Discussion “Terrorist Attacks in Paris: What Do They Mean for Europe?”

news-7608184903-1447744294_200x150_61561b504a9cec99fb801f1ca60be28cDue to the terrorist attacks in Paris, Vytautas Magnus University research cluster “International Relations and Security Processes: Lithuania in global arena” is organizing the discussion “Terrorist Attacks in Paris: What Do They Mean for Europe ?” on 19th of November, Thursday, 11h15, room 203 Gedimino st. 44.

 The participants of the discussions are: Vice-Dean of Faculty of Political Science and Diplomacy Giedrius Česnakas, PhD, Head of the Social and Political Theory prof. Gintautas Mažeikis, assoc. prof. Rytis Bulota. The discussion will be moderated by Head of VMU research cluster “International Relations and Security Processes: Lithuania in global arena” Gerda Jakštaitė, PhD, and Justinas Juozaitis.

 On November 13th, 2015, three teams of terrorists carried out attacks in Paris. 129 people were killed and 352 injured. These terrorist attacks will undoubtedly have an impact on the domestic and foreign policies of European countries, the European economy, the position towards the Syrian refugees. According to dr . Giedrius Česnakas, “the second bloody terrorist attack in Paris in one year indicates that Europe can not feel safe from Islamic fundamentalists. The challenge is not only terrorist attacks, but increasing strength of the radical right-wing powers in Europe and growing hatred towards other religions, cultures and races.” Meanwhile, prof. Gintautas Mažeikis notes that “refugees from Syria also flee from those who blew their families in Aleppo and other cities, and today are attacking Paris.”

 How Europe should respond to the terrorist attacks in Paris: take  massive protests against the fundamentalists who carried out terrorist acts? Strengthen security of its border? Invest more in migrant integration in Europe? What will be the impact of the terrorist attacks on foreign policy of France and other major powers? Where should we look for causes of in terrorist attacks in Paris: in foreign policy of European countries or in radical political ideologies and movements? Participants of the discussion will try to answer these and other questions.

 The discussion will be held in English