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The event was communicated using the hashtag #VilniusStratCom24.
PROGRAMME
8:30-9:00 Registration and welcome coffee
9:00-9:05 Opening of the conference
9.05-9.20 Welcome and opening remarks by Minister of National Defence Laurynas Kasčiūnas
9.20-9.40 Presentation “A Swedish Approach to Total Defence” by Henrik Olinder, Senior Expert in crisis communication and Editor at the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB)
9.40-10.35 Discussion “Total Defence and Strategic Communication as a Tool for Building a Secure Society Resilient to External Threats”
Participants:
- Kamilė Gogelienė, Vice-minister of National Defence
- Henrik Olinder, Senior Expert in crisis communication and editor at the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB)
- Luka Lesauskaitė, historian with extensive experience in the NGO sector
10:35-11:00 Coffee break
11:00-11:20 Presentation “Are Russian Narratives Amplified by PRC Media? Case Study on Narratives Related to Sweden’s and Finland’s NATO Applications” by dr. Yukai ZENG, Senior Expert at the NATO Strategic Communications Centre of Excellence
11:20-12:10 Discussion on “China’s Information Operations in the Region”
Participants:
- Dr. Una Aleksandra Bērziņa-Čerenkova, head of the China Studies Centre at Riga Stradiņš University, Head of the Asia Programme at the Latvian Institute of International Affairs, a member of European Think-tank Network on China
- Dr. Yukai Zeng, senior expert at the NATO Strategic Communications Centre of Excellence
- Dr. Konstantinas Andrijauskas, Associate Professor at the Institute of International Relations and Political Science at Vilnius University, Associate Expert at the Eastern Europe Studies Centre
12:10-13:00 Brunch
13:00-13:40 Presentation on “The Impact of Military Organisation on the Transformation of the Russian Political System into a Militocracy during Putin’s Rule” by dr. Daivis Petraitis, military expert, author of studies on the Russian army, Lecturer at Baltic Defence College
13:40-14:25 LRT Investigations: “Kremlin brainwashing scheme for Lithuania” by journalists and experts of investigative journalism Indrė Makaraitytė, Mindaugas Aušra, Jurga Tvaskienė
14:25-14:45 Coffee break
14:45-15:40 Discussion “Lithuanian StratCom: How to Reach People”
Participants:
- Assoc. prof. Dalia Bankauskaitė, Partnership Associate Professor at Vilnius University, Senior Fellow at the Center for European Policy Analysis, Expert at the Sweden National Defense University
- Marius Gurskas, Director of the Government Communications Department
- Edita Banienė, Director of the Strategic Communication and Public Affairs Department at the Ministry of National Defence
- Kęstutis Gečas, Head of integrated communication agency “INK agency”, strategist
15:40-15:50 Closing Remarks
Moderator of the conference – Neringa Bliūdžiūtė, communication expert, lecturer and founder of “WOW. world of words”
The programme from 9.00–12.00 will be held in English; from 13.00 simultaneous translation from Lithuanian into English will be available for representatives of foreign countries.
DESCRIPTION
Lithuania’s defence is founded on the principle of comprehensive defence, where every citizen, organisation, and international partner matters. Here, the importance of strategic communication is paramount.
The narratives we create and the policies we implement have a major impact on both national and international agendas. For Lithuania and the region as a whole, the information space holds particular importance. Long-standing tensions between civilisations and regimes, coupled with Russia’s brutal war against Ukraine, force us to mobilise. However, the mobilisation is only possible through a shared understanding of communication threats and the preparedness and vigilance of our institutions and society.
The annual “Vilnius StratCom’24” conference aims to empower communication experts, practitioners, and engaged citizens to grasp the broader scope of strategic communication, with all its fears, strategies, and deterrent measures.
Strategic communication is a powerful and pervasive weapon as everything communicate. Every word, action, or image broadcast by states and the international community shapes our reality and our future.
SPEAKERS
Want to take a look at last year’s programme? Visit here: Vilnius StratCom’23.
