Conference Program

EastLink'12

  Download EastLink'12 conference program

EastLink'10

Background

The genesis of the conference idea goes back to the year 2009, when an intergovernmental meeting between delegations from Kazakhstan and Lithuania took place in Astana aiming to identify key areas in science and business where both states could find common ground for closer cooperation.

During the meeting, Minister of Economy of the Republic of Lithuania, D. Kreivys, offered to organize a conference in Klaipeda, where experts, scientists and business leaders from East and West could meet in Lithuania to share ideas, experience and knowledge. In the recent intergovernmental meeting in July, 2010, both states committed to support the event and promote “EastLink” conference helping to strengthen both states cooperation.

Gradually, the idea of the conference developed, not only to strengthen Lithuanian and Kazakhstan ties, but to broaden the cooperation idea to the wider East and West relations. Sharing knowledge, ideas, and experiences will become a natural process for those who are willing to take part in the new world economy, where business and science goes hand in hand aiming to generate competitive products and services, and enhance the well being of society. Thus the conference notion was expanded to show the common cooperation sphere where regions able to work together and lead countries to the knowledge economy.

Klaipeda Science and Technology Park was asked to organize this unique event and, together with partners, take all responsibility for making “EastLink – the way to knowledge economy” a fruitful and a memorable event bringing sustainable outcomes even after the conference.

Program

20th October, Wednesday

This two-day conference has a particular structure that enables the participants to hear high level policy makers, the info from all three track sessions, while at the same time, not losing any valuable data from other sessions and finally, to participate in the plenary debate session, where all conference participants can feel free to post questions and remarks to the main discussion table.

10:00 – 12:00 Plenary session

Four ministers of the Republic of Lithuania will give speeches and two guests from Ukraine and Kazakhstan will present a broad overview of cooperation between East and West in science and business, which in just, will define the overall content of this event.
After this, three reporters will provide introductions to the three parallel sessions, presenting to the audience the speakers and the issues to be discussed at each session.

13:00 – 16:30 Parallel three track sessions

Around three hours speakers from Europe and Central Asia will provide presentations and exciting discussions during the sessions. A coffee break will be provided.
The three sessions will focus on:

1. International activity for knowledge institutions - cooperation projects, traineeship, swap and science programs.
2. Technology transfer processes in the context of Eastern partnership.
3. Creative industries- possibilities of media and technology interface in the context of Eastern partnership.

19:00 – Gala dinner in combination with social program

Will be updated.

21st October, Thursday

10:00 – 11:30 Plenary Session

The second day of the conference starts with a plenary session where reporters from each session will make a short summary of what was discussed during the first day of parallel sessions. This allows participants not to miss a single issue, which they might be interested in. Also, during the second day participants still have the possibility to contact the speakers in person.

Some of the questions derived from the first day of the event may be answered in the comprehensive presentation about the EU 7 framework programs, which will be hosted by Lithuanian expert from state agency for Science, Innovation and Technology. This will present and remind new ways for East -West cooperation using the 7th framework program.

11:45 – 13:00 Moderated discussion

During the final part of the conference, the plenary discussion will be moderated by the Vice-minister of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania and academician, the president of LCC International University.
The debate is intended to search for ways of how to promote the link between East & West. The discussions will seek to strengthen and sustain future cooperation. The following issues will be discussed:

• Obstacles for joint scientific and research projects
• The main characteristics of successful partnership
• Business and science cooperation
• Government's role in fostering knowledge and scientific cooperation

13:00- 14:00 Closing Ceremony

Closing ceremony and lunch.

14:00 – 17:00 Matchmaking event

“EastLink: Business-Science Cooperation” for entrepreneurs, start-ups, researchers, inventors, etc. participants from more than 35 countries will have this unique opportunity to meet highly qualified people whom match their interests. As well as the participants of the conference simultaneously could choose to visit companies from the Klaipeda region.