Timothy Garton Ash
Emeritus Fellow at St Antony’s College, University of Oxford, author of The Magic Lantern and Europe in 7½ Chapters, frequent participant in the Forum 2000 Conference, United Kingdom
From the first Forum 2000 Conference at Prague Castle in 1997, I remember three things above all. First, the unforgettable encounter of spiritual leaders in St. Vitus Cathedral, and especially the wonderful, charismatic presence of the Dalai Lama.
Second, the sense of joy and optimism about the future of Europe, so different from the atmosphere today.
Third, and above all, the delight of yet another encounter with Václav Havel, who would have turned 90 this year. His humor, his warmth, his ability not only to ask the really big questions about Europe and the future of humankind, but also to bring people together to try to find answers to them. How much we need that today – and the courage of Havelian hope.
