CONFERENCE
As part of the University of Latvia's Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences project “Urban Preparedness for Emerging Risks in the Baltic Sea Region”, Schlegelmilch attended sessions at the Riga StratCom Dialogue on June 10, an international conference on strategic communications. On June 11–12, he traveled to Tartu, Estonia, where he spoke at the international conference “Resilience and Adaptation in Times of Adversity” in the panel discussion “Resilience to Emerging Risks,” organized and led by University of Latvia experts.
The panel explored topics including global risk trends, public and institutional emergency preparedness, the impact of climate change, and the role of the military sector in resilience-building. The discussion was moderated by Dr. Didzis Kļaviņš and featured presentations by Dr. Ieva Birka, University of Latvia - doctoral researcher Guna Gavrilko, and Alexandra Friede from Helmut Schmidt University.
On June 13, the University of Latvia Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences, in collaboration with the think tank “Health Care System Resilience”, hosted a panel discussion in Riga titled “Public Health and Health Care Systems in Crisis – Impact, Tactics, and Recovery.” The event aimed to foster interdisciplinary dialogue on health system resilience in times of crises.
In the opening session, Dr. Ieva Birka presented findings from a 2025 international survey conducted in five European capitals. These results offered insights into public perceptions of health threats, levels of individual preparedness, and access to first-aid resources. Jeffrey Schlegelmilch delivered the keynote address, sharing U.S. experience in responding to bioterrorism, natural disasters, and other emergencies, with a focus on vulnerable populations such as those with chronic conditions, children, and the elderly.
The panel discussion, moderated by Dr. Didzis Kļaviņš, brought together a diverse group of experts from Latvia and the United States, including: Sandra Zilberta, Chair of the “Resilience of Health Care Systems” think tank, Linda Ozola, Deputy Chairwoman of Riga City Council; Vitālijs Rakstiņš, researcher at Riga Stradiņš University; Kristīne Jučkoviča, Executive Director of the Latvian Pharmaceutical Care Association; Biruta Kleina, security and defense expert; Ilze Bērziņa, human rights expert and lecturer at Riga Stradiņš University; Andrejs Petrovs, entrepreneur; Jeffrey Schlegelmilch, Director of NCDP, Columbia University.
Following the discussion, a networking session took place, involving professionals from Latvia’s civil protection and emergency services.
The University of Latvia’s Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences project “Urban Preparedness for Emerging Risks in the Baltic Sea Region” is focused on assessing how cities such as Riga, Helsinki, and Hamburg are preparing for emerging risks. The project combines insights from fields such as emergency preparedness, resilience, communication, and state–citizen relations to provide practical recommendations to policymakers on engaging citizens and strengthening institutional readiness in times of crisis.
For more information about the project and its implementation, please contact Dr. Ieva Birka (ieva.birka@lu.lv) or Dr. Didzis Klavins (didzis.klavins@lu.lv).
Project Title: Urban Preparedness for Emerging Risks in the Baltic Sea Region
Project Agreement Number: Nr. 5.2.1.1.i.0/2/24/I/CFLA/007
Project Grant Agreement Number: LU-BA-PA-2024/1-0051
 at Columbia University, visited Latvia. During his visit, he participated in a series of events in both Latvia and Estonia, focused on crisis preparedness, health security, and resilience. Schlegelmilch was hosted by leading experts from the University of Latvia Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences, Dr. Ieva Birka and Dr. Didzis Kļaviņš. ){kind=link}