Boldly with Respect

“Boldly with Respect”: Vilnius Invites People to Meet, Talk, and Build Safety Through Connection

On June 3, an open event titled “Boldly with Respect” will take place in Vilnius, inviting city residents and visitors to meet, talk, and together search for answers to questions that are important today both for young people and for those who work with or raise them.

This is more than a one-day event – it is a space where different experiences, generations, and perspectives come together. Such meetings are part of long-term, everyday work with young people and communities. The organizers emphasize that the focus of this gathering is not only talking about young people, but also genuinely being with them in the same space – sharing everyday life, questions, and experiences together. The young people involved are not merely participants or “service users,” but active co-creators of the event itself. For others, this is an opportunity to step outside their usual circles: for young people, into an open city gathering; and for adults, into listening, dialogue, and shared experience, becoming part of city life and collectively creating a sense of community.

“Vilnius Social Club began its activities in 2013 through volunteer work with one closed group of children. Today, the organization operates throughout the city and district of Vilnius. We aim to stay close to young people and communities, and through our daily work contribute to building stronger relationships, strengthening democratic processes, and representing the voices of young people. Public safety matters deeply to us, and we believe that alongside all institutional measures and services, another essential element is needed – human connection, which we can create ourselves.

We have worked with teenagers and young people for many years. They are often at the forefront of societal change. By staying close to them, we can see where we are heading or recognize what we may already have overlooked. Young people challenge us adults to continuously search for new ways to adapt and find new answers to questions that concern us all. It is important not only to control young people or place demands on them, but also to create spaces where all of us can meet and act together.”
– Cedric Raffier, Head of Vilnius Social Club

The event is organized by Vilnius Social Club, and its goal is to highlight the importance of human connection as a foundation for building a safer and more resilient society.

Event Program

DISCUSSION AND DISCOVERY SPACE

Location: VSC Underground Space, Europa Underground Passage (Konstitucijos Ave. 3A)

• 3:00–4:00 PM
  Discussion: What truly creates safety?
• 4:15–4:45 PM
  Meeting with young people: “Let’s Meet Differently”
  Short, authentic conversations with young people through stories, experiences, and questions.
• 5:00–6:00 PM
  Discussion: How do we build connection when everything is changing?
  About adolescence, relationships, and the importance of connection between young people and adults.
• 6:00–7:30 PM
  Tour: “Along the Paths of Street Youth Workers”
  An introduction to street youth work: real places, situations, and relationship-building in practice.

Registration HERE.

OPEN ACTIVITIES AND EXPERIENCES SPACE

Location: White Bridge area

5:00–8:00 PM

• DJ music, chill zone, snacks, and conversations
• Introduction to Vilnius Social Club activities
• Creative workshops: street dance, drumming, making calming toys, culture pot activities, and canine therapy
• Active experiences: scooters, shooting range activities, bicycle dismantling and assembly
• Outdoor games and football area

Activities will take place simultaneously, allowing participants to move freely between spaces, choose what interests them most, and experience the event at their own pace. Each activity will be supervised by responsible leaders or instructors, and all spaces will be clearly marked and designed for smooth movement.

The event is free of charge.

Event partners: Vilnius City Municipality, Vilnius University, Youth Affairs Agency, Lrytas, and others.

“Boldly with Respect” invites everyone not only to attend the event, but also to become part of a broader conversation – about how we create safety, how we listen to one another, and how we strengthen the relationships that shape our city and society.

More information about the event HERE.