20 June 2025

Discussion ‘‘Why is it important to defend democracy and how to do it?’’

Why is it important to defend democracy and how to do it? This question is vitally important both in the global and Lithuanian context.

Answers to it will be sought in an exclusive public discussion, which will take place on 3 July 2025 at 5:30 p.m. at the Martynas Mažvydas National Library of Lithuania, with the participation of significant figures of political and legal thought from the Republic of South Africa and Lithuania.

The discussion will be moderated by Prof. Margarita Šešelgytė, Director of the Institute of International Relations and Political Science of Vilnius University.

Discussion guests:

Dr. Albie Sachs is a former judge of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of South Africa, one of the creators of the democratic country's constitution, an internationally known human rights defender, writer, a pivotal thinker and fighter against Apartheid in South Africa. A. Sachs was one of the closest Nelson Mandela's associates. His contribution to South African democracy can be compared to the role of Prof. Vytautas Landsbergis in the restoration of Lithuania’s independence. Both are moral authorities who have shaped new standards of freedom through their activities. On 6 July of this year, Dr. Albie Sachs will be awarded the Officer's Cross of the Order “For Merits to Lithuania”.

Prof. Dr. Dainius Žalimas – Member of the European Parliament, former Chairman of the Constitutional Court of Lithuania, professor of constitutional and international law, active defender of democracy and the rule of law in Europe and beyond.

The guest of honor is Prof. Vytautas Landsbergis, the first leader of the restored independent Lithuania, a long-time member of the European Parliament, and a prominent political and cultural authority of the country.

This discussion will take place at a time when global democracy is going through a period of trials: only 45 percent of humanity lives in democratic systems, and in 2024, The Economist Intelligence Unit’s Democracy Index reached its lowest point since 2006. And yet, both Lithuania and South Africa are slowly rising in these assessments, establishing themselves as “flawed democracies” that are still addressing the challenges of participation, institutional trust, and cultural awareness.

As Dr. Albie Sachs has written:

“What are we fighting for, if not the right to express our humanity in all its forms – including our sense of fun and capacity for love and tenderness and our appreciation of the beauty of the world? ”

Defending democracy is not just a political or legal struggle. It is about our daily choices, the courage to speak the truth, the ability to be impartial.

The event is organized by the Embassy of the Republic of Lithuania in the Republic of South Africa, European Parliament Liaison Office in Lithuania, Martynas Mažvydas National Library of Lithuania. The event will be held in Lithuanian (with simultaneous translation from/to English).

More about Dr. Albie Sachs: At the age of 17, Albie joined the fight against racial inequality. A. Sachs was imprisoned multiple times, and in 1988, Sachs was nearly killed when South Africa’s security forces placed a bomb in his car. During the accident, Sachs lost his arm and the sight in one eye. Despite this, Sachs did not lose faith. On the contrary, Albie calls that day one of the most important in his life: “They tried to kill me, and I got through. It was my soft vengeance.”

After the fall of Apartheid, Sachs was appointed as a judge of the Constitutional Court and contributed to the creation of the South African constitution, the one of the most progressive in the world. Judicial decisions made by Dr. Albie Sachs changed not only legal practice, but also the lives of many South Africans.

Today, Dr. A. Sachs shares his story with the world – not as a hero, but as a man who still believes that democracy is born from empathy, justice and hope.

Briefly about the event

Date

3 July

Time

5:30 pm

Place

Conference Hall, 5th floor

Participation

please register here

Organizers

Embassy of the Republic of Lithuania in the Republic of South Africa, European Parliament Liaison Office in Lithuania, Martynas Mažvydas National Library of Lithuania

Important

the event may be photographed and/or filmed
the event will be held in Lithuanian with simultaneous translation from/to English

More information

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