The Free Market Cause Continues
| On November 23, 2001 the Lithuanian Free Market Institute held a ceremony "The Free Market Cause Continues" at the Vilnius Town Hall to celebrate its 11th birthday anniversary and to honour LFMI's former President Elena Leontjeva. Ugnius Trumpa was inaugurated LFMI President. The institute's supporters, fellows and media representatives attended the ceremony to manifest their support for the free market cause. Among the guests were President Valdas Adamkus, prominent politicians, Vice-speaker of the Parliament Ginataras Steponavičius, other members of parliament, former prime ministers, members of the cabinet, Vilnius' city Mayor Artūras Zuokas, and others. LFMI's co-founder and Chief Lithuania's Negotiator for EU Accession Petras Auštrevičius led the ceremony. |
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(from the left) Elena Leontjeva, Petras Auštrevičius
and Ugnius Trumpa at the ceremony |
In her welcome address, Elena Leontjeva rejoiced that in Lithuania free market principles were increasingly planting seeds in people's minds and life. She noted that the most striking change took place in the public education system. After years of public debates and policy advocacy from LFMI, Lithuania is introducing a voucher funding system in secondary education. "This is a watershed in the recognition and implementation of market principles. It is a remarkable and symbolic change in people's thinking that the institute has managed to nurture. If the young generation grows up in schools driven by market forces, we will become a society that finds the market their place to live in. Going back to a non-market economy will then be no longer possible," Ms. Leontjeva said. |
Ms. Leontjeva emphasised her confidence in LFMI's team as strong, thinking and dedicated individuals and said she was therefore not afraid to quit. In her words, viable is what lives on without daily attention from its founder. Motivating her decision to leave the president's post and dedicate most of her time to writing, Ms. Leontjeva noted: "This is not a turning point. I am going straight on and I believe that what I am going to achieve will be precious and important to all of you."
President Valdas Adamkus said it was gratifying to witness the pursuit of a free market. He paid tribute to LFMI's efforts during the years of Lithuania's independence. "The institute has fostered many |
(from the left) Elena Leontjeva, Lithuania's
President Valdas Adamkus, President's Advisor
Raimundas Mieželis, and Ugnius Trumpa |
President Adamkus congratulates Elena Leontjeva |
needed initiatives. It has won respect from both the public and politicians. LFMI's ideas and endeavours have invariably encouraged open and lively debates, a sign of a strengthening political culture and democracy," Adamkus said.
While expressing gratitude for Ms. Leontjeva's work, the President encouraged LFMI's team to remain as committed and enthusiastic as before. "Your work is much needed and valued. I wish you all success in building the foundations and a vision of our political and cultural life," President Adamkus said. In conclusion he expressed his strong belief in the continuation of the free market cause. |
| Former Prime Minister MP Andrius Kubilius jested he had always associated the free market with Elena Leontjeva and the LFMI team, with Sunset and Sunrise. In 1999, a newly appointed cabinet of Andrius Kubilius launched Sunset and Sunrise Commissions to get rid of unnecessary bureaucracies and business constraints. LFMI flooded the administration with well-thought out strategies and action plans. Ms. Leontjeva was the only non-governmental member of the Sunset Commission and played a leading role in both programmes. "For a year we closely watched together to make the sun rise faster for some people in Lithuania and to set faster for others," Mr. Kubilius recalled, emphasising that the results of LFMI's consistent work manifested that only a free market economy could progress and prosper. |
Vice-speaker of the Parliament Gintaras Steponavičius salutes Elena Leontjeva |
| Looking back at LFMI's achievements of the past eleven years, Petras Auštrevičius noted that the European Commission's latest report, recognizing Lithuania as a functioning market economy, was a verification of the institute's contribution to the country's economic development. According to Mr. Auštrevičius, one of the greatest successes Elena Leontjeva has achieved was bringing together a young, ambitious, creative and strong team. |
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MP Kęstutis Glaveckas congratulates Ugnius
Trumpa and Elena Leontjeva |
LFMI's co-founder and first President MP Kęstutis Glaveckas congratulated Elena Leontjeva on her and the institute's work that made all governments recognise the power of free market ideas. "There seem to be no powerful factors to jeopardise the implementation of free market principles in Lithuania, so Elena deserves the right to leave her post at the institute she has created," Mr. Glaveckas said.
LFMI's fellow Nijolė Dumbliauskienė of Utenos trikotažas saluted LFMI for its educational activities. She recalled the beginning |
of Lithuania's independence when business people had faced difficulties in adjusting to the new order. "LFMI, just then established, became a school where we could gain knowledge about the free market. It was an invaluable source of ideas and advancement," she said.
During the inauguration of LFMI's new president, Elena Leontjeva handed over to Ugnius Trumpa a symbolic stone pyramid, wishing the LFMI team solidity and many years of creative work. Thanking for her trust and support, Mr. Trumpa presented Ms. Leontjeva with an empty book and wished her to fill it with meaning. |
Nijolė Dumbliauskienė complimenting LFMI's
leaders on educational activities |
Ugnius Trumpa presenting a book with blank
pages to Elena Leontjeva |
Elena Leontjeva's closing speech came as a surprise to the audience as she said that according to LFMI's by-laws LFMI's members include its employees, supporters and all those who actively contribute to the implementation of a free market. She rejoiced that there were many progressive individuals in government and politics and that many of them were present at this ceremony. "All of you are members of the Lithuanian Free Market Institute. I am pleased to congratulate you and I know that the responsibility I am delegating rests not only with Ugnius and LFMI's brilliant team but also with you all. The free market cause continues!" |
More about changes in LFMI's leadership:
 "LFMI Announces Changes in Management"
Press release, November 15, 2001
"Ugnius Trumpa Appointed LFMI President"
Press release, November 23, 2001
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