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“I had many privileges and an easy life, however, now I’d do many things differently to gain more various experience,” said American Lithuanian, the Kazickas family member Jurate Kazickas to the portal LRT.lt. According to her, Lithuanians are still too modest – instead they should advertise the nation that has so much to be proud of: “It is safe here, beautiful, interesting and unique. Not many want to go to the places that are not safe, but Lithuania is so safe! It is also quite different than many Western Europe countries.”

Jurate Kazickas – American journalist and philanthropist with Lithuanian roots. J. Kazickas worked for „Time“, „Newsweek“, „Paris–Match“, „Mademoiselle“,„Associated Press“ and „The Washington Star“.
J. Kazickas’s father Joseph Kazickas (well known economist and philanthropist) in 1998 started the Kazickas Family Foundation in New York and in 1999 in Lithuania. Currently, J. Kazickas is the president of the foundation supporting educational programs, cultural, medical, religious and social welfare causes.

– Do you come to Lithuania often? What are your plans and goals of you trips?
– I am the president of the Kazickas Family Foundation, I run it together with my brothers. I try to go back to Lithuania 2-3 times a year, but my stays here are very short, just a few days and my schedule during those days is quite intense – speeches, meetings, revision of supported programs… But I love coming to Lithuania. The Kazickas family residence was built by my father and I have so many warm memories in this house.

– What kind of changes you see when you return to Lithuania?
– Vilnius, of course, is getting more and more beautiful, flowers everywhere, new hotels, stores! It seems like even energy is changing. Too bad I don’t have enough time to travel through entire Lithuania. My parents’ roots are in Panevezys and Pasvalys regions. My family history is there, my grandparents are buried there so I try to visit these paces at least once a year
Travels from the US to Lithuania are long and tiring, but my team here is full of energy. As I mentioned before, my schedule is planned to every little detail, but such active days give me so much enthusiasm.

– Jurate, you know two nations quite well – Lithuanians and Americans. What do you think is Lithuanians’ biggest strength and weakness?
– Lithuanians are too modest. I blame long years of occupation for it. Lithuanians are afraid to risk, but I must say young generation is quit inspiring. Young people have big dreams and are eager to reach for them, they want to study and work, they have hopes for their future and see things from a different perspective. Young Lithuanians are curious, because the gate to the world opened up for them. They are smart and beautiful, so we need to encourage them.
I must say I’m a little sad to see numbers of Lithuanians in Lithuania going down, also brain drain is obvious. It is great that Lithuanians go abroad to study and find internships there, but it would be amazing if they returned and would share their talents at home.

– Unfortunately, the number one reason why Lithuanians are not motivated to return is the financial aspect. What can be done?
– Yes, it’s the responsibility of the government. They have to improve the quality of life, employment opportunities and boost the economy in every possible way. Also crucial part is taking pride in being Lithuanian and fostering patriotism. Lithuania needs active and attractive campaign that would attract foreign investors, as well as encourage Lithuanians all over the world to return.

– Maybe there is no such campaign because we don’t know how to advertise Lithuania? We can talk about Lithuanian modesty that you mentioned previously.
– Yes, there is no need to be modest in this case. Lithuanians need to take pride in its beautiful nature, culture and history. I want to pin point one more thing – in January I attended the New York Times Travel Show 2019 where representatives from many different countries participated – they advertised their nations, presented pictures, videos, offered traditional dishes. Why there was no Lithuania? We can’t miss such opportunity!
Once an American lady won the price I provided at the auction – a trip for two to Lithuania. Upon her return, she shared her experience there – she couldn’t believe that Lithuania is such an exciting country. I’ll say it again – we need to advertise Lithuania, because it is safe, beautiful, interesting and unique here. Not many want to go to dangerous places, Lithuania is so safe! It is also quite different than many Western Europe countries – France, Germany… Lithuania has so much to offer!

– Jurate, what personal characteristics are most important to you?
– The most important values become clear when you start analyzing why you are here, what’s the purpose of your life. Jesus said that you should love your neighbor as you love yourself. It is essential to me that each person is loved and respected. Huge value is that we’re not alone in this world. We all are one large community, so we have responsibilities attached to it. 
My family was lucky to experience many God’s gifts. That’s why there is nothing more amazing like having the Kazickas Family Foundation and to help those in need.

– You are happy to help others and appreciate the life you live. But what less fortunate should do to stay positive?
– Based on my experience I must say that religion and belief that God loves you, protects you and shares his generosity played important role in my family. I understand that sometimes it’s hard to comprehend why certain things happen in life, we struggle to understand the others. We must have empathy and work on it.
If we see a person struggling with depression, we must not question him, but try to understand him with compassion. It is important. If someone’s mom is an alcoholic, let’s not condemn and judge, but let’s think – whar happened in her life to take this turn? We need to have empathy for the others. It requires a lot of inner strength, of course. I get mine from faith, from God.
I believe we all must question why we are here on this planet? I used to think – why don’t I live in Africa? Why am I not a refugee from Syria? Why God gave me such parents like Joseph and Alexandra? We he chose for me to be born in Lithuania and then end up in America? You might lose your mind always questioning… However, while questioning it becomes clear that there is a reason for everything. Now I understand the path of my life, the entire odyssey. My father was a true optimist and it influenced me greatly. I’ve learned that life is a gift. You know, you might have never been born, so let’s celebrate it.

– You are well known for philanthropy work. Maybe your inherited optimism and gratitude for life is your driving force?
– The message passed down to me is crucial. I’d love to see people how much happiness brings doing good for others. Research and neuroscience shows that your brain “lights up” after doing something good, pleasant feeling comes rushing in. I’d like to spread the message – it feels good to do good.
At some point there was a popular book in the USA called „Random Acts of Kindness“. The message in this book was to encourage secretly to do something nice for others – so the others wouldn’t even know you were the one who did it.
We can adapt it in many life situations, let’s say at the parking lot – put a coin in a meter if see time is running out. I’m not sure if it’s even possible in Lithuania. The goal is simple – it is fun to do good, make others happy, surprise them.

– Jurate, you’re such a positive person, but weren’t there any crisis in your life? Were there any moments when you wanted to give up?
– Of course there were, but understanding that everything starts from the little things helps a lot. Even at the moments when when you start thinking – what’s the point, what’s the difference… Humanitarian Viktor Frankl who survived the Holocaust said – if you safe at least one other person in your life, life becomes meaningful.
The millionaires might give away a lot of money, but one euro given to the one in need on the church steps is as meaningful as the millions. We must believe that every act of kindness creates a ripple.

– What global issues are closest to your heart?
– One of the most painful subjects for me is discrimination. It’s one of Lithuania’s issues, the country is still very homogenous. The tolerance is growing, but still quite often people look different at a person of color or a Muslim wearing a hijab.
I see this issue in the United States as well, especially now when country’s president is Donald Trump. Some people always had secret angry thoughts against the gays, the Jews, the women, but now they express them more openly, encouraged by the president to express such angry negative views. It is so painful.
I’ll say it again, we need to learn and to teach the empathy. We must talk to each other and ask – how do you feel, what are going through? It is hard to watch when people go after each other as the predators.

– What do you think are main causes of prejudice?
– Lack of education and the family are the main reasons. I’ve been wondering how groups such as Neo-Nazis form? A person hears many things at home, in his family. They grow, find others that think likewise, they form hate groups that cultivate prejudice.

– You are a role model for many women. What kind of message would you like to give to them?
– I was always a feminist, even when I didn’t even know such word. I remember my father saying over and over again – you can be anything you want. I learned at home that woman must be financially independent so there is no need for man to support her. Only in such case woman can marry for true love and values
Women need to believe in themselves and be confident. Also, they need to support each other. Once they are working together, they become power, their voices are heard.
Of course, many women all around the globe experience inequality, for example at home they have much more chores than men, they must take care of children and so. Balance, equal responsibilities are important. It is great that in Lithuania men can go on a paternity leave. There is no excuse, men can change diapers same way women do. I ‘d love to see the balance, women need men as much as men need women.

– What are you the most proud of in life and do you have any regrets?
– I wasted a lot of time in my youth and certainly regret it. For a long time I simply enjoyed life, traveled a lot, but hasn’t given much to the world. If I had to repeat it all, I’d start working earlier and would try different professions – this way I’d understand better what it takes to be a laborer, to take other’s orders, deal with their tantrums and so. I had many privileges and an easy life. However, if I had more various experience, I’d have more empathy for others.
I’m the most proud of my three children and my husband. I have a chance to remind them what’s important in life and what needs to be done".