ambassadors without diplomatic passport put it simply, the Czech Republic needs to be sophisticated enough “to do” rather than “be done to”. You often claim that “the reality is different behind the boarders” and that Czechs should not lock themselves in the local, provincial thinking. Have you thought, after returning to the Czech Republic in 1990, that you would still have to break these barriers after 25 years of democracy? I returned to the Czech Republic in 1997 with the idea that I had learned many valuable lessons having lived in 10 different countries and having worked in at least 15 others. I decided to give my energy to the country of my birth. The barriers I talk about are the paradigms that we hold in our minds. I call them “mental cages”. These are the common sayings that are popular and and carry on some truth, but should not be applied to our values. For example: “Za dobrotu na žebrotu” (Being good leads to becoming a beggar), many times this paradigm stops us from going the extra mile to help others or get involved. Another matter that bothers me, and I would love to change it, is the general gloominess of the Czech population and the lack of motivation to want to change things around us. You are also an expert on organizational development and intercultural communication plays a great role. Which intercultural traits do you see beneficial for Czechs and which ones we should change? I love the Czech ability to adjust, be flexible, and join together in times of crisis. On the other hand, the general pessimism and resignation among us saddens me: our lack of ability to participate in a fruitful and useful discussion and get involved in a cause. It seems to me that we are mainly concerned with ourselves only. Women cooperation and mutual support is often considered their weakness. However, many men came to me to warn me against “idealizing” men cooperation. So what differences do you see? I do not “idealize” cooperation amongst men or women. I accept that we both work in different ways. Such would be an ideal situation for the advancement of diversity, but women still do not
Linda Štucbartová graduated from the Institute of International Territorial Studies. After a one year scholarship at the Oxford Centre for Hebrew and Jewish Studies, she obtained a Diplome d’études supérieures from the Graduate Institute of International Studies in Geneva. Between the years 2002 and 2006, she worked in senior positions at the Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Since 2006 she has functioned in the private sphere, and lectures at the Anglo-American University, where she was named the Chair of the Department of Diplomacy. In addition to training in negotiation and communication of clients from the private, public and non-profit sector, she regularly collaborates with NGOs in the projects of the International Global Young Leaders Conference and the Women and Leadership Programme. Linda Štucbartová is a member of the Rotary Club Prague International. She currently works for Atairu. Articles are extracts from her book Velvyslanci i bez diplomatického pasu (Eng. “Ambassadors without a Diplomatic Passport”). have adequate representation in all sorts of areas where decision making is taking place. This is wrong. Such exclusion is not a reflection of a mature and sophisticated society. This was one of the reasons I found MINERVA 21 earlier this year. How do you perceive MINERVA 21 movement after six months of its existence? I returned back to this country after nearly 25 years living abroad. One of the main reasons for this was that I wanted to share my experiences from not one country, but from many countries. I found MINERVA 21 and identified it as a “movement” because I believe that we need to move from many positions and paradigms in this country in order to create a better society for all of us. I believe that united women could be a driving force for positive change in this country. All the members of the MINERVA 21 board are successful women who have reached prominent positions, created businesses and non-profit organizations, and are mothers and wives. We are a perfect
Minerva 21 motto: We are making waves. When you drop a pebble into a pond, waves ripple out in circles. First, small ones, which grow larger and larger as they move away from the drop point and in time more and more circles are created. With more pebbles, the circles entwine. MINERVA’s 21 message to women is the same: “make waves, make the water ripple”. The overlapping circles are symbols of women’s collaboration, communication, support and networking – all of which are creative processes based on the win/win principle. All participants gain. Rostya Gordon-Smith, Founder, MINERVA 21 www.minerva21.net
mix of what women in this society are. Even I could not imagine the progress we have achieved in only 6 months. Women responded to our “call” and joined us, are helping us, are participating, and are committed. In short, we are confident women! Many men complain that all activities that are mushrooming for women in the Czech Republic do not support diversity in the long term. How can you persuade men to cooperate with women more? Can men who are interested in diversity become involved in Minerva 21 movement? I do not really know what men are complaining about. I know that many men – mainly the younger generation—are open to diversity and working with women on an equal basis. I think men who care about this country should join with women in this movement to build a more equal and fair society. What is your final word to Prague Leaders readers? It really is my challenge to both women and men: come and see. Come and contribute. Come and become part of this movement. Come and be “MINERVANKA” or “MINERVAN” and help us, each according to your ability and circumstances, to contribute to the better future for all of us. By Linda Štucbartová ■
Czech Leaders II/2015 85