First Ladies of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Lithuania and Montenegro meet to discuss children’s wellbeing

On 5 June, First Lady of Montenegro Milena Milatović welcomed First Lady of Lithuania Diana Nausėdienė and First Lady of Bosnia and Herzegovina Mirela Bećirović to Cetinje, the historic capital of Montenegro, on the sidelines of the European Union–Western Balkans Summit.

The First Ladies met at the Blue Palace, the official residence of the President of Montenegro, before visiting some of Cetinje’s historic landmarks and learning more about the country’s cultural and historical heritage.

During their meeting, Mrs Milatović and Mrs Nausėdienė discussed children’s and young people’s wellbeing, with particular attention to online safety, digital literacy and the growing role of artificial intelligence in education. The First Lady of Lithuania shared Lithuania’s experience in strengthening children’s online safety and promoting the responsible use of digital technologies.

“The progress of technology must serve people rather than threaten their safety or wellbeing. We must find solutions that protect children and young people from the risks of the digital environment while allowing them to benefit from the opportunities technology creates,” First Lady Diana Nausėdienė said.

The discussion also focused on the ethical use of artificial intelligence, as well as the importance of helping children develop the skills needed to navigate an increasingly digital world responsibly.

The First Ladies further exchanged experience on initiatives supporting children and families, cooperation with civil society organisations, and promoting healthy lifestyles. Among the examples shared was Lithuania’s annual Olympic Picnic, which encourages physical activity among preschool children and promotes teamwork and self-confidence from an early age.