Václav Havel European Dialogues 2023
On 13 November 2023, the Prague House hosted another edition of the international conference, The Václav Havel European Dialogues, which, in the spirit of Václav Havel's legacy, opens up pressing issues of contemporary society and reflects on the direction of the European Union through selected topics. The EDVH is held every year in Brussels and, thanks to the Czech Presidency of the EU Council last year, it is gradually expanding to other countries.
This year, the Václav Havel European Dialogues focused on the geopolitical issue of proximity and cooperation of neighbouring countries on foreign policy, the official title was: How can the EU bring its neighbours closer in the changing world order? Opportunities, challenges and the role of the civil society.
The geopolitical situation in Europe is changing dramatically in response to the Russian violence in Ukraine. Many European countries are now faced with the question of how to manage and formulate their foreign policy. The European Union has always been a good advisor in such situations, both for the member states and for the EU neighbourhood, and through reforms it has consolidated democratic processes and ideas concerning their internal and cross-border cooperation. But can the EU help now?
One of the main topics of Václav Havel was the anchoring of civil society in the running of the state. In countries with working democracy, there must be an active civil society that monitors policy changes and provides feedback not only to governments but also to other powerful institutions. This is why we need NGOs. But how does the mentioned geopolitical situation affect them?
Speakers:
Jan Lipavský Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic
Edita Hrdá Permanent Representative of the Czech Republic to the EU
Jakub Skalník Ambassador of the Czech Republic to the Kingdom of Belgium
Gert-Jan Koopman Director General at DG NEAR of the European Commission
Daliborka Uljarević Executive Director of Centre for Civic Education
Victoria Voytsitska International Center for Ukrainian Victory
Moderator: Eva Hrnčířová
Organisers of EDVH in Brussels are Permanent Representation of the Czech Republic to the European Union, Embassy of the Czech Republic to the Kingdom of Belgium, Czech Centre Brussels, Library of Václav Havel, co-organiser is Prague House.
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