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On April 11th in New York, Kazickas Family Foundation representatives John Kazickas and Neila Baumiliene met with Minister of National Defense Dr. Juozas Olekas, Aide-de-Camp to the Minister of Defense MAJ Egidijus Ciutas, Military Representative to the Permanent Mission of Rep. of LT to the UN Col. Darius Petryla and Deputy DA to the US and Canada Col. Juozas Kačergius.
Consul General of Lithuania in New York Julius Pranevicius and second Secretary Aiste Jakstiene also joined the meeting.
KFF's John Kazickas inquired about the current diplomatic relations between Lithuania and Russia, Lithuania's position within NATO, Lithuania's involvement in fight against terrorism and refugees' situation. Minister Olekas pointed out that USA is Lithuania's strongest NATO ally and Lituania is participating in coalition in fight against terrorism, is sending troops to Iraq and contributes to refugee situation. Minister mentioned that Lithuania has a community of approxmately 3 thousand muslim tatars that is well integrated into local society. He also shared the plans to increase the government budget spending for national defense and pointed out that the number of soldiers in Lithuania is increasing.
The guests were introduced to Kazickas Family Foundation's work and its latest project "Basketball Power." Project keeps extending its work because there are approximately 20 thousand social risk children in Lithuania, and human trafficking with increasing numbers of Lithuania's youth in jails all over the world is a rising issue. Some coaches of "Basketball Power" noticed that there is interest in military work among the youth, so an idea to invite Military Academy to become project's partner emerged. Plans to invite Rukla's soldiers to meet children, and to spend time at military camp started developing. Minister also shared that young "Riflemen" organization is active in Lithuania and contributes to youth development, organizes camps for 11-18 year olds. Children from social risk families could join them as well. It would be beneficial to integrate them with the rest of the kids. "Riflemen" organization also offers an after school program with strong patriotic aspect. KFF and "Basketball Power" program also try to include such aspect into its curriculum.
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Photo: Courtesy of N. Baumiliene