Human Dignity
November 5, 2004
President Vaclav Havel (Czech Republic)

Vaclav Havel, the first President of Czechoslovakia after the fall of Communism, is a world famous defender of human rights and was one of the leaders of anti-communist non-violent resistance in his country. Following the political suppression of the Prague Spring in 1968, the future president became fully engaged in the dissident movement. He was one of the founders and spokesmen of the Charter 77 initiative and became a leading figure in the Velvet Revolution of 1989.

During the conference Human Dignity and the Failure of Communism Vaclav Havel delivered a message of hope to the young people of CEE. As a result of his opposition to the regime, President Havel spent nearly five years in prison.

He shared with all the participants that he has reflected a lot during the course of his life on the dignity of the human being, and especially during the time spent behind bars. Where one is continuously humiliated and has to decide at what point there is no option left than to rebel, regardless of all the risks involved. The moment in which ones dignity is in danger.