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On July 2, the Lithuanian Permanent Representation organised the second edition of the conference “Be(a)ware! Advancing the Fight Against FIMI”. The event, which gathered a large audience of Brussels-based diplomats, think-tanks, experts, European Union (EU) and NATO officials, focused on the best practices of the EU for countering disinformation and foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI), innovative solutions and citizen's initiatives.

"There are more and more evidence that disinformation and FIMI in general causes real economic damage that could be measured. We shall be very clear – FIMI is an economic threat, and we all shall address it so," said Ambassador Nerijus Aleksiejūnas, Permanent Representative of Lithuania to the EU. 

"In addition to a never ending Russia's attacks, our resilience and readiness are being contantly tested. Countering desinformation and FIMI is an integral part of European security. We should not allow adversaries to interfere with our societies.“

During the event, Dana Spinant, Director-General for Communication at the European Commission, and Matthew Reece, Director for Policy Planning and Strategic Communication at the European External Action Service, presented the progress made by the European Center for Democratic Resilience, planned projects, and specific actions being taken by the EU in collaboration with member states to strengthen Europeans’ resilience. Lithuania’s experience was presented by Mindaugas Lašas, Director of the Department of Communication and Cultural Diplomacy at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and representatives of the Lithuanian whole-of-society ecosystem - Vytautas Matulevičius, author of the book 'Fear Front', Mykolas Katkus, CEO of 'Repsense', Goda Smilingytė, founder of the 'Brain Hygiene' initiative, and Dominykas Kubilius, a TV producer and director and creator of the YouTube channel 'On Fire'.

The event was organized in collaboration with the Club of Venice, a European network of senior government communication professionals.