On May 14, the Faculty of Philology at Vilnius University (VU) will host an inter-faculty academic debate “Discourse and Society.” The debates will bring together teams of undergraduate and graduate students from the Faculties of Philology, Philosophy and Communication, as well as the School of Business into a single discussion space. Such academic events contribute to Vilnius University’s goal of strengthening an open, dialogue-based culture of study and fostering a critically thinking academic community.
The event is the final part of the university-wide course “Academic Debates,” offered within the English Philology programme at the Faculty of Philology. The goal of the debates is to strengthen a culture of critical thinking at the university, encourage reasoned academic discussion and foster collaboration across different fields of study. Drawing on their skills in argumentation, public speaking and facilitating academic dialogue, students will debate three topical issues: the challenges of social competitiveness, the discourse on reproductive rights and the phenomenon of hyperreality created by the media.
Dr. Linara Bartkuvienė, chair of the English Studies programme, notes that “academic debates give students the opportunity to test themselves in a real intellectual space where different experiences, values and argumentation strategies converge. This year’s topics invite participants not only to analyse the challenges arising in society but also to speak responsibly about complex social issues. Debates foster academic courage, the ability to articulate one’s position reasonably, and the pursuit of dialogue even when opinions diverge.”
The event’s ambassador, Prof. Mindaugas Kvietkauskas, Dean of the Faculty of Philology at Vilnius University, emphasises that “the university is, first and foremost, a place where reasoned discourse about society and its future is born. Academic debates allow students to transcend the boundaries of their study programmes and learn from one another, dialogue across different disciplines becomes an important part of contemporary university culture. Such events strengthen the tradition of critical thinking and remind us that the academic community is built through open and respectful discussion.”
The debating students will be evaluated by an independent panel of experts composed of professionals in their respective fields: Mark Pass, a diplomat from the Embassy of the United Kingdom; Prof. Vilmantė Pakalniškienė, Vice Rector for Community Affairs at Vilnius University; Assoc. Prof. Karolis Ažukaitis, Vice Dean for Research and Innovation at the Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University; and Dr. Silvia Peterssen, a Marie Skłodowska–Curie postdoctoral fellow. The debate will take place on May 14 at 5:00 p.m. in the V. Krėvė Auditorium of the Faculty of Philology (Universiteto St. 5). The event will be moderated by Associate Professor Liudmila Arcimavičienė of the Faculty of Philology. The debate will be conducted in English.
