The world order built after WWII is crumbling. Russia’s war against Ukraine has reshaped global politics, challenging European security, transatlantic relations, and the role of international institutions. Authoritarian governance is on the rise, deepening the global political crisis.

09:00-09:30 Registration

09:30-10:00 Opening session

09:30-09:40 Julius Pranevicius, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania

09:40-09:45 Juozas Augutis, Rector, Vytautas Magnus University

09:45-09:55 Robert van Voren, Executive Director, Andrei Sakharov Research Center

09:55-10:00 Volodymyr Bugrov, Rector, Taras Shevchenko National University

10:00-10:20 Keynote speech 1: Ivan Krastev* (BG)

10:20-10:40 Keynote speech 2: Michel Eltchaninoff (FR): What is Putin-Trumpism?

10:40-11:10 Coffee break

11:10-12:45 Panel I: The war in Ukraine and the changed political reality in Europe
Moderator: Janet Gunn (UK)
Panel members: Natalia Chaban (NZ), Yaroslav Hrytsak (UA), Sandor Seremet (H), Dr. Michael Rohschürmann (D), young challenger - Olena Protsenko (UA)

12:45-14:00 Lunch break

14:00-14:30 Confronted by Evil – General Romeo Dallaire in Ukraine (documentary movie premier)

14:30-14:50 Keynote speech 3: Peter Dickinson* (UK/UA)

14:50-16:30 Panel II: 50 years after the Helsinki Accords: The collapse of Europe’s security system and the return of the nuclear threat
Moderator: Janet H. Anderson (UK)
Panel members: Lawrence Freedman* (UK), Karin von Hippel (UK), James Sherr (UK/EE), young challenger – Letizia Santhia (IT)

16:30-17:00 Coffee break

17:00-18:30 Panel III: Is the Pacific the next battleground?
Moderator: Janet Gunn (UK)
Panel members: Denis Suarsana (ID), Ian Buruma (USA/NL), Junhyup Kwon (KR), young challenger – Brigita Dyburytė (LT)

09:00-09:30 Registration and coffee

09:30-09:50 Keynote speech 1: David Owen (UK)*: Leaders who can take us to the abyss

09:50-10:20 Keynote speech 2: Eugene Sadler-Smith (UK)*: The Hubris Hazard and Stepping Back from the Abyss

10:20-10:40 Keynote speech 3: Simon Baron-Cohen (UK): Empathy and Conflict Resolution

10:40-11:10 Coffee break

11:10-12:50 Panel IV: The human factor: are we our worst enemy?Moderator: Janet H. Anderson (UK)
Panel members: Roméo Dallaire (CA), Abram de Swaan (NL), Simon Wessely (UK), young challenger – Maka Berulava (GE)

12:50-13:00 Closing remarks

12:15-14:30 Lunch break

14:30-17:30 Closed session – Chatham House Rule – by invitation only
What can we learn from the war in Ukraine?

*Speaker will attend online

The National Museum – Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania was founded in 2009 and is housed in a historic residence - the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania in Vilnius Lower Castle. After more than 20 years of extensive archaeological and historical research, some palace areas have been restored, while others have been reconstructed.

The Museum collects, preserves, researches, and presents the historical and cultural heritage of the Lithuanian state, the Grand Dutchy of Lithuania, and its rulers through various means, including permanent exhibitions of rich and unique archaeological findings, collections of European applied and fine arts from the Gothic to the Baroque periods, and other valuable materials related to Lithuanian studies.

The Museum, more than just a repository of history, is a vibrant hub of educational and cultural activities. It disseminates information on cultural tourism, facilitates state-representative events, and actively engages with civil society. Its mission is to strengthen historical consciousness, foster national values, and maintain the Lithuanian community throughout the world. It also seeks to raise awareness of cultural and artistic heritage and to present the traditional historical and cultural links between European countries and peoples.

The Conference will take place at the National Museum, set within the historic Palace of the Grand Dukes in Vilnius.

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