Suchergebnisse

Am 7. und 8. Dezember 2024 fand eine gemeinsame Veranstaltung des litauischen DAAD-Alumni-Vereins und des litauischen DBJW-Landesbüros statt. Das Event widmete sich den deutsch-litauischen Beziehungen in den Bereichen Politik, Wirtschaft, Wissenschaft, Kultur und Forschung. Austragungsort war die litauische Kulturhauptstadt 2025, Druskininkai. An der zweitägigen Veranstaltung nahmen zahlreiche Partnerorganisationen des DBJW teil, darunter die Deutsche Botschaft, das Goethe-Institut, der DAAD, der Litauische Deutschlehrerverband, der litauische IPS-Alumni-Verein, das Litauisch-Deutsche Forum, mehrere litauische Universitäten und weitere Institutionen. Ehrengast und Hauptreferent war der ehemalige Botschafter der Republik Litauen in Deutschland, Herr Ramūnas Misiulis. Aktuell ist er im litauischen Außenministerium für die Entwicklung des strategischen Plans für deutsch-litauische Beziehungen verantwortlich. In seiner Rede hob er die Bedeutung Deutschlands für Litauen und Europa hervor. Nach den einleitenden Worten teilten sich die Teilnehmenden des Seminars in kleinere Arbeitsgruppen auf, um über konkrete Maßnahmen zur Umsetzung des strategischen Ziels „Mehr Deutschland in Litauen“ zu diskutieren. Zu den vorgeschlagenen Ideen gehörten:  die verstärkte Förderung der deutschen Sprache in litauischen Schulen, die Einrichtung einer koordinierenden Institution für deutsch-litauische Beziehungen, die Übersetzung litauischer Internetseiten ins Deutsche, die Ausstrahlung von mehr deutschen Sendungen und Filmen in litauischen Medien, sowie eine bessere Integration deutscher Soldatinnen und Soldaten in die litauische Gesellschaft. Das litauische DBJW-Landesbüro bedankt sich herzlich bei allen Partnerorganisationen für die produktive Zusammenarbeit und freut sich auf weitere erfolgreiche Projekte im kommenden Jahr.

By Sarah Mackel The German-Baltic Conference 2024, hosted yearly since 2019 by the German-Baltic Future Foundation (DBJW), convened in Vilnius this October, gathering youth ambassadors and young leaders from across Europe to address critical global challenges. Over four busy days, Youth Ambassadors and GBYEN-members gathered in the Martynas Mažvydas National Library of Lithuania, on Gediminas Avenue, to attend panel discussions, Q&A sessions, and work together to create policy papers. All groups tackled pressing issues like health care reform, climate change, refugee protection, and AI ethics, working towards creating actionable policy recommendations aimed at shaping a more sustainable and equitable future, which would later be presented to the parliaments of Germany and the Baltics. Aside from the DBJW clusters, the conference also hosted the German-Baltic Youth Exchange Network (GBYEN), which brought together representatives of youth organisations based in Germany, the Baltic States, and Ukraine to discuss AI and youth cooperation in Europe. Each DBJW cluster operated under the conference theme of “AI in Crisis Management”; Cluster B, which I had the privilege of shadowing as a Young Journalist, focused on the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) to address healthcare issues, specifically in Latvia. Indeed, in the past few years, artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare has become a pressing issue - its rapid development is reshaping the medical field, with implications for patients, professionals, and policymakers alike. Issues such as patient data privacy, algorithmic discrimination, and equity of care provision have all been the subject of heavy debates across the world as the technology develops. Our task as a cluster was to ensure that youth voices were part of the discussion, offering perspectives that are sometimes overlooked in decision-making. The first question that was asked by a cluster member, during our very first brainstorming session, was “how do we get the parliament of a country to listen to a group of kids?” This question voiced what was on all of our minds - the stakes of our work at the conference, and the importance of a platform for youth voices in the global discussion on artificial intelligence. As young people, with high school students, university students, and young professionals represented in the group, all from varying fields, the cluster’s Youth Ambassadors were keenly aware that the decisions made about AI in healthcare in Europe within the next few years would have a deep impact on our future. As a participant would later bring up in a brainstorming session, healthcare, like climate change, refugee protection, or disinformation, is a deeply personal field, and everyone involved in the discussions could empathise with challenges currently facing European healthcare systems, and understand motivations to find equitable technology-based solutions to them. Led by Egija Graudina, a software engineer, Cluster B exemplified the conference’s spirit of innovation and creativity. “My projects always seem to be entirely different from anyone else’s,” Egija remarked, a sentiment that reflected her cluster's fresh perspective on healthcare challenges. Her role as a Head of Cluster was to supervise, guide, and coordinate cluster members in the creation of the policy paper. From the cluster’s inception three months before the conference, when group members began meeting to research their policy paper, the group had a challenging mission: understanding the intricacies of different European health systems, each representing the countries of its members, and their use of e-Health systems and artificial intelligence, to draft recommendations tailored to Latvia. With participants from STEM, administrative, Humanities, and technology backgrounds, the group had a diverse skill set and set of perspectives with which to approach this task. Over this time, the group analyzed issues ranging from patient access to the integration of AI in diagnosis and treatment. “Healthcare systems are inherently complicated,” explained one delegate. “Most people struggle to fully understand their own country’s system, let alone someone else’s.” Yet, through their discussions, the team, consisting of more than six nationalities, identified common challenges like administrative burdens, healthcare worker shortages, and unequal access to care—issues that AI could potentially help address. Challenges in healthcare reform struck a personal note for many of the Cluster members, with the stakes of the brainstorming sessions and policy paper clear to all. As such, the cluster's work was deeply personal for several members, who noted the acute problems many countries face, such as long wait times and disparities in care coverage. On Day 1 of the conference, participants kicked off the event by reflecting on their expectations and concerns. Led by Egija, the group explored what they hoped to achieve. A major question that arose was how to create solutions that are not only applicable but also have maximum potential for real-world implementation. Many in the room shared a common worry about how young people can attract the attention of older generations and actually drive change. The day then shifted to a research session where participants began charting a roadmap for their policy paper, grappling with how to meet deadlines and ensure their voices are heard by decision-makers. After a break, participants shared their findings, diving deep into discussions around AI regulation, accountability, and data privacy—particularly in healthcare. The group explored the ethical implications of AI, drawing comparisons between the EU’s AI Act and policies in other countries, including Denmark’s approach to AI in healthcare. The conversation also touched on how AI might impact doctors’ salaries and whether data collection is acceptable for public purposes, or if it becomes problematic when sold to private companies. Personal discussions followed, where participants shared their experiences with healthcare systems in Germany, the Baltics, and Ukraine. Nikolina Rutenberga, a medical student and youth ambassador, shared her insights from working with medical AI in her workplace in Latvia. “There’s still room for innovation within regulations. We just have to discuss how far we can go to ensure innovation benefits us. AI has the potential to alleviate administrative burdens and healthcare worker shortages, improving systems overall.” She also gave a presentation to the group on the current Latvian healthcare ecosystem and challenges currently facing the country’s hospitals and medical practices, as well as the Latvian Health Ministry’s current strategies to address these issues. Currently, Latvia’s healthcare system faces challenges such as limited funding, a shortage of medical staff, and an aging population, which hinder its ability to fully meet public health needs and deliver equitable care. These factors, along with prevalent health risks like cardiovascular disease, cancer, smoking, and alcohol consumption, contribute to the country's life expectancy of 74.8 years—the second lowest in the EU. The COVID-19 pandemic also had a significant impact, leading to a sharp drop in life expectancy that has not yet fully rebounded. The potential impact of artificial intelligence on issues like understaffing and public health campaigns was not lost on the cluster during the presentation, and led to several in-depth discussions. The group identified several issues within Latvia’s healthcare system, notably its fragmented e-health infrastructure, which leads to inconsistent access to patient records and delays in care. AI-powered solutions were seen as a way to streamline processes, reduce administrative burdens, and improve patient access to care. Among the proposed solutions was the introduction of AI-powered chatbots for initial consultations. These bots could help triage patients, offer health recommendations, and reduce waiting times. Additionally, the group suggested integrating Latvia’s existing e-health systems to create a more centralized platform for patient records, improving access and efficiency. Central to the healthcare cluster's discussions was digital twin technology, which creates virtual models of patients based on data from electronic health records, wearable devices, and AI. These digital replicas can simulate health conditions, predict outcomes, and inform personalized treatment plans. The technology holds significant promise for improving healthcare delivery, enhancing diagnostics, and reducing inefficiencies in the system. The cluster also discussed the Belgian-led EDITH (Enhanced Digital Twin for Health) initiative, which aims to create a secure, cross-border framework for sharing digital twin data across healthcare systems in Europe. By complying with EU data privacy regulations, EDITH seeks to enable collaboration between countries while safeguarding patient confidentiality. For Latvia, such initiatives could provide a much-needed solution to ongoing challenges such as long wait times and fragmented healthcare data. The group also explored the ethical concerns surrounding AI-assisted diagnoses. They emphasized the importance of integrating AI as a tool that supports healthcare professionals rather than replacing them, ensuring that technology complements human expertise without undermining trust in medical practitioners. Oleksandra Frankevych, a student at Riga Technical University, gave a presentation on Ukrainian e-Health systems and their applications in public health, and potential applications of similar e-Health structures to alleviate burdens on the Latvian healthcare system. In the spirit of the conference, intercultural and international idea exchanges were a key part of the cluster’s discussion, as participants exchanged e-Health strategies and anecdotes from their home countries to see how they could be applied to the Latvian healthcare system, or how their home countries compared in terms of healthcare delivery strategies. While the cluster’s formal brainstorming sessions focused on policy development, the conference was abuzz with both formal and informal exchanges on the subject of artificial intelligence, technology, peace and security, and discussions of the day’s panels or keynote speeches. In hallways, dining areas, and late-night library sessions, new ideas were constantly being proposed to tackle challenges faced by the clusters and their ambassadors. Throughout the conference, the lasting impression of this constant energy was one of inspiration - the knowledge that every Youth Ambassador, Journalist, GBYEN-member, and DBJW-member was surrounded by a group of like-minded young people all motivated to address the very real issues facing our generations as we grow into the workforce and the world. Beyond the healthcare cluster, other groups tackled equally impactful issues, from countering disinformation to addressing migration policy and enhancing climate resilience, with the overarching theme of “Artificial Intelligence in Crisis Management”. Each cluster faced tight deadlines to produce recommendations, yet their energy and focus never wavered. The conference’s busy schedule also provided plenty of time for networking and appreciation of Vilnius’ culture and history. Youth Ambassadors participated in events such as a  city-wide scavenger hunt that provided a comprehensive, interactive tour of historical Vilnius; Rīgas Danči, led by Rozite Ponne, the head of the DBJW’s Latvian country office, introduced the conference attendees to traditional Latvian instruments, music, and dances; a visit to the MO museum introduced participants to Lithuania’s rich artistic and cultural scene; and on the final night of the conference, participants dined together in the Neringa Restaurant, where the atmosphere was one of camaraderie and celebration as youth ambassadors, GBYEN-members, and journalists alike toasted to the work they had achieved together and prepared their presentations for the closing ceremony held the next morning. On the morning of the 27th of October, after four days of intense brainstorming, dialogues, discussions, and debates with experts, and research, each cluster presented the work they had completed and the recommendations for their respective parliaments to a packed auditorium, followed by their respective journalists’ remarks on the cluster’s work. As the conference drew to a close, and the host city of the German-Baltic Conference 2025 was announced as Riga, delegates left with more than just policy drafts. They carried a renewed sense of purpose and a network of like-minded changemakers. For example, Leni Biechele, a youth ambassador in my cluster, noted that she had gained new perspectives on her home country’s healthcare system and approach to artificial intelligence thanks to her work on Latvian healthcare, which she would bring home with her once the conference was over. As a Young Journalist, I can only end this article with the last remarks I gave to the conference attendees themselves as part of the journalists’ presentations: “After this week, I find myself genuinely hopeful - as both a young person, and medical student, growing up to face the challenges posed by this decade. Over these past days, I’ve seen the dedication, insight, and resilience of everyone here. I truly believe that, while the present may be uncertain, things could also get much better if you stay true to yourselves and keep asking yourself - how can I create meaningful change? What can I do to make this better?”   If you are interested in the policy paper of cluster B, take a look here! Graphic Recording by: Agne Rapalaite-Rasiule, visualmind.lt Photos by: Simonas Lukoševičius (Instagram: @simonas_luko)

Since 2019, the German-Baltic Conference (GBC) has brought together young people from all over Europe to meet in one of the major Baltic cities, giving them a platform to make their voices heard. From 24 to 27 October 2024 , participants of this year’s conference had the opportunity to join working groups in Vilnius that focus on policy development and civic engagement. Four clusters with 36 young individuals ( Youth Ambassadors ) were engaged in developing sustainable policy approaches in the realms of the environment, economy, society, and values – drafting their own policy and position papers around the topic “ AI for Europe: Reinventing Crisis Management ” that subsequently will be disseminated to political actors and decision-makers. Concurrently, the German-Baltic Youth Exchange Network (GBYEN) has brought together stakeholders from civil society, administration, politics, and beyond, to explore future challenges and opportunities of youth exchange in the Baltic region and Europe. The conference provided them with an inspiring programme comprising networking opportunities, expert keynotes, and insight into local best practice and culture. Since 2023, the DBJW has supplemented the conference’s programme by offering five young people the possibility to participate as Young journalists , shadowing the work of one of the clusters and of the GBYEN group. Throughout the conference, they closely accompany the discussions and the development of the end results and present in a creative way what the GBC looks like from the inside.  We are extremely happy to share the work of Franziska Müller , who has been selected as the Young journalist to follow the work of cluster D , focusing on the topic “ AI in Climate Change Management ”. Franziska’s work involved preparing reports and video footage, resulting in a 10-minute-long documentary film that presents in a unique way the working process of the Youth Ambassadors, the ambiance of the conference, and the framework programmes in Vilnius. We thank wholeheartedly Franziska for her contribution and hope you will enjoy the film! If you are interested in the policy paper of cluster D, take a look here! Documentary Film by: Franziska Müller Photos by: Simonas Lukoševičius (Instagram: @simonas_luko) Graphic Recording by: Agne Rapalaite-Rasiule, visualmind.lt

By Marc Martorell Junyent Marc is a journalist and researcher based in Munich, Germany. He covered the German-Baltic Conference 2024 as a Young Journalist, following the work of Cluster A: AI in Refugee Protection & Humanitarian Aid. The Martynas Mažvydas National Library of Lithuania is a welcoming building at the western end of Vilnius’ main street, Gediminas Avenue. The library, in the city centre of the Lithuanian capital, hosted the working sessions of the German-Baltic Conference 2024, which took place between October 24th and October 27th. The conference, organised by the German-Baltic Future Foundation, is a yearly event held in different Baltic cities. Its aim is “to connect young people, especially those living in Germany and the Baltic States, and to strengthen their voice in politics.”   There could hardly have been a more appropriate location than the National Library for those conference participants organised in Cluster A, which focused on AI in Refugee Protection & Humanitarian Aid. The addressees of Cluster A’s recommendations on how to improve the protection of refugees and the provision of necessary assistance are the elected representatives of the Lithuanian people. They work in the building next to the National Library, the Lithuanian parliament, known as the Seimas. The second round of the elections to the Seimas coincided with the last day of the German-Baltic Conference.    The conference was organised into four different clusters. Apart from Cluster A, three other clusters discussed healthcare, disinformation, and climate change—always from an AI perspective. The target countries were, respectively, Latvia, Germany, and Estonia. In a somewhat different format, the conference also convened the German-Baltic Youth Exchange Network (GBYEN), which brought together young members of civil society organisations, politics, and administration to discuss youth cooperation in Europe. The participants in Cluster A brought with them different academic backgrounds. Studies in International Relations, Political Science, and Public Policy were common, but also in Law and even Linguistics. The cluster was headed by Sergej Stoma, a master's student at Sciences Po Paris law school specialising in public international law. This was Stoma’s first experience as head of cluster. He had participated in a previous conference held in Tallinn, but only as an external guest to take part in the activities of the GBYEN. Stoma noted that the Cluster A participants displayed “a wide range of perspectives and expertise, which enriched the discussions but also made it challenging to select priorities. Some of the participants had more knowledge of specific AI solutions and technologies, while others had more to contribute to policy and legal issues.” As head of cluster, Stoma’s task was to assist and coordinate the work of the cluster participants. The participants had been selected around September and already had many hours of work behind them when they met in person for the first time in Vilnius. Three different online meetings had taken place before the conference began. During these meetings, they learned about national and international legal frameworks regulating the protection of refugees. Among them, Lithuania’s Law on the Legal Status of Foreigners or the 1951 Refugee Convention.   The participants also became better acquainted with the specific situation in Lithuania. The country, which borders Latvia, Belarus, Poland, and the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad, is one of the EU members processing fewer asylum requests. During the first half of 2024, and according to the European Union Agency for Asylum, Lithuania received  72 asylum applications per million inhabitants, which compares to an EU average of 1108 applications per million inhabitants. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Lithuania has reported  90,780 asylum-seekers as of October 2024. Once in Vilnius, the cluster participants shaped the final policy paper during several working sessions held on the ground floor of the National Library from Friday to Saturday. The work was sometimes carried out in separate groups that later presented their ideas to all the cluster members. The discussions were focused on identifying key areas of improvement regarding refugee protection and humanitarian aid in Lithuania and establishing recommendations to address these challenges with the help of AI technology.   For instance, one of the key issues in Lithuania is that asylum application processes are often long and inefficient. Another one is that integration services can be ineffective or insufficient. One of the cluster’s suggestions to address these problems is the creation of a multifunctional app for refugees and asylum seekers. The app would provide them with information about relevant legal procedures as well as language learning assistance to improve their Lithuanian skills. The app, with some functions facilitated by AI technology, would also ease the cultural integration of refugees thanks to practical guidance on Lithuania’s everyday life.   The cluster’s participants received the professional assistance of Laurynas Biek š a, an Associate Professor of International Human Rights Protection and Asylum Law at Mykolas Romeris University. Biekša, who is also a lawyer specialised in migration law and human rights law, visited the cluster to answer questions and give his opinion on the cluster’s work. Biekša provided the participants with specific advice on how to effectively formulate their policy proposals so that they resonate with the politicians who have the power to implement them.   One of the cluster’s participants was Agnė Jankauskaitė, from Lithuania. She is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in International Relations and European Politics. Jankauskaitė explained she was influenced in her choice of study by her previous experience at the German-Baltic Conference 2023, which took place in Tartu, Estonia. She covered the conference as a Young Journalist. When asked about the key learnings she made during this year’s conference, Jankauskaitė mentioned she greatly expanded her knowledge about international and Lithuanian migration laws and asylum-seeking processes. Even more important, she said, was the great teamwork experience. In her words: “It was beautiful to see how it all worked out due to our cooperative efforts and mostly to the great skills of our leader.” Maximilian Arndt, from Germany, is currently finishing his second bachelor’s degree. After finishing a bachelor’s in Romance Studies and Philosophy and History of Law, he now studies Empirical Linguistics, with a focus on Baltic Studies and Phonetics. Arndt and Jankauskaitė referred to similar learnings during the conference. Arndt, however, specifically highlighted how he gained new knowledge about various technologies that can assist refugees, such as geofencing. Arndt also had very positive words about Stoma, the head of cluster. “I am deeply impressed by the leadership and organisation skills of our cluster head,” he said.   During the last event of the conference, the different clusters presented their work before the other participants, who had the opportunity to raise questions. After a short introduction by Stoma, the presenters from Cluster A took the stage. David Ehresmann, Vincent Tadday, and Agnė Jankauskaitė provided some background information about the situation of refugees in Lithuania before delving into the issues that need to be addressed and the specific recommendations.   Reflecting on the experience of coordinating Cluster A’s work three weeks after the conference’s conclusion, Stoma remarked that “synthesising diverse contributions into a cohesive, structured document was a demanding but ultimately rewarding exercise.” He also expressed his satisfaction that “the final policy paper reflected the collective input of all participants while maintaining clarity and focus, not a single idea was left out.”   The German-Baltic Conference 2024 did not only include work meetings but offered an agenda full of diverse events. Just to name a few, on Friday the 25th, a panel discussion was convened under the title "Weaponizing Disinformation: Insights from Ukraine and the EU's Response." The following day, Erika Kuročkina, Vice-Minister of Economy and Innovation of the Republic of Lithuania, offered a keynote speech on “Building a Future-Ready Workforce: AI, Youth, and Education in the Baltics.” The participants also profited from a rich cultural program. One of these cultural activities was a music performance by Rīgas Danči, a Latvian folklore group. The performance engaged the public from the very beginning and was received with warm applause. On Saturday, there was time for a visit to the Modern Art Museum. After dividing into four different groups, the visitors were offered a guided tour of the exhibition From Within , a combination of art history and psychology inspired by the work of psychoanalyst Carl Gustav Jung and philosopher Alain de Botton. When asked about her opinion on the extra-academic activities, Jankauskaitė noted that they “were perfect in providing a relaxing atmosphere after intense working sessions”. She also liked “the possibility for foreigners to get to know Lithuanian and Baltic culture better.” The International Relations student noted that the conference was a good occasion to make “meaningful connections” with other participants. Stoma, the head of cluster, explained he enjoyed the social activities, which “provided an excellent opportunity to connect with participants in a more informal setting.” Similarly, Ardnt, the Empirical Linguistics student, said that the encounter in Vilnius was “a great opportunity to meet people with similar interests” although he would have favoured a less tight schedule that would have left more time to get acquainted with new people. On the last day of the German-Baltic Conference 2024, it was announced that the next conference will be hosted in Riga, the capital of Latvia. As the conference in Vilnius drew to a close, and some participants rushed to their travel connections to return home, others discussed applying again in one year’s time.   If you are interested in the policy paper of cluster A, take a look here! Graphic Recording by: Agne Rapalaite-Rasiule, visualmind.lt Photos by: Simonas Lukoševičius (Instagram: @simonas_luko)

Anna Lauska Am 9. November fand in Lettland die von der Deutsch-Baltischen Zukunftsstiftung im Hybridformat organisierte Podiumsdiskussion "Sicherheit heute: Jugendliche und Fachleute diskutieren" statt. Unter der Moderation von Rozīte Katrīna Ponne, Leiterin des Landesbüros Lettland des DBJW, trafen sich junge Menschen und Experten wie Nils Students, Valts Ernštreits, Daina Freinberga, Ako Kārlis Cekuls, Kārlis Kuškēvičs und Andrejs Puriņš, um über zentrale sicherheitspolitische Herausforderungen und gesellschaftliche Fragen zu diskutieren. Sicherheit in all ihren Facetten Ein zentraler Punkt der Diskussion war die Vielschichtigkeit des Begriffs Sicherheit. Für die Redner umfasst Sicherheit nicht nur den Schutz vor geopolitischen Herausforderungen und militärischen Bedrohungen, sondern auch individuelle, psychologische und nationale Sicherheit sowie die Sicherheit der freien Meinungsäußerung. Sie betonten, wie wichtig es ist, dass Sicherheit nicht nur auf dem Papier existiert, sondern auch spürbar für die Gesellschaft wird. Ein Vergleich mit den USA zeigte, dass Sicherheit dort oft als Selbstverständlichkeit wahrgenommen wird. Doch für Lettland, mit seiner spezifischen geopolitischen Lage und Geschichte, ist die Förderung von Resilienz und Eigenverantwortung ein kontinuierlicher Prozess. Verantwortung in der Gesellschaft Die Diskussionsteilnehmer waren sich einig: Die Gesellschaft ist ihre eigene Verantwortung und die Verantwortung jedes einzelnen Menschen . Es gilt, ein Gefühl der Eigenverantwortung zu schaffen und zu stärken. Dies beginnt bei der Förderung des Gemeinschaftsgefühls und reicht bis zur Einbindung junger Menschen in die Landesverteidigung. Daina Freinberga betonte dabei, wie wichtig das ihr aufgrund des Einflusses ihrer Familie schon seit ihrer Kindheit gewesen ist, was dazu führte, dass sie schon mit 18 Jahren der Freiwilligen Nationalgarde Lettlands (zemessardze) beitrat. Dabei darf das Selbstvertrauen der Jugend nicht dadurch untergraben werden, dass man ihnen allein die Verantwortung aufbürdet. Stattdessen sollten die Älteren mit gutem Beispiel vorangehen und den jungen Menschen Werkzeuge und Möglichkeiten an die Hand geben. Eine starke Eigenverantwortung stärkt nicht nur die Widerstandsfähigkeit eines Landes, sondern ganz Europas. Hierbei spielt auch die Rolle der NATO eine große Bedeutung. Die Botschaft war klar: „Wir sind bereit, einander zu helfen.“ Frauen und Vielfalt in der Verteidigung Ein weiteres Thema war die Erhöhung der Beteiligung von Frauen am Pflichtdienst. Die Redner stellten heraus, dass die Verteidigungsbereitschaft eines Landes in allen Formen sein muss. Frauen spielen eine entscheidende Rolle, und ihre Beteiligung sollte selbstverständlich gefördert werden. Es wurde klar und deutlich erläutert, dass Lettland Menschen braucht, die bereit sind, ihr Land zu verteidigen, unabhängig von ihrem Geschlecht. Identität und Kultur als Säulen der Sicherheit Besonders hervorgehoben wurde die Bedeutung der lettischen Identität und Kultur. Die Verbindung der Menschen zu ihrer Sprache, ihren Werten und Traditionen ist essenziell für die Widerstandsfähigkeit der Gesellschaft. Wenn die Letten stark mit ihrem Land und ihren kulturellen Wurzeln verbunden sind, tragen sie aktiv zur inneren und äußeren Sicherheit bei. Cybersicherheit und Medienkompetenz Angesichts der Bedrohung durch Desinformation, vor allem aus Russland, wurde die Notwendigkeit von Cybersicherheit betont. Dabei spielt auch Medienkompetenz eine zentrale Rolle. Diese Fähigkeiten müssen gelehrt und gelernt werden, um Informationsnebel zu durchbrechen und die Bevölkerung zu schützen. Emotionale Sicherheit und Gemeinschaft Ein besonderer Moment der Diskussion war die Betonung der emotionalen Sicherheit. Die kulturellen Praktiken verbinden die Menschen und schaffen eine positive Atmosphäre, die sich auf die innere und äußere Sicherheit auswirkt. Man akzentuierte den Stressabbau durch Atmen, wobei der Schwerpunkt darauf gelegt wurde, dass das Atmen gemeinsam sein soll - das gemeinsame Atmen als Land, als Nation. Wie kann man sowas schaffen? Durch gemeinsames Singen und gemeinsames Tanzen. Die Letten und die lettische Kultur sind für dieses Phänomen weltweit durch die das Allgemeine lettische Lieder- und Tanzfest bekannt. So wurde das Singen und Tanzen in der Diskussion als Möglichkeit hervorgehoben, das Gemeinschaftsgefühl, gegenseitiges Vertrauen und dadurch auch die emotionale Sicherheit, die sich in staatlicher Sicherheit resultieren würde, zu stärken. Ein Blick in die Zukunft Die Podiumsdiskussion war ein eindrucksvolles Beispiel für den Dialog zwischen Generationen und Fachleuten. Es zeigte sich, dass die Zukunft und Sicherheit Lettlands nicht nur den Letten in Lettland, sondern auch Letten in den Diasporen in allen Generationen an erster Stelle steht. Die Förderung von Freiwilligkeit, proaktivem Handeln und Selbstvertrauen war eine klare Botschaft an die Zuhörer, denn genau diese Eigenschaften bilden das Rückgrat der Stärke, die Lettland braucht, um allen Herausforderungen zu begegnen.

By Gleb Konkin-von Serebrowski I was honoured to be invited to the German-Baltic Youth Conference in the role of a Young Journalist. I was curious to see what it would be like and I was delighted with the experience. I was also impressed by the daily brainstorming sessions, which I feel very fortunate to have been able to take part in. It was hard not to feel the intensity of the zeitgeist. There was a sense of vulnerability in the air. In stark contrast to Germany, where current geopolitical tensions are not directly experienced on the country's borders, it is perhaps easier to overlook them. The focus of the conference is on the strengthening of cooperation between Germany and the Baltic States and the promotion of communication, exchange, innovation and sustainable growth. Day 1: Thursday, 24 October The very first steps of getting involved in the conference started with the chance to meet fellow participants at the "Pre-Welcome Session", which provided an introduction to the "German-Baltic Youth Exchange Network (GBYEN)" and various cluster initiatives. This informally kept networking opportunity set the stage for the evening's opening events. While the conference was primarily attended by individuals classified as "young adults", we were honoured to welcome a number of distinguished guest speakers, including the Advisor to the President of the Republic of Lithuania, a NATO-appointed German Lieutenant General, as well as a number of Attaches and Chairmen. Later that evening, the opening ceremony took place in the "Aula Parva Hall" of Vilnius University, with welcoming speeches by Thomas von Lüpke, Chairman of the German-Baltic Future Foundation, Saulius Olencevičius, Advisor to the President of the Republic of Lithuania, Dr. Cornelius Zimmermann, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Lithuania, Laurynas Kasčiūnas, Minister of Defence of the Republic of Lithuania, and Professor Rimvydas Petrauskas, Rector of Vilnius University. The keynote speech was delivered by Lieutenant General Jürgen-Joachim von Sandrart, Commander of NATO's Multinational Corps Northeast, in a very direct and honest manner. A number of points were made, including the importance of learning from each other and that freedom is not something that can be taken for granted or "given away". The evening ended with a buffet dinner in the basement of the Aula Parva Hall, where everyone had the opportunity to socialise with other participants and invited guests. Day 2: Friday, 25 October The second day began with parallel sessions on various clusters of the GBYEN, the participants were diving in-depth into specific topics. The development of the final "paper" was a highly focused and invested process. My colleagues spent a great deal of time on research, formulation and other aspects of the project, overcoming various challenges along the way. A major highlight of the day was a panel discussion with Viola von Cramon, former and still very active Member of the European Parliament, and Viktor Denisenko, Director of the “Centre for Communication Influences and Propaganda Research” of the Faculty of Communication of Vilnius University. Afterward, the participants embarked on a surprising, lovely City Exploration Scavenger Hunt, a fun and interactive way to discover Vilnius and its major attractions. The day ended with a relaxing dinner at the hotel. Day 3: Saturday, 26 October Saturday started with a keynote speech by Erika Kuročkina, Vice-Minister of the Economy and Innovation of Lithuania, followed by more parallel sessions on the clusters and of GBYEN. After a lunch break, the programme included a concert by Latvian folk dancers, singers and performers, bringing the cultural heritage of the Baltics closer to the international guests and ensuring the cultural enjoyment aspect. Later, participants were invited to visit the Museum of Modern Art in small groups to explore the - as always - impressive density and quality of contemporary art exhibitions presented in the Lithuanian capital. The evening ended with a traditional Lithuanian dinner at the prestigious NERINGA restaurant, famous for its preservation of the interior and also a famous meeting place during the socialist era. Young Journalists, me included, followed with the presentation of their impressions of the conference. The German-Baltic Conference 2024 in Vilnius offered not only valuable discussions and professional insights, but also ample opportunities for networking and cultural exchange in the heart of the Lithuanian capital. I am pleased to report that the conference ran very smoothly and I would like to thank the organisers for this. The intensive daily programme was interspersed with a variety of activities designed to foster a sense of understanding and camaraderie among the participants, to allow them to explore the cityscape in different ways, and to introduce them to the cultural highlights of the Lithuanian capital. If you are interested in the policy paper of cluster C, take a look here! Graphic Recording by: Agne Rapalaite-Rasiule, visualmind.lt Photos by: Simonas Lukoševičius (Instagram: @simonas_luko)

AI and Crisis Management How can we use AI to enhance the work and impact of youth-led organizations across Germany, the Baltic states, Europe, and the World? by Tanishka Murthy In the beautiful city of Vilnius, Lithuania, selected individuals representing different organizations across Europe, gathered together to discuss the future of AI in regards to managing crises, and how technology can be used to improve the efficiency and impact that youth-led organizations can have. Participants attended several workshops/seminars and keynote speeches by the Ambassador of Germany to the Republic of Lithuania, the Lieutenant General of Multinational Corps Northeast, Experts in Information Warfare, and Vilnius City Council members to name a few. While this conference presented a highly engaged and responsible youth population across the wider Europe area, it also presented the need for further critical thinking in the sphere of technology such as AI, and the work of youth organizations worldwide. It is not an easy task to create guidelines for the use of AI. In a span of 4 days, participants were tasked with learning about AI theoretically, the mechanisms and calculations behind the actual technology, the dangers that come with it, and the infinite possibilities which it holds. Doing all of this, while simultaneously being critical and hypothesizing what the future of the technology would hold requires an immense amount of dedication. As the Lieutenant General said in his keynote address, “Don’t accept that things happen without wanting to influence them.” These young leaders of Europe were a glimpse into the possibilities of the future, simply because we do in fact have people who refuse to accept that things happen regardless of our abilities to influence them. Whether it be through learning about AI or any other framework, this idea that we are the present generation that gets to decide the future which is to come, makes us strong enough collectively to decide how exactly we want to achieve this. We have the freedom to make decisions, and if these few days learning about the potential dangers of technology has taught us anything, it’s that we have the obligation to make the right ones too. Decisions on use of technology which not only benefits organizations, institutions, and individuals of the present day but also of the future . AI and Misconceptions Through discussions with workshop coordinators as well as participants, it had become evident that AI had become a buzzword of sorts which carried with it more negative connotations than it did positives. It seemed to be that there was a need to understand the misconceptions, why they existed, and what could be done to correct them first and foremost. The first misconception is that AI is something which is already fully established. In other words, Artificial Intelligence is something which is still being developed. What we see today in most cases are stepping stones for a form of Artificial Intelligence that could exist in the near future. By understanding that this is a technology which is still developing, specifically through Gretel Juhansoo’s workshops, participants seemed to shift their mindsets and approach the technology as something which would still be heavily impacted through our opinions and actions. The second misunderstanding is that AI can stand on its own and produce its own work. While the debate on this specific aspect of AI is still progressing, it was emphasized time and time again during these few days that AI is simply a tool. It is not meant to replace the entirety of what we already do and it is certainly not meant to be human. While the irony does remain that we are constantly trying to make AI more human-like, it was not intended to replace our cognitive abilities. AI and the Debates Surrounding it From this topic of whether AI can be a producer of work, the discussions shifted. The questions became, and were very eloquently posed during the conference as, “Does AI replace you asking questions?”, and “How can we prevent losing our own competency?.” These were some questions that raised the loudest voices. This was soon followed by the discussion on “authorship.” Can AI ever be the true author/creator of a work? What determines the authenticity of what it produces? While conclusions are never as straightforward as the questions themselves, the GBYEN members gradually became more intentional in their discussions, recognizing that thinking about AI and its implementation for their respective organizations, means seeing it as a tool to enhance our abilities rather than replace them. Members had become aware of the misconceptions and able to consider pre-existing notions before jumping to conclusions. The question on authorship seemed to be the most difficult debate of all, bringing about no clear answer from any group and more questions to be debated upon. Perhaps this was a point of realization that while guidelines for a specific aspect of AI may be useful, in this case giving authorship or not, there may be value in considering whether or not we have enough information about the technical elements of how the AI functions in order to create these guidelines. Members realizing that there needs to be further discussion, seemed to be a positive signal that these workshops not only enhanced participants' knowledge but also critical thinking abilities in regards to their own depth of understanding. AI and Disinformation Akey step for the GBYEN group in identifying the needs with regards to AI was understanding how it can be weaponized. As emphasized in the panel with Ms.Viola von Cramon, and Mr. Viktor Denisenko, “disinformation is used as a tool to legitimize aggression.” AI can and sometimes is used as a creator and distributor of disinformation. GBYEN members were constantly reminded over these few days that assuming the authenticity of AI generated information is very easy. Information that seems accurate enough is simply not enough anymore. While participants demonstrated a commendable prior understanding of how disinformation can be created and spread, it seems as though the value lies most in considering it from the perspective of youth-led organizations. As these organizations need to grow gradually, training new members will be essential in its growth. Part of training new members who can have a larger impact in Europe and globally is sharing the knowledge on how to differentiate accurate information from inaccurate or potentially harmful information. The Future of AI in our Context One of the most impactful portions of this conference, in terms of learning about the mechanism of AI, was the workshop conducted by Jost Wiethölter, wherein participants were able to simulate AI and the calculations it does with the use of paper cups and small pieces of paper with numbers written on them (i.e. The Nim game). Not only was this simulation game a natural icebreaker for participants but brought about a significant realization: 1. AI is created through the concept of eliminating all possible mistakes. Simulating AI means putting your human side behind. The mechanism behind artificial intelligence has a lot to do with repeating the same action until a system is created which eliminates the possibility of mistakes. This is not an inherently human characteristic. This means that when we try to understand how AI can help us, whether it be in our daily lives or in our respective organizations, we would have to minimize our expectations of it being anything resembling human beings, and treat it as a tool which allows us to enhance our pre-existing abilities. As a participant very clearly phrased it, we have to “put our human side behind” to understand AI. So, where does that leave us, as young leaders of Europe and the world, when it comes to our use of AI in order to manage crises and have a bigger impact through our organizations and initiatives? After 4 days, several workshops, inspiring keynotes, and countless conversations, the answer seemed to lie in education. Not just education as a whole, but specifically educating more teachers and industry professionals in different sectors, on the technology behind AI, as well as the safe and ethical uses of it. With award winning programs such as the Teachers Lead Teach Initiative expanding, we are seeing more so than ever the demand and need for a better understanding of this valuable addition to the future of technology. While it is equally important to consider implementation within organizations, being students gives us an opportunity to also encourage institutions to accelerate the investment in “educating the educators” in regards to AI and developing technology. Keep Questioning, Keep Trying The final goal, specifically for the GBYEN group, was to create guidelines for the use of AI in organizations and beyond. The following are the titles of the guidelines created: 1. Assess Needs and Objectives 2. Ensure Secure Access for Team Members 3. Involve Youth in the Process 4. Choose User-friendly Tools 5. Provide Training and Resources 6. AI-Driven Data Management 7. Supporting the Creation of AI Which Puts People’s Needs and Well Being First 8. Automation in Administration 9. Monitoring and Evaluating 10. Ethical AI Use (transparency, inclusivity and data privacy) Participants were incredibly critical for the entirety of the discussion. As a journalist covering this group, this was empowering to see. The evident difference in expertise within the group, the skepticism exhibited by many, and the confident voices asking why the current way we see AI is the best, if at all, have all been displayed in these guidelines that they were able to create. Why? Because this is not easy. This is not supposed to be a simple answer where one action will automatically solve every safety or ethical issue which surrounds AI and its use. Members of the group were quick to recognize that despite being in several workshops and having heard from many experienced industry professionals, coming up with solutions is not half as easy as recognizing the problems. Many suggested that the questions which were meant to support them in forming the guidelines were too general, making it difficult to find a common ground for discussion. On top of that, since each member was speaking from their own personal experience from within their organizations, their needs are different, making the guidelines relevant to them also different. This prompted the idea that there needs to be continuous critical thinking in regards to AI, taking into account individual contexts and temporality. With time and improved understanding of the technology, our ability to be critical will also improve, making it more meaningful to reevaluate the guidelines and potentially restructure them at the time. It is not enough to leave this discussion here after 4 days. The research must continue, the debate must continue. We cannot accept that things happen without wanting to influence them. We cannot accept that new technology can do harm without using our knowledge to find ways to minimize it. We must be critical, we must keep asking questions, and we must always find ways to influence the world around us. If you are interested in the AI guidelines of GBYEN, take a look here! Graphic Recording by: Agne Rapalaite-Rasiule, visualmind.lt Photos by: Simonas Lukoševičius (Instagram: @simonas_luko)

Das DBJW freut sich, Oleksandra Frankevych als unsere neueste Stipendiatin bekannt zu geben! Oleksandra Frankevych Ukraine Bachelor-Programm in Entrepreneurship and Management an der Riga Technical University (RTU)

Am 7. November 2024 folgten Daumantas Katinas, Leiter des DBJW-Landesbüros Litauen, und Frau Dr. Skaistė Volungevičienė von der Universität Vilnius der Einladung von Odeta Žebrauskienė, Deutschlehrerin am Rygiškių-Jonas-Gymnasium, um am Tag der Deutschen Sprache in Marijampolė teilzunehmen. Bei ihrem Besuch trafen sie sich mit den Schülerinnen und Schülern, informierten sie über Studien- und Berufsmöglichkeiten mit Deutsch und stellten die Arbeit der Deutsch-Baltischen Zukunftsstiftung vor. Daumantas Katinas gab den Teilnehmenden Einblicke in die Aktivitäten, Projekte und Programme der Stiftung. Im Anschluss genossen alle Anwesenden deutsche Lieder, besichtigten eine Posterausstellung zum Tag der Deutschen Sprache und erkundeten die Stadt Marijampolė gemeinsam mit den Lehrern Odeta Žebrauskienė und Vidmantas Žebrauskas. Das litauische DBJW-Landesbüro dankt herzlich Frau Žebrauskienė und dem gesamten Gymnasium für die Einladung und freut sich auf eine weiterhin erfolgreiche Zusammenarbeit!

Am 30. Oktober 2024 organisierte das litauische Landesbüro der Deutsch-Baltischen Zukunftsstiftung (DBJW) ein Treffen litauischer Jugendlicher mit der Deutschen Bundeswehr in Rukla, Litauen, wo aktuell das vorgeschobene Führungselement (Forward Command Element) der NATO stationiert ist. Neben dem litauischen DBJW-Landesbüro nahmen auch Studierende und Dozierende der Universität Vilnius und der Vytautas-Magnus-Universität sowie Schülerinnen und Schüler aus Vilnius und Kaunas an der Veranstaltung teil. Die Gruppe wurde vom Oberleutnant zur See Daniel Becker begleitet und betreut. Nach einem gemeinsamen Foto wurden die Teilnehmenden zunächst über die Aufgaben und Aktivitäten der Bundeswehr in Litauen informiert. Im Anschluss hatten sie die Möglichkeit, sich in einer entspannten Diskussionsrunde mit Vertreterinnen und Vertretern der Bundeswehr auszutauschen. Danach führte der Weg zur Besichtigung der in Rukla stationierten militärischen Ausrüstung. Die Teilnehmenden erhielten einen Einblick in verschiedene Panzer, Militärfahrzeuge und weitere Technik. Später folgte ein gemeinsames Mittagessen mit deutschen, niederländischen, tschechischen und litauischen Soldatinnen und Soldaten. Nach dem Essen hatten die Teilnehmenden die Gelegenheit, die militärische Ausrüstung aus nächster Nähe zu erkunden, persönliche Gespräche mit deutschen Soldatinnen und Soldaten zu führen, Nahrungsmittelpakete zu testen und Fotos zu machen. Das litauische DBJW-Landesbüro bedankt sich herzlich bei Oberleutnant zur See Daniel Becker für die große Hilfsbereitschaft und Gastfreundschaft sowie für einen unvergesslichen Tag in Rukla. Wir hoffen auf eine weiterhin erfolgreiche Zusammenarbeit in dieser oder anderer Form.

Am 17. Oktober 2024 besuchte Daumantas Katinas vom DBJW-Landesbüro Litauen gemeinsam mit Frau Dr. Skaistė Volungevičienė vom Lehrstuhl für Deutsche Philologie der Universität Vilnius im Rahmen der Tage der deutschen Sprache „Ö kaip vokiškai?“ die Gymnasien in Šeduva und Pakruojis. Während der Treffen stellte Daumantas Katinas die Studienmöglichkeiten auf Deutsch vor, informierte die Schülerinnen und Schüler über deutsch-litauische Beziehungen und diskutierte mit ihnen über Zukunfts- und Karriereperspektiven mit Deutsch. Im zweiten Teil der Veranstaltungen wurde den Gymnasiastinnen und Gymnasiasten die Deutsch-Baltische Zukunftsstiftung vorgestellt. Die Teilnehmenden erfuhren dabei mehr über die Deutsch-Baltische Konferenz in Vilnius, die Aktivitäten des DBJW und seines Landesbüros Litauen, die aktuelle Ausschreibung „Brand Ambassador“ sowie über den Fotowettbewerb „ Spuren “. Das litauische DBJW-Landesbüro dankt den Gymnasien für die gelungenen Veranstaltungen und hofft auf viele neue Partnerschaften.

Am 15. Oktober 2024 wurde bekannt gegeben, dass Frau Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen, Vorsitzende des litauischen Seimas (Parlaments), die Schirmherrschaft der diesjährigen Deutsch-Baltischen Konferenz in Vilnius übernimmt. Die Deutsch-Baltische Zukunftsstiftung und das GBYEN-Netzwerk freuen sich außerordentlich über diese Entscheidung und blicken mit großer Vorfreude auf eine erfolgreiche und bereichernde Veranstaltung, die vom 24. bis 27. Oktober 2024 in Vilnius stattfinden wird.