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Feb. 4th, leading politicians, historians and law experts discussed contemporary challenges facing the region and world at an online, virtual International Forum, “Liberty and Freedom: Tadas Kościuszko’s Legacy”. Discussions centered on the rule of law, security, social rights as fundamentals relating to freedom.
The Forum is held to commemorate the 275th anniversary of the birth of Belarusian, Polish, Lithuanian and U.S. hero Tadas Kościuszko. The goal of the International Forum is to discuss how common participating values of nations can encourage the development of democracy in Central and Eastern Europe (and the world). The event notes Kościuszko's quest for freedom and freedom goals themselves as a common path of Europe and U.S. emphasising the Belarusian fight against dictatorship and the 30th anniversary of the independence of the Baltic states.
Event organiser Prof. Jenik Radon (US) says, "Belarusians are demanding freedom so loud so that the entire world will hear their cry. We remember the long and peaceful path of the Baltic countries for their freedom which the world called the "Singing Revolution."
The anniversary birth of the historical hero Tadas Kosciuška encourages us to think about his contribution "and celebrate his part in the fight for freedom, which is fostered by all democratic countries throughout the world. "
The aim of the International Forum is to discuss how the common values of the participating nations can contribute to the development of democracy in Central and Eastern Europe (and the world), highlighting the legacy of Tadas Kościuszko’s aspirations for freedom, in light of the Belarusian struggle against dictatorship and the 30th anniversary of the independence of the Baltic countries and emphasizing the aspirations of freedom as a common European and U.S. path
Participants include: Republic of Democratic Belarus opposition leader Sviatlana Chichanouskaja, NATO Parliamentary Assembly President Gerald E. Connolly, European Union Court of Justice Chairman Koen Lenaerts, European Parlamento member Róża Gräfin von Thun und Hohenstein, former Polish Premier Hanna Suchocka, U.S., Lithuanian and Belarusian politicians, lawyers, historians, leaders of society and artists.
Event Moderators – well-known global economic, political, law experts: Times columnist Edward Lucas, Marci Shore (Yale University, U.S.), David Schultz (Hamline University U.S.), Lithuania's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Audra Plepytė and event organiser, author Prof. Jenik Radon (Columbia University, U.S.).
"When I presented my credential to U.S. President Barack Obama, he expressed thanks for Lithuanian hero Tadas Kosciuška and his contribution to regained freedom. The contribution of Kosciuška to freedom is evident today - from that time, Lithuania and U.S. were on the same side of the barricades for freedom and democracy. Several hundred years ago , our common state, by example of the U.S. approved a written human rights and freedom-based Constitution, destroyed united autocracies. Truly, these same civilisation fights only on a global scale, continue today. And so, today, questions arise – will we be able by example of Kosciusko, for your freedom and ours to unite Washington, London, EU capitals and other global democracies, advocating for free and democratic elections in Belarus? Will we strengthen the expansion of the EU and NATO to the neighbouring East? Will we be able to defend those imprisoned today in Russia, Belarus and the right of other European nations to freedom? Have we all learned from history? Time will tell. I hope so", – said Žygimantas Pavilionis, Chairman of the Republic of Lithuania's Foreign Affairs Committee.
Mykolas Romeris University (MRU) Rector Prof. Inga Žalėnienė said individuals such as Tadas Kosciuška inspire us also today. This event is the result of cooperation between European and U.S. universities. It gives rise to questions in the areas of law, foreign policy and social issues, highlighting the importance of cooperation between regions and the common values, which are relevant 30 years after the restoration of the independence of Lithuania,“ – noted Rector Prof. Žalėnienė.
The European Humanities University has created a special historical fil for this occasion, "The River of Fate." It details the life of Tadas Kosciuška and emphasizes his aspirations for freedom and the historical heritage for Europe and the world. Tadas Kosciuška was a unique individual fighting for freedom, connecting nations and believing in the power of accessible education for all. This movie was filmed in six countries despite closed borders during the pandemic, political crises and other dramatic 2020 events. European Humanities University Rector Prof. Sergei Ignatov, noted that the legacy of Tadas Kosciusko is a unique example of how one individual can embody the aims of freedom of 4 nations — Belarus, Lithuania, Poland and the U.S. His personality shows that the ongoing fight for freedom in Belarus is an integral part of our regional identity“.
The event is organised by Mykolas Romeris University's School of Law (Lithuania), Columbia University's Harriman Institute (U.S.) and the European Humanitarian University (Belarus, from 2005 operating in Vilnius). Event partners – the Foreign Affairs Ministry of the Republic of Lithuania and LRT.
The Global Forum will be translated live Feb. 4th, 14.00–19.00 hrs.(LT time) via LRT.lt, events platform www.Bridges4Freedom.com and via organisers' social networks.
