaitė: "How Sharing Our Stories Builds Inclusion" (in English, without translation)
Presentation by Cédric Raffier: “Intercultural Inclusion Through Sport: The Methodological Approach of Vilnius Social Club” (in Lithuanian, without translation)
Coffee Break
Global Media Monitoring and AI for Forecasting Societal Cohesion
Dr. Justin E. Lane, CulturePulse AI, CEO, Co-Founder
Closing Remarks and Forum Conclusion
Presentation of the Exhibition “AMARÈ DŽIIPENÀ. The Stories of Vilnius Roma”
16:30 - 17:30
Vilnius museum, Vokiečių str. 6, Vilnius
The tour will be led by Agnieška Avin, project coordinator and educator at the organization “Padėk pritapti” (Help to Belong).
EVENTS DEDICATED TO THE DAY OF NATIONAL COMMUNITIES
2025 May 21, Wednesday
St. Kotrynos Church, Vilniaus str. 30, Vilnius
"Novotel" Hotel, Gedimino Ave. 16, Vilnius
15:00 - 16:45
Festive Event for the Day of National Communities
Those wishing to attend are kindly asked to register HERE.
11:00 - 12:00
12:00 - 13:00
13:00 - 14:00
2025 May 24, Saturday
10:30 - 11:15
Presentation of the Exhibition “AMARÈ DŽIIPENÀ. The Stories of Vilnius Roma”
11:30 - 12:15
Presentation of the Exhibition “AMARÈ DŽIIPENÀ. The Stories of Vilnius Roma”
Vilnius museum, Vokiečių str. 6, Vilnius
The tours will be led by Agnieška Avin, project coordinator and educator at the organization “Padėk pritapti” (Help to Belong).
The tour is fully booked. Available spots on Saturday.
Dr habil. Elżbieta Kuzborska-Pacha
Senior legal Advisor, OSCE HCNM
Assoc. Prof. dr. Laura Kamandulytė-Merfeldienė
Head of the Department of Lithuanian Studies at the Faculty of Humanities, Vytautas Magnus University
Speakers
Simona Plienaitytė-Mikaliūnienė
British Council Lithuania, Project Manager
Dr. Monika Frėjutė-Rakauskienė
Head of the Department of Ethnic Studies at the Institute of Sociology, Lithuanian Social Research Centre (LSRC)
Vilūnė Kairienė
Mediaskopas, Data Strategist
Dr. Justin E. Lane
CulturePulse AI, CEO, Co-Founder
Dries Depoorter
Speaker and creative technologist
iN'25 Forum organizers:
iN'25 Forum friends:
