Fostering Inclusive Workplaces Amid Changing Times: Baltic Pride 2025 Conference

The National LGBTI Rights Organization LGL is proud to announce “Pride for Progress: Shaping Today’s Inclusive Workplace,” a significant conference taking place on June 6-7, 2025, from 10:00 to 15:00 at the Radisson Blu Hotel Lietuva in Vilnius, Lithuania. The event will serve as a key component of Baltic Pride 2025, the largest LGBTI celebration in the Baltic region, attracting the largest number of participants particularly in Lithuania’s capital, Vilnius.

This conference comes at a critical juncture as organizations across Europe navigate unprecedented challenges in maintaining DEI initiatives amid significant shifts in international support mechanisms. The strategic partnership between Lithuania, the Baltic States, and the international partners has never been more important for advancing human rights and workplace inclusion in our region.

The conference will address the urgent need for sustainable, locally-driven inclusion initiatives, particularly for LGBTI+ communities. In light of recent legislative changes in Lithuania, including the repeal of the “protection of minors” provision that previously restricted LGBTI-related information in educational settings from 2009-2024, this event provides a timely platform to discuss rebuilding inclusive educational frameworks as we work to address this important aspect of workplace inclusion.

The conference will explore several critical areas including corporate DEI leadership in challenging political environments, responsible AI for inclusive workplaces, creating employment pathways for LGBTI+ youth, transforming educational settings to support inclusion, international workplace inclusion best practices, and strengthening international cooperation on advancing LGBTI+ rights.

“The timing of Baltic Pride 2025 and this conference is especially significant as we navigate complex security and human rights challenges in our region,” explains Vladimir Simonko, Executive Director of National LGBTI Rights Organization LGL. “We see clear parallels between security cooperation and human rights advancement. Strong international cooperation apply equally to both domains, making partnerships essential on multiple fronts.”

The conference will also unveil PrideCareer.lt, a new networking and resource hub for LGBTI-friendly employers and talents, representing an important step forward in connecting inclusive employers with diverse job seekers.

Registration information and detailed program will be available soon.

The event is free, we invite you to register HERE

PRELIMINARY PROGRAM

Date: June 6, 2025 (Conference Day I)

Time: 10:00-15:00

Venue: Radisson Blu Hotel Lietuva, Beta and ZETA conference halls

9:30 – 10:00 Participant registration 10:00 – 10:20 Welcome speeches 10:20 – 11:00 Keynote presentation: AI AND INCLUSION: CREATING RESPONSIBLE TECHNOLOGIES FOR THE FUTURE Marie Šafář Postma, Tilburg University

11:00 – 11:15 EVOLVING IDENTITIES: THE GENDER SPECTRUM AND CORPORATE INCLUSIVITY  Austėja Račaitė, Security Training and Awareness Consultant, DE&I Council Member, Danske Bank

11:15 – 12:15 FROM COMMITMENT TO ACTION: CORPORATE DEI AND PRIDE LEADERSHIP Discussion with Cindy Pasky (Strategic Staffing Solutions), EPBN, Moody’s representatives and other business leaders

12:15 – 12:45 Coffee break 12:45 – 13:45 No more legal barriers? The path to LGBTI inclusive education and work culture Representatives of the Lithuanian Government and NGOs; Kári Garðarsson (Samtokin 78, Iceland); Gijs Van Dyck (Cavaria, Belgium)

13:45 – 14:15 CONNECTING THE DOTS: STRENGTHENING LGBTIQ INCLUSION AT WORK Monika Antanaitytė, LGL

14:15 – 14:20 PrideCareer.lt – A new networking and resource center for LGBTI-friendly employers and talents 14:20 – 16:00 Networking and lunch

Detailed information: office@gay.lt