WeSTEMEU’s 1st Study Visit explores practicies in Lithuania
The WeSTEMEU study visit in Lithuania, held on September 20th, shed light on practicies to promote gender diversity and equality in the tech and biotech industries. The event, initiated by the Lithuanian Innovation Centre (LIC), brought together key stakeholders, entrepreneurs, and advocates for women in STEM fields. The opening of the event was marked by Justė Rakštytė-Hoimian, a project manager at LIC (Lithuanian Innovation Center), and Mantas Vilys, the director of LIC, who kicked off the proceedings. During the Study Visit, several presentations and site visits were conducted to explore practices aimed at promoting gender equity in STEM access.
The group started with the presentation of WomenGoTech, an organization founded in 2016 to foster diversity in tech-related professions. They offer two programs: "Discover Tech," an introductory online course for women interested in tech careers. And an Acceleration Program (Mentorship Program), a six-month online initiative designed to provide individuals with access to mentors, expert resources, events, and lifelong membership in the WomenGoTech community.
Another highlight was the presentation of Women in BioTech, a platform created by LithuaniaBIO association, which champions women's leadership in the life sciences. The platform brings together entrepreneurs, scientists, and activists to discuss their innovations and success stories to inspire future leaders and innovators in the biotechnology field. The biotechnology sector in Lithuania has experienced remarkable growth, with women constituting about 60% of its workforce. However, they hold only 20% of leadership positions.
The presentation of LYDERE, an association advocating for gender equality in C-level positions, was the third good practice offered to the group. It also made a significant contribution to the discussion by offering how they focus on achieving gender balance in leadership roles, improving the childcare system, reducing societal stereotypes, and sharing international best practices in women's careers.
After it, Agnė Vaitkevičienė, Vice-President/Executive Director at Lithuanian Biotechnology Association and CEO at Memel Biotech, shared her inspiring journey from overcoming challenges in her early education to founding a successful biotech startup. Her story exemplified the resilience and determination needed for success in the biotech industry.
At the after-noon, the group visited the Centre for Innovative Medicine and Telia, the largest telecommunication company on the north and baltic regions. The Centre for Innovative Medicine, a State Research Institute, stands at the forefront of developing long-term visions for therapeutic and diagnostic strategies. Their work involves translating fundamental scientific knowledge into clinically relevant expertise. During the study visit, the Centre's dedicated researchers warmly welcomed partners from the Westemeu project into their laboratories. The visitors were treated to a comprehensive overview of the center's core activities, exploration of various research departments, and a guided tour of three state-of-the-art laboratory spaces, complete with cutting-edge equipment.
The day ended with a visit to Telia and its programmes dedicated to promote equality and diversity on the company. Telia’s representatives introduced their various initiatives with a significant emphasis on women's leadership in the technology sector. Telia's commitment to diversity is further evidenced by its established Equal Opportunities Policy, fostering a culture of inclusivity within the company. A Diversity and Inclusion Coordinator role has been established to raise awareness, create an inclusive environment within internal processes, and foster engagement with diverse groups through partnerships and initiatives.
In February 2020, Telia took a proactive step by establishing the "Diversity HUB," an employee-driven initiative group dedicated to organizing events, addressing crucial issues, and meeting the diverse needs of Telia employees in the realms of diversity and inclusion. These initiatives exemplify Telia's dedication to promoting diversity and equality within its corporate culture.
The inaugural Study Visit in Lithuania was a resounding success, capturing the interest of the attendees and showcasing different practices to promote gender equity in access to the respective sectors visited. We extend our congratulations to the Lithuanian Innovation Centre for identifying and selecting the visited practices within their context. They were highly relevant!