On 24 February 2026, Mykolas Romeris University (MRU) will host the international scientific conference “Victimhood in Times of Hybrid Crises, AI, and Digital Transformation”, which will examine contemporary challenges facing criminal justice systems as the role of the victim and protection mechanisms continue to evolve.
The conference is organised to mark the anniversary of the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine and seeks to critically assess the development of the concept of victimhood in the context of hybrid conflicts and rapid digital transformation. Particular attention will be devoted to the question of whether victim status should remain limited to natural persons or be extended to legal entities, which often suffer significant economic and structural harm yet remain largely excluded from existing reparation mechanisms. This issue is increasingly debated across Central and Eastern Europe, including at the national level in Lithuania.
The event will bring together researchers and practitioners from Central and Eastern Europe to share experiences, challenges, and innovative approaches aimed at strengthening victim-centred criminal justice. The conference will focus on:
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the integration of victims’ interests into investigative and reparation processes;
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the role of digital technologies in improving access to justice;
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strengthening harm documentation, victim participation, and institutional support mechanisms.
By bridging theory and practice, the conference aims to promote best practices and policy reforms that contribute to accountability, societal healing, and sustainable justice in the region.
Venue: Mykolas Romeris University, Ateities g. 20, Vilnius, Auditorium I-414
Date: 24 February 2026
The conference programme and registration details will be announced at a later date.
The VICTIM project, "The Concept of Victimhood and the Protection of Victims' Rights in Eastern Europe: From History to Contemporary Challenges", is being implemented under the state budget-funded project "Creation of Excellence Centers at Mykolas Romeris University". It is carried out under the initiative of the Ministry of Education, Science and Sport of the Republic of Lithuania, within the "Excellence Centers Initiative"
