On May 19–20, an international event, “iN’26: Integration and Inclusion Forum,” was held in Vilnius, bringing together 300 policymakers, academics, representatives of non-governmental organizations, and international experts. The event is organized for the second consecutive year by the Department of National Minorities under the Government of the Republic of Lithuania, marking the Day of National Communities. Through this forum, the institution connects experts in integration and multiculturalism to foster networking and more active cooperation.

In Vilnius, a two-day international conference “iN’26: Integration and Inclusion Forum” took place

The forum was opened by Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė, Minister of the Interior Vladislav Kondratovič, and Director of the Department of National Minorities Department of National Minorities under the Government of the Republic of Lithuania Dainius Babilas. In her welcoming speech, the Prime Minister emphasized the contribution of national communities to the building and defense of the Lithuanian state, highlighted the importance of mutual respect and dialogue, and drew attention to geopolitical challenges and attempts to manipulate issues of national minorities through disinformation.

The keynote speech was delivered by Christophe Kamp, visiting Lithuania for the first time. He stressed that social cohesion, trust, and inclusion are essential conditions for a strong and resilient society, and that implementing these principles directly contributes to peace and security.

A significant focus of the forum was placed on strengthening evidence-based policy for national minorities. Sociologist Monika Frejutė-Rakauskienė from the Institute of Sociology at the Lithuanian Social Research Centre presented a methodology for monitoring the situation of national minorities. It was emphasized that this methodology will enable more consistent decision-making and better evaluation of integration processes in Lithuania.

The connections between migration and the economy were discussed by economist Adomas Klimantas. His presentation noted that well-managed migration can contribute to economic growth, while poorly implemented measures may have negative consequences.

A panel on integration policy in the Nordic and Baltic countries featured integration project manager Helena Viks from the Pärnu municipality in Estonia, senior integration advisor Mads Ted Drud-Jensen from the Danish Refugee Council, executive director Julie Breton from the Finnish organization “Moniheli,” and integration coordinator Gabriela Mickevič-Jara from the Vilnius District Municipality. The discussion was organized by the Department of National Minorities together with the NGO “Diversity Development Group” and the Nordic Council of Ministers Office in Lithuania. It was moderated by sociologist Karolis Žibas. The conversation highlighted the importance of cooperation between local government and the NGO sector in ensuring effective integration.

Photo gallery

A political debate addressed the issue of political representation of national minorities. Participants included members of the Seimas Dalia Asanavičiūtė-Gružauskienė, Ligita Girskienė, Laurynas Šedvydis, and Tomas Tomilinas, political scientist Raimundas Lopata, and Vilnius City Council member Grzegorz Sakson. The discussion was moderated by journalist Aleksandra Ketlerienė. The conversation focused on political representation of national minorities and their inclusion in decision-making processes.

A discussion on education and multiculturalism included Professor and historian Alfredas Bumblauskas, Head of the British Council in Lithuania British Council Lithuania Ona Vyšniauskė, and NGO representatives Aidas Gedminas and Agnė Klimčiauskaitė-Janavičienė. The discussion emphasized the importance of the education system in fostering tolerance and strengthening intercultural dialogue.

The first day of the forum concluded with an educational program—“Uncomfortable Cinema Classroom”—which presented topics of migration, identity, and integration through film and discussion. Participants explored diverse experiences, from refugee life to cultural identity searches and challenges in integrating Roma youth in Lithuania.

“Uncomfortable Cinema Classroom” is a free educational film and tools platform for formal and non-formal education of children and youth. The documentaries help teachers, education specialists, and youth workers address important but often “uncomfortable” topics of democracy, human rights, and media literacy. The platform is developed by the Lithuanian Centre for Human Rights and the NGO “Uncomfortable Cinema.”

The second day of the forum focused on analyzing the information environment and societal relations. Executive producer Marko Krapu from Finnish public broadcaster Yle discussed the importance of trust in media in the context of increasing diversity. He emphasized that multilingualism is one of the key ways to strengthen trust in media, especially in fragmented and information-saturated societies. It reduces the “information vacuum,” helps people feel seen and included, improves access to reliable information, strengthens integration and social cohesion, and reduces risks of radicalization and manipulation. In other words, multilingual media acts as a “bridge of trust,” reducing the gap between institutions and communities while protecting against disinformation and societal fragmentation.

In a subsequent discussion on media and social networks, communication researcher Patricija Lenčiauskienė, Finnish media expert Danil Lopatkin, LRT journalist Monika Juškevičiūtė-Muravjova, and media center director Walenty Wojnillo participated. The discussion was moderated by journalist Živilė Kropaitė-Basiulė. It addressed the limits of media responsibility and its role in a multilingual society.

The topic of hate speech and the impact of information technologies was presented by linguist Jūratė Ruzaitė. Participants included Roma community leader Išvanas Kvik, Ombudsman Aleksandr Radčenko, ethics inspector Dainius Radzevičius, media analyst Giedrė Zurbaitė, associate professor Vuk Vukotić, and Vice Minister of Culture Viktor Denisenko. The discussion was moderated by Ernest Alesin. It analyzed the role of social media algorithms in spreading hate speech and their impact on public opinion.

Migration issues were addressed by UNHCR representative in Lithuania UNHCR Renata Kuleš, who presented insights on the social and economic integration of Ukrainian refugees. A discussion on the role of NGOs featured representatives of national communities Belek Aidarov, Liudvika Kardis, Evelina Paulavičienė, and Olga Polevikova, who emphasized civil society’s contribution to integration processes. The discussion was moderated by Eugenija Kovaliova from the Open Society Fund Lithuania.

The forum concluded with a youth discussion on the vision of Lithuania’s future, moderated by Aidas Gedminas from the Youth Personal Development Center. Participants included Dorotėja Surucu, Mėta Salygaitė, Edvard Karpovič, and Simona Sipailo. The discussion reflected on themes of multiculturalism in Lithuania based on insights collected by youth volunteers during the first day. It emphasized the importance of building an open, inclusive, and socially responsible society. The Department of National Minorities thanked the forum volunteers: Edvard Karpovič, Mėta Salygaitė, Martyna Vainilovič, Gabrielius Blažaitis, and Arielė Ivičkytė.

The international forum “iN’26” once again confirmed that integration and inclusion issues are inseparable from state security, the strengthening of democracy, and social cohesion. The event became an important platform for exchanging experience, strengthening international cooperation, and seeking solutions for building a more open and inclusive society in Lithuania. “The forum program was intensive, but also very inspiring, engaging, and motivating. I am glad that we are creating new-level opportunities for networking in the field of national minorities,” said Department Director Dainius Babilas.

Day 1 video

Day 2 video

Programme

Pranešėjai ir diskusijų dalyviai

Download the iNForum’26 programme (PDF) here

Speakers and panelists

Doc. Dr. Adomas Klimantas

Associate Professor at ISM University of Management and Economics

Dr. Monika
Frėjutė-Rakauskienė

Head of the Department of Ethnic Studies at the Institute of Sociology, LSMC

Dr. Karolis Žibas

Founder of the "Diversity Development Group", Advisor on Research and Policy Issues

Marko Krapu

Executive Producer at Yle, Finland’s public broadcaster

dr. Barbara Stankiewicz

Mykolo Romerio universiteto docentė, NVO InBetween steigėja

Jūratė Ruzaitė

A professor and researcher at Vytautas Magnus University

Mads Ted Drud-Jensen

Sociologist and senior consultant in DRC Danish Refugee Council Integration

Ambassador Christophe Kamp

OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities

Ona Vyšniauskė

British Council in Lithuania

Helena Viks

Integration Project Manager at Pärnu City Government

Monika Juškevičiūtė-Muravjova

Journalist for the LRT National Communities Content Group

Kristina Sagaidak

German language teacher and educator

Jurgita Rudėnaitė

Theater director, artist

Veronika Mačinskaitė

Project management expert and non-formal education specialist

Aleksandra Ketlerienė

Deputy Editor-in-Chief of LRT.LT

Aidas Gedminas

Expert in youth policy, non-formal education, and social initiatives

Danil Lopatkin

A Senior Specialist at Cultura Foundation (Finland)

Dainius Radzevičius

Inspector of Journalist Ethics

Agnė Klimčiauskaitė-Janavičienė

Founder of Gravitas Schola, School Principal, Head of Education

Renata Kuleš

Representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees for relations with the Government of the Republic of Lithuania

Julie Breton

The Executive Director of Moniheli, a network in Finland

Vuk Vukotić

Associate Professor at Vilnius University, Director of the Center for Scandinavian Studies, and founding member of the public institution "Sienos grupės"

Patricija Lenčiauskienė

Ph.D. in Communication and Information Sciences from Vytautas Magnus University

Giedrė Zurbaitė

Data Analyst at Mediaskopas, a media monitoring and analytics company

Evelina Paulavičienė

A Lithuanian public figure who currently serves as president of the Lithuanian Greek Society “Patrida”

Aleksandr Radčenko

Ombudsman of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania

Ernest Alesin

Program Director at Radio R

Liudvika Kardis

Director of the I. Luckevičius Belarusian Museum

Gabriela Mickevič-Jara

Integration Coordinator for the Vilnius District Municipality

iN'26 Forum partners:

iN'26 Forum friends:

informacija@tmde.lt

+370 672 62 420

+370 621 96 591

iN'26 Forum will take place at:
AC Hotel Vilnius
Vasario 16-osios str. 5, Vilnius