23 May 2014 marked the first award ceremony of the Jerzy Giedroyć Forum for Dialogue and Cooperation. Among the laureates was Prof. Bogdan Szlachta from the JU Faculty of International and Political Studies. The award is presented to people that distinguished themselves in building a friendly Polish-Lithuanian relations. The gala was attended by high-ranking government officials, representatives of Polish embassy, renown scholars and the press. The event was televised.