In 2026, the world is becoming technologically more advanced but from the human perspective it is more fragile than ever before. While we build digital "shells", seeking external validation, we also risk forgetting the most crucial element of "the system" – being human.
Technology is the variable. The economy is volatile. The human is the core.
This year's forum will challenge our conventional thinking on individual and societal security and resilience. Our stability does not begin with strengthening defence budgets, but starts with human cognitive abilities, emotional intelligence, and inclusive leadership. If the core cannot withstand the pressure, the stability of the system cannot be relied upon.
This forum will combine neuroscience, leadership skills, business strategies, and personal experiences to seek answers to a vital question on how do we safeguard and strengthen humanity in an era that demands we be better than robots? This will be a guide to a human through a new lens.
The Diversity and Inclusion Forum has been held since 2021, gathering Latvian and international experts to provide a positive impact on promoting inclusive work environments and the society.
Venue: University of Latvia Botanical Garden, Riga
Languages: Latvian and English
Organized by: Latvian Diversity Charter
Inspired by Swedbank Latvia
Supported by FYUL, Caffeine, DNB Latvia Branch
This event precedes Annual Meeting and Business Forum of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.
Registration is open now: EBRD Annual Meeting taking place in Riga from 5-7 June.
This year's programme involves discussions on how economies can move from volatility to versatility by strengthening resilience and adaptability. Sessions will focus on competitiveness, productivity, private‑sector growth, capital markets, trade and investment reform. Innovation, digitalisation and future skills feature prominently as enablers of long‑term economic transformation, alongside the energy transition and sustainable finance. The programme also highlights regional and country investment outlooks and civil society organisations.
DIVERSITY & INCLUSION FORUM 2026
PROGRAMME
09:30 – 10:00 ARRIVAL
10:00 – 10:15 OPENING - THE HUMAN CORE
High-level government official (TBC)
JEVGENIJS IVANOVS: Member of the Board of Swedbank Latvia, Head of Corporate Banking
10:20 – 10:40 BLOCK I - THE MIND CORE
"Cognitive Fortress: Perception as the Foundation of Security."
Content: A scientific look at how our brains construct reality and the image of an enemy. How to train "cognitive courage" and not get lost in the age of disinformation.
10:40 – 11:00 BLOCK II - THE HUMAN ENERGY
MILICA DELEVIĆ - Secretary General of the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development
Content: Why human energy are and will be a vital economic indicators?
11:00 – 11:15 | BREAK
11:15 – 11:30 | BLOCK III - THE COURAGE TO BE FRAGILE
Speaker: (TBC)
Content: An emotional story of personal crisis as a metaphor for societal recovery. Strength through vulnerability.
11:30 – 11:50 | BLOCK IV - THE CORE AS A STRATEGY
PĀRSLA BAŠKO - Chief People & Culture Officer, FYUL (Printful, Printify & Snow Commerce)
Content: Humanity in business as a strategic competence. How to lead teams in crisis while maintaining empathy and results?
11:50 – 12:30 | BLOCK V - THE LEADER'S CORE
Speaker: (TBC)
Theme: "New Leadership: Courage to Change the Rules of the Game."
12:30 – 13:15 | LUNCH & NETWORKING
13:15 – 14:00 | BLOCK VI - PRACTICAL ACTION
INTERACTION – (NON)COLLABORATION IN A TEAM
Expert: (TBC)
Content: How to neutralize aggression (clients, colleagues) without a fight.
SECURITY – SOOTHE RADICALIZATION
Expert: (TBC)
Content: How to handle external polarization in the office. How leaders can recognize and mitigate radicalization within a team while maintaining an inclusive environment.
14:00 – 15:30 | BLOCK VI - THE ECONOMIC CORE
Panel Discussion: "Investing in the Person: The Economics of Resilience."
LĪVA ZORGENFREIJA - Chief Economist for Swedbank Latvija
MARCIN TOMASZEWSKI - Lead Economist for the EU region at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
Content: Resilience of human capital as the primary guarantee of investment security.
15:30 – 15:45 | CLOSING - STRENGTHEN YOUR CORE
15:45 – ... | INFORMAL PART
Speakers
MILICA DELEVIĆ
Secretary General of the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development
The Secretary General is a member of the Executive Committee and works with the President, the Board of Governors and the Board of Directors.
Previously, Ms Delević was Director of Competitiveness and Governance at the EBRD. She has held senior roles at the Bank for more than 10 years, having joined the EBRD as Deputy Secretary General, Shareholder Relations in 2013 before moving to the Policy and Partnerships Vice Presidency in 2016.
Prior to joining the EBRD, Ms Delević, a Serbian national, had a long career working in the Serbian government, academia and civil society.
PĀRSLA BAŠKO
Chief People & Culture Officer for FYUL (Printful, Printify & Snow Commerce)
Pārsla Baško is one of the Baltics' leading experts in strategic HR, corporate branding, communications and employer branding. More than 25 years of experience in strategic HR, change management, communications and brand management. Pārsla has significant experience in large-scale business strategy change management projects, including successfully working as a lead expert on merger and sensitive business transformation projects
Marcin Tomaszewski
Lead Economist for the EU region at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
Formerly an economist at CASE – Centre for Social and Economic Analysis. He develops economic analyses and strategic recommendations and co-shapes policies that foster sustainable economic development, supported by the Bank through policy engagement, investment and private sector mobilisation. He graduated from the University of Göttingen and the Warsaw School of Economics.
JEVGENIJS IVANOVS
Member of the Board of Swedbank Latvia, Head of Corporate Banking
LĪVA ZORGENFREIJA
Swedbank Latvia Chief Economist