News
FOS Events & News
Grigorij Mesežnikov Appointed to FOS Board of Directors: Strengthening Leadership
We are thrilled to welcome Grigorij “Grisha” Mesežnikov, who was elected as a new member of the FOS Board at the 2024 FOS Annual Board Meeting on February 23rd. As the President of the Institute for Public Affairs (IVO) in Bratislava, Slovakia, and a prominent political scientist, Grisha brings unparalleled expertise in understanding political systems […]
01
Mar
2024
By Bibiana Rais
Announcement
Historic Moment at FOS: First Female Chair Elected at Annual Meeting
The Friends of Slovakia is thrilled to announce the selection of its new slate of officers following the successful conclusion of the 2023 Annual Meeting held on February 13th. This election marks a significant moment in FOS history as Martina Hrvolová becomes the first female chairwoman of the organization. Martina Hrvolová, a Senior Advisor at […]
03
Mar
2023
By Friends of Slovakia
Announcement
Third FOS Student Summit Concludes with Discussion of Ukraine War
Written by Dr. Elizabeth Guran, FOS Board Member The Ukraine War and its impact on democratic societies was the topic of the final Student Summit sponsored by Friends of Slovakia and its partners at Matej Bel University in Banská Bystrica, Slovakia, and Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. Over 60 students from Matej Bel University, […]
22
Apr
2022
By Friends of Slovakia
webinar
Friends of Slovakia Mourns the Passing of Madeleine K. Albright
Friends of Slovakia mourns the passing of former Secretary of State Madeleine Korbelová Albright. Proud immigrant, trailblazing diplomat, distinguished educator, and tireless advocate for democracy and the rule of law. Rest in Peace! Read Madeline Albright’s Obituary published by the Washington Post on March 23, 2022.
24
Mar
2022
By Thomas W. Skladony
Announcement
FOS Ready to Launch Its Third Student Summit
This report was prepared by Dr. Elizabeth Guran, chair of the FOS Committee on Academic Exchanges. The Friends of Slovakia (FOS) International Student Summits are off and running! Two successful virtual summits were held in 2021 and a third summit will occur in April 2022. All three events address the theme, “Challenges of Democracy.” The […]
11
Mar
2022
By Thomas W. Skladony
Announcement
In the Same Boat: Slovakia, the European Union, and the United States in the Pandemic Year
FOS Board of Advisors member and Senior Fellow at the German Marshall Fund, Dr. Pavol Demeš gave the Annual Thomas Kukucka Lecture at the University of Pittsburgh as a part of the Slovak Studies Program.
11
Apr
2021
By Thomas W. Skladony
webinar
Strengthening Democracy, Unity, and Transatlantic Cooperation in 2021 and Beyond
The German Marshall Fund of the United States and the Embassy of Slovakia to the United States hosted a conversation with Karen Donfried, President of the German Marshall Fund of the United States, and Ivan Korčok, foreign minister of the Republic of Slovakia, on Slovakia’s emerging leading voice in Europe, including in the European Union […]
04
Dec
2020
By Friends of Slovakia
webinar
100th Anniversary of Death of Štefánik Commemorated
This year, 2019, represents the 100th anniversary of the death of one of the most important figures in the history of Slovakia, Milan Rastislav Štefánik. On May 4, the anniversary was commemorated with a talk by researcher Kevin J. McNamara of the Foreign Policy Research Institute, who discussed “Six Events that Made Milan Stefanik a […]
06
May
2019
By Friends of Slovakia
presentation
Velvet Revolution and Velvet Divorce Examined
On May 4th, Ambassador Ted Russell (Ret.) spoke at the Slovak Embassy about his experiences as Deputy Chief of Mission in Czechoslovakia during and after the 1989 Velvet Revolution. He also spoke about his role as the first U.S. Ambassador to Slovakia after the 1993 Velvet Divorce. During his speech, he discussed the involvement of […]
16
May
2018
By Friends of Slovakia
presentation
Lecture by Dr. Carol Skalnik Leff on Slovakia in 1968
Dr. Leff gave a talk on April 21 about the Warsaw Pact invasion of 1968 and the impact of Czechoslovak institutional relations. She discussed the federalization that survived the Prague Spring and how it influenced events in 1989 and the Velvet Divorce. Dr. Leff also talked about the roles of Dubček, Husák, and Biľak in […]
22
Apr
2018
By Friends of Slovakia
presentation