The world that emerged after the Cold War is facing deep transformation.
The resurgence of authoritarianism, war, and disinformation challenges the foundations of the international order built on human rights and democracy. Fifty years after the founding of the Helsinki Movement, this year’s Sakharov Conference reflects on the lessons of civic courage and the ongoing struggle for freedom, dignity, and justice.

09.00-09.30 Registration

09.30-09.50 Opening session

09.30-09.40 Audrė Plepytė, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Lithuania

09.40-09.50 Ineta Dabašinskienė, Rector, Vytautas Magnus University

09.50-10.10 Setting the stage: Robert van Voren (Lithuania)

10.10-10.40 In memoriam Semyon Gluzman

Robert van Voren (Lithuania)

Video with Semyon Gluzman talking about his personal trauma

Julia Pievska (Ukraine)

Tatiana Yankelevich (USA)

10.40-11.15 Celebrating the Helsinki groups in the former USSR

Myroslav Marynovich (UA) – Ukrainian Helsinki Group

Tomas Venclova (LT) – Lithuanian Helsinki Group

Vyacheslav Bakhmin (RUS) – Moscow Helsinki Group (on line)

Tatiana Yankelevich (USA) – Moscow Helsinki Group

11.15-11.45 Coffee break

11.45-13.00 Block 1. “Not one stone shall be left upon another…”?

11.45-12.05 Keynote: Robert Serry, retired senior Dutch and UN diplomat

12.05-13.30 Panel Discussion

Moderator: Janet Gunn

Speakers:

Maia Mazurkewicz (PL)

Nicolas Badalassi (F)

Andreas Persbo (S)

Thomas de Milo (NL)

13.30-14.45 Lunch buffet

14.45-17.30 Block 2. The current political climate

14.45-15.00 Keynote: Ukraine and the current global crisis

Yaroslav Hrytsak (UA – on line)

15.00-15.30 Keynote: George Kent (USA) – former US diplomat

15.30-16.00 Coffee break

16.00-17.30 Panel discussion

Moderator: Janet Anderson

Speakers:

Dustin Byrd (USA)

George Kent (USA)

Margarita Šešelgytė (LT)

Hans Brask (DK)

Moritz Koerner (D - TBC)

09.00-09.30 Registration and coffee

09.30-11.00 Block 3. Clamping down on civil society

09.30-09.50 Keynote: Jana Javakhishvili (GEO)

09.50-11.20 Panel Discussion

Moderator: Janet Anderson (UK)

Speakers:

Florian Irminger (CH)

Jonathan Cohen (UK)

Lukáš Zorád (SK)

Berit Lindeman (NO)

Michael Hall (USA)

11.20-11.50 Coffee break

11.50-13.00 Block 4: A resilient civil society

Panel discussion

Moderator: Jana Javakhishvili (GEO)

Speakers:

Janet Anderson (UK)

Karolis Kaupinis (LT)

Gabija Grigaitė-Daugirdė (LT)

Maka Berulava (GEO)

13.00-13.15 Closing of the conference

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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