SIGNALS 2020

Materials

Plenary session. (DO) WE SEE THE TRUE PICTURE (?)

Opening remarks

President of the Republic of Lithuania Gitanas Nausėda
Mindaugas Macijauskas

Real time use of data analytics and experimental evidence for greater developmental effectiveness

Arianna LegoviniInnovations in measurement and data capabilities help us understand the problem we are trying to solve. By analyzing data we find opportunities for targeting and prioritizing public resources and efforts. By experimenting with policy options we narrow down better ways of doing things. By evaluating policies and program we document success and justify scale up.

Data management and analysis during crises: The case of COVID-19 pandemic

Prof Dr Vitalis NakrošisEfficient data management and analysis in the modern world play an important role in the management of frequent crises, adapting to changing circumstances, and developing public administration more resistant to systemic threats. A complex and multi-faceted crisis resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic gave a new stimulus to better data management and opened numerous technological opportunities for work in a ‘new reality’. however, exploration of this potential during crises depends on capacities of the public authorities, the legitimacy of the power and active leadership.

Seeing the true picture in the UK: has coronavirus changed how government uses data?

Gavin FreeguardCoronavirus has changed how we live our lives and how government operates. This includes how it uses data to make decisions. The crisis means better data is being taken more seriously in UK government, but there are also risks – particularly in how citizens’ personal data is used and how open government is about that.

AWARDS

Moderated by Inga Tarakavičiūtė

SIGNALS FOR CHANGE

Participants: Edita Janušienė, Julita Varanauskienė, PhD, Jūratė Petrauskienė, PhD, Aurelija Proškutė, PhD

Conference viewers are invited to watch the discussion the participants of which will share their experience, lessons learned and insights into the challenges ahead.

Parallel session. (IS) EVERY STUDENT IMPORTANT (?)

Moderator: Eglė Daunienė

Can achievements of Lithuanian students improve?

Lina BalėnaitėProgress in improving students’ achievements, have we made progress in comparison with assessment of general education status presented in the audit report of 2017, is the use of funds in educational establishments effective; are educational activities organised in order to improve students’ achievements in a balanced way; are pedagogical staff remunerated in accordance with the legal requirements – during the speech you will find out what the auditors have detected in order to answer these questions.

International trends in school innovation: the use of innovations in education to achieve every pupil‘s progress

Francesc Pedró, PhDHow far are innovations transforming our schools? Is technology, particularly after the increased use during the pandemic, a window of opportunity? Are policy makers ready to support teachers in their commitment to the transformation of the school?

Using evidence to improve the quality of education

Tracey Burns, PhDIn comparison with other public policy sectors such as health, evidence-informed policy and practice still is not yet the norm in education. Yet, the systematic use of data and evidence can greatly improve the quality of policies and practices in education. The talk will focus on a number of conditions and strategies that can help making the transition to evidence-informed policy and practice.

SIGNALS FOR CHANGE

Participants: Prof Dr Lilija Duoblienė, Lukas Kaminskis, Mantas Karanauskas

Conference viewers are invited to watch the discussion on education topic the participants of which will share their experience, lessons learned, and insights into the challenges ahead. 13:30-14:00 discussion on the climate change topic will take place.

Discussion: How to ensure education according to the needs of every student?

Participants: Mindaugas Ubartas, Rūta Krasauskienė, Inga Vargalienė, Lina Balėnaitė, Sara Aškinytė, Vaidas Bacys

Parallel session. (DO) I CARE ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE (?)

Moderator: Assoc Prof Dr Margarita Šešelgytė

Do we respond to signals sent to us by nature?

Živilė Simonaitytė, PhDNature sends us signals: glaciers are melting, air temperatures increase, rainfall changes, and water levels rise. Do we hear these signals, are we ready to respond to them, what we are doing to mitigate the negative consequences of climate change? Let us not miss these signals and let us take timely action that respects the environment of all of us.

How has climate policy become one of the most important topics in Norwegian politics?

Lars-Henrik Paarup MichelsenEvery year, public sector at both state and local level buy goods and services for and make investments worth billions of euros. During the speech you will find out concrete cases from Norway where public procurement is being used as a tool to develop and roll out zero-emission technology and solutions on a large scale.

Lessons from Energy Efficiency Audits

Frédéric SobletEnergy efficiency plays an important role in the fight against climate change. Improving energy efficiency across all sectors has been a major challenge, and the EU is not meeting its 2020 target. Effective energy efficiency policy is hard to design and hard to implement, but it can –and must- be done, if we want to reach carbon neutrality by 2050.

SIGNALS FOR CHANGE

Participants: Valdonė Daugėlaitė Šuškevičė, Mantas Antanas Davidavičius, PhD, Modesta Gusarovienė

13:30-14:00 conference viewers are invited to watch the discussion on climate change topic the participants of which will share their experience, lessons learned, and insights into the challenges ahead. 13:00-13:30 discussion on education topic will take place.

Key data supporting climate policy in Europe

François DejeanTimely and reliable data play a crucial role in the policy cycle, from design to monitoring to evaluation. It is therefore essential to establish transparent and robust mechanisms allowing to inform policy makers with relevant data and information. This is particularly the case for climate change policy, which must rely on solid scientific evidence and sound knowledge in order to address this critical challenge with adequate ambition.

Discussion: What do we need to do to achieve 2030 goals?

Participants: Arnoldas Pranckevičius, Prof Dr Arūnas Bukantis, Laura Galdikienė, Žymantas Morkvėnas, Martynas Nagevičius, Živilė Simonaitytė, PhD

Closing session. SIGNALS FOR CHANGE

Moderator: Mindaugas Jackevičius

Summarising discussion

Signals catchers: Prof Gintaras Varnas, Prof Dr Loreta Vaicekauskienė, Lolita Jablonskienė, PhD, Linas Kojala, Julius Lukošius, Jurgita Grebenkovienė