Conference Program

19:30– Welcome reception at the Joensuu Art Museum (Kirkkokatu 23), hosted by the City of Joensuu.

9:00–09:30 Registration
09:30–10:00 Opening speeches, Prof. Jussi P. Laine and Prof. Charles Szymanski
10:00–10:15 In Memory of Tanel Kerikmäe, Prof. Charles Szymanski and Prof. Holger Molder
10:15–11:00 Keynote: Prof. James Baker, The View from the Frontline – The World turned Upside Down
11:00–12:30 Panel 1: Future Challenges for NATO
Chair: Prof. Alexander Diener, University of Eastern Finland (FI/US)

• • Prof. Daniel Bednár, Trnava University (SK): The Legal Aspects of NATO Space Policy: Is Article 5 Applicable in Space?
  • Mr. Raitis Tiliks, University of Latvia (LV); Integrated Border Management as a Deterrence Tool on NATO’s North‑Eastern Flank
  • Prof. Martin Faix, Palacký University in Olomouc (CZ): Invoking Article 5 of the NATO Treaty: Radioactive Dispersion as an Armed Attack against NATO?  
  • Dr. Katarzyna Biersztańska-Zemek, University of Białystok in Vilnius (LT): NATO and Baltic Security

12:30–13:30 Lunch

13:30–14:50 Panel 2: Resilience as a Security Strategy
Chair: Prof. Jussi P. Laine, University of Eastern Finland (FI)

• • Dr. Pontus Winther, Swedish Defence Research Institute (SE): Legal Resilience from a Nordic Perspective
  • Prof. Myroslava Chekh, Ukrainian Catholic University (UA): Soft Power for Tough Times: How Education Shapes the Architecture of National Resilience
  • Claire Melin, Sofia Fridén, and Daniel Bohman, Gothenburg County Legal Department (SE): The Role of Local Government in Swedish Civil Defense
  • Dr. Harrier Lonka, University of Vaasa / Comprehensive Security Cluster, North Savo Regional Council (FI): Safeguarding National Continuity through the Regulation of National Preparedness

14:50–15:20 Coffee break

15:30–16:30 Panel 3: Roundtable Discussion: Perspectives for National Security in a Changing World
Moderators: Prof. Izabela Kraśnicka and Prof. Charles Szymanski, University of Bialystok (PL)

• • Prof. James Baker, Syracuse University (US)
  • Dr. Harriet Lonka, University of Vaasa / Comprehensive Security Cluster, North Savo Regional Council (FI) 
  • Prof. Iveta Reinholde, University of Latvia (LV)
  • Prof. Alexander Diener, University of Eastern Finland (FI/US)

16:45–17:00 Introduction to Borderland Europe, digital border security ecosystem.

17:00– Aperitif
19:30– Speaker dinner, by invitation

9:00-10:15 Panel 4: The Evolving Role of the United States in Global Security
Chair: Prof. James Baker, Syracuse University (US)

• • Prof. Holger Molder, Tallinn Tech University (EE): Global Security Disorder and its Political and Legal Challenges to International Conflict Resolution: a Special Focus on the Role of the United States
  • Dr. Johannes Mella, University of Bergen (NO): National Control and Investment Screening and the Relationship between the EU and the United States
  • Prof James W. Scott, University of Eastern Finland (FI/US): European Perceptions of American Security

10:15-10:30 Refreshments break

10:30-11:45 Panel 5: Emerging Security Dynamics in the Arctic
Chair: Prof. Izabela Kraśnicka, University of Białystok (PL)

• • Prof. Izabela Kraśnicka, University of Białystok (PL). Introduction speech Aerospace Security in the Arctic
  • Prof. Knut Einar Skodvin, University of Bergen (NO): The Northern Sea Route – Status and Challenges
  • Prof. Marius Emberland, BI Business School (NO): Security Aspects of the Svalbard Treaty
  • MSSc Antti Tiilikainen, University of Eastern Finland (FI): Local, arctic, and national defence: A look into the layers of national defence in Finnish Lapland

11:45–11:50 Break

11:50–13:05 Panel 6: Understanding Hybrid Threats in a Changing Security Environment
Chair: Prof. Iveta Reinholde, University of Latvia (LV)

• • Mr. Alin Gvidiani,  State Chancellery of the Republic of Moldova, Bureau for Reintegration Policies (MD): Hybrid Threats to Moldovan Security
  • Dr. Jaana Palander, Tampere University (FI): Hybrid Security Threat or Exceptional Mass Influx Situation at the Finnish Russian Border? Same, Same but Different – from Legal and Administrative Viewpoint
  • Prof. Gyöngyi Kovács, Hanken School of Economics (FI/AT): Access and Delivering Aid to People in Conflict Zones: Challenges Posed by Hybrid Threats
  • Dr. Olga Cielemęcka (FI/PL): Border Fortifications as Symptomatic Responses to Hybrid Insecurities in Poland and Finland

13:05–14:00 Lunch

14:00-15:15 Panel 7: Developments in National Security Law and Policy in Frontline States
Chair: Prof. Milan Lipovsky, Charles University (CZ)

• • Prof. Milan Lipovsky, Charles University (CZ): Update on Emergency Powers in the Czech Republic
  • Prof. Tormod Johansen, Gothenburg University (SW): Emergency Powers in Sweden and the Rule of Law
  • Prof. Alba Popescu, Carol I Defense University (RO): Romania as a Target of Russian Aggression
  • Dr. Joonas Winlund, University of Vaasa (FI): The Expansion of Intelligence Powers in Finland

15:15-15:20 Break

15:20–16:25 Panel 8: The Future of International Law
Chair: Prof. Charles Szymanski, University of Białystok (PL)

• • Prof. Charles Szymanski, University of Białystok (PL). Introduction speech Does International Law have a Future?
  • Dr. Anna Wetter Ryde, Kommerskollegium, Swedish National Board of Trade (SE): The Potential of EU Law to Deal with Security Issues
  • Prof. Martin Bulla, Trnava University/Groningen University (SK): Intelligence Gathering and International Data Protection Laws
  • Prof. Ivan Horodyskyy, Ukrainian Catholic University (UA): The Sanctions Regime against Russia

16:25–16:50 Closing of the Conference: Next Steps, Prof. James Baker

17:30 Departure to Koli by bus (1h drive)
19:00– Goodbye dinner
22:00– Bus transportation back to Joensuu (option to overnight in Koli at participants’ own expense)