On 6 December, 2024, the third international scientific-practical conference, “Challenges of Culture and Education in the 21st Century” was held at the Faculty, organized by the Department of Cultural Management and Dance Pedagogy. 41 speakers from various cultural and educational institutions in Lithuania delivered presentations. Speakers from the United States, Italy, and Latvia shared their international experiences.
During the conference’s plenary session, the Dean of the Faculty, Dr. Birutė Žygaitienė, delivered the opening speech. A musical greeting by Kamila Vaitkutė, a student of the Musical Theatre Study Program, set an uplifting tone for the day’s work. The plenary session highlighted challenges in cultural communication (Dr. Dainius Vaitiekūnas) and discussed the situation of school libraries in Lithuania (Asta Kazakevičiūtė-Bankauskienė). Coach Giedrė Urmulevičiūtė spoke about how to take care of oneself and others during times of change.
The conference program was divided into three sections. Strategic partners participated in the conference, presenting challenges in the field of culture: Remigijus Suslavičius, Director of the Elektrėnai Culture Center, presented on cultural challenges; Giedrius Bagdonas, alumnus of the Cultural Activity Management Study Program, delivered a presentation on the importance of partnerships in implementing joint projects; Martynas Tyla, student of the Cultural Activity Management Study Program and Chair of the “Music of the Year” Awards Association, presented a guide on event security.
The participants shared their insights on the expression of folk art and old crafts today, sustainable development, integration of people with disabilities, education, and current issues in student education. The conference discussed the challenges of education: leadership, community, developing students’ competences, ethno-creation, dissemination of good practices.
Lecturers from the Department of Cultural Management and Dance Pedagogy also presented: Regulation of Artificial Intelligence in the European Union: Regression or Progress? (Dr. Andrius Juškys); Application of Artificial Intelligence in the Cultural Sector (Dr. Adomas Vincas Rakšnys); Use of Social Media in Cultural Centers to Attract Visitors; Factors Influencing Student Adaptation in Higher Education (Dr. Birutė Žygaitienė, Dr. Inga Kepalienė). Developing Primary School Students’ Competencies in Dance Classes Using Digital Tools (Rasa Prokurotienė).
The plenary session was moderated by Andrius Guoba, Vice-Dean of the Faculty, while the section activities were moderated by Dr. Inga Kepalienė, Lecturer Lina Andrašienė, Lecturer Jolanta Davolytė, and Lecturer Saulė Marija Mažeikaitė Teiberė.
The conference brought together more than 100 listeners and speakers, discussing the current issues, directions, and challenges in culture and education, as well as opportunities for cooperation. The scientific papers based on the presentations will be published in the conference proceedings.
