Academic conference on three decades of democracy in Lithuania and South Africa took place in Johannesburg
On November 12, an academic conference "Three decades of democracy in South Africa and Lithuania: overcoming the traumas of the past and creating the future" took place at the University of Johannesburg.
The conference participants were welcomed by the guests of honor, anti-apartheid struggle veterans Joyce Boitumbelo Dipale and Elizabeth More.
The event was opened by the vice-dean of the University of Johannesburg, Corne Meintjes, and the Lithuanian ambassador to South Africa, Rasa Jankauskaitė. "Democracy is not a given or a gift, it must be respected and defended. Lithuania and South Africa understand that the traumas of the past did not disappear after the restoration of independence or the adoption of a new constitution. This memory lives on, influencing democratic institutions and affecting the resilience and sensitivity of our societies. In addressing today's challenges, we recognize the importance of strong institutions and societies that can withstand both internal and external pressures. Despite the different historical turns, both countries are united by the commitment to adhere to the principles of freedom, transparency and justice", said R. Jankauskaitė, greeting to all gathered.
Lithuanian academician Ieva Giedraitytė from the Institute of International Relations and Political Sciences presented the traumas experienced by the Lithuanian people during the Soviet occupation and the path of Lithuanian democracy after liberation from the Soviet regime, she also paid attention to the reasons for Lithuania's unconditional support to Ukraine in the context of the brutal Russian war of aggression against Ukraine.
In the first part of the conference, the academics discussed how the past traumas experienced by South Africa and Lithuania are reflected in the country's path to freedom and democracy, societal changes, and foreign policy. In the second part, discussions took place about the role of the media, social media, artificial intelligence, the threats of disinformation and false information to the democracy and security of countries, and the resilience of society as the world is hit by geopolitical challenges and crises.
The academic discussion was attended by researchers from the University of Johannesburg, Vilnius University, the London School of Economics and the Institute for African Security Studies.
The organizers: the Embassy of the Republic of Lithuania in the Republic of South Africa, the University of Johannesburg, co-sponsors: Delegation of the European Union in South Africa and the Embassy of the Czech Republic in South Africa.
