Discussion Festival

On 28-29 August 2026, the discussion festival “Būtent” will take place in Bernardine Garden (Bernardinų sodas), Vilnius. The festival promotes open dialogue and invites participants to seek solutions to the issues that are most relevant to Lithuania today. We, the EMN Lithuania team, are also joining the festival. On 28 August, we invite everyone interested in migration issues to take part in our discussions. EMN Lithuania will host its own space, “European Migration Network,” featuring three events: two discussions on migration-related topics and the educational simulation game “Destination Europe.” The programme is provided below.

15:30 – 16:30 | Interactive Simulation Game “Destination Europe”

Would you be willing to make decisions that affect the lives of thousands of people? During this interactive simulation based on the educational game “Destination Europe,” participants will work in teams to tackle migration policy dilemmas and experience first-hand how challenging it is to balance humanitarian, economic, and political interests. Every decision will have consequences. Will you be able to find a solution when there is no single correct answer? The simulation is open to all festival participants. No prior knowledge of migration or politics is required. Curiosity and a willingness to engage in discussion are what matter most. As the number of places is limited, we encourage participants to register in advance here.

Game facilitators: EMN Lithuania team

17:00 – 18:00 | How Many and What Kind of Migrants Does Lithuania Need?

This discussion will explore what types of workers and specialists Lithuania will need in the future and the role migration can play in the country’s economic and demographic development. We will also address the expectations Lithuanian society has of newcomers and discuss how to balance integration, economic needs, and broader societal interests.

Discussion participants:

• Laurynas Kasčiūnas, Member of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania
• Vytautas Šilinskas, Head of Investors’ Forum
• Dainius Žalimas, Member of the European Parliament, legal scholar
• Virginijus Sinkevičius, Member of the European Parliament, Chair of the Democratic Union “For Lithuania”
• Moderator: Audra Avižiūtė, host of “Good Morning, Lithuania”

18:30 – 19:30 | Myths and Reality About Migration in Lithuania

How is public opinion on migration shaped in the public sphere? In this discussion, we will examine the most common claims, fears, and expectations related to migration and assess how well-founded they are. We will discuss how to distinguish fact-based arguments from stereotypes and consider the influence of politics, traditional media, and social media on public discourse.

Discussion participants:

• Vilūnė Kairienė, Data Strategist at the research company “Mediaskopas”
• Aurelija Makauskienė, Head of Office, IOM Lithuania
• Simona Bieliūnė, Vice Mayor of Vilnius City Municipality
• Moderator: Audra Avižiūtė, host of “Good Morning, Lithuania”