Iveta Radičová

Freedom, Democracy and Prosperity in Central Europe: Story of Transformation and Integration of Slovakia

Slovakia has made significant progress in transitioning from being part of a socialist, pro-Soviet republic to an independent, democratic nation. However, much hard work is still ahead, as highlighted in the 2010 Annual Czech and Slovak Freedom Lecture by Prime Minister Iveta Radičová at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars on November 10, 2010. During her speech, Radičová acknowledged Slovakia’s achievements as an independent state and expressed gratitude for the aid and support the country has received from friendly nations and trans-Atlantic partnerships. She emphasized Slovakia’s strong commitment to maintaining good relations with the U.S. and other European nations and its unwavering dedication to the European Union.

Following her lecture, Ted Russell of the Friends of Slovakia presented Prime Minister Radičová with the group’s Medal of Honor. Thomas Dine of the American Friends of the Czech Republic presented her with a Certificate of Appreciation.

Iveta Radičová

Iveta Radičová is a former Prime Minister of Slovakia from 2010 to 2012 and Professor at the Bratislava International School of Liberal Arts, Dean of the Faculty of Mass Media at Pan-European University. Radičová also serves as EU Coordinator of the Mediterranean Corridor and is a member of the Forum 2000 Foundation International Advisory Board and Program Council. She was a member of the Slovak Parliament and held the title of Minister of Labor, Social Affairs and Family. Additionally, Radičová founded the non-profit Social Policy Analysis Centre in 1992 and served as its head until she was appointed Director of the Slovak Academy of Science’s Institute of Sociology in 2005. Radičová earned her Ph.D. and Prof. in Sociology from Comenius University in Bratislava. In 2013, she was a Fellow for the Media and Democracy in Central and Eastern Europe project at Oxford University. The same year, she authored Krajina hrubých čiar [Country of Full Stops], a book detailing her experience as Prime Minister.