Learning, Teaching & Leading Today

"As Czechoslovakia’s first democratically elected president after the nonviolent revolution that ended decades of repression, Vaclav Havel oversaw a bumpy transition to democracy and a free-market economy." "Shy and bookish, with wispy mustache and unkempt hair, Mr. Havel came to symbolize the power of the people to peacefully overcome totalitarian rule. “Truth and love must prevail over lies and hatred,” He famously said. It became his revolutionary motto which he said he strove to live by. Mr. Havel was nominated several times for the Nobel Peace Prize, and collected dozens of accolades worldwide for his efforts as a global ambassador of conscience, defended the downtrodden from Darfur to Myanmar. Among his many honors were Sweden’s prestigious Olof Palme Prize and the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest United States civilian award, bestowed on him by President George W. Bush for being “one of liberty’s great heroes.”"