The third annual conference of the Platform of European Memory and Conscience was hosted by Senate Vice-President Ms Miluše Horská under the auspices of Czech Minister of Culture Mr Daniel Herman. Among its highlights was a keynote speech by acclaimed finnish writer Ms Sofi Oksanen, the award of the Prize of the Platform of European Memory and Conscience to the leader of the Crimean Tatar People Mr Mustafa Dzhemilev and the screening of the film "The Soviet Story" by its Director, Mr Edvīns Šnore.

The two-day international conference focused on areas where, even 25 years after the fall of Communism, the legacy of totalitarianism is still present in Central and Eastern Europe: the quality of democracy and rule of law, justice for the crimes of the past, corruption, quality of media, the importance of memory institutions. The role of the European Union in overcoming the divisions of the past was discussed and the lessons from the past was be confronted with current developments. Solutions to persisting common problems were sought.

During the conference, the Prize of the Platform of European Memory and Conscience was awarded to Mr Mustafa Dzhemilev in recognition of his personal courage and his tireless efforts in advocating human rights and fundamental democratic values and freedoms during the era of the totalitarian Soviet Union as well as after the regaining of independence of Ukraine. Close to forty renowned speakers and moderators from 19 countries of Europe and North America took part in the public event. Co-organizers of the conference are the Institute for the Study of Totalitarian Regimes, partners are the Konrad-Adenauer-Foundation, the International Visegrad Fund, the European Commission Representation in the Czech Republic, Museum Kampa, the Polish Institute in Prague and the Embassies of Poland, Lithuania and Finland.

 For information please see www.memoryandconscience.eu/conference2014