Forum 2000 Bids Farewell to Oldřich Černý and Prepares For Its Sixteenth Annual Conference

Today, April 10, 2012, we say goodbye to Oldřich Černý, Executive Director of the Forum 2000 Foundation and a longtime co-worker of President Václav Havel. With his death, the Forum 2000 Foundation has lost a leader, a colleague and a good friend. He had been the head of Forum 2000 since 1999 and significantly contributed to its reputation as a prestigious and internationally respected institution. We would like to thank you for the many condolences that we have received.

 

Even at this difficult time, the Forum 2000 Foundation continues its work, pursuing the legacy of Václav Havel and Oldřich Černý by supporting democratic values and respect for human rights, assisting the development of civil society and encouraging religious, cultural and ethnic tolerance. In this, we are extremely encouraged by the reactions of our foreign partners and influential supporters. “The Foundation made sustained efforts to promote democracy, respect for human rights and diversity of religions and cultures … It is my hope that the Foundation will be able to continue the work that my friend had worked for tirelessly,” wrote His Holiness the Dalai Lama in his letter of condolence.

 

This year’s conference will focus on “Media and Democracy”, at the request of Václav Havel after the 2011 conference. Preparations are in full swing. The conference will be held from October 21 to 23, 2012, traditionally at Prague Crossroads, an international spiritual centre and former church of St. Anna, and in Žofín Palace. Accompanying events will take place at many other places in the centre of Prague and elsewhere around the Czech Republic.

 

Current information on the preparations of the conference, as well as other projects, is available on the website at www.forum2000.cz.

 

 

Chairman of the Board of Directors

 

Deputy Executive Director