Martin Palouš will discuss the Czech-Cuban relationship inspired by the Czech experience with totalitarianism. Solidarity with other “affected” groups is a necessary component for defending human freedom and democracy in the contemporary world. Music, especially rock music, plays a crucial role in the fight against totalitarian regimes particularly because the hope of this world depends on the young generation not being “normalized.” The discussion will include the screening of a short documentary, “The Unfinished Dialogue,” featuring Václav Havel and Oswaldo Paya.
Martin Palouš was a signatory of Charter 77 and a founding member of the Civic Forum. He was appointed as the Czech Ambassador to the United States (2001-2005), prior to taking office as the Czech Republic's Permanent Representative to the United Nations (2006-2011). He has also served as Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for the Czech Republic, and a member of the Czechoslovak parliament. He is currently director of the Václav Havel Program for Human Rights and Diplomacy at Florida International University and a member of the Prague Society for International Cooperation.
This program is in conjunction with the Embassy of the Czech Republic.