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Miroslav Bárta and Otakar Foltýn

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The Future: On Energy, Change, Innovation, and Democracy

On November 14, 2024, the Hudson Institute, in partnership with the Friends of Slovakia, American Friends of the Czech Republic (AFOCR) and the Embassies of the Czech and Slovak Republics, hosted the 25th annual Czech and Slovak Freedom Lecture. Titled “The Future: On Energy, Change, Innovation, and Democracy,” the lecture featured Senator Miroslav Bárta, a member of the Czech Parliament and professor of Egyptology at Charles University, and Colonel Otakar Foltýn, Deputy Chief of the Military Office of the President of the Czech Republic. Peter Rough, Senior Fellow and Director of the Center on Europe and Eurasia at the Hudson Institute, moderated the discussion.

The lecture explored the interplay between energy policy, technological innovation, and the resilience of democratic governance. Topics included the global shift to renewable energy, the transformative role of innovation in societal and economic development, and the implications for democratic institutions. Both speakers underscored the importance of international collaboration, especially among democratic nations, to address challenges, current threats, and advance sustainable development.

The event began with introductory remarks by Roger Kodat, President of AFOCR, who reflected on the historical significance of the date. On November 14, 1918, while in exile in the United States, Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk was elected as President of Czechoslovakia. Kodat highlighted the enduring legacy of Masaryk’s leadership in establishing a free, multinational, and multilingual state from the aftermath of World War I, drawing a poignant connection to the themes of freedom and innovation addressed in the lecture.

Miroslav Bárta and Otakar Foltýn

Prof. Miroslav Bárta is a Czech senator, Egyptologist, and director of the Czech Institute of Egyptology at Charles University in Prague, renowned for his research on ancient civilizations and societal resilience. With a degree in Egyptology and Prehistoric and Early Historic Archaeology from Charles University and a Ph.D. completed in Prague and Hamburg, Bárta has made significant contributions to the study of societal evolution, including leading the first satellite mapping of Egypt’s pyramid fields in 2002. He has taught at prestigious institutions such as Berlin and the University of Pennsylvania. As director of archaeological projects in Egypt and Sudan, his work bridges historical studies with contemporary issues, applying theories like punctuated equilibria to societal and business dynamics. Since 2024, Bárta has also served as a Czech senator, integrating his scholarly expertise into policymaking, advocating for education, sustainability, and cultural heritage preservation. Combining academic insight with political leadership, Bárta remains a thought leader on the lessons of history for modern societal challenges. Colonel Otakar Foltýn is a distinguished army officer and lawyer, currently serving as the Deputy Chief of the Military Office of the President of the Czech Republic. His expertise encompasses unconventional warfare, hybrid conflicts, information operations, and international law. A veteran of the General Staff of the Czech Armed Forces (2004–2016), he has been deployed to Kosovo and Afghanistan, contributing significantly to international missions. From July 2022 to February 2023, Colonel Foltýn held the position of Chief of the Military Police. In March 2023, following personnel changes under President Petr Pavel, he transitioned to his current role in the Military Office of the Czech President. Beyond his military duties, Colonel Foltýn is an external lecturer at the Faculty of Arts at Charles University in Prague. He is also an active voice in the media, a co-author of several publications, and a collaborator with the Czech Red Cross on matters of international law. His contributions reflect a commitment to both national defense and academic discourse.