Jan Tvrdý, entrepreneur, former vice-chairman of SOCDEM and mayor of Zdibi, pointed out in his speech the necessity of a pragmatic approach to international cooperation, especially in the field of education and technology. According to him, the time has come to admit that the role of the Czech Republic has changed in some areas and that today we have someone to learn from.
Tvrdý recalled that in the past Czechoslovakia was one of the countries that exported know-how to the world - in industry, construction and technology. However, he said, these capacities have been significantly weakened in recent decades, among other things due to the structural changes following EU accession.
„History is turning,“ said Tvrdý, adding that just as Czechoslovakia has helped developing countries in the past, these countries can offer us help and experience today. However, he said, we often prevent ourselves from doing so by creating artificial obstacles, ideological barriers and a distorted picture of reality.
He identified education as a key area. He recalled that exchange visits and the study of foreign students have traditionally been a strong point of Czech education. According to him, there is no reason why Czech students should not travel to countries where modern technologies and new approaches are currently being developed in search of knowledge.
Tvrdý stressed that if cooperation brings concrete benefits to the Czech Republic and its citizens, there is no reason to fear it. On the contrary, he said, it is necessary to talk openly about these possibilities and get rid of prejudices that prevent a rational assessment of reality.
His speech was part of a wider debate on the need for an open, pragmatic and non-ideological approach to international relations, especially in the field of education, science and technological development.
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