Discussion Topics

1. Diplomacy and International Security

Modality: United Nations Security Council simulation, Panel Discussion, Group Debate, Site Visits

Case Study: Kosovo

Sub-topics:

• The role of international cooperation in addressing global challenges and safeguarding peace
• Global agenda in respect to international security
• Models for combating threats to international security
• Interdependence of national and international security
• Territory and resources as a source for conflict
• Conflict management, conflict resolution and conflict transformation
• Basics of Diplomacy and diplomatic service
• Role of diplomacy in resolving conflicts
• Role of intergovernmental cooperation in guaranteeing international security
• Legislative tools for resolving national conflicts
• Czech Republic ’s membership in NATO
• Security in Europe
• Effectiveness of superstructures in maintaining peace and security
• Sovereignty of the state in managing internal conflicts

2. International Justice

Modality: International Criminal Court mock trial, Panel Discussion

Case Study: Democratic Republic of Congo

Sub-topics:

• Globalization of law and justice
• Universality of human rights
• International Justice and Jurisdiction
• Crimes against humanity, war crimes and genocide

3. Responsible Leadership

Modality : Panel Discussion

Sub-topics:

• Definition and practice of Responsible Leadership
• Socially responsible, sustainable and ethical leadership
• The balance between the scope of responsibility and economic growth
• Responsible Leadership in Business
• Responsible Leadership in Government
• Responsible Leadership in Envrionment

4. Media in Conflicts

Modality: Site Visit, Presentations

Sub-topics:

• Positive/negative effects of media on conflict transformation
• Contribution of media to prevention/escalation of conflicts
• Conflicts triggered by media

5. Legal Basis for Environmental Sustainability

Modality: European Parliament simulation

Case Study: European Union

Sub-topics:

• European Union and its authorities
• European Parliament and European Commission
• Legislative functions of the European Parliament
• Proceedings of the European Parliament
• Political forces in the European Parliament
• Environmental legal agenda of the EU
• Economic stability vs. Environmental sustainability
• Greenhouse gas emission trading schemes

Foreign Embassies

Embassy of the People's Republic of China
to the Czech Republic
www.chinaembassy.cz

Embassy of the French Republic
to the Czech Republic
www.france.cz

Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany
to the Czech Republic
www.deutsche-botschaft.cz

Embassy of Israel
to the Czech Republic
http://prague.mfa.gov.il/

Embassy of South Africa
to the Czech Republic
www.saprague.cz

Embassy of Sweden
to the Czech Republic
www.swedenabroad.com/praha

Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
to the Czech Republic

Hosting Organizations

Representation of the European Commission
in the Czech Republic
ec.europa.eu

Senate of the Parliament
of the Czech Republic
www.senat.cz

Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty
www.rferl.org

PricewaterhouseCoopers
Prague Business Community Center
www.pwc.cz

Government Officials

Senator Prof. Bedrich Moldan
Senate of the Parliament of the Czech Republic

Mr. Boldan graduated from the Mathematical-Physical Faculty at the Charles University in Prague 1958. From early 70´s he was involved in environment affairs in many directions. Since 1989, he became a member of the Czech Parliament and the Minister of the Environment of the Czechoslovakia. Currently, he is a Professor at the Charles University in Prague, and Senator of the Parliament of the Czech Republic. He is a member of the Civic Democratic Party (ODS) and the Minister of Environment in a Shadow Government of this political party. His parliamentary work is primarily focused on environment affairs. He is a Chairman of the European Environment Agency in Copenhagen.

Humanitarian Workers

Mr. Simon Panek
President of the People in Need Foundation

Simon Panek was one of the student leaders of strike, which hastened the fall of communist regime in the Czech Republic in 1989. In 1992 he co-founded the People in Need Foundation, the largest humanitarian aid organization in Central Europe, which he is now the Executive Director of. He works also for The Office of the Czech President in issues of crisis and war problems. He took part in realization of many films about wars and postwar changes in former Yugoslavia and regions of former Soviet Union.

Business Executives

Mr. Radek Spicar
External Affairs Director, Skoda Auto

Radek Spicar has graduated from the Charles University and the University of Cambridge. He also studied at Georgetown University and Harvard University. He is a former Deputy Vice Prime Minister for Economic Affairs. Radek Spicar is currently working as a Director of External Affairs for Skoda Auto (Central Europe's biggest car manufacturer) where he is responsible for relations with public institutions on a national and European level, structural funds and implementation of the Corporate Social Responsibility concept. Besides his work for Skoda Auto, he also lectures at the Institute of Economic Studies (Charles University) and at the Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Czech Republic. Economic diplomacy, corporate social responsibility, cultural industry and the contribution of think tanks and NGOs are just some of the topics he devotes his time to on a long-term basis.

Diplomats

H.E. Mr. Helmut Elfenkamper
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

Mr. Elfenkamper serves as an Ambassador of Germany to the Czech Republic since 2005. In the past, he worked with the United Nations in New York, German Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassies of Germany in Lisbon, Paris and Warsaw.

H.E. Ms. Catherine von Heidenstam
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

H.E. Ms. von Heidenstam has a broad diplomatic experience. She has worked in the Permanent missions of Sweden to the OECD and the UN. She was closely involved with the UN Department and Press Department. She held various positions in the Swedish embassies worldwide - Vietnam, Austria, Finland. She has been an Ambassador of Human Rights. She has served as an Ambassador of Sweden to Tunisia. She was appointed an Ambassador of Sweden to the Czech Republic in 2006.

H.E. Mrs. Huo Yuzhen
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

Mrs. Yuzhen has a broad diplomatic experience representing the People's Republic of China. Her career dates back to 1985 with her as an Attache of the Embassy of China in the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic. She held diverse positions in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China overseeing European and Middle Asian affairs. She started her career with the Embassy in the Czech Republic in 1998 as an advisor, later becoming an Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary in 2006.

H.E. Mr. Arie Arazi
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

Mr. Arazi, Ambassador of Israel to the Czech Republic, has passed his credential letters to the president of the Czech Republic Vaclav Klaus on November 3, 2005 at the Prague castle. In 2000-2005, he served as Deputy Manager in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel, and supervised the Center for International Cooperation (MASHAV). In the years of 1995-2000 he has been an Ambassodr of Israel in Seoul, South Korea. Mr. Arazi started his career in the MFA of Israel in 1974.

H.E. Mr. Athar Mahmood
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

H.E. Ms. Nomsa Q.J. Dube
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

Mr. Mr Michel Pouchepadass
Charge d'Affaires of the French Embassy

Ms. Brigitte Luggin
Information and Communication Officer
Representation of the European Commission
in the Czech Republic

Envrionmentalists

Mr. Milan Smrz
Chairman of Civic Association Eurosolar.cz

Born in Prague, Mr. Smrz studied Chemistry, specializing in Chemical technology. In the years of 1973 - 1992, worked as an assistant at the Insitute of Energy of the Prague Technical University. He is the author and co-author of more than 60 scientific articles, patents and lectures. In the year of 1991, was selected as an expert member of the National Register (NIS). Today, he is an independent consultant on chemistry, materials and energy related issues. He offers lectures in high schools, various offices and universities. His current works are concerned with the strategies for renewable energies and energopolitics. In 2002 in Berlin, he was elected a vice-president of the European Association for Renewable Energies EUROSOLAR, specializing in sustainable development. In summers, he works regularly on direct ecological projects with international youth groups in cooperation with INEX. In the past, member of the German-Czech special overboard committee on rescue of nature INTERREG. In the past, opposition member of the local municipal council in Prague.

Discussion Topics

Responsible Leadership in Politics & International Relations (Alexander Vondra, Deputy Prime Minister for European Affairs) (to be confirmed)
Responsible Leadership in International Law (Michael Diedring, Director of the CEELI Institute) (to be confirmed)
Responsible Leadership in Business (Radek Spicar, External Affairs Director, Skoda Auto) (confirmed)
Responsible Leadership in Environment (Milan Smrs, Chairman of civic association Eurosolar.cz) (confirmed)

UN Security Council Simulation Theme

Nuclear Non-Proliferation: Iran and its Nuclear Programme

International Criminal Court Simulation Theme

Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes: Case The Prosecutor v. Germain Katanga

European Parliament Simulation Theme

Environmental Policing: European Scheme for Greenhouse Gas Emission Allowance Trading