The First Lady congratulated the guests on the 25th anniversary of the Kazickas Family Foundation and thanked Jūratė for her continuous support of educational, social, health and cultural programmes in Lithuania and abroad, support of young people in the regions of Lithuania and her attention to Lithuanian education.
“The Foundation’s work is an example for all Lithuanians, regardless of where they live – in Lithuania or abroad. The consistent and active work, supporting the promotion of Lithuanian identity, the development of patriotic and Lithuania-loving young people and the strengthening of the Lithuanian state are of great importance and clearly visible to all of us. You lay a strong foundation for the love of the homeland, for the promotion of Lithuanian identity, for humanistic ideas and for the future,” said Nausėdienė.
The First Lady pointed out that she particularly appreciates the Foundation’s attention to the education of the younger generation of Lithuanians in Lithuania and abroad, and the support it provides for the needs of Lithuanian diaspora education: the publication of textbooks, Lithuanian language proficiency exams, summer camps for youth and children of the diaspora, song and dance festivals, etc.
“I am delighted for your attention to the education of children and young people, in which you have invested since the establishment of the Foundation. You are making a significant contribution to the education of young people growing up in Lithuania by improving their knowledge in the field of technology, funding their participation in international exchange programs, and supporting academic activities at the best universities in the world. In this way, among other things, the awareness and citizenship of the young generation are promoted and human values are taught. This is extremely important,” stressed the First Lady.
Diana Nausėdienė and Jūratė Kazickaitė discussed the activities of the Ukrainian Centre in Vilnius, the needs of Ukrainians living in Lithuania, the guarantees provided by Lithuania, the possibilities of integration into the labor market and the process of children’s education. The First Lady thanked Mrs. Kazickas for the assistance provided by the Kazickas Family Foundation since the beginning of the war in Ukraine and for supporting meaningful initiatives of the Ukrainian Centre.
After the meeting, the President of the Republic of Lithuania Gitanas Nausėda awarded Jūratė Kazickaitė with the Commander’s Cross of the Order “For Merits to Lithuania”. The award was given for her long-standing support of educational, social, cultural and other projects.
The Commander’s Cross of the Order “For Merits to Lithuania” was awarded to J. Kazickaite on the occasion of February 16, the State Restoration Day, when traditionally people are awarded for merits to the Republic of Lithuania and for promoting the name of Lithuania worldwide.
Official press release prepared by the Presidential Communication Team
Translated by the Kazickas Family Foundation Team
Information updated 12.04.2023
