26-09-2024
Experts in Vilnius Discuss Multi-Level Governance Opportunities for Strengthening Democracy and Resilience
Upon assuming the Presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe from May 17 to November 13, 2023, Lithuania identified the consistent implementation of the Reykjavik Summit decisions as a key priority. On this occasion, on September 25, 2024, the Ministry of the Interior, together with the Council of Europe, organized an international conference "Multi-Level Governance for Ensuring Democracy and Strengthening Resilience." The event brought together representatives from the Lithuanian and foreign public sectors, academia, and non-governmental organizations. The conference was opened by the Minister of the Interior, Ms. Agnė Bilotaitė, Director of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, Ms. Claudia Luciani and Director of the Association of Lithuanian Municipalities, Ms. Roma Žakaitienė.
In her opening remarks, Minister Bilotaitė emphasized the importance of democracy and resilience. "In the face of today's threats, our mission to defend and foster democracy has become more important than ever. Turbulent times require not only strengthening democracy but also enhancing resilience. The efforts of state institutions alone are not enough. It is clear that a resilient state is impossible without a strong and engaged society. Effective cooperation between various levels—local, regional, and national—is an essential precondition for our resilience," said the minister.
Conference discussions focused on the importance, challenges, and opportunities of multi-level governance. During the first session, participants emphasized that effective cooperation and coordination between different levels of government are essential for strengthening democracy and enhancing resilience. Speakers from the Council of Europe, the Finnish Ministry of Justice, Mykolas Romeris University, and the Lithuanian Ministry of the Interior discussed methods to ensure inclusion and participation, capacity building, and the role of multi-level governance in strengthening civil protection. This session also examined trends in multi-level governance in OECD countries, emphasizing that consistent cooperation between different levels and sectors is necessary to ensure democracy and resilience.
In the second session, participants shared views on enhancing resilience and strengthening democratic governance. Experts from the Council of Europe, Mykolas Romeris University, the Lithuanian Military Academy, and the National Coalition of Non-Governmental Organizations discussed the role of multi-level governance in enhancing resilience. They highlighted the importance of inter-institutional cooperation and the involvement of citizens in the decision-making process. This session also presented the ReBuS toolkit for strengthening good governance, discussed principles for enhancing the resilience of the public sector and municipalities, and explored the importance of digital governance for crisis management. Non-governmental organizations were identified as essential partners in building resilience and strengthening multi-level governance.
During the final panel discussion, Vice-Minister of the Interior, Ms. Sigita Ščajevienė, Director of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe Ms. Claudia Luciani, and other participants discussed the challenges and perspectives of enhancing the resilience of local communities.