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PEACE CORPS AND SLOVAKIA: PARTNERS INTRANSFORMATION
A remarkable celebration of the work of the PeaceCorps in Slovakia, Slovakia's democratic transition and the role of volunteerism in building civil society took place May 23 at Peace Corps Headquarters. Friends of Slovakia, the Slovak Embassy and the Peace Corps sponsored two afternoon panel discussions and a festive evening reception at the Slovak Embassy. Attendees at both events included members of Friends of Slovakia, the diplomatic corps and former Peace Corps volunteers and staff who served in Slovakia. The panel discussions were moderated by Peace Corps Deputy Director Carrie Hessler-Radelet. Over 320 PCVs served in Slovakia from 1990-2002.
Amb. Peter Burian, Amb. Ted Russell, Bill Tucker, Alice Gingold,
Joe Senko, Julie Slavik, Gary Glasgall (Ms. Gingold's nephew)
The principal theme of the first panel was Slovakia's progress from a recipient of assistance in building a civil society to a donor of assistance to other countries, with an emphasis on the role of volunteerismin fostering democracy and human rights.The Slovak government and Slovak NGOs have been active in Eastern Europe, the Balkans, Afghanistan and beyond supporting democratization and civil society.
Distinguished panelists included Dr. Tomicah Tillemann, Secretary Clinton's Senior Advisor for Civil Society and Emerging Democracies, Filip Vagac, the Slovak Government's Plenipotentiary for the Development of Civil Society, Roger Potocki, Director for Europe and Eurasia at the National Endowment for Democracy and FOS Board of Advisor's member Wendy Luers, Founder and President of the Foundation for a Civil Society. U.S. Ambassador to Slovakia Tod Sedgwick and FOS Founding Chairman Ted Russell served as discussants.
Tomicah Tilleman, Filip Vagac, Roger Potocki,Wendy Luers, Carrie Hessler-Radelet
Dr. Tillemann described Secretary Clinton's strong support for US policy initiatives to support civil society and democratic transformation internationally.
Filip Vagac gave examples of Slovakia's role in supporting democratization in other countries and mentioned his recent visits to Egypt to support their democratic transition. While there are many differences between Central Europe and countries of the Middle East, Mr. Vagac said that Egyptian partners welcomed information on how Slovakia strengthened its civil society.
Roger Potocki emphasized the importance of getting young people involved in voter mobilization efforts. He explained that Slovakia's "success story", because it involved overcoming an initially difficult democratic transition, is a powerful example for Eastern European and other countries to follow. He praised the effectiveness of "transnational networks" of NGO volunteers, including Slovaks, with experience in building civil society.
Wendy Luers described the impressive work of the Foundation for a Civil Society in supporting Czechoslovak and then Slovak democratization during the difficult early years. She emphasized the importance of establishing trust with those seeking democratic reform, the need to focus on the younger generation and the importance of encouraging volunteers to take the initiative and "just do it" even at the risk of occasional failure. She cited the role of her foundation in the dramatically successful 1998 "Rock the Vote" educational effort in which second panel speakers, Lenka Surotchak and Mike Hochleutner, were heavily involved.
Corps volunteer Mike Hochleutner described his work in helping bring "Rock the Vote" youth voter mobilization techniques to Slovakia. These successfully increased youth voter participation in the 1998 Slovak national elections which paved the way for Slovakia's admission to the EU and NATO in 2004. Lenka Surotchak, currently Pontis Foundation Director in Slovakia and previously associated with the Foundation for a Civil Society, was a Slovak counterpart withMr. Hochleutner on the "Rock the Vote" initiative. She discussed her successful efforts in supporting a variety of SlovakNGOs as well as Pontis Foundation's work in Cuba and elsewhere. PCV Igor Naumovski, who worked with a Roma community, discussed the difficulties faced by economically and socially disadvantaged groups and the importance of "buy in" by community leaders. Julius Kassovic, a former Peace Corps program manager in Slovakia, was the panel's discussant.
Mike Hochleutner, Lenka Surotchak, Igor Naumovski
A well attended evening reception hosted by Ambassador Burian at the Slovak Embassy allowed interaction of guests with former Peace Corps volunteers. Friends of Slovakia presented its Medal of Honor to Alice Gingold, who closed her successful commercial real estate firm and joined the Peace Corps at age 71. She served in Zvolen in 1995-96. Ms. Gingold was honored for her extraordinary achievements and spirit of initiative during and after her Peace Corps assignment. She was the driving force in the loving restoration of the destroyed Jewish cemetery which also contained amass grave of local victims of the Slovak National Uprising. Ms. Gingold, who lost many family members in the Holocaust, repeatedly returned to Zvolen after leaving the Peace Corps to see the project through. She then helped spark the creation of an adjacent "Park of Generous Souls" honoring Holocaust victims and thosewho tried to assist them. The park, created by national artists with Slovak government funding, was dedicated by Prime Minister Fico in 2009. Ms. Gingold responded to her award with a moving tribute to the Peace Corps and the people of Slovakia.
Video recording of the event:
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4