On November 12, 2026, Vilnius will host the international scientific conference-symposium “Navigating Volatility with Meaning: Societal Wellbeing, Education, and Work,” bringing together academics, practitioners, policymakers, and business leaders from Lithuania and abroad. Organized by SMK College of Applied Sciences, the event aims to foster dialogue on societal wellbeing, education, and the future of work in an increasingly complex and uncertain world, encouraging participants to share insights and develop meaningful, sustainable solutions.

CALL FOR POSTER PRESENTATION till September 7, 2026

CALL FOR PUBLICATIONS till September 15, 2026

In response to the challenges of the modern world, SMK College of Applied Sciences is organizing this symposium to bring together academic and practitioner communities from Lithuania and foreign countries and representatives of science, policymakers and business leaders. The aim is to address the problems of societal interactions and rethink modern issues.

The ongoing crisis worldwide, worsening mental health, aging and diverse workplaces, and financial instability, require new considerations by listening to various groups in society and combining science with useful advanced practices.

The theme of the 2026 Symposium is dedicated to addressing the challenges that arise in our rapidly changing world. Specifically, the symposium focuses on the difficulties individuals, organizations and communities face in building resilience. We encourage discussions on mindful living, education and employment through open dialogue among various people, such as educators, employers, public sector representatives, and business leaders in the face of volatility, uncertainty, and the complexities and ambiguities of modern life.

The discussions of the symposium will cover 3 main areas:

– Meaningful Living and Societal Wellbeing

– Meaningful Education: Nurturing Positive Learning Environments

– Meaningful Employment: Building Resilient Workplaces by Creating Meaningful and Caring Environments.

AREA 1. MEANINGFUL LIVING AND SOCIETAL WELLBEING

Expanded Sub-Topics Include:

• Elevating the Contribution of Older Adults
• Navigating Mental Health Challenges
• Empowering Youth in a Digital Era
• Digital Mindfulness for Personal Growth
• Holistic Healthcare Perspectives
• Promoting Diversity and Inclusion
• Other

AREA 2. MEANINGFUL EDUCATION: NURTURING POSITIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS

Expanded Sub-Topics Include:

• Addressing Educational Challenges
• Cultivating Learning Communities
• Developing Resilience and Self-Regulation Skills
• Nurturing Soft Skills
• Fostering Entrepreneurial Mindsets
• Promoting Education as a Quest for Truth
• Other

AREA 3. MEANINGFUL WORK: BUILDING RESILIENT WORKPLACES BY CREATING MEANINGFUL AND CARING ENVIRONMENTS

Expanded Sub-Topics Include:

• Leadership Challenges within Organizational Culture
• Equipping Employees with the Future Skills
• Rethinking HR Practices: Attracting Talents
• Valuing the Experience of Older Workers
• Encouraging Self-Reflection Among Employees
• Cultivating a Compassionate Workplace Culture
• Building Mindfulness for Social Justice
• Other

IMPORTANT DEADLINES:

Registration for participation in the Symposium: September 7, 2026

Poster presentation submission deadline: September 7, 2026

Manuscript Submission for Publications: October 16, 2026 (50 Eur, payment details will be provided under the acceptance of the submission for publication)

All submissions indicating POSTER PRESENTATION slides and/or PUBLICATION manuscripts in the theme box should be sent via email (conference@smk.lt) till the deadline expires.

Poster presentation submission requirements:

• Poster presentations should be prepared using the official conference poster template.
• Posters will be uploaded and presented in the SMK website. There will be no oral poster presentations, but they will appear in the conference program.
• The poster must clearly present the key elements of the research in a concise and visually structured format. It should include: presentation title, authors and affiliations, contact information (if agreed to indicate e-mail), condensed abstract, background/relevance, methodology, research results, conclusions, recommendations (if applicable), acknowledgements,  and 3–5 key literature sources.
• Posters should use minimal text, with information presented as clearly as possible through bullet points, numbering, tables, graphs, or visual elements.
• Authors are encouraged to highlight the main research problem, methods, sample, ethics (if relevant), and most important findings.

Manuscript Submission for Publication

Manuscripts must adhere to the requirements for articles. The template can be accessed here. Manuscripts can be submitted for publication even if you do not participate in the symposium. We prioritize theoretical contributions, including literature reviews and conceptual papers, but also welcome empirical research, including case studies or other, that offer significant insights.

Publication journals:

Business and Law Articles will be published in the peer-reviewed journal „Current Issues of Business and Law,” indexed in the EBSCO Publishing database. Manuscripts should align with the symposium scope and/or the journal’s focus.

Health Sciences Articles will be published in the peer-reviewed journal „Science and Processes of Education,” also indexed in the EBSCO Publishing database. Requirements are the same as for the previous journal.