Baltic Symposium 2025: Standing Strong
The Baltic states are in many ways the frontline and vanguard of security and freedom in Europe. In the face of military and technological volatility, the panels will address a range of issues of regional and global relevance from Baltic perspectives: the role of security cooperation and women in achieving and protecting peace; the challenges and opportunities of technology, media and AI; and the potential and impact of small countries' creative industries.
Baltic Symposium 2025: Standing Strong
31 Mar 2025, 09:30 – 17:00
Keynote Speech by H.E. Toomas Hendrik Ilves, Former President of Estonia (2006-2016).
Programme
09.00-09.30 Registration
09.30-09.40 Welcome and Introduction by Professor Simon Dixon, UCL SSEES Interim Director
09.40-10.30 Keynote by H.E. Toomas Hendrik Ilves, former President of Estonia
Chair: H.E. Mr. Viljar Lubi, Ambassador of Estonia to the United Kingdom
10.30-12.00 Panel I The Baltic states shaping Global Security
- H.E. Andrejs Pildegovičs, Ambassador at Large, Latvian UN SC Campaign Task Force Director
- The Baltic contribution to strengthening global peace and resilience
- Oliver Moody, Berlin Correspondent, The Times
- Baltic, The Future of Europe
- Rūta Bajarūnaite, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Team Leader
- Sailing in the shadow: sanctions as a response to security risks posed by Russian dark fleet
Chair: Dr Aglaya Snetkov, Associate Professor in International politics of Russia, UCL SSEES
12.00-13.00 Light lunch Bentham House
13.00-14.30 Panel II Digital security
- Karoliina Ainge, Associate Director, Cybersecurity and Technology at Independent Diplomat
Geopolitics: The Role of Governments and the UN in Global Cybersecurity
- Cassidy Bereskin, Doctoral Researcher at the Oxford Internet Institute
- Countering deepfakes and visual dis and misinformation in the age of AI
- Dr Melanie Garson, Associate Professor in International Security & Conflict Resolution, UCL
- From Cables to Constellations: Building Integrated Cyber Resilience
Chair: Professor Andrew Wilson, Professor of Ukrainian Studies, UCL SSEES
14.30-15.00 Coffee Break
15.00-16.30 Panel III Creative Industries and Cultural Diplomacy
- Julija Reklaitė, Director of the Lithuanian Culture Institute
Challenges of cultural diplomacy in nowadays world
- Ieva Zemite, Associate Professor at the Latvian Academy of Culture
- Creative industries in Latvia
- Ragnar Siil, Director of Creativity Lab, Former Estonian Undersecretary for the Arts
- Culture as Good News
Chair: Dr Diana Kudaibergenova, Lecturer in Central Asian Politics and Society, UCL SSEES
16.30-19.00 Reception Masaryk Senior Common Room, 4th floor, UCL SSEES
The symposium is co-hosted by UCL SSEES, the Baltic Council, the Embassy of Latvia to United Kingdom, the Embassy of Lithuania to United Kingdom and the Embassy of Estonia to United Kingdom.
Further information
Ticketing
Ticketed and Pre-booking essential
Cost
Free
Open to
All
Availability
Yes