The conference commemorated the momentous events that took place across Central and Eastern Europe 25 years ago. Respected panelists focused on geopolitical changes that followed the fall of Communism and will evaluate their political, cultural, and economic impacts and legacy for the present and future.<\/p>\n
An opening debate between former U.S. Secretary Madeleine K. Albright and by Michael Zantovsky, the President of the Aspen Institute in Prague, opened the conference, followed by a panel focusing on the significance of the year 1989. Its panelists included the President of Estonia Toomas Hendrik Ilves, former Slovak Minister of Finance Ivan Miklo\u0161 and former EU Commissioner Danuta H\u00fcbner. The second panel focused on analyzing the goals and expectations of the fall of the Wall. It was attended by \u0160imon P\u00e1nek, Martin B\u00fatora, Zbyn\u011bk Frol\u00edk and Martin Jahn.<\/p>\n
The second day of the annual conference commenced with a keynote speech delivered by former U.S. Senator Joe Lieberman. The morning panel, \u201cBreaking the Ties of Totality\u201d<\/strong>, looked at the heritage of totality and discuss the current status of social and political challenges in the region with former Slovak Prime Minister Iveta Radi\u010dov\u00e1, Czech MP Jan Farsk\u00fd or the CEO of General Electric CEE Peter Stra\u010d\u00e1r. The fourth and final panel of the conference, \u201cCentral Europe \u2013 New Reality, New Energy?\u201d<\/strong>, brought together successful young leaders of the past decade, including Ta\u0165\u00e1na le Moigne; Adam Somlai-Fischer, Michal Hvoreck\u00fd and Branislav \u0160ebo.<\/p>\n Aspen Gala Dinner gathered Central European leaders from politics, business, public administration, media, non-profit or academia.\u00a0Welcome note was delivered by the Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka and the keynote speech was held by the President of Estonia Toomas Hendrik Ilves. Former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright was awarded the first Aspen Prague Award \u2013 art made from Bohemia crystal appreciating her indelible imprint on Central Europe.<\/p>\n You can find photos from the conference in the\u00a0photo gallery<\/strong><\/a>. More photographs are also available on our\u00a0Facebook<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n If you missed the conference, you can also watch all panels in the\u00a0video gallery<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n Follow us on\u00a0Twitter<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0to keep updated about all Aspen Institute Prague activities.<\/p>\n AGENDA<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n
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