Date: 13.06.2025

Location: University of Latvia, House of Nature, Auditorium 702, Jelgavas Street 1, Riga

Speakers: Dr. sc. pol. Ieva Birka, Jeffrey Schlegelmilch, Sandra Zilberta, Biruta Kleina, Vitālijs Rakstiņš, Kristīne Jučkoviča, Ilze Bērziņa, Andrejs Petrovs, Linda Ozola

Download the program PDF

Panel discussion

Growing geopolitical threats, military conflicts, and extreme weather events driven by climate change are making it increasingly clear that healthcare systems must be more resilient and better prepared for a wide range of crises. In this context, international collaboration and the development of practical solutions are more important than ever to ensure effective responses at both national and individual levels.

On June 13 at 10:00 AM, the University of Latvia will host a panel discussion titled “Public Health and Health Care Systems in Times of Crisis – Impact, Tactics, and Recovery” at the House of Nature. The event will feature experts from Latvia and the United States, and will be held in English.

For the first time in Latvia, the think tank will host Dr. Jeffrey Schlegelmilch, a researcher at Columbia University’s Earth Institute and Director of the National Center for Disaster Preparedness (NCDP). He is one of the leading disaster preparedness experts in the U.S.

Panel discussion “Public Health and Health Systems in Crisis – Impacts, Tactics, and Recovery” will open with a presentation by Dr. Ieva Birka, Senior Researcher at the Advanced Social and Political Research Institute, part of the Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences (FESS) at the University of Latvia. She will share findings from a freshly conducted international survey as part of the project “Urban Preparedness for Emerging Risks in the Baltic Sea Region.” The study, carried out in Riga, Helsinki, Vilnius, Tallinn, and Berlin, provides insights into public perceptions of health threats, levels of individual preparedness, and the availability of first aid resources.

Jeffrey Schlegelmilch will deliver the keynote address, drawing on his experience in managing the impacts of bioterrorism, terrorism threats, and other crises. His talk will highlight vulnerabilities in healthcare systems, particularly those affecting chronically ill patients, children, and the elderly. He will also present concrete planning tools and solutions for strengthening healthcare system resilience.

The second half of the event will feature a panel discussion with health care and resilience experts from Latvia and the U.S., focusing on healthcare system preparedness, crisis response strategies, and pathways to community recovery.

Register

Program:

10.00 - 10.20

Opening remarks

Sandra Zilberta, Founder and Chairperson of the Board of the think tank “Resilience of Health Care Systems”
Dr. sc. pol. Ieva Birka, Senior Researcher at the Advanced Social and Political Research Institute, the Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences (FESS) of the University of Latvia

10.20 – 11.00

Keynote

Jeffrey Schlegelmilch, Director & Research Scholar, National Center for Disaster Preparedness – University of Columbia Climate School | Earth Institute (NCDP)

11.00 – 11.30

Panel discussion “Public Health and Health Systems in Crisis - Impacts, Tactics, and Recovery”

Jeffrey Schlegelmilch, Director & Research Scholar, NCDP;
Sandra Zilberta, Founder and Chairperson of the Board of the think tank “Resilience of Health Care Systems”;
Vitālijs Rakstiņš, Researcher at Rīga Stradiņš University and expert in the field of resilience;
Kristīne Jučkoviča, Executive Director at Pharmaceutical Care Association of Latvia, expert in the health care non-governmental organization sector;
Biruta Kleina, Expert in the fields of resilience and defense;
Ilze Bērziņa, Human rights expert and lecturer at the Faculty of Social Sciences, Rīga Stradiņš University;
Andrejs Petrovs, Entrepreneur;
Linda Ozola, Deputy Chairman of the Riga City Council.

Moderator: Dr. sc. pol. Didzis Kļaviņš, Senior Researcher at the Advanced Social and Political Research Institute, FESS of the University of Latvia.

Expert visit and research is financed by the Recovery and Resilience Facility project “Internal and External Consolidation of the University of Latvia” (No.5.2.1.1.i.0/2/24/I/CFLA/007).

Register:

Current events

18.03.2025

Launch event for the Resilience of Health Care Systems think tank

To mark the founding of the Think Tank and promote a discussion about the resilience of health care systems, its launch event will take place on 18 March at Oskara Kalpaka Boulevard 4, Riga. The first part will be devoted to speeches by sector experts, while the second part will be a panel discussion “How can Latvia build a resilient health care system to strengthen national security?” In this discussion, health care, security and defence sector experts will discuss the resilience of the health care system and its importance to national security, as well as new forms of cooperation to resolve future challenges more effectively.

Launch event for a handbook for pharmacists and pharmacies: health care resilience during a crisis

The role of pharmacists and pharmacies in maintaining the continuity of health care has become even more important in the context of contemporary security challenges including cyberattacks or hybrid warfare. Therefore, in cooperation with the Latvian Pharmacists Association, the Resilience of Health Care Systems Think Tank has prepared a unique handbook for pharmacists Action in the National Emergency, which they launched on 6 February, offering guidelines and recommendations to pharmacists regarding what to do in crisis situations.