ADVISORY PANEL
To strengthen the performance and efficiency of the Independent Fiscal Institution and to ensure that the opinions and reports submitted by Fiscal Monitoring Centre are in line with good practice, an Advisory Panel of foreign experts has been set up in the National Audit Office since 18 April 2016. The composition of the Advisory Panel was updated on 26 March 2024.
Experts in macroeconomics and public finance collaborate with the centre staff by exchanging expertise, participating in or organising joint events, providing advice, insights, methodological and/or other support on the centre’s products, and contributing to their dissemination as practicable.
MEMBERS OF THE ADVISORY PANEL
Dr. Domantas Jasilionis
(2024 – present)
In 2003 he received his PhD in Social Sciences (Sociology) from Kaunas University of Technology, he is a researcher at the Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research (Germany), a professor at the Department of Sociology of Vytautas Magnus University and the head of the Demographic Research Group at the Vytautas Kavolis Interdisciplinary Research Institute of this university. He is an associate researcher at the Federal Institute for Population Research (BiB) (Germany) and the Max Planck – University of Helsinki Center for Social Inequalities in Population Health and has authored or co-authored scientific articles in international scientific publications.
Main interest areas: demography, social epidemiology, health inequalities, migration, population, and health policy.
Dr. Dmitrij Celov
(2024 – present)
He received his PhD in Mathematics from Vilnius University in 2008, is an associate professor at the Institute of Applied Mathematics at Vilnius University and holds the position of Senior Risk Modelling Manager at Luminor Bank. He has professional experience in various institutions, including the Institute of Economics at the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences, the Bank of Lithuania, the National Audit Office and Danske Bank. Author or co-author of scientific articles in international scientific publications.
Main interest areas: applied econometrics, financial time series, statistical analysis and macroeconomic modelling.
Prof. Dr. Romas Lazutka
(2025 – present)
Lithuanian sociologist, economist, member of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences, Professor Emeritus at Vilnius University. Currently participates in the European Social Policy Analysis Network (ESPAN, European Commission), coordinator of the Lithuanian group. Participated in drafting laws on pensions, cash social benefits for families, etc. He is a manager and researcher of national and international projects and co-author of scientific articles in international scientific publications. Active in the media, commenting on social policy issues.
Main interest areas: public sector economics, labour market, pensions, poverty, social policy, social protection and others.
PREVIOUS MEMBERS OF THE ADVISORY PANEL
- Dr. Zsuzsa Munkacsi
(2016–2024)
She holds an MSc in Economic Research from the University of Cambridge and a PhD from the European University Institute, has worked for the Hungarian Fiscal Council and has been with the International Monetary Fund since 2016.
- Dr. Michal Horvath
(2016–2024)
He holds a MSc from the University of York and a PhD from the University of St Andrews. He was a member of the Slovak Council for Budget Responsibility.
- Dr. Swapnil Singh
(2018–2024)
He holds an MSc in Economics from the Tinbergen Institute and a PhD from the University of Amsterdam/Tinbergen Institute.
- Dr. Jekaterina Navickė
(2024)
She received her PhD in Sociology from Vilnius University in 2015 and is an associate professor at the Social Policy Department of this university.
ADVISORY PANEL MEETINGS
Cooperation between the Advisory Panel and Fiscal Monitoring Centre takes place through meetings and through electronic means, by exchanging relevant information and participating in joint events.
Meeting on 13 September 2024
During the online meeting, it was discussed that in the first quarter of 2025, BMD is planning to announce the assessment of the sustainability of general government finances 2025–2050. Discussions with the Advisory Panel focused on social sustainability and the challenges posed by an ageing population, which will have a major impact on social, health care and education.
Meeting on 23 May 2024
The principles of cooperation and future plans for joint activities were discussed. BMD colleagues presented the Assessment of Lithuania's General Government Finances for 2024–2027, released on 22/05/2024. Discussions were held on important issues such as the quality of public services, the efficiency of expenditure, and increasing budget revenues. The challenges of demography, social inequalities and climate change were discussed. The importance of resilience to crises is highlighted.
Meeting on 9 April 2024
First meeting of the reconstituted Advisory Panel. The BMD presented its ongoing activities and discussed organisational issues. Members of the Panel shared their experiences, insights and visions for further cooperation. Topics discussed included debt, fiscal discipline rules, risks arising from demographic, geopolitical or other challenges. Attention was also paid to possible new projects or ideas that could enhance the work of the Advisory Panel and the BMD.
Previous meetings
The Advisory Panel met to discuss a range of topics in 2016-2018. These included: macroeconomic models, fiscal risks, sustainability and the macroeconomic impact of pension reform, improving institutional work and the importance of communication.
Information on one of the first meetings is available here.