Vita Balsyte

LTU

Role

Director of Olympic Education

Organization

National Olympic Committee of Lithuania

Vita Balsyte has been responsible for Olympic Education at the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Lithuania for the past six years and became the Director of Olympic Education in 2017. Balsyte oversees educational programmes and projects that disseminate Olympic values, build communities, promote physical activity and encourage youth leadership through sport.

Balsyte joined the Lithuanian NOC in 2012 after receiving a Master’s degree in Olympic Studies, Olympic Education, Organisation and Management of Olympic Events at the University of Peloponnese, and a Bachelor’s degree in Economics. In 2016, Balsyte took part in the Executive Masters of Sport Organisations Management (MEMOS XX) and was awarded with the Alberto Madella Trophy for her project "A Framework for a Sustainable Olympic Education Programme".

Balsyte decided to pursue a career in sports as she believes it is a tool to unite people and drive change in society. Values, skills and knowledge that sport and physical activity can bring to people are crucial for every society; thus Olympic Education is one of the strategic areas of the Lithuanian NOC, and Balsyte works closely with governmental institutions and non-governmental organisations in Lithuania to advocate for the importance of sport and physical activity.

Balsyte is a member of the Lithuanian NOC Olympic Education Commission, Council member at the Lithuanian Olympic Academy and the Secretary General of the Lithuanian Fair Play Committee.

The speakers

Using the unique power of sport to bring people together, the Olympism in Action Forum saw a range of global players, including Olympic Movement stakeholders, athletes, private and public sector leaders, NGO representatives, academics, artists and the media come together to talk on topical contemporary issues. Chosen because of their ability to effect change and their wide range of sometimes differing opinions, the speakers led lively debates and seeked to challenge received wisdom to inspire new ways of thinking.