Ambassador Eisen Visits Ostrava

November 4, 2011

Ambassador Eisen talks with Kumar Vishwanathan at the civic association Living Together.

On November 1, Ambassador Norman L. Eisen accepted the joint invitation from Mayor Petr Kajnar and Rector of Ostrava University Jiří Močkoř to visit Ostrava. During his one-day visit, he learned about the city's rapid development and brave, new plans, and discussed possibilities for cooperation with Mayor Kajnar.

Later, his presentation on "Ethics in Public Life", in which he spoke about his experience as advisor on ethics in the White House, attracted a full assembly hall of Ostrava University students and inspired a number of sharp and insightful questions. Ambassador Eisen also stressed the importance of support for technical and science education.   

In the afternoon, he visited "Living Together", a civic association which has consistently worked on development of Roma communities in Ostrava.  In the Liscina community center, which has been transformed from a socially excluded community into a living and welcoming cultural and community center for children and young people, Ambassador Eisen met with Kumar Vishwanathan, who has been the driving force for positive changes in Liscina, and more than thirty guests, including community center leaders, employees, guests from the Czech Police, municipal leaders, NGO representatives, as well as local children and their parents.

Ambassador Eisen admired the performance of singers and dancers and engaged in personal and sincere discussions about their life and work, as well as problems and achievements. The warm and friendly atmosphere of the afternoon visit will long be remembered.