Watch the photos from ‘Global Lithuanian Awards 2014’ here.
On the 30 of December, 2014, the Presidential Palace hosted the official ceremony of Global Lithuanian Awards (GLA) which have been initiated by the network of professional Lithuanians GLL | Global Lithuanian Leadears and are meant to notice, recognise and reward the remarkable talent, exceptional vision, and responsible ambition of Lithuanians and Lithuania-connected people who have been contributing to the prosperity and global standing of Lithuania. The event gathered together international and local professionals, opinion leaders, prominent personalities of politics, business and culture and celebrated the achievements of the Laureates of GLA 2014.
President Dalia Grybauskaitė pointed out the fact that the Global Lithuanian Awards had grown into traditional event of the end of the year. “For the third time in a row, we find whom to appreciate, whom to acknowledge, and what to celebrate. Lithuania will grow as a strong country with people like you working for its benefit. “- said the President.
The Laureates were awarded with statuettes by sculptor Stasys Žirgulis presented by Minister of Foreign Affairs Linas Linkevičius and Director of GLL | Global Lithuanian Leaders Kotryna Stankutė – Jaščemskienė.
The award for lifetime achievement under auspices of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania recognised twenty years of consistent efforts of fundraising for and supporting children hospitals in Lithuania through foundation “Lietuvos vaikų viltis“ by prominent Lithuanian Americans chairwomen of the foundation Gražina Liautaud and Marija Danguolė Navickienė.
The award for attracting investment to Lithuania was granted to founder and managing director of “Euromonitor International“ Vilnius Division Marius Dundulis. He persuaded the management of this international company to entrust Vilnius with the representation of the company in Central and Eastern Europe. Now, it employs 160 researchers from 17 countries.
The award for implemented innovations was presented by CEO of TEO LT Kęstutis Šliužas and recognised exceptional achievements scientific enterprise “Light Conversion” and, in particular, its founder Romualdas Danielius. He has studied and carried out scientific research at the universities and centers of Leiden in the Netherlands, Beireuth in Germany, Lund in Sweden, Florence in Italy, and for twenty years has managed the scientific research department of the this company.
The award for brain exchange celebrates the global Lithuanian professionals who eagerly share their knowledge, experience, contact networks and positive emotions. This year American Lithuanian Angela Sinickas, well known for her professional activities in the field of internal communication, was rewarded for her efforts and achievements in the role of advisor under GLL Business Advisor program as well as in the roles of university lecturer and conference speaker.
In the opinion of the Selection Panel of the GLA 2014, Agnia Grigas deserved the special award for the loudest Lithuanian voice in the West. Well-known as the Eastern and Central European energy and policy expert, she s is regularly invited to talk on the screens CNN, CCTV, Forbes, Bloomberg, Reuters, BBC, and has advised governments on the formation of policies towards Russia.
The award for leadership encouragement honoured the success of youth mentorship program Lithuanian Big Brother and, in particular, its founder and inspirer Rytis Vitkauskas. Lithuanian Big Brother is designed for students and recent graduates and creates opportunities for them to receive career advice and consultation from professional Lithuanians with rich international experience.
Brothers Aidas and Saulius Dailides were honored with two awards – for the export of Lithuanian business idea and for the promotion of the name of Lithuania worldwide. The Selection Panel as well as readers of Delfi news portal acknowledged the immense ambition and efforts of the creators of Pixelmator to make Lithuania outstanding global spot. In October of 2014, their biggest dream came true when they were invited to present their product on Apple stage and were introduced as young IT talents from Lithuania.
The award for the reunion of Lithuanian minds recognised the numerous joint projects initiated by prominent neuroscientist, professor of Houston University Jokūbas Žiburkus. With him in lead, the enthusiasts of neuroscience founded Lithuanian Association of Neuroscience, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University and Houston University signed the cooperation agreement for the joint MA program for business executives, and many more initiatives find their expression.
The award for sincere friendship is usually presented to foreigners for their political, economic or cultural support. This year the award was presented to journalist and editor of The Economist Edward Lucas. Lithuania and the Baltic region in general are lucky to have such influential voice on the media channels of the world.
The Laureates of the Awards were elected by the Selection Panel which consisted of the Laureates of Global Lithuanian Awards, representatives of GLL Board and prominent Lithuanians with international outlook. This year, Selection Panel was chaired by Patron of GLL Darius Daubaras, and attended by Ambassador Gintė Damušytė, HR expert Nijolė Kelpšaitė, founder of GLL Tadas Langaitis, filmmaker and activist Jonas Oehman, entrepreneur dr. Vladas Lašas, journalist Edmundas Jakilaitis, and scientist and entrepreneur Kristijonas Vizbaras.
Global Lithuanian Awards are initiated by the network of the Lithuanian professional diaspora GLL | Global Lithuanian Leaders together with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania, the non-profit organisation Enterprise Lithuania, the telecommunications company TEO LT and law firm TARK GRUNTE SUTKIENE. The aim of the GLL network is to get the professionals who live abroad involved in a variety of projects and to make use of their experience, connections, and knowledge in order to strengthen the international reach of the Lithuania’s name.
Please watch the photos from ‘Global Lithuanian Awards 2014’ here.