Debating festival "Būtent!" to be held in Biršton in September: the first discussion topics are announced

This year, the topics of the festival's discussions will touch on the war in Ukraine, preparation and resilience to crises, digitization, youth involvement, education, climate change issues and other relevant political and social issues.

"We believe that the festival has a tangible value for the development of Lithuania due to its raised issues of state and public importance. This year, the participants will discuss topics that are important to the state and that still do not find a consensus, such as national security, the green course, refugees, the education and health system, volunteerism, citizenship initiatives, etc., says Arnas Marcinkus, one of the organizers of the festival. - The aim is for the festival to become a place of consensus, the creation of the state's vision and encourage not only linguistic forms, but also real business and political decisions. There is potential for this, as the debate directly unites society and decision-makers."

The first discussion topics of the "Exactly!" festival:

"Let kindergarteners also apply": when will we start trusting young people?
The war in Ukraine: what lessons did Lithuania learn?
Dying Planet or Green Deal: Do We Know the Cost of Choice?
How did we manage to rebuild our lives here? Refugees who remained in Lithuania.
How to create a resilient society? Insights from Lithuania, Finland and Sweden
Can volunteering become a Sunday family tradition?
The future will be digital, and what will democracy look like?
Not yet guilty, but already guilty: does the principle of presumption of innocence work in Lithuania?
Who if not me? What ignites citizens to act during crises in Lithuania and the Nordic countries?
NATO without Ukraine - NATO without a future
What can and should prepare a person for life in a changing world?
How to understand anti-corruption and transparency in times of new external threats?

Guests from Scandinavia also come to engage in dialogue

"Exactly!" discussions will be attended by representatives of society, business and the government focused on a better future for the state, including the Minister of National Defense Dr. Arvydas Anušauskas, Chief Advisor to the President on National Security Issues Kęstutis Budrys, Director of the Special Investigation Service (STT) Žydrūnas Bartkus,

"I choose to teach!" program manager Artur Adam Markevič, "Invest in Lithuania" manager Elijus Čivilis, Lithuanian Red Cross manager Kristina Meidė, international relations expert prof. Tomas Janeliūnas, Chairman of the Union of Lithuanian Journalists Dainius Radzevičius and others.

The festival will also welcome guests from abroad - Stefan Lindström, Ambassador for Digitalization and Technology of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland, Martin Ärnlöv, Secretary General of the Swedish Red Cross, Morgan Olofsson, Communications Manager of the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB), and Liisa Talonpoik, Ambassador of Bilateral Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland.

According to A. Marcinkaus, the sample of thousands of participants of the discussion festival "Būtent!" and its continuity show that this form of public meeting pays off. According to him: "One of the main goals of the festival is to show that decisions of national importance include the inclusion of different groups of society in their consideration and compatibility of viewpoints." "Būtent!" festival aims to promote a high culture of discussion in Lithuania, based on openness to diversity of opinions, constructive criticism, active involvement of citizens and respectful expression of one's opinion and listening to others.

Read more about this year's festival "Būtent!" discussions, their participants and curators can be found on the website discusjufestivalis.lt .