The 21st SVU World Congress of the Czechoslovak Society of Arts and Sciences will take place in the Western Czech Metropolis of Pilsen, from June 24-30, 2002. This Congress will be under the auspices of the Rector of the University of West Bohemia and the Mayor of the City of Pilsen.

The overall theme of the Congress is "The Transformation of Czech and Slovak Societies on the Threshold of the New Millennium, and their Role in the Present Global World".

Pilsen is an especially suitable place for the discussion of such a theme. Practically all of the famous, as well as tragic, Czech events affected this city's dazzling history. The present day face of Pilsen, with renovated facades of houses, super modern "hypermarkets." and new technological industrial zones, contrast with the monotone gray color of vast panel housing blocks.

This scenary is an illustrative reflection of the divided feelings and dilemmas representative of the Czech society as a whole, which is in the middle of a difficult post-communistic modernization, integrating into the European Union, and also fighting against the many challenges and threats of world globalization without any possibility of long-term preparation and maturation.

Pilsen, more than any other Central European city, in the past possessed the geographical burden of being on the border of the Eastern and Western worlds - much more as compared to other European cities. By June 2002, it should become the location of critical reflections of the past, unbiased evaluation of the present, and sober views to the future of the Czech and Slovak societies from the world contextual point of view.

The Congress themes will be devoted to general civilization and historical questions, which will include discussion panels on Multiculturalism - Challenge, or Threat?, Planet Earth in Jeopardy?, The Effect of Nuclear Energy on the Environment, Will Middle Europe Survive until the Year 2100?; Proteus' Face of Totalitarism - Comparative Criticism of Communism, Nazism and Fascism; and The Face of the First Republic - Legends and Facts.

There will be lectures discussing different cultural themes in the frame of panels: Czech Literature at the Break of the 20th and 21st century, Shakespeare in Czech Literature (Problems of Authors Using English Language), Present Czech Architecture, Czech Structuralism and its International Echo, (Personality and Works of Roman Jacobson), Changes in Czech Puppet Shows, Czech and Slovak Music of the 20th Century, Jewish and Czech Culture: Mutual Influences, and The Beginnings of Czech State in International Context.

Problems of the sciences, education, and the economy will be introduced in discussion panels as: Universities and their Role of Education in the 21st Century, Possibilities of Current Medical Science, Informational Technology, and Economic Views of the Czech Republic, History of Czech Beer, and History of Skoda Factory: World and Czech Industrial Tradition.

Topics regarding present Czech and Slovak societies, political and spiritual life, and destinies, past, present, and future Czech and Slovak communities abroad will be addressed in discussion panels including: Media and Democracy, European Integration: Euro skepticism and Euro optimism, Belief and Czech Society, Czechs and Slovaks in America, Czech and Slovak Museums, Czech and Slovak Library Archives and Collection Development, Role of Ethnic Organizations in Preserving Our Cultural Heritage, Genealogy, and The Constitution and Voting Systems: Czech and American experiences.

Special discussion panels will be focused on various problems of young generation including lectures devoted to The Assimilation and Acculturation of Youth, Youth Movement, Student Exchange Programs, and Teaching Czech Language.

For Congress attendees, a rich and attractive evening cultural program will be prepared, where interested persons will be able to choose between many theatrical performances, concerts of classical, jazz or even folk music, as well as literary events. The Ceremonial Reception of the Czechoslovak Society of Arts and Sciences will be included in the program. At the end of the Congress the organizers will prepare two alternative group excursions into Western Czech spa cities (Karlovy Vary, MariC3A1nskC3A9 LC3A1zne, FrantiC5
A1kovy LC3A1zne), or into regional, architecturally and historically magnificent castles and chateaus.

Accommodation will be provided for interested people in the local hotels and pensions, or in student dormitories. Regarding meals, the Congress attendees can choose from a variety of high quality and inexpensive restaurants, located in the city center (reservations will be arranged prior to the Congress with the restaurants' owners).

All the members and friends of the Czechoslovak Society of Arts and Sciences are cordially invited to attend the 21st SVU World Congress. Also, significant authorities of Czech and Slovak political, cultural, intellectual, and spiritual life, including the President of the Czech Republic, the Primeminister, and Presidents of both chambers of the Parliament will attend. Interest and active attendance of the public at large is expected.

Organizers of the Congress, in cooperation with the SVU Executive Board, are hopeful of creating an inspirational and friendly environment in Pilsen.  They hope that this will contribute to a deeper understanding of the larger challenges of civilization, in front of which the Czech and Slovak societies are standing, on the threshold of the 21st century.  Finally, they wish to further the relationships between domestic Czechs and Slovaks and those Czechs and Slovaks living abroad.

We call on all scholars, scientists, students, humanists, civil society advocates, entrepreneurs, community leaders, politicians, small businessmen, lawyers, clergy, futurists, social and cultural workers, agriculturists, health workers, environmentalists, media representatives, computer experts and anybody else who is interested in these matters to take advantage of the program, come with us to Pilsen in large numbers and present their papers.

PRELIMINARY REGISTRATION FORM