News
FOS Events & News
Register by April 15th for the Economic Summit at NCSML: Building Transatlantic Partnerships
Join Friends of Slovakia (FOS) at the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library (NCSML) in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, for a momentous Economic Summit on Thursday and Friday, May 2-3, 2024. This unique forum, co-organized by the FOS, will bring together delegations from the USA, Czech Republic, and Slovakia to discuss the consequences of modern […]
02
Apr
2024
By Friends of Slovakia
roundtable
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
FOS Ready to Launch Its Third Student Summit on Challenges of Democracy
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 students, faculty, and expert guest speakers from past summits have all participated virtually due to covid-19 restrictions and will continue to do so for the third Student Summit.
17
Mar
2022
By Thomas W. Skladony
webinar
FOS Statement on the Ukraine Crisis
Friends of Slovakia expresses its full support for the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of Ukraine, and for the freedom and democratic aspirations of the Ukrainian people. We strongly condemn Russia’s unjustified military invasion of Ukraine and support current and future actions by the United States, the European Union, and international institutions to hold Russia’s […]
25
Feb
2022
By Friends of Slovakia
webinar
FOS Board Members Participate in NCSML Anniversary Celebrations in Cedar Rapids
A delegation of Friends of Slovakia Board Members led by chairman Scott N. Thayer traveled to Cedar Rapids, Iowa to participate in events celebrating the 25th anniversary of the building dedication of the National Czech and Slovak Museum and Library (NCSML).
11
Oct
2021
By Thomas W. Skladony
networking
75th Anniversary of the End of the Second World War
“In our self-absorption over contemporary assaults on our freedom — political and medical — we in the United States seem to have entirely overlooked this seminal event which continues to shape our lives today. We should never forget the core lessons from that time — the importance of allies who share our values and the […]
08
May
2020
By Friends of Slovakia
Anniversary
The Velvet Revolution: Celebrating 30 Years of Freedom (1989 – 2019)
The fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 had a significant impact on Eastern Europe’s political scene. In Czechoslovakia, the Communist regime was replaced by a democratic revolution, which was led by student movements and dissidents. November 2019 marks the 30th anniversary of the Velvet Revolution, a non-violent transition of power with demonstrations against the […]
01
May
2019
By Friends of Slovakia
webinar
Introducing Andrej Kiska: Slovakia’s First Non-Partisan President
On June 15, 2014, businessman and philanthropist Andrej Kiska was inaugurated as the fourth president of independent Slovakia. Unlike his three predecessors, Kiska never joined the Communist Party and has not been a member of any political party. Kiska is the first Slovak president who was elected as an independent candidate, without party support. Although […]
10
Sep
2014
By Friends of Slovakia
Announcement