In the European context, Lithuania stands out in terms of the rate of decline in its working age population, this being the result of prolonged high emigration, high mortality and past fertility declines. In addition, the country’s peripheral regions experience rapid outflows of young population to the largest cities. The economy is also facing structural shifts and automation-related changes for which the labour market seems to be ill-prepared. These trends are already causing noticeable labour shortages, skill mismatches, regional economic disparities and rising income inequality. In the longer term, such developments may undermine the sustainability of certain socio-economic frameworks, e.g. social security, and adversely affect economic convergence. These problems require rethinking of migration, regional, and education policies.
By organising this conference, the Bank of Lithuania seeks to gather policy advisors and academics to discuss best practices and solutions to these pressing labour market challenges. We expect that the ideas and insights shared at the event will aid Lithuania’s policy makers in adopting adequate and effective policy actions.
Speakers (385 KB download icon)
Agenda
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08:30-09:00 |
Registration and welcome coffee |
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09:00-09:10 |
Welcome remarks – Vitas Vasiliauskas, Chairman of the Board, Bank of Lithuania |
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09:10-09:40 |
Keynote speech (2.2 MB download icon) – Werner Eichhorst, Honorary Professor of European and International Labor Market Studies, University of Bremen, Research Center on Inequality and Social Policy (Socium) |
SESSION 1
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HOW SHOULD LABOUR MARKETS ADAPT TO THE SHIFTING ECONOMIC LANDSCAPE AND CHANGING DEMOGRAPHICS? |
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09:40-10:40
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Speakers:
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10:40-11:10 |
Coffee break |
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11:10-12:10 |
Panel discussion and Q&A Moderator – Aurelijus Dabušinskas, Director of the Economics Department, Bank of Lithuania |
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12:10-13:30 |
Lunch break |
SESSION 2
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LITHUANIAN LABOUR MARKET: BIGGEST CHALLENGES AND WAYS FORWARD |
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13:30-14:20 |
Speakers:
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14:20-14:40 |
Coffee break |
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14:40-15:20 |
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15:20-16:20 |
Panel discussion and Q&A Moderator – Eglė Aleknevičiūtė, Senior Economist, Economics Department, Bank of Lithuania |
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16:20-16:35 |
End of the conference, closing remarks |