18.11.2024
On Monday, November 18, 2024 the Delegation of Prague to the EU hosted the annual disccussion titled RESILIENT DEMOCRACIES, RESILIENT CIVIL SOCIETIES. WHAT LIES AHEAD OF US? The event was organised by the Permanent Representation of the Czech Republic to the EU, Czech Embassy to the Kingdom of Belgium, Václav Havel Library, Prague, Czech Centre Brussels and the Delegation of Prague to the EU.
Václav Havel European Dialogues is an annual international conference held in Brussels that aims to initiate and stimulate a discussion about issues determining the direction of contemporary Europe while referring to the spiritual legacy of Václav Havel. One of Havel’s key principles was civic engagement based on a sense of responsibility for the future of one’s society and country. As a convinced European, he stressed the need to maintain the connection between the state and its institutions, and its people. For him politics was an ongoing, deeply meaningful dialogue comparable to a theatre piece.
Václav Havel understood that strong civil society and independent institutions with checks and balances are the cornerstones of democracy and its resilience. Healthy and resilient civil society and democratic mechanisms are a key to prosperous and free societies in 21st century. Support to democracy, civil society and human rights around the world.
The European Union is the biggest human rights advocate and promoter within the international community. One pillar of its work focuses on defending the human rights and its core principles, as well as a fairly and trustworthy multilateralism. The second pillar lies in supporting and building resilience of civil societies and democratic nature of institutions. To help them being resistant against the malicious influence, often targeting on social cohesion and people’s trust as a new way of hybrid warfare.
Nevertheless, The world and the international community currently witnesses the unprecedented pressures, visible and open, but also those more hidden. Thus, the EU external action is more important than ever to deliver.
What lies ahead of us?
The new European Parliament has been elected. The new European Commission is being designed. The EU has recently conducted a mid-term reviews of its international cooperation. The EU and its Member States actively impose sanctions on those who breach the human rights. We also have various tools, such as strong development cooperation, enlargement policy, human-centric approach and so-called human rights based approach, as well as tools under EU Common Foreign and Security Policy.
What should we ask for from the new European leadership? What priorities and recommendations should we formulate? How can we build the international partnerships to promote democracy and human rights principles more strongly, and what should we avoid? What tools do we have, and is there a potential to use them better? What should we take care of under the preparation of the new Multiannual Financial Framework?
Speakers: H.E. Jan Lipavský, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic
Matti Maasikas, Managing Director for Europe, EU External Action Service
Myriam Ferran, Deputy Director General, International Partnerships – European Commission
Marilyn Neven, International IDEA
Maria Dahle, Human Rights House Foundation