For Local Impact of Global Experience

PRESENTED BY

Nerijus Jakubauskas from Norway

Kėdainiai district

Nerijus Jakubauskas

For inspiration and encouragement of young people of the native village

After a decade spent abroad, in 2018 Nerijus Jakubauskas returned to Pelėdnagiai near Kėdainiai. He opened a auto repair service and got engaged in the activities of local community. He transformed empty ex-school premises into a local body building gym and invite local teenagers to use them for free. On week-day evenings, the little gym is busy with  at least 20 active athletes trained and inspired for improvement by Nerijus himself.

Vytautas Jonas Juška from Australia

Trakai district

For devotion to Lithuanian culture through engaging story telling

After 50 years in Australia, in 2011 Vytautas Jonas Juška came to his homeland Lithuania. Still back there, he was promoting Baltic culture, led Lithuanian radio shows, published articles and held lectures for Lithuanian community and at international conferences.

In Lithuania, he is known and loved as a lecturer, English teacher, translator, expert on emigration and diaspora, and partner to many cultural projects and organisations. The most recent project “Lietuviais esame mes gimę!” is devoted to the year of global Lithuanians and has been touring the country all year long.

Vytautas Jonas Juska

Lukas Povilauskas from Europe

Varėna district

Lukas Povilauskas

Lukas Povilauskas returned to his home region of Varėna after traveling around Europe with his camper and working at ecological farms. The accumulated savings enabled to buy a house in Margionys Village and establish  IT company ELNIS upon his return.

International mindset helps Lukas proving that distant regions are business and innovation friendly. He also acts as a board member of Varėna Business Association as a platform of expertise sharing for local business of all sectors.

Mindaugas Dzikaras from UK

Panevėžys

For bringing global skills and knowledge to local industry

After 8 years of studies and scientific research in the UK, 2018 Mindaugas Dzikaras has accepted the invitation of professor Darius Viržonis in Panevėžys to join the scientific group researching the starch production recycling possibilities.

With the scholarship program of Lithuanian Research Council, Mindaugas returned to Panevėžys and has been engaged in creating green biotechnologies that should help increase the efficiency of the wheat processing industry as well as decrease the environmental pollution.

Mindaugas Dzikaras

Kasparas Ramonas, Paulius Ramonas, Vaida Gruštaitė ir Artūras Grabauskas from Norway, Netherlands, Portugal

Ukmergė

Kasparas Ramonas
Vaida Grustaite
Arturas Grabauskas
Paulius Ramonas

For a explosion of creativity in a silent town

After many years abroad, brothers Kasparas and Paulius Ramonai, Vaida Gruštaitė and Artūras Grabauskas returned to their hometown Ukmergė. They renovated a historic city building (previous military quarters) and established gastro and live music pub Gastro Pub "Aš būsiu čia" ("I will be here"), named after the song of promising but unfortunately short-lived rock band Afiša.
 
In 2019, brothers Kasparas and Paulius revived rock festival of the 1990s Rockmergė which featured alternative Lithuanian rock bands. At present, they are in the process of recording an album meant to encourage emigrants to come back and live here, in inviting native towns.

For Investments to Lithuania

PRESENTED BY
Dominic Zastarskis
Jonas Bidva

For leading technological shift in logistics and innovating studies of transport engineering

Logistics company GP Transco established by American Lithuanians Dominic Zastarskis and Jonas Bidva has been on the list of the fastest-growing companies for 4 consecutive years. This encouraged the management to consider Lithuania for its European expansion.

The company’s success is based on the technology management innovations of cargo transportation. High level IT and logistics specialists working in Vilnius offer cargo administration and IT services to the US market.

To crown it all, the company is an active partner to VGTU offering internship and other work based learning opportunities to the students of transport and logistics, promoting the necessity of IT studies.

For belief in and promotion of Lithuanian manufacturers for their high quality products

Intus Windows was established in 2008 by American Lithuanians who noticed the need for quality windows in the largest US cities. The Intus windows are used in large commercial, residential  and public construction projects all over the USA.

The success encouraged to consider the construction of company industrial unit in Lithuania at the FEZ of native town Šiauliai. Until it is finished, the company buys 90% of produce and materials from Lithuanian partners and exported to the US.

The company also has signed a contract with Šiauliai University for work based learning opportunities for its students.

Aurimas Sabulis
Roland Talalas
Marius Jakulis

After successful career in the US, Marius moved from New York to Vilnius. He has been growing as an investor ever since. Marius was the first to establish an intellectual property law firm AAA Law. He still is the chairman of the board at AAA Holding, the company which brought to Lithuania the brands of Radisson and Grand Hotel Kempinski. Marius was among co-founders of Nordic Hotels Fund, which is dedicated to develop, purchase, and build hotels near the airports of Vilnius, Krakow, Riga, and other European cities.

In 2019, he established the Marius Jakulis Jason foundation. It is meant to provide financial support to talented entrepreneurs, academics, and students to enable them to contribute to the economic growth of Lithuania.

For Science Innovations to Lithuania

PRESENTED BY
Arminas Ragauskas

Professor Arminas Ragauskas is a researcher,  innovator, founder, and director of Health Telematics Science Institute at Kaunas technology university with more than 100 registered inventions worldwide. In 2016 he was nominated for European Innovation Award for his non-invasive intracranial pressure measurement device that attracted the interest of NASA.

This unique technology created in Lithuania allowed perform the non invasive analysis of the intracranial pressure of healthy people, astronauts, and neurological patients.

The technology is in active use by National Space Biomedical Research Institute of the US, where the effect of long term space travel to the human brain and sight is measured.

Ph. D. Arthur Jonas Ragauskas

USA

For improvement of energy studies on all levels of education

Professor Arthur Jonas Ragauskas is a scientist, leading the change in the fields of carbon neutral bio-fuels and sustainable chemical engineering of bio-derived materials and chemicals.

He is Professor and Governor’s Chair in Bio-refining and the Center of Renewable Carbon, the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, Center for Bioenergy Innovation, Joint Institute for Biological Science, Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The professor is making an impact on renewable energy studies with his research and multiple publications. Since 2002 he has cooperated closely with the Kaunas Technology University and regularly participated in the Baltic Organicum Syntheticum conferences. He also participates in the preparation of the laws in the energy field, writes scientific works together with the Lithuanian science institutes and business associations as well as creates energy study curriculums together with numerous education institutions.

Arthur Ragauskas

MD, PhD Lina Basel Salmon

Israel

Lina Basel Salmon

For sharing the most recent discoveries of genetics

Professor Lina Basel-Salmon left for Israel in 1991 to continue her studies. Today she leads one of the most recognised medical institutions there – Raphael Recanati genetic institute. She specialises in biomedicine research aiming to identify new genes and their effect on diseases.

The research group led by professor Basel has discovered more than 20 new genes that cause previously unknown disorders, two of which are named after her – Basel-Vanagaine-Smirin-Yosef and Basel-Vanagaite-Sirota. Lina keeps close connections with Lithuanian scientists and doctors, participates in conferences and seminars, shares her experience and achievements with the new generation of Lithuanian medical professionals.

PhD, P.E. Edmond P. Saliklis

USA

For exchange of architectural knowledge between Lithuanian and American students and professors

Edmundas Saliklis is an architectural engineering professor at the California Polytechnic State University (CalPoly). Since 2013 he is cooperating with the Faculty of Architecture of Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (VGTU).

Professor organises international 6-week summer schools that are attended by 20-25 students from the US and 2-3 international professors each year. Before arriving in Lithuania, the students are introduced to  the Lithuanian history and culture, know a few basic phrases in Lithuanian.

At the summer schools, Californian and VGTU students gain many specific skills, learn MATLAB programming, SAP2000 software, analyse ethical questions.

During the practical workshops, they complete tasks using both MATLAB and SAP2000 tools. The summer school enables sharing knowledge and spreading a positive message about Lithuania.

portrait

For Engagement of Global Lithuanians

PRESENTED BY

Mūsų metas DABAR

World

Dabar19-logo-1024x570

Mūsų Metas DABAR is a public initiative established under the the World Lithuanian Community by its Board Member Rimvydas Baltaduonis with intention to raise Lithuanian votes for 2019 Presidential Elections and the referendum for the citizenship retention. Its efforts have increased voter turnout 3 times – from 16000 in 2016 to 53000 in 2019. It has enabled the establishment of a separate voting district for Lithuanians abroad.

The initiative united the forces of Lithuanian World Youth Association, clubs of Lithuanian professionals abroad, and members of Global Lithuanian Leaders.

Rimvydas Baltaduonis as the driving force of the initiative built the team of global Lithuanians, engaged Lithuanian communities, business organisations, and professional clubs in the US and Europe for fundraising and active communication.  

Inga Lanchas came to France in 1992 and immediately became an active member of the French-Lithuanian community. She founded a Lithuanian school in Paris and was leading it until 1997. She works with the French-Lithuanian associations as well as honorary consuls in France.

From 2006 to 2012, she was the director of Lithuania's Tourism information center in Paris meant to promote Lithuania as tourism destination. In 2012 she established a tourism agency Baltic Wave Communication to attract more French travellers and business interest to Lithuania.

During her studies at the Sorbonne, Inga Lanchas managed to introduce a course on Lithuanian and Baltic tourism potential in the Masters program of French tourism institute.

Inga Lanchas

Vytautas Liškauskas

Poland

Vytautas Liskauskas

For continious bonding of Lihuanian and Polish people and companies

Vytautas Liškauskas was born in Punskas. He was elected to Punskas council three times and during the last elections received 90% votes.

Vytautas supports the activity of Polish Lithuanian community, cultural heritage, and cultural and educational institutions. Thanks to his efforts, Punskas city council signed cooperation contracts with many Lithuanian city councils and has implemented a number of successful economic and cultural projects.

Vytautas is very active in the bodies of various institutions, funds, and city council organisations  with intention to facilitate Polish - Lithuanian cooperation and support Polish Lithuanian business interests.

Arūnas Teišerskis lives in Ireland since 2004. He graduated Faculty of Chemistry of Vilnius University and has PhD in natural sciences. Arūnas Teišerskis came to Ireland to work as a scholar at Dublin Trinity College.

Ever since his arrival to Ireland, Arūnas has been active in the Lithuanian community; he was one of the founders of the first Lithuanian school Keturi vėjai, where he worked as a teacher and now – as a deputy principal. He is one of the founders of the Lithuanian Association in Ireland, he is a Board Member and Chairman of Education Committee of the World Lithuanian Community.

Arunas Teiserskis

Dr. Darius Furmonavičius

UK

Dr Darius Furmonavicius

For recording the history of global Lithuanians

Dr. Darius Furmonavičius is the anthropologist of the Lithuanians in the UK, author of the book Lithuania Rejoins Europe, doctor of the European Studies at Bradford University, historian, lawyer and author of the articles about Lithuania in the Encyclopaedia Britannica Book of the Year. 

Dr. Darius Furmonavičius was a member of The Royal Institute for International Relations and International Institute for Strategic Studies in 2002-2008 and since 2008 is an advisory board member in Baltic American Freedom League. For more than 20 years, he has been organising Statehood celebration for February 16th – Restoration of the State Day, with well known keynote speakers including Edward Lucas, editor of The Economist, EU parliament member Rupert Matthews, and other prominent British politicians.

In 2017, Gintaras Marijauskas was elected as a board member of Belgian Lithuanian community.

In 2018, for the commemoration of Centenary of Restored Independence of Lithuania, he organised 100 km cycling and hiking initiatives along the locations of importance to Lithuanian history in  Belgium.

In 2019, he brought together Lithuanian, Latvian, and Estonian communities in Belgium to honour 30th anniversary of the Baltic Way in Brussels where the Embassies of the three countries were connected by a live human chain.

Mindaugas also takes active part in the organisation of the BeNeLux Sports Games taking place in Belgium and the Netherlands every second year since 2006.

Gintaras Marijauskas

For Promoting the Name of Lithuania Globally

PRESENTED BY
Mirga Grazinyte Tyla

Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla, Conductor

Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla is currently music director of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO) in England. Recently, she was honoured as the best female conductor in the world.

In February 2019, Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla became the first female conductor ever to sign an exclusive recording contract with Deutsche Grammophon (DG). The recording featured  M. Gražinytė-Tyla, violinist Gidon Kramer, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and Kremerata Baltica. In 2017, Daniela Schmidt-Langels produced the documentary about the conductor.

Asmik Grigorian, Opera Singer

In spring of 2019 at the Gala Ceremony of  International Opera Awards in London, Asmik Grigorian was acknowledged as the Best Female Singer. After the premiere of the R.Strauss's Salome in 2018 at the prestigious Salzburg opera festival, she has become an opera sensation and has charmed the audience with her unique talent.

The daughter of prominent opera singers Irena Milkevičiūtė and Geham Grigorian performs on the celebrated world stages - La Scala in Milan, Metropolitan Opera in New York, Royal Opera House in London, Vienna Opera, The Opera Bastille in Paris, etc.

Asmik Grigorian
Sun and Sea Marina

For the first time in history, one of the most prestigious awards of modern art the Venice Biennale’s Golden Lion was awarded to the Lithuanian Pavillon.

The artists Rugilė Barzdžiukaitė, Vaiva Grainytė and Lina Lapelytė created an opera-performance Sun&Sea (Marina) where the audience could watch a “singing” beach with the summer-loving people on the sand. With this performance, the authors invited to think about climate change and universal exhaustion. The relevant topic and innovative execution were immensely appreciated by both - the audience and the art critics.

Scientist Agnė Kajackaitė received the attention of global media after the presentation of her research named Battle for the thermostat: Gender and the effect of temperature on cognitive performance. The research of employee behaviour was executed together with colleague Tom Change and has shown that women are much more productive under higher room temperatures.

Agnė carries out her research in the field of behavioural economics. She has received her Ph.D. in Germany and has done part of her studies in California.

Currently, she leads the Research Group at Berlin Social Science Center. Most of her research is related to the psychological price of lying. In 2018, the Bank of Lithuania  awarded her and her co-authors Uri Gneezy and Joel Sobel with Vladas Jurgutis Award.

Agne Kajackaite
Ausra Kiudulaite
Evelina Daciute

Aušra Kiudulaitė and Evelina Daciūtė, Authors of "Laimė yra lapė"

In 2019, children book "Laimė yra lapė" by writer Evelina Daciūtė and illustrator Aušra Kiudulaitė was awarded The Batchelder award as an exceptional children non-English book published in the US but written by non-US authors. The award is founded by American Library Association.

In 2018, "Laimė yra lapė" was also included in the special list of International Board on Books for Young People and White Ravens Catalogue.

The book was published in Lithuania in 2016. It immediately became the Children Book of the Year at Vilnius Book Fair. It has been translated into 7 languages of the word.

Dr. Urtė Neniškytė, Scientist

In 2019, at the ceremony in Paris Urtė Neniškytė received the title of the Laureate of Women of Science and International Rising Talents. Marie Skłodowska Curie Fellow and experienced researcher at the Life Science Center of Vilnius University belongs to  top 15 most-promising women scientists of the world.   

Urte Neniskyte
Lineta Miseikyte

In 2019, with international acknowledgement of HBO mini series Chernobyl , global film-making community paid huge respect to local production team lead by Lineta Mišeikytė. Thanks to her professional skills and experience, the series was recognised for its exceptional authenticity and sensitivity to unique historic material.  Chernobyl received 6 Emmy Awards. The executive producer of the show Craig Mazin expressed his gratitude on the global stage of the Awards.

Recently, Chernobyl received 4 Golden Globe nominations including Best Limited Series.

Lineta Mišeikytė is a co-founder of  Baltic Film Services and, together with international partners, has filmed more than 30 international TV and film projects. She has worked with international teams of BBC, NBC, HBO, SkyTV.