{"id":990597,"date":"2025-09-29T10:05:40","date_gmt":"2025-09-29T07:05:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rigaconference.lv\/?page_id=990597"},"modified":"2025-10-09T08:15:21","modified_gmt":"2025-10-09T05:15:21","slug":"side-events","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/rigaconference.lv\/side-events\/","title":{"rendered":"Side Events"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n\n\t

October 9-11, 2025<\/strong><\/p>\n

The R\u012bga Conference Program<\/strong><\/p>\n

“Unity, Security and Resilience in a Fragmented World”<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

SIDE EVENTS<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n\t

OCTOBER 9<\/h3>\n

MORNING SIDE EVENTS<\/strong><\/h4>\n

 <\/p>\n

Belarusian Society Under the Shadow of Militarisation<\/h3>\n

Discussion is organised in cooperation with the Office of Belarus Democratic Forces in Estonia and Latvia, Ka\u015bciu\u0161ka Security Studies Institute, The National Anti-Crisis Management, BELPOL
\n<\/h5>\n

The roundtable examines Belarus’s accelerating militarisation and its wide-ranging consequences for society and regional security – affecting the economy, education, propaganda, and migration dynamics. It draws on insights from the Red Paper on Belarus’ Security Risks and highlights practical recommendations for supporting a democratic transition, with a focus on positioning Belarus as a future strategic partner for Eastern Europe’s security rather than a satellite of the Russian sphere of influence.<\/p>\n\t

10:00 – 11:00<\/p>\n\tUldis Mikuts, <\/strong>Director of the Bilateral Relations Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia
\nDr. Vadzim Ma\u017eejka<\/strong>, Head of the Ka\u015bciu\u0161ka Security Studies Institute
\nArtsiom Brukhan<\/strong>, Speaker of the Coordination Council of Belarus, Deputy Head of the National Anti-Crisis Management
\nDr. Victoria Leukavets<\/strong>, Researcher at the Center for Baltic and East European Studies at the S\u00f6dert\u00f6rn University
\nMatvei Kupreichyk<\/strong>, Representative of the BELPOL\n

Moderator: Vitaliy Malchanau<\/strong>, Head of the Office of Belarus Democratic Forces in the Republic of Estonia and Latvia<\/p>\n\t

Safeguarding Democracy and Parliamentary Elections 2025 in Moldova: Struggle Against Hybrid Warfare<\/h3>\n

In recent decades, following both presidential and parliamentary elections, Moldova has repeatedly adjusted the overall course of its foreign and security policy. In 2024, for the first time in history, a pro-European integration president was re-elected. Since the early 1990s, Russia has sought to fully control Moldova’s political process and has developed a broad toolbox of influence operations to achieve this. Due to its failed aggression against Ukraine, Russia has fewer resources to destabilize Moldova; however, since the summer of 2024, it has nonetheless launched a large-scale hybrid influence and disinformation campaign targeting Moldovan society as a whole. The following provides an initial overview of how election and voter manipulation took place during the parliamentary elections on 28 September 2025.<\/p>\n\t

11:00 – 12:00<\/p>\n\tAlina Radu<\/strong>, ZdG Lead and Co-Founder
\nAndrei Curararu<\/strong>, Public Policy Analyst, Co-founder of WatchDog
\nTarmo J\u00fcristo<\/strong>, Founder of SALK\n

Moderator: Tiina Ilsen<\/strong>, Chairman of the Board, International Practitioners’ Partnership Network<\/p>\n\t

Strengthening the Case for WB Enlargement: How can the Baltics Help?
\nDiscussion is Organised in Cooperation with the Heinrich B\u00f6ll Foundation
\nin Berlin<\/h3>\n

The countries of the Western Balkans need friends within the EU to support the regions’ EU accession path as well as to deter malign threats along this path, primarily Russia’s subversive efforts. While important developments rarely happen in the Western Balkans without the initiative of the big EU \/ European NATO countries, the countries of the Baltics are among the most natural allies in understanding the geopolitical imperative for enlargement and the nature of the security threats facing the region. The Baltic states are a successful example of the transformative power of the EU. They are also more inclined to support a principled and merit-based accession process based on reform progress, democratic standards, and alignment with the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), which is a key concern of civil society in the Western Balkans. The Baltic countries can serve as an example to countries in the Western Balkans, both in terms of their strategic regional coordination and in their ability to ‘punch above their weight’ on issues such as security, combatting disinformation and fostering innovation. The panel aims to discuss what are the potentials and platforms to deepen cooperation and joint engagement between the two regions at the political and civil society levels, as a means of both strenghening the case for enlargement in Brussels and promoting transformative change in the region. The panel will explore what lessons from the Baltic’s EU accession path could be most useful for the Western Balkans to replicate at a time when there is a new momentum for enlargement, and what could be replicated to build resilience from malign external influence.<\/p>\n\t

12:00 – 13:00<\/p>\n\tZanda Kalni\u0146a-Luka\u0161evica<\/strong>, Deputy Speaker of the Latvian Parliament and Head of the Latvian Delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe
\nDaliborka Uljarevi\u0107<\/strong>, Executive Director of the Center for Civic Education, Montenegro
\nAgon Maliqi<\/strong>, Non-resident Senior Fellow Atlantic Council
\nBojan Elek<\/strong>, Journalist
\nEdo Kanli\u0107<\/strong>, Advocacy and Public Policy Manager, Transparency International in BiH
\nMarija Golubeva<\/strong>, Chairperson of the Board of the Baltic Initiative for European Reform\n

Moderator: Simonida Kacarska<\/strong>, Director of the European Policy Institute<\/p>\n\t

Sharing Resilience -Civil Defence and Lessons for Europe<\/h3>\n
Discussion is organised in cooperation with the Heinrich B\u00f6ll Foundation in Warsaw<\/h5>\n

As Europe faces growing security challenges, the importance of robust civil defense systems has become increasingly clear. This panel explores how knowledge and experience from countries with well-developed civil defense strategies can be shared and adapted across Europe. Who holds responsibility for civil defense in democratic societies? How can governments effectively collaborate with civil society, the private sector, and local communities to build resilience? The discussion will also examine the role of education, public awareness, and inclusive engagement-especially with underserved and vulnerable communities-in strengthening societal preparedness. Join us as we explore how to foster a culture of shared responsibility and solidarity in the face of crisis.<\/p>\n\t

19:30 – 20:30<\/p>\n\tLinda Ozola<\/strong>, Deputy of the Riga Municipality
\nAmb. Shota Gvineria<\/strong>, Senior Fellow EPRC and Delphi Global
\nMarta Kubica<\/strong>, the Chief Executive Director of ELNET CEE\n

Moderator: Adam Reichardt<\/strong>, Editor-in-Chief of New Eastern Europe<\/p>\n\t

When War Meets Crime<\/h3>\n
Discussion is organised in co-operation with the International Centre for Counter Terrorism and Globsec<\/h5>\nRussia’s hybrid war against Europe is increasingly fought through acts of sabotage carried out by unconventional proxies. Beyond state operatives, Moscow recruits socially vulnerable individuals, opportunistic criminals, and members of organised crime groups to set fires, damage infrastructure, and disrupt critical services. These actors give Moscow both plausible deniability and an expanded reach, effectively transforming Europe’s criminal underworld into an extension of state power.
\nArson attacks, railway tampering, as well as attempts at undersea cable disruption in the Baltic Sea show how sabotage has become a defining tactic in Russia’s campaign to destabilise Europe. These operations are designed not only to inflict damage but to spread fear and amplify perceptions of insecurity. How to tackle the kinetic part of Russia’s hybrid playbook? What vulnerabilities it exposes and what coordinated strategies are needed to detect, deter, and disrupt such operations before they escalate into wider conflict?\n\t

19:30 – 20:30<\/p>\n\tJulian Lanch\u00e8s<\/strong>, Research Fellow, International Centre for Counterterrorism
\nSergei Dobrynin<\/strong>, Investigative Journalist, RFE\/RL
\nAvital Sahar<\/strong>, Strategic Campaign Manager, Expert in Offensive and Defensive Public Perception Management\n

Moderator: Dominika Hajdu<\/strong>, Director for Policy & Programming, GLOBSEC<\/p>\n\t

Modernizing Security: The Impact of Women Professionals in Ukraine’s Civilian Sector in Times of War<\/h3>\n
Discussion is organised in cooperation with the European Union Advisory Mission for Civil Security Sector Reform in Ukraine
\n<\/h5>\n

The side event will bring together representatives from key Ukraine’s civilian security sector (CSS) institutions – National Police (NPU), State Border Guard Service (SBGS), National Guard of Ukraine (NGU), Security Service of Ukraine (SSU), the Ministry of Interior’s Kharkiv University, and a representative of the Ombudsman of Ukraine. The aim is to highlight the evolving roles, challenges, and resilience of women in Ukraine’s law enforcement institutions amid ongoing war conditions, analyse the impact that the war has had on women participation, share examples and emphasize the importance of sustaining the achievements of women participation also at times of peace. The side event will amplify these voices and situate Ukraine’s gender and security reforms within broader Euro-Atlantic strategic conversations.<\/p>\n\t

19:30 – 20:30<\/p>\n\tOleksandr Osipov<\/strong>, Deputy of the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman)
\nYuliia Malihonova<\/strong>, Chief Inspector of the Department for Monitoring Gender Equality and Non-Discrimination, National Guard of Ukraine
\nOksana Tsukan<\/strong>, Gender Advisor to the Rector of Kharkiv National University of Internal Affairs
\nOlena Starikova<\/strong>, Head of Gender Integration Service, NGU
\nOlesya Klymenko<\/strong>, Gender Advisor to the Head of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine
\nIryna Nychytailo<\/strong>, Deputy Head of the Personnel Affairs Directorate of the Security Service of Ukraine\n

Moderator: Lolita \u010cig\u0101ne<\/strong>, Senior Advisor on European Integration at the EUAM Ukraine<\/p>\n\t

OCTOBER 10<\/h3>\n

MORNING SIDE EVENTS<\/strong><\/h4>\n\t

Defending Democracy’s Frontline Defenders: Supporting Independent Journalism and Civil Society Against Russian and Belarusian Authoritarianism<\/h3>\n

Discussion is organised in cooperation with the “Journalists for Human Rights” Organisation<\/h5>\n

As Russia’s war against Ukraine continues and Belarus deepens its authoritarian alliance with the Kremlin, the pressure on independent journalists, civil society activists, and democratic institutions in the region is intensifying. The transnational reach of repression. from digital surveillance and cyberattacks to harassment, threats, and even assassination attempts, now targets exiled journalists and civil society actors across Europe and North America. These actions represent not only a grave threat to individual freedoms and safety, but also a direct challenge to the sovereignty and democratic integrity of Western nations. The panel will explore the urgent need for democracies to shift from defence to proactive support, by empowering independent Russian and Belarusian media and civil society operating in exile and on the front lines of the information war. These actors are essential to exposing disinformation, defending human rights, and maintaining the possibility of democratic renewal in their home countries. The discussion will also examine how the West can more effectively confront the threat of transnational repression (TNR), a form of authoritarian aggression that violates international norms, undermines domestic security, and enables the expansion of autocratic influence well beyond national borders.<\/p>\n\t

08:30 – 10:00<\/p>\n\tJessikka Aro<\/strong>, Finnish Investigative Journalist and Author, Expert on Russian Information Operations, Victim of Transnational Repression
\nHanna Liubakova<\/strong>, Belarusian Journalist and Non-Resident Fellow, Atlantic Council, Victim of Transnational Repression
\nViktors Makarovs<\/strong>, Director Digital Diplomacy at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia
\nSab\u012bne S\u012ble<\/strong>, Founder and Director Media Hub Riga and Sustainability Foundation\n

Moderator: Vytis Jurkonis<\/strong>, Director of the Freedom House Vilnius<\/p>\n\t

Safeguarding Cultural Heritage in Times of Conflict<\/h3>\nCultural heritage has become an urgent part of today’s security agenda. In times of war, it is not only a matter of culture and history but can be also a strategic target and instrument. Destruction or preservation of cultural heritage has direct implications for societal resilience, identity, and political stability. The “Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict” and its Protocols (the 1954 Hague Convention) provide the legal foundation for cultural property protection, yet the main challenge lies in practical implementation. National legal frameworks, military doctrines, and operational planning must effectively integrate these obligations. Given that peacetime preparedness is critical, documentation, inventories, training, and cooperation between cultural institutions and defence structures are essential to ensure swift and coordinated responses during conflict. Civil – military cooperation is a cornerstone of effective protection.
\nInternational organisations such as NATO, the UN, and UNESCO are recognising cultural heritage and property protection as part of the global security agenda. The Baltic region, including Latvia, with active cooperation from allies such as the Canadian Armed Forces, illustrates how practical partnerships can strengthen both policy and practice. Latvia has taken important steps to strengthen resilience in this field. The Ministry of Culture has adopted a National Plan for Cultural Heritage Protection in Crisis Situations, implemented by training sessions, seminars. These activities aim to bridge the gap between cultural policy and national security and to ensure that cultural heritage remains protected under any circumstances.
\nThe panel discussion during the Riga Conference seeks to find answers to key questions on why cultural heritage has become such an urgent security issue, how the 1954 Hague Convention can be better implemented and how military forces can integrate protection mechanisms into operational planning.\n\t

08:30 – 09:30<\/p>\n\tAgnese L\u0101ce<\/strong>, Minister of Culture of the Republic of Latvia
\nDr. Frederik Ros\u00e9n<\/strong>, Director of the Nordic Center for Cultural Heritage and Armed Conflict
\nLt. Col. Chavi Walsh<\/strong>, Lieutenant Colonel of the Canadian Armed Forces\n

 <\/p>\n\t

EVENING SIDE EVENTS<\/strong><\/h4>\n\t

Science Innovation and the EU’s Role in Shaping the Future<\/h3>\n

In the race to shape the 21st century, science and innovation are no longer just engines of progress, they’re instruments of power. From AI and quantum to green tech and biotech, the future will be written by those who can turn research into influence. The EU has scale, talent, and ambition, but does it have the urgency, risk appetite, and strategic clarity to compete with state-driven innovation and hyper-agile private sectors? This isn’t just about funding labs, it’s about whether Europe wants to lead, or be shaped by others.<\/p>\n\t

18:30 – 19:30<\/p>\n\tProf. J\u0101nis Priede<\/strong>, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Latvia
\nDr Ivars \u012ajabs<\/strong>, Committee on Industry, Research and Energy, European Parliament
\nFlemming Splidsboel Hansen<\/strong>, Senior Researcher at the Danish Institute for International Studies\n

Moderator: Malwina Talik<\/strong>, The R\u012bga Conference Future Leaders Alumni, Research Associate at Institut f\u00fcr den Donauraum und Mitteleuropa<\/p>\n\t

Defending Democracy in Georgia: Civil Society Voices and Western Solidarity<\/h3>\n

Georgia is experiencing a rapid rollback of democratic standards and institutions. Independent media, non-governmental organizations, and academia are increasingly under pressure, while the electoral framework, legislation, and administration deteriorate from election to election. The pattern of authoritarian consolidation is familiar, tested in Russia and Belarus and now replicated in Georgia, which explains its speed and effectiveness. Authoritarian regimes learn from one another, refining their methods of repression, yet it is less clear whether the defenders of democracy are drawing equal lessons from recent history. The Georgian case raises urgent questions not only about sustaining civic resistance under mounting pressure, but also about what role Western partners should play. Beyond providing support to Georgian society, the experience offers invaluable insights into how authoritarian practices are exported and how hybrid warfare strategies operate in real time.<\/p>\n\t

18:30 – 19:30<\/p>\n\tNino Zhizhilashvili<\/strong>, Broadcast Journalist at the TV Formula
\nTinatin Khidasheli<\/strong>, Chairperson of the CIVIC IDEA
\nNino Kalandadze<\/strong>, Executive Director at the Chavchavadze Center
\nTornike Giordadze<\/strong>, Author at the GEOpolitics Journal\n

Moderator: Amb. Shota Gvineria<\/strong>, Senior Fellow EPRC and Delphi Global<\/p>\n\t

OCTOBER 11<\/h3>\n

MORNING SIDE EVENTS<\/strong><\/h4>\n\t

Women and Resilience in Leadership Across Armed Forces, Peacebuilding and Post-Conflict Reconstruction<\/h3>\n

From commanding troops to rebuilding fractured communities, women have long led through conflict and recovery, – often without recognition. Their leadership doesn’t follow a single model, but it frequently broadens the agenda: placing greater focus on social repair, community needs, and long-term stability. Yet women’s inclusion is still not a given in many conflict settlement processes.<\/p>\n\t09:00 – 10:00
\nSide event\n\tMaj. Gen. Kaspars Pud\u0101ns<\/strong>, Chief of Defence of the Republic of Latvia
\nCmdr. Shannon-Lewis Simpson<\/strong>, Deputy Director Women, Peace and Security Analysis and Guidance Team, Directorate for Gender Equality and Intersectional Analysis (DGEIA), Department of National Defence of Canada
\nDr. Patricia Chica Morales<\/strong>, Asist. Professor at the University of Malaga, East Asian Gender and Development specialist
\nSharon Zagagi-Pinhas<\/strong>, Israeli Attorney Specializing in Military and Administrative Law
\nGorica Balta<\/strong>, Gender Adviser to the European Union Advisory Mission in Ukraine\n

Moderator: Vladislava Gubalova<\/strong>, Senior Fellow at the Centre for Global Europe, Globsec<\/p>\n\t

Russia’s Hybrid War: The Northern Front<\/h3>\n
Discussion is co-organised in cooperation with the Stockholm Free World Forum<\/h5>\n

Northern Europe is not at peace. The battle is real and far more dangerous than the public has grasped. In this war, there are no frontlines. Attack vectors shift daily, probing weaknesses, exploiting vulnerabilities, and seizing opportunities. The weapon of choice is what we in the West call hybrid warfare, targeting our institutions, our infrastructure, our alliances, and our minds. Resilience is necessary, but not sufficient, to win this hybrid war. This side event will discuss how countries on the northern flank are strengthening national capabilities and deepening cross- border cooperation to detect, disrupt, and respond to hybrid threats-offering a blueprint for hybrid deterrence.<\/p>\n\t

09:00 – 10:00<\/p>\n\tMinna \u00c5lander<\/strong>, Senior Fellow at the Stockholm Free World Forum
\nAnna Renn\u00e9us Guthrie<\/strong>, Director of Friv\u00e4rld
\nDr. Ieva B\u0113rzi\u0146a<\/strong>, Senior Researcher at the Center for Security and Strategic Research, National Defence Academy of Latvia\n

Moderator: Oliver Morwinsky<\/strong>, Head of Konrad Adenauer Foundation in Baltic States<\/p>\n\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

October 9-11, 2025 The R\u012bga Conference Program “Unity, Security and Resilience in a Fragmented World”   SIDE EVENTS   OCTOBER 9 MORNING SIDE EVENTS   Belarusian Society Under the Shadow of Militarisation Discussion is organised in cooperation with the Office of Belarus Democratic Forces in Estonia and Latvia, Ka\u015bciu\u0161ka Security Studies Institute, The National Anti-Crisis…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-990597","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/rigaconference.lv\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/990597","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/rigaconference.lv\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/rigaconference.lv\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rigaconference.lv\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/13"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rigaconference.lv\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=990597"}],"version-history":[{"count":16,"href":"https:\/\/rigaconference.lv\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/990597\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":990832,"href":"https:\/\/rigaconference.lv\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/990597\/revisions\/990832"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/rigaconference.lv\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=990597"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}