VMU Invites to a Discussion and Photography Exhibition on The Reconstruction of Ukraine and European Solidarity
The Faculty of Political Science and Diplomacy at Vytautas Magnus University invites to a discussion “The reconstruction of Ukraine – a new test of European solidarity” and the opening of a photography exhibition dedicated to Russia’s large-scale invasion of Ukraine.
The discussion will take place on October 28, 2025 (Tuesday) at 1:00 p.m. at the VDU Leonidas Donskis Library (V. Putvinskio g. 23, Kaunas).
The event will be attended by:
- Marcin Chruściel, Director of the Polish-Ukrainian Development Cooperation Office, Ministry of Funds and Regional Policy of Poland;
- Prof. Gintautas Mažeikis, Head of the Center for Social and Political Criticism at Vytautas Magnus University.
The discussion will be moderated by Aistė Žemaitytė, Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Political Science and Diplomacy at Vytautas Magnus University. Representatives of the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Vilnius are also participating in the event.
After the discussion, we invite you to visit the photo exhibition, which will be on display in the foyer on the 4th floor of the Faculty of Political Science and Diplomacy at Vytautas Magnus University (V. Putvinskio g. 23).
The exhibition, marking Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, was prepared by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland in cooperation with PRESS CLUB POLAND. Since the beginning of the war against Ukraine, Polish photographers have become one of the largest groups of foreign war correspondents working in the conflict zone. Their photos are regularly published in the international media, bearing witness to the reality of the front line, destroyed towns and villages, the experiences of civilians and soldiers, and the thousand-day struggle for freedom.
The exhibition at VDU is organized and coordinated by Aistė Žemaitytė, Vice-Dean of VDU PMDF, who emphasizes the academic and civic importance of this initiative: “This exhibition is not only a visual testimony to war, but also an expression of our academic community’s solidarity with Ukraine. Freedom and peace in Europe cannot be taken for granted – we must protect and support them and talk about them, especially in the university environment, where critical thinking and civic responsibility are formed.”
The exhibition will run until November 23, 2025, at V. Putvinskio g. 23 – 4th floor.
Historical exhibition “Lithuania and the Czech Republic: from the renewal of relations to close diplomatic cooperation”
The exhibition covers the period from the Velvet Revolution of 1989 to the present day and presents the most important moments in the development of bilateral relations – from symbolic gestures and diplomatic recognition to strategic cooperation in Europe and the transatlantic space.
The exhibition, based on archival documents, photographs, and facsimiles of contemporary press publications, reveals the key stages in the development of relations between Lithuania and Czechoslovakia, and later between Lithuania and the Czech Republic. It presents Lithuanian ties with Czech dissident Vaclav Havel, Lithuania’s reaction to the Velvet Revolution, and Czech solidarity actions after the events of March 11, 1990, and January 1991.
The exhibition also documents the restoration of diplomatic relations in 1991 and their strengthening in subsequent years: Prof. Vytautas Landsbergis’ meeting with President Havel in Prague, the dynamics of bilateral visits, the NATO summit in Prague in 2002, where Lithuania was invited to become a member of the Alliance, and growing political and cultural cooperation.
A significant part of the exhibition is devoted to V. Havel’s visit to Lithuania in 1996 and his award of an honorary doctorate from Vilnius University – a symbolic expression of the shared values of Lithuania and the Czech Republic.
The authors of the exhibition are Doc. Dr. Dalia Bukelevičiūtė (Faculty of History, Vilnius University) and Doc. Dr. Lubošas Švecas (Institute of International Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences, Charles University).
The exhibition was initiated by the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Vilnius. The exhibition is part of the series of events “A Year with the Czech Republic” organized by the Martynas Mažvydas National Library of Lithuania.
The opening of the exhibition will take place on October 15, 2025, at 4 p.m. The opening ceremony will be attended by Karel Tesar, Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of the Czech Republic, and author of the exhibition dr. Dalia Bukelevičiūtė, Associate Professor at Vilnius University.
The exhibition is fostered by Aistė Žemaitytė, Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Political Science and Diplomacy.
The exhibition will be open to the public at the Faculty of Political Science and Diplomacy of Vytautas Magnus University from October 15 to November 15, 2025.
Public Lecture: Canada’s Role in European Security and Diplomacy
The Department of Political Science at Vytautas Magnus University cordially invites you to a public lecture by Ms. Jeanette Eileen Sautner, Ambassador of Canada to the Republic of Lithuania.
Lecture Topic: Canada and the EU: Current Realities and Future Challenges
Ambassador Sautner will explore Canada’s contemporary geopolitical priorities, focusing on how the country is enhancing its diplomatic engagement and addressing security and defense challenges in collaboration with the European Union and NATO allies. Key foreign policy initiatives toward the EU will also be discussed.
The lecture will take place on Monday, May 12, at 16:00, in Room 311, Putvinskio g. 23, Vytautas Magnus University.
Moderator: Assoc. Prof. Andžej Pukšto
All members of the university community and the general public are welcome to attend.
International conference on the contemporary Spanish-speaking world
On Thursday, May 8, the Faculty of Political Science and Diplomacy at Vytautas Magnus University (VMU) is organizing the second international conference “The Contemporary Spanish-Speaking World: Culture, Society, and Politics” at the VMU Multifunctional Science and Study Center (V. Putvinskio g. 23).
The conference will bring together scholars, researchers, and students from various fields to discuss current trends shaping the development of the Spanish-speaking world. The conference aims to foster academic dialogue on the most important cultural, social, and political challenges facing contemporary Spanish-speaking societies.
According to one of the conference organizers, assoc. prof. Mindaugas Norkevičius, “the conference also involves young researchers – students of the master’s program “Diplomacy and International Relations” whose presentations reflect not only an academic perspective on current international processes and regional contexts, but also the insights of the younger generation on global issues, cultural diversity, and intercultural dialogue. The insights of young researchers complement the conference theme with a fresh perspective, contributing creative assessments and ideas that are maturing in the context of international relations studies”.
Participants are invited to analyze historical experiences, current challenges, and possible scenarios for development, thereby broadening their understanding of the multifaceted Spanish-speaking world. “The growing role of Spanish as one of the most important languages of international communication encourages us to look beyond Spain. The conference will also focus on other Spanish-speaking countries, especially Latin America, which is becoming an increasingly important center of global change and geopolitical transformation,” says conference organizer Vigilija Žiūraitė, lecturer at Vytautas Magnus University.
The conference is part of a series of events at Vytautas Magnus University called “Spanish Spring” (Primavera en español).
A Discussion with Ms. L. Pilukaitė: How the European Commission Shapes Europe
The Department of Political Science is pleased to invite you to a special meeting with Ms. Laimutė Pilukaitė, Head of the Political Reporting Team at the European Commission Representation in Lithuania.
During this public lecture, we will explore key topics such as:
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The main responsibilities of the European Commission
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A glimpse into the schedule of Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission
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The European Union’s support for Ukraine and its defense strategy for Europe
Join us for this insightful discussion and engage with pressing issues shaping European politics.
Date: April 7, 2025
Time: 4:00 PM
Location: Classroom 311, Puvinskio 23
Language: English
We look forward to your participation!
Public lecture by Andrzej Krzystof Dudziński
Department of Political Science of Vytautas Magnus University is kindly inviting all students and members of staff to attend a public lecture to be delivered by Andrzej Krzystof Dudziński, entitled Tackling the National and International Crisis-Examples from Poland.
The distinguished guest Andrzej Krzystof Dudziński at present is a Deputy Chief of Mission, Minister-Counsellor at the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Vilnius, Lithuania. Previously he served in different capacities in Poland, Germany, Austria. His academic interests and expereince are in the field of international crises, international security, transatlantic links as well as Baltic Sea region.
Lecture will take place on Wednesday, February 12, on 4 pm at room 103, Putvinskio 23.
The faculty will host a visit of experts in the evaluation of the field of Political Science
On February 6, a visit of experts in the evaluation of the field of political science will take place at Vytautas Magnus University.
Students of the direction are invited to a meeting with experts at 12:00-12:45, and all members of the academic community of the field – to familiarize themselves with general observations during the visit 16:30-16:45.
Meeting place: V. Putvinskio str. 23 – 312.
The meeting agenda can be found here
S. Rakutienė and I. Unikaitė-Jakuntavičienė participated in COST project activities at the University of Cambridge
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sima Rakutienė and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ingrida Unikaitė-Jakuntavičienė, took part in the COST project (CA22121) “Rising Nationalisms, shifting geopolitics and the Future of European Higher Education” partners’ meeting at the University of Cambridge, on September 19-20.
This COST project brings together researchers from political science and education from 37 different countries, including the University of Cambridge. The project, which runs until 2027, aims to explore how the rise of new nationalisms and geopolitical factors are creating tensions and increasing pressure on the openness of European higher education and research, and what implications this has for the future of Europe.
More information on the project:
https://www.cost.eu/actions/CA22121/#tabs+Name:Description
28th Annual Central European Political Science Association (CEPSA) Conference
We are pleased to announce that the Central European Political Science Association (CEPSA), in partnership with the Lithuanian Political Science Association and Vytautas Magnus University, will host the 28th Annual CEPSA Conference, titled “Twenty Years of EU Membership: Lessons Learned, Challenges, and Opportunities.”
The conference will take place at Vytautas Magnus University, Faculty of Political Science and Diplomacy, in Kaunas, Lithuania, on October 3rd and 4th, 2024.
This conference will bring together political scientists, researchers, and practitioners from Central and Eastern Europe and beyond, creating a platform for insightful discussions and reflections on the past two decades of EU membership. The event will focus on the achievements, challenges, and future opportunities for EU member states in the region.
The conference aims to foster interdisciplinary exchange, offering both theoretical and empirical contributions—ranging from comparative studies to single-country analyses—all centered around the theme of the 20-year EU membership milestone.
We look forward to welcoming participants for this enriching academic event.
Date: October 3-4, 2024
Venue: Vytautas Magnus University, Faculty of Political Science and Diplomacy, V. Putvinskis str. 23, Kaunas, Lithuania
For more details, practical info, please stay updated via the official university webpage.
New Publication: Unique Treaty. Relations between the Republic of Poland and the Republic of Lithuania (1994-2024) Edited by Aleksandra Kuczyńska-Zonik and Andrzej Pukszto
There was a chance that the 30th anniversary of the Treaty on Friendly Relations and Good Neighbourly Cooperation of the Republic of Lithuania and the Republic of Poland would be forgotten or stay in the shadows. However, the Treaty played a big role in the strengthening the security and international position of both countries, and it is impossible to imagine the process of Euro-Atlantic integration without it. This publication presents the current state of Lithuania-Polish relations. Polish and Lithuanian researchers have attempted to analyze various areas of cooperation, paying attentions to its effectiveness, but also noting current and future challenges. Thus, they point out that security, economy, media, memory policy and national minorities are important dimensions of bilateral cooperation.
Unique Treaty. Relations between the Republic of Poland and the Republic of Lithuania (1994-2024)
ISBN: 978-83-67678-44-5
Edited by: Aleksandra Kuczyńska-Zonik, Andrzej Pukszto
Online access to the book: PDF
