At the International Conference “Defending Democracy: Battlefield of Truth”, Eglė Celiešienė, Lithuanian College of Democracy Education, reflected on the enduring challenges facing Europe’s democracies.
Recalling Lithuania’s independence following the collapse of the Soviet Union, she emphasized that democracy is not guaranteed — it must be actively chosen and defended. Celiešienė highlighted the crucial role of free institutions, independent media, and engaged citizens in protecting democratic societies, particularly in the face of disinformation, cyberattacks, and external aggression.
She also stressed that the ongoing war in Ukraine is a fight not only for territory but for the future of democracy itself, reminding us that civic courage and trust are at the heart of democratic defense.
Opening Remarks by Eglė Celiešienė
I’d like to start with my personal perspective. Thirty years ago, the Soviet Union collapsed, and my country, Lithuania, regained its independence. Many countries across Central and Eastern Europe joined the European family. It was a time of hope and new beginnings. We believed that democracy would remain strong and endure forever.
However, today, at this conference, we are talking about the fact that our democracies are under threat.
As many of you have already mentioned, Europe now faces new kinds of challenges: disinformation, cyberattacks, and provocations. European Commissioner Audrius Kubilius said it well: we are not at war, but we are not at peace either. And this situation may last for a long time — it is not a temporary moment.
That is why defense is so important. Today, defense is not only about weapons or tanks. Defense also means ensuring that our society remains informed, confident, and united. If we want peace — as we often discuss in Lithuania with politicians and civic society — we must prepare for defense in all its forms.
I appreciate that today the conference highlighted three essential pillars of democracy: free institutions, free media, and free people. If any one of these is weak, democracy suffers. Civic society organizations, NGOs, journalists, and young leaders lie at the heart of democracy. Governments and heads of state must continue to act to protect these values.
Yet today, many NGOs and journalists face significant pressure. As previous speakers have noted, if we lose our civic space, we lose democracy. Trust is central — defense is about building and maintaining that trust.
Ukraine is fighting not only for its freedom but also for ours. This war is not only about territory; it is about the future of democracy. Every day, Ukrainians demonstrate that freedom can survive aggression. Their courage reminds us that democracy is not something given; it is something we must actively choose and defend.
There are many more points I would like to share, but I will stop here to respect the other speakers. I want to thank you all for inviting me and giving me the opportunity to speak today.
The panel was held as part of the international conference “Defending Democracy: Battlefield of Truth”, organized within the framework of the project “Democratic Navigator”, with the support of the Federal Foreign Office of the Federal Republic of Germany.