events 2008

Mayor Martin Novotný and Ambassador Richard Graber

Ambassador Graber Visits Olomouc

March 31, 2008

Ambassador Graber completed a two-day visit to the city of Olomouc, taking the opportunity to meet with city and university officials and students. He was also hosted at a luncheon by the Olomouc city and region Rotary Clubs, toured the new Olomouc Archdiocesan Museum, recorded a radio interview with Český rozhlas, and visited the Sluňákov Center for Environmental Education in Horka nad Moravou.

The Ambassador, Mayor Martin Novotný, and his deputy Svatopluk Ščudlík discussed the partnerships between the U.S. and the Olomouc region. These include the Sister Regions program with Owensboro, Kentucky, which promotes exchanges between U.S. and Czech students, teachers, and business leaders.  Mayor Novotný also thanked the Timken company for its support in Olomouc for a home for mothers and children, and its plans for a home for patients with Alzheimer’s disease. The Ambassador offered the Embassy’s assistance in strengthening these exchanges and business relationships, and thanked the Mayor for the warm welcome he received throughout his visit.

Following a meeting with Rector Lubomír Dvořák at Palacký University, the Ambassador met with hundreds of students of the faculty of philosophy, and he had a similar discussion later in the day with a group of students at Gymnázium Hejčín. During these discussions, the Ambassador answered students’ questions about the proposed missile defense radar, human rights, world politics, and U.S. presidential elections. He also discussed how the electronic travel authorization will allow Czechs to travel to the US without visas before the end of 2008.

The Ambassador also met with the Department of Health Studies at Palacký University.  Through partnerships with the US Agency for International Development, the American International Health Alliance, and Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, the university has developed a unique program in health care management and has strengthened its programs in nursing and midwifery. These programs were particularly interesting for the Ambassador, since his wife Alexandria is also a health care professional.