Gala Dinner

Monday, October 10, 2011, 20.00–22.30, Prague Congress Center, ZOOM Restaurant

 

Introduction:

Tomáš Vrba, Chairman, Board of Directors, Forum 2000 Foundation, Czech Republic

 

Remarks:

Vartan Gregorian, President, Carnegie Corporation of New York, USA

 

 

Vartan Gregorian’s speech focused on democracy, non-governmental organizations, and individuals. He stated, “as a historian I see things in context and perspective”, and began by commenting on the history of non-governmental organizations since the 18^th century. He acknowledged different historical events, which highlighted unselfish actions that benefitted society and argued that from early on, the non-profit sector was the glue of society. “As Tocqueville pointed out; citizens’ organizations affected society and have, through [out] history, been a vital building stone.” He continued by saying that citizens repaying the country for a free market was, as Tocqueville argued, American federalism at its best.

 

Gregorian discussed USA today and stated that non-governmental organizations are a critical component in the building blocks of society. He added that non-governmental organizations provide most of the support for education, health, and art; and therefore, they have a unique influence and serve as one of the bases that helps keep the American society strong.

 

Gregorian highlighted the idea that “we need to reinvest in society; a person who dies rich is unlucky, as he does not have the imagination to help society”, and that one should invest as well as one can, feel the joy of giving and “build democracy”. Democracy, he concluded, is what builds the roads that we travel down to make our fortune; we need to be proud of our investments, as this is how we can give back to democracy.