EPD Press release
Brussels, 10 April 2008 - Václav Havel, former President of the Czech Republic, and founding Chair of the Council of Patrons of the new European Partnership for Democracy (EPD), will join other patrons of the EPD in a public event launching the new foundation in Brussels on 15 April 2008. He will be joined at the event by other EPD patrons, including former Vice-President of the European Commission Etienne Davignon, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Denmark Uffe Ellemann Jensen, and former Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands Bernard Bot. On 15 April 2008, together with European Commission President José Manuel Barroso and former president of Mozambique Joaquim Chissano, they will introduce this new initiative to strengthen European efforts to support democracy around the world.
EPD launch and press conference:
Tuesday 15 April 2008
13.00-14.00
Cercle Royal Gaulois, Rue de la Loi 5, Brussels
Introductory remarks:
Václav Havel, former President, Czech Republic
Joaquim Chissano, former President, Mozambique
Keynote speech:
José Manuel Barroso, European Commission President
Václav Havel Tribune
Tuesday 15 April 2008
16.00 - 17.00
European Parliament, ASP room A5E2, Brussels
Introductory remarks:
Václav Havel, former President, Czech Republic
Edward McMillan-Scott, Vice-president of the European Parliament, Great Britain
Keynote speech:
Joaquim Chissano, former President, Mozambique
The European Partnership for Democracy (EPD) is an independent European foundation that aims to contribute to the advancement and strengthening of democracy outside of the European Union, and to complement existing democracy assistance programmes in the European Union. It was founded by some 15 European civil society organisations focusing on democracy assistance and will serve as a network. The launch is connected to the first meeting of the Board of Directors of the EPD with the presence of Board members Markus Meckel, Roel Von Meijenfeldt, Sirpa Pietikäinen, Šimon Pánek, Martin Bútora, João Carlos Espada, and Jacek Kucharczyk. Please see file attached for more information on EPD.
Václav Havel Tribune - a series of lectures inspired by the work of Václav Havel, playwright, former dissident, former president of the Czech Republic and defender of human rights and democracy worldwide. This series would like to touch upon key topics of today's world in which Europe should play a strong role placing the emphasis on respect for basic rights of an individual and peace and stability brought through democratic principles. The lectures are organized by the EPD.
For more information and press inquiries, please contact Mr David Leclercq, Communication Manager, EPD, at davidleclercq@epd.eu or visit www.epd.eu.