News

With Lithuania's 2027 Presidency of the Council of the European Union (LT27EU) approaching, academics and experts from Vilnius University, Vytautas Magnus University, and Klaipėda University are launching a programme of public events. Throughout October and November, lectures, discussions and debates will take place in all ten Lithuanian counties, bringing together academics and local communities to explore European issues of importance to Lithuania.

The series forms part of the preparations for LT27EU and aims to demonstrate that the Presidency is not solely the responsibility of state institutions. The preparatory period provides an opportunity to engage scholars, experts and local communities in discussions, while examining complex political, economic, social and historical issues from a variety of perspectives.

“Europe’s universities are an important foundation for European integration, as well as for Europe’s strength and resilience. The mobility of researchers, students, ideas and projects fosters a sense of belonging to a shared cultural space underpinned by common values. Erasmus, Horizon and university alliances are just a few examples of European integration in research and higher education,” says Professor Rimvydas Petrauskas, Rector of Vilnius University.

Event topics: from security to demography

The ten events will focus on different LT27EU priority areas.

Representatives of the academic community will discuss with local residents issues such as security in the Baltic Sea region and Europe’s defence architecture, Russia’s manipulation of historical facts and disinformation campaigns, the tensions between human rights and national security arising from migration, the impact of EU investment on regional development, and EU enlargement.

Attention will also be devoted to long-term societal trends, including declining birth rates, demographic change in the regions, population ageing, labour market transformation and the future of social protection. The lectures will further examine Lithuania’s place in Europe and the country’s historical journey towards the political and cultural space of the West.

“As Lithuania prepares to assume the Presidency of the Council of the EU, it is important to draw on the knowledge accumulated within our universities and share it with society. Klaipėda University brings a Baltic regional perspective to these discussions. Our researchers can help deepen understanding of issues related to security, historical memory and regional development. While these are matters of national importance, their impact is also felt within individual communities. That is why discussions about Europe’s future must take place not only at the national level, but locally as well,” says Professor Artūras Razbadauskas, Rector of Klaipėda University.

A variety of event formats

The programme will feature a range of formats, from public lectures to panel discussions and debates. The debate format mirrors the way the Council of the EU operates: participants present different viewpoints, exchange arguments and seek common ground.

“The artes liberales tradition cultivated at VMU encourages us to view complex issues in a broader interdisciplinary context and highlights the importance of reasoned dialogue. For this reason, we are committed to contributing to Lithuania’s preparations for the EU Council Presidency by fostering discussions on migration, demographic change, regional vitality and EU enlargement. It is particularly important that these conversations take place across Lithuania and involve communities from different regions, their experiences, expectations and practical proposals. European issues are not solely the concern of capitals or experts; they are directly connected to how people across Lithuania live, adapt and build their future. We therefore aim to ensure that the European dialogue reaches as wide an audience as possible,” says Professor Ineta Dabašinskienė, Rector of Vytautas Magnus University.

The events will take place in Zarasai, Klaipėda, Tauragė, Plungė, Kaunas, Šiauliai, Panevėžys, Vilnius, Vilkaviškis and Varėna. This geographical spread will help connect LT27EU priority areas with the experiences, needs and concerns of different regions and their communities.

Further information is available at www.lt27.eu.