PASOS secretariat, members recall life of Václav Havel
Václav Havel
News Source: PASOS Secretariat, Czech Republic
Former Czech President Václav Havel will be remembered as a “guiding light in the essential quest for human dignity and freedom of expression,” according to a statement released by the PASOS Secretariat in Prague.
Havel, who worked on various projects associated with PASOS members over the years, died at the age of 75 on 18 December.
“Václav Havel embodied the values underpinning the constant quest for not only securing freedom, democracy and the rule of law, but for sustaining and safeguarding these essential components of an open society,” said Jeff Lovitt, the secretariat’s executive director.
“Many of us in PASOS have worked with Havel, either directly or indirectly through joint initiatives, in different capacities, in some cases even before the momentous events of 1989. He will be remembered as a guiding light in the essential quest for human dignity and freedom of expression, but also as a voice who spoke truth to power.
“That force of character is needed now in the face of the many challenges faced today in the post-communist countries and throughout the world. In our quest for innovative and effective public policy solutions, his emphasis on values-driven solutions must continue to guide us.”
In 2008, Havel launched the European Foundation for Democracy through Partnership (EFDP), which aims to contribute to the advancement and strengthening of democracy outside the European Union, and to complement existing EU democracy assistance programmes. PASOS was represented on the steering committee that established the new foundation by executive director Jeff Lovitt, and the founding Board members included Jacek Kucharczyk of the Institute of Public Affairs (IPA), Poland, and fellow PASOS member Martin Bútora, founding President of the Institute for Public Affairs (IVO), Slovak Republic.
Bútora held the position of a Human Rights Advisor to Havel in 1990-92, and the post of Director of the Human Rights Section in the Office of the President. In a written statement, Bútora paid tribute to the fellow dissident.
“Until the last moment, and with his entire strength, he was marshalling his power so that his voice was heard everywhere where human freedom and dignity were an issue, or where it was needed to pour hope. He did it with feelings of duty and responsibility.”
Agnieszka Łada, chair of the PASOS board of directors, also praised Havel’s legacy.
“Vaclav Havel was one of a generation of leaders who led millions of people to a new world of democracy,” she said. “Those of us working to preserve those freedoms must not allow the sacrifices made to make this possible to be squandered. We must strive to ensure that the ideals held aloft by Havel and the other heroes of that time will continue to shape how our current leaders craft public policy.”
Petr Pajas, PASOS program manager, said he was saddened by the news and recalled his thoughts during the events of the Velvet Revolution in Prague, led by Havel.
“When on November 17th, 1989, we heard about what happened on the streets of Prague, I hoped that it was the beginning of long-expected changes. Two days after, I was on Wenceslas Square, jingling my keys. After 20 years of living with a ban on professional work in science and education, it was something unbelievable. Then Václav Havel said a few resolute words from a balcony and the hope that our lives might be turned towards better ends started to take shape.
“Some days later I had the privilege as Director of the Czechoslovak Charter 77 Foundation to use the same computer Václav Havel used during his dissident years. Then I met him in person several times, most intensively when assisting George Soros in starting Central European University (CEU). In 1990, I conveyed to the Dubrovnik Human Rights Conference the message of President Havel to George Soros that Prague is prepared to provide a building and support for CEU.
“For me, Václav Havel was the embodiment of open society ideas. More than that, I do not know any other politician who would so openly and consistently support the need of building a strong civil society as a real tool for bringing us to the time when ‘truth and love must prevail over lies and hatred.’ And I still hope that might eventually happen. Sadly, Václav Havel is not with us any more to coach us with his thoughts during the difficult times ahead.”
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