Experts and civil society representatives: Lithuania needs universal conscription by 2030
Implementing universal conscription is one of Lithuania’s most important national security priorities for the next three years. The state should provide different forms of service and preparedness, determined primarily by national needs while also taking account of each person’s health and abilities. This was the conclusion reached at a meeting of defence experts and representatives of civil society groups organised by the Total Defence Association and the Center for Geopolitical and Security Studies.
“This is the first concrete step in turning universal conscription from an idea into a recognised national need and priority endorsed by defence experts, professional communities and representatives of civil society groups. Representatives from different fields agree that the system must be fair, universal and clear to the public, provide different forms of service, and be based on cooperation across the entire country,” said Tomas Godliauskas, Head of the Total Defence Association.
According to Godliauskas, universal conscription is more than a matter of military policy: it strengthens national preparedness, civic identity and societal resilience. Investment in universal conscription should therefore be regarded as an investment in society’s long-term well-being and social inclusion, rather than merely as a line item in the military budget.
Experts emphasise that the universal conscription model must provide different forms of service and preparedness. Universal conscription does not mean that every citizen must complete identical military service. It centres on a clear division of roles, universal participation and preparedness.
“Universal conscription means that citizens are not selected through a lottery or divided according to social groups and exemptions. It means that all citizens of conscription age fulfil their duty to the state, and that legislation is not used to set convenient caps on the number of people called up for compulsory military service,” said Godliauskas.
Participants also agreed that implementing universal conscription is a responsibility shared by the entire country. It therefore requires consistent cooperation among state institutions, businesses, non-governmental organisations and society.
The experts drafted and signed a joint position statement entitled “Universal Conscription 2030”, defining the strategic direction and principles for implementing universal conscription in Lithuania by 2030. Representatives of civil society groups, the country’s political leadership, businesses, non-governmental organisations and other organisations will be invited to sign the statement, with the aim of building broad public support for implementing universal conscription by 2030.
Representatives of professional communities, local government and the media, as well as academics, business leaders and civil society activists, participated in the meeting and signed the joint position statement.
