The Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences, in partnership with the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library’s National Lecture Series, will host a lecture by Pavol Demes, Ph.D., a Slovak expert on international relations. Demes will discuss “Slovakia’s Post-Communist Journey in a Shifting Europe,” followed by a question and answer session.
Sunday, November 16, 1:00 p.m.
Alvin Sherman Library | Room 3018
Q&A Session | Room 2053
November 2014 marks the 25th anniversary of the “Velvet Revolution”––the end of Communist rule and the transition of power in what was formerly known as Czechoslovakia. Since then, Slovakia has worked to overcome the Communist legacy and become a modern state in the Euro-Atlantic democratic family. Now, crises in Central Europe, including Vladimir Putin’s efforts to rebuild Russia’s military and increase his influence in former Soviet bloc nations, could challenge the stability of democracy in Slovakia.
“We are honored to present Pavol Demes’ lecture,” said Gail Naughton, president/CEO of the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library. “Attendees will have an incredible opportunity to engage one of the foremost scholars of modern Slovakia’s political field – we’re thrilled to be able to bring this lecture to Florida.”
Demes’ talk will focus on contemporary foreign policy as it relates to increasingly East-facing trends.
An expert in Slovak affairs, author, photographer, and former biomedical researcher, Demes serves as a senior fellow with the German Marshall Fund of the United States based in Bratislava. He is an external advisor to the Slovak Ministry of Foreign Affairs and a board member of the European Endowment for Democracy.
All students are welcome to attend the lecture and Q&A. Refreshments will be provided. For more information, contact Isabelle De Castro, M.B.A., at (954) 262-8361.