Nordic Discussions at “Būtent!” will Foster Democratic Engagement and Sustainability

Open-air discussion festival “Būtent!” is back on August 26, 2023, in Birštonas, Lithuania. The primary mission of the festival is to play an instrumental role in contributing to the establishment of a democratic welfare state. By fostering a culture of open dialogue, harmony, and tolerance, “Būtent!” aims to serve as an indispensable platform for the cultivation of active citizenship and democratic engagement.

The inception of “Būtent!” finds its roots in the democracy festivals hosted in Nordic countries, and the Nordic Council of Ministers Office in Lithuania has been an ardent partner since the festival’s outset.

In conjunction with the embassies of Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden in Lithuania, and in partnership with the esteemed Nordic Talks podcast, the Nordic Council of Ministers Office in Lithuania is proud to present two pivotal discussions that hold great significance for the Nordic-Baltic region:

Youth and Politics: It’s a Match! 

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In a world craving change, the importance of engaging youth in politics cannot be overstated. While many young individuals express a desire to be involved, there remains untapped potential for greater youth engagement in politics and voting.

Drawing from the experiences of both Lithuania and the Nordic countries, we will explore successful models that have effectively engaged youth in politics. By identifying best practices, we can replicate these strategies and adapt them to specific contexts, fostering a culture of youth participation in decision-making processes.

Panelists:

• Emilia Uljas, student at Helsinki University, EU Youth Delegate. In addition, she is a columnist and a commentator on YLE’s live national morning television show on politics and society, being the youngest panelist ever in the history of the show
• Louise Thomsen, city council member in Copenhagen for the Liberal Party
• Jovydas Juocevičius, advisor to the MP of Lithuania, member of the council of Prienai municipality. In the recent municipal elections he was aiming to become the Mayor of the Prienai District. Jovydas was the youngest candidate for mayor position in Lithuania’s history.

Moderator – Paulius Mikolaitis (Paul de Miko), video blogger, social media personality.

From Science to Plate: The  Future of Nordic-Baltic Food 

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The Nordic Nutrition Recommendations 2023 including the Baltic region are launched! For the first time, they contain scientific recommendations not just for our health but also for the environment, advocating a more plant-based diet that also contains more fish and less meat. The recommendations are the result of four years of hard work by several hundred Nordic and international researchers.

The talk with Nordic and Lithuanian experts will provide new insights and hands-on advice on how the recommendations can help people make more healthy and sustainable choices in their everyday lives.

Panelists:

• Ph.D. Karin Wendin, Professor of Food and Meal Sciences at Kristianstad University in Sweden
• Helle Margrete Meltzer has a PhD in nutrition and has worked for more than 25 years at the Norwegian Institute of Public Health, part of the time as Research Director
• Andrius Kubilius, the head chef of restaurant Nineteen18, situated in Senatorių Pasažas, the top foodie destination in Vilnius

Moderator – Sandrija Čapkauskienė, has PhD in biomedical sciences, associate professor at Lithuanian Sports University. Sandrija actively participates in TV and radio shows on various nutrition issues, educates the public on healthy nutrition topics.