Information Centre of the Government (ICV) Office of the Government of the Czech Republic
Annual Report for 2010
1. Introduction
The Information Centre of the Government (ICV) entered the second year of its existence as an organizational unit of the Office of the Government of the Czech Republic (hereinafter referred to as Office) which is positively perceived by the public. Not only the concept that had been set was successfully fulfilled but the Office was also presented as an open and public-friendly institution. Based on experience of the first months of its existence, the ICV formed its activities so that they would best reflect needs of the public and provide fast and high-quality information service. As it is apparent from the annexes to this annual report, both direct and mediated communication of the ICV with the public has risen. Nearly 65 000 people used the ICV services in 2010.
The ICV played an important role in presentation of the activities of the working and advisory bodies of the government. Many projects were prepared in cooperation with these bodies and the ICV provided not only the space on its websites but also its own staff. Among the most important events was the campaign Equal Opportunities for All organized on the occasion of adoption the National Plan for Creation of Equal Opportunities for People with Disabilities for 2010-2014. In this respect the ICV proved to be a right instrument for unification and coordination of the individual activities of the Office.
Just as in the last years the ICV provided information services for employees of the Office. In particular in connection with the restructuring of the Office, the Intranet proved to be an important instrument through which new employees had a possibility to gain necessary information on the activities of the Office and its organizational units.
Survey on the ICV activities in the individual areas is given in the annexe to this annual report.
2. Organizational Arrangements and Budget of the ICV
Up to October 2010 the ICV – the Information Centre of the Government - was directly headed by the Head of the Office of the Government and was divided into two units – the Public Relation Unit and Documentation Unit. Its activities were carried out by 12 employees of the Office, two temporaries and varying number of articled clerks who helped in organizing events and providing services the ICV offices. In the framework of restructuring the ICV was incorporated into the Press Department. The purpose of this measure was to ensure coordination of activities and to improve presentation of the ICV activities through integration of up to then separated spheres – relations with media and the public.
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Apart from duties resulting from its scope of activities, the ICV organized activities connected with translations and interpretation, administration and editing of websites www.vlada.cz ., financing, and in cooperation with the relevant section also legal relations with suppliers.
The approved budget of the Information Centre of the Government amounted as of 1 January in the budgetary item “Purchase of Other Services” to 693,000 CZK. In April 2010 the budget was increased, bases on the approval of the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Finance, by claims resulting from unused financial means of 2009. Based on the budgetary measure No. 20024, the Information Centre of the Government received from the off-budget resources in total 6 million crowns for media communication. In total 4,251,812 CZK, which represent 84.71% were spent out of the total amount 6,693,000 which had the Information Centre of the Government at its disposal.
3. ICV Activities
3.1. Educational Activities
The educational activities of the |Information Centre of the Government are offered as a support of education in the area Man and Society and in particular in the educational area Education towards Citizenship at elementary schools and the Civic and Social Science- Related Bases at grammar schools.
Just as in the last year, when we welcomed in the newly open Information Centre of the Government more than 300 schoolchildren of elementary and students of secondary schools and universities who attended our lectures, in 2010 we organized regular cycle of lectures focused on the government activities, on activities of the working and advisory bodies of the government and on issues of the Czech statehood. More than 20 schools used that opportunity and lectures were attended by more than 1000 students. There are no extra costs connected with organization of lectures as lectures are ensured by the ICV staff and by colleagues of the competent organization units of the Office.
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After lectures students answered in written form questions and after evaluation of results, an educational tour in premises of the Straka Academy was organized for the most active ones. In 2010 these students were received by the Prime Minister Jan Fischer.
At the end of 2010 was also launched the pilot project Simulated Meeting of the Government. Within this project, teams of 14 schools will go through the entire process of preparation of government materials in an adequate simplified form including the debate on it and defence at the meeting of the government which will be held at the Straka Academy in June 2011.
Also university students were actively engaged in the ICV activities. In the form of study visits they help to implement projects and provide information service in the offices in Vladislavova Street. For university students the ICV prepared a discussion with the minister Juraj Chmiel the topic of which was the Lisbon Treaty.
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3.2. Educational Aids For students of secondary schools and grammar schools and for their teachers there are on the ICV websites http://icv.vlada.cz/cz/pro-skoly/studijni-materialy.htm updated and published new study materials which can be used in preparation for A levels and for entrance examination at universities. For schoolchildren of elementary schools are prepared photographs with basic information on the members of the government (in the format A4) and a summary of the lecture on government activities.
For students of elementary and secondary schools we prepared in the Hrzán Palace in Hradčany a long-term exhibition Symbols of the Republic: Pillars of the Czech Statehood. The exhibition informs on historical roots of the official Czech state symbols – the Large and Small State Emblems, the State Colours, the State Flag, the State Banner of the President of the Republic, the State Seal, and the State Anthem, and it is open to the public every Wednesday
3.3. Methodological Support of the Public Administration The objective of the ICV is to contribute, based on our and foreign experience, to the preparation of methodological materials in the sphere of information provision and to pursue an effective network of information centres of public institutions focused on improving services provided for the public. A meeting of employees of institutions of the public administration working in the field of information provision was held in 2010. Its topic was Psychological and Legal Aspects of Communication with the Public. A part of the meeting
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3.4. Scientific and Enlightening Projects
Also in 2010 the important scope of activities included organizing conferences and seminars of experts. Support of science is highlighted in the programme priorities of the government and meetings of the Prime Minister with representatives of the scientific community were one of platforms for the mutual exchange of experience and opinions. Except for presentation of new scientific findings, scientists use these meetings for discussions on problems of the Czech science, its funding, institutional issues and such like. The participation of the Prime Minister and other members of the government in scientific projects is also a symbolical form of the support and respect showed the Czech science. The ICV acted in several cases in the role of an initiator; in particular in such areas that were directly connected with the activities of the government or the Office of the Government. It concerned for example remembrance of important historical anniversaries and topics related to the Czech statehood or the presentation of activities of advisory bodies of the government. Except for that, the ICV was commissioned with the preparation of materials, standpoints or speeches of the Prime Minister.
In particular the projects organized in cooperation with universities and academic circles met with an extraordinary positive response of experts. Among the most significant was the seminar and conference organized on the occasion of 90 th anniversary of the adoption of the Czech Constitution in 1920. Contribution of prominent Czech lawyers and historians were published in the book form either at the expense of the Office or in cooperation with the publishing house Leges, s.r.o.
Positively were also valued celebrations of the Czech Statehood 28 September that were organized under the auspices of the Prime Minister. Highlighting of importance of the Saint Wenceslas the patron saint of Czech lands by the Prime Minister Petr Ne čas was appreciated not only by the Prague Archbishop Mons Dominik Duka but also by representatives of the academic community. The restored premiere of the film Saint Wenceslas with the original music accompaniment was broadcasted by the second channel of Czech TV from the Prague Rudolfinum Hall. Judging from the statistical data and the response in newspapers and professional journals, the viewer ratings were very high.
Also the presentation of the Office in the form of open days and tours proved to be highly effective. In particular regular weekends in the villa of Hana and Edvard Beneš in Sezimovo Ústí as well as nonrecurring events in the Prague seats of the government were visited by thousands of visitors. Their response showed great satisfaction with the opportunity to visit places that had not been open to the public before.
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Important parts of enlightenment are topics presented on the ICV websites. Apart from presentation of the actions of the ICV and important events, it concerned in particular activities of the working and advisory bodies of the government, the activities which are ensured by the Office, and activities which inform on the scope of activities of the Office.
4. Conclusion
The Information Centre of the Government proved its ability to response to the needs of the public and to fulfil exacting tasks assigned by the Office management.
In the time when the government is going to implement principal reform steps, our task will be to set a consistent communication strategy focused on both media outputs and the direct work with the public. The target which was set by the ICV is to implement this task in the form of presentation of intentions and plans of the government on websites, social networks, and through organizing seminars and discussions for the general public. The ICV will also pay attention to the improvement of the internal communication within the Office, as it is a basic prerequisite of its good performance, and to the effective communication strategies.
The ICV will keep focusing its activities in particular on: Positive presentation of the Prime Minister and reform steps of the government Strengthening of awareness of the position and activities of the Czech government Presentation of the Office as an open institution Coordination and efficiency improvement of information for the public Enhancement of quality and efficiency of the internal communication within the Office
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Annexes
Annexe No. 1: Internet Presentation of the ICV
The objective of the ICV was to involve as large part of the public as possible into the communication with the Office. From the very beginning the ICV has used for this purpose its websites http://icv.vlada.cz/ and since 2010 also the social network Facebook. Results of statistical studies prove considerable increase in number of users of these networks and increased interest of the public in projects and topics presented on the ICV websites. The ICV focuses on the Internet presentation of its own, historical or special topics related to the activities of the Office and advisory bodies of the government, it offer a survey on current events and a calendar of important anniversaries.
The websites http://icv.vlada.cz/ form a separate section of sub-websites http://www.vlada.cz/ , on which there is a link in the form of the ICV logo in the upper left part, a link in the main menu and a link to the main topic of the ICV in the lower left part of the websites.
The total number of views of websites http://icv.vlada.cz/ was in the monitored period 314,629. A survey of views in the individual months is given in the following table. In the third column there is a comparison with the number of views in 2009; considerable increase is apparent.
Number of views of the ICV websites in the period 1 January 2010 – 31 December 2010
Number of views in months Views 2010 Views 2009 % 2010 January 21 078 6.70% 2010 February 24 843 7.90% 2010 March 33 954 10.79% 2010 April 28 218 8.97% 2010 May 23 484 7.46% 2010 June 21 839 6.94% 2010 July 16 589 5.27% 2010 August 23 400 6 040 7.44% 2010 September 31 089 10 384 9.88% 2010 October 35 240 15 628 11.20% 2010 November 32 171 21 988 10.23% 2010 December 22 724 20 521 7.22% Total 314 629 74 561 100.00%
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The comparison of numbers of visits of websites vlada.cz and icv.vlada.cz shows that number of visits of the ICV websites correlates with the trend of websites vlada.cz; nevertheless the ICV websites showed greater slump during the holidays, which is a result of the successful cooperation with schools.
Number of visits of websites www.vlada.cz and www.icv.vlada.cz in the period from 1 January 2010 to 31 December 2010
Month Visits vlada.cz % Visits ICV % 2010 January 127 568 9.54% 11 969 7.79% 2010 February 123 319 9.22% 13 298 8.65% 2010 March 147 856 11.05% 17 862 11.62% 2010 April 127 399 9.52% 16 187 10.53% 2010 May 115 235 8.61% 12 784 8.32% 2010 June 88 322 6.60% 10 085 6.56% 2010 July 81 128 6.06% 7 506 4.88% 2010 August 95 966 7.17% 8 910 5.80% 2010 September 110 263 8.24% 13 395 8.71% 2010 October 108 249 8.09% 16 562 10.77% 2010 November 110 081 8.23% 15 057 9.79% 2010 December 102 389 7.65% 10 112 6.58% Total 1 337 775 100.00% 153 727 100.00%
Comparison of the individual sections of the websites of the government shows that the ICV section is the second most visited section as far as number of visits is concerned; it was the fourth most visited in the last year
Number of visits of the individual sections in the period from 1 January 2010 to 31 December 2010
Website sections Visits % Meeting programme 205,074 15.33% ICV 153,726 11.49% Office of the government 114,52 8.56% Resolutions 106,092 7.93% Media centre 83,897 6.27% Prime Minister and government 41,824 3.13% European affairs 33,802 2.53% Prime Minister 31,788 2.38% National minorities 26,025 1.95% Government legislative council 21,423 1.60% Total 1 337 775 100.00%
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The following table shows the number of views of the homepage and other most viewed pages; half of this number comprises views of front pages of the individual parts of the ICV websites. High average length of views documents the fact that visitors really read pages, not only click here and there.
Number of views of the most visited pages and their average length of views in the period from 1 January 2010 to 31 December 2010
Average length of Page Title Views % visits Homepage 30,354 9.65% 0m 41s Czech national anthem 9,954 3.16% 1m 27s Library catalogue – search results 6,546 2.08% 0m 38s Search results 6,373 2.03% 0m 31s Topic 5,286 1.68% 0m 31s Members of the government 5,139 1.63% 1m 2s Library of the Office of the Government 3,953 1.26% 0m 33s Databases 3,507 1.11% 0m 51s Issued publications 3,424 1.09% 0m 44s Mandatory costs 3,399 1.08% 1m 27s What is the legislative process? 3,376 1.07% 1m 59s Services 3,102 0.99% 0m 39s Library catalogue 2,654 0.84% 0m 21s History 2,597 0.83% 0m 22s For schools 2,45 0.78% 0m 37s The ICV in full operation 2,327 0.74% 0m 55s Home 2,212 0.70% 0m 42s Events 2,196 0.70% 0m 30s Poll 2,06 0.65% 0m 43s Contacts and address 2,016 0.64% 1m 17s Gallery of Advent wreaths/photo gallery 1,975 0.63% 1m 5s National holiday 28 October 1,942 0.62% 1m 38s State emblem of the Czech Republic, its 1,809 0.57% 1m 28s predecessors and current shape Open day in the Kramá ř villa 1,736 0.55% 1m 47s
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Annexe No. 2: Survey of Inquiries and Requests Settled
Citizens contact the Office of the Government through mail or e-mail. Most of these inquiries and requests whether they are addressed to the Office of the Government or to the Prime Minister are settled by the staff of the Public Relation Unit which by November 2010 formed a part of the ICV. Visitors have also the possibility to visits offices in Vladislavova Street or to ask questions in person, over the phone or through the form on the websites icv.vlada.cz. The fact the public is more interested in the ICV activities can be documented by the increasing number of direct users; their number increased four times in comparison with the previous year.
Number of inquiries and requests in 2010 Month Number of inquiries and requests January 1731
February 1449
March 1262
April 890
May 772 June 588 July 440 August 939 September 1274 October 810 November 830 December 495 Total 11480
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Annexe No. 3: Library, Databases and Information Resources
Through the library catalogue new readers from the ranks of the public found their way to the ICV. In the library we offer among other things wide offer of current professional literature for university students. And they were just students who accounted for the largest number of applicants. A univocal advantage of this form of study is availability of literature which is not available in public libraries. 97 persons out of 165 requests for book loans used this possibility and in total 102 documents were borrowed. The last year of the interrupted activities of the library can be valued as successful.
Library services: • lending of books, magazines and the periodicals on the spot • reprographic services of library funds and electronic sources • searching information in the internal and external databases, library catalogues and on the Internet • advisory and consulting services • training for the work with databases and with internal information resources of the Office.
Basic Statistical Data for 2009
Total number of library units 61223 Increase in number of library units 1005 Registered users 391 Number of readers 322 Number of Visitors 2537 Number of loans (total) 5541 Number of magazine loans 3476
The ICV provides in its premises free of charge Internet connection through Wi-Fi. In addition, the visitors can use two computers connected to the Internet and access to non- public databases of the Office. • Octopus (on request in the reading room) is a database of economic information which contains the data on Czech corporations, security market, trade unions, and other economic information. It also contains an archive of electronic corporate documents and instruments for financial analysis. • LexDATA is a legal information system containing one of the largest information databases of legal rules • ASPI is an automated legal information system • Monitor is a press monitoring system focused on news on home and foreign policy and economy. • ČTK News, topical world news of all areas.
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• Access to the electronic archives of magazines Euro, Respekt, Hospodá řské noviny, Ekonom, Právní rádce, Moderní řízení, Týden, The Economist. • Statesman's Yearbook Online is an electronic version of a yearbook which is published in the book form. The database is continually updated and ranks among one of the largest information and data resources on the current political, cultural and economic life in the world.
Apart from making databases accessible to the public, the ICV is also involved in training and informing the users on the work with databases. In the last year there were for example organized trainings in work with electronic libraries eKLEP and eVlada and with the Library prepared legislation eDOK.
The Information Centre of the Government provides the operation of the Intranet for employees of the Office, as far as technical and content issues are concerned. The Intranet provides information on the Office, its organizational structure, enables easy searching of information on activities of the individual units and other services, for example reporting and access to databases. Usage of the Intranet can be documented by 746,063 of home page views in the last year and 134 topical events.
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Annexe No. 4: Scientific and Enlightenment Projects
Minorities and Law in the Czech Republic Seminars for experts organized by the Office of the Government in cooperation with the Institute of Legal History of the Faculty of Law of the Charles University on topical issues of legal position of national minorities in the Czech Republic. It was held under the auspices of the Minister for Human Rights Michael Kocáb and the Dean of the Faculty of Law of the Charles University in Prague Aleš Gerloch. 29 January 2010, Lichtenstein Palace
Presentation of the Anthology Current Problems of the Legal Position of Minorities in the Czech Republic 7 December 2010, Forum The anthology published by the Office of the Government includes contributions from the seminar Minorities and Law in the Czech Republic. Lecturers: Prof. JUDr. Jan Kuklík, DrSc., JUDr. PhDr. René Petráš, Ph.D., CSc., PhDr. Mgr. Andrea Baršová, JUDr. Helena Petr ův, Ph.D., doc. H.C. Scheu. In particular students of the Faculty of Law of the Charles University attended the presentation and related discussion.
PATHS OF THE CZECH CONSTITUTIONALITY
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On the Occasion of the 90 th Anniversary of Adoption of the First Czechoslovak Constitution in 1920
Seminar of experts Constitution of the Czech Republic – Genesis, Development, Prospects 24 February 2010, Hrzán Palace The seminar was held under the auspices of the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic Jan Fischer and the Dean of the Faculty of Law of the Charles University in Prague Aleš Gerloch and in cooperation with the Government Legislative Council. Participants debated in the framework of the respective blocks on the ideological resources of the Czech constitution and its democratic transformation. (JUDr. PhDr. Petr Mlsna, Ph.D., Doc. JUDr. Vojt ěch Šimí ček, Ph.D., Prof. JUDr. Václav Pavlí ček, CSc., dr. h.c.), on the Constitution of the Czech Republic– de constitutione lata, de constitutione ferenda (Doc. JUDr. Zden ěk Kühn, Ph.D., LL.M., JUDr. Jan Wintr, Ph.D., JUDr. Radovan Suchánek, Ph.D.), and on the prospects of the constitution in the future, systemic changes and amendment (prof. JUDr., Pavel Holländer, DrSc., prof. JUDr. Aleš Gerloch, CSc., doc. JUDr. Jan Kysela, Ph.D.).
The Conference Constitution 1920 – Culmination of Constituting of the Czech State It was organized by the Office of the Government of the Czech Republic in cooperation with the Faculty of Arts of the Charles University in Prague 25 February 2010, Hrzán palace With the participation of prominent experts of the sphere of history and law. In the conference participated for example Prof. JUDr. Karel Malý, DrSc., Dr. h. c., Prof. JUDr. Václav Pavlí ček, CSc., dr. h. c., Doc. PhDr. Eva Broklová, CSc., Doc. PhDr. Jana Čechurová, Ph.D., Prof. PhDr. Zden ěk Kárník, DrSc. In total 150 guests participated in the conference.
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Crimes of Communist Regimes 26 February 2010, Straka Academy, Media Centre Roundtable – final debate of the international conference The conference was prepared by the Institute for the Study of Totalitarian Regimes in cooperation with partner institutions from abroad. The Office of the Government of the Czech Republic hosted and co-organized the third day of the conference, the objective of which was to compile a survey of crimes committed by communist regimes behind the Iron Curtain, to assess them from the legal point of view and to try to find possible solutions of the current situation with the aim to improve understanding and strengthening of the European integration across the former east-west border line. The roundtable was held under the auspices of the Prime Minister Jan Fischer. Among the important guests were for example Rudolph J. Rummel (USA), emeritus professor of political science, University Hawai, Dainius Žalimas (Lithuania), extraordinary professor, University Vilnius, Faculty of Law, Institute of International Relations and Political Science, Toomas Hiio, the Institute of Historical Memory Latvia, Ineta Ziemele (Latvia, lawyer, the European Court for Human Rights.
Czech Statehood Day – the film Saint Wenceslas
28. September 2010, Rudolfinum Hall The Office of the Government of the Czech Republic, the Czech Radio, the Czech Film Archives and the Czech Television participated in the project. The top event in the framework of celebrations of the Czech Statehood Day was the gala evening in the Dvo řák Hall of the Prague Rudolfinum. With the participation of important representatives of cultural, political and social life the restored premiere of the film Saint
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Wenceslas was performed with the live music accompaniment of the Czech Radio Symphonic Orchestra conducted by Jan Ku čera.
Main speakers were the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic Petr Ne čas and Mons. Dominik Duka, the Prague Archbishop. The host of the gala evening, which was broadcast by the Czech Television, was Marek Eben.
Together with the preparation of the restored premiere of the film Saint Wenceslas, also a documentary film Saint Wenceslas (Saint – Duke – Legend) was shot. The objective of the film was to document the process of renovation of the film, to narrate the legend on Wenceslas and to become a "film on film Saint Wenceslas". Its purpose was to give to young generation a message about the fact that for each nation and each country is important to have its own patron saint, its legend. DVD with the film was also broadcast by the Czech Television, and it is used as a school aid – as an educational film for schools.
An accompanying programme was one of the editions of the programme Historie.cz. Apart from experts in the sphere of the Saint Wenceslas, also the Prime Minister Petr Ne čas was one of the participants.
Equal Opportunities for All
In connection with the adoption of the National Plan for Creation of Equal Opportunities for People with Disabilities for 2010-2014 which the government debated and approved in its Resolution No. 253 of 29 March 2010.
Within the campaign a meeting of people with disabilities was held on Wednesday 12 May at Hana and Edvard Beneš villa in Sezimovo Ústí. At the press conference, which was part of the meeting and at which the National Plan was officially presented, gave a speech the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic Jan Fischer, the Chairman of the National Council of Persons with Disabilities Václav Krása and the head of the secretariat of the Government Board for People with Disabilities Pavel Ptáčník.
Within the campaign the Information Centre of the Government prepared for students of grammar and secondary schools lectures on the activities of the Government Board for People with Disabilities, projection of the film and the discussion with the director of the time-lapse film Unwelcome Tomáš Škrdlant and an Internet contest.
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Launch of Book Karel Kramá ř
28 May 2010, Forum, Vladislavova Street The presentation of the book including contributions of leading Czech experts – historians from the conference organized in 2008 by the Office of the Government in cooperation with the Masaryk Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences and the Faculty of Law of the Charles University. Part of the meeting was a discussion and a reflection of current development of historical research into the first Czechoslovak prime minister
Excursion of SKIP
17 March 2010, Forum, Vladislavova Street Scientific and research projects of the ICV include also the exchange of experience and opinions with professionals in the information area, both in the practice and academy sphere. In 2010 the meeting of members of the Association of Library and Information Professionals was held at which workers of the ICV presented the ICV activities and discussed current trends in this area.
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Research of Information Centres of Governments of the European Union
In an effort to use good practice and experience not only from the Czech environment, the ICV initiated it in cooperation with the Institute of Library and Information Services of the Charles University. Based on the agreement was one of seminars devoted to the information centres in the EU countries. Students conducted by Aleš Pekárek started a research project the result of which was a comparative study on information services of the offices of the EU governments. Results of the project will be handed over to all participating countries and further development of mutual cooperation is expected.
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Annexe No. 5: Exhibitions
Apart from presentations of topics related to the Czech symbols and historical events, the ICV also participates in exhibitions presenting in the premises of the Office the contemporary Czech art. In 2010 the ICV prepared the exhibitions as follows:
Vatican Fountains Straka Academy 1 January 2010 – 3 February 2010 The exhibition of the gift of the Cardinal Secretary Bertone to the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic was accompanied by the exposition of Czech garnets
Josef Lada Straka Academy 1 January 2010 – 3 February 2010 Exhibition from collections of the Office of the Government
Soldiers of the Republic on the Battlefield 1914 – 2010 3 February 2010 – 8 May 2010, Straka Academy
The exhibition under the auspices of the Prime Minister Jan Fischer and the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Defence Martin Barták. On the occasion of remembrance of the end of the World War II. The exhibition presented on 36 panels key moments of military history of our republic from the actions of legionaries up to current military missions. It was open to the public within the open days.
The Path of the Czech Constitutionality 26 February 2010 – 7 March 2010, Hrzán Palace On the occasion of the 90th anniversary of the adoption of the first Czechoslovak constitution, the Office of the Government of the Czech Republic together with the National Archives have organized the exhibition The Paths of Czech Constitutionality. For visitors there was prepared a selection of basic constitutional documents constituting internal relations in the Czech Lands from the middle ages to the present. The exhibition was open to the public and was visited by 2400 visitors from the Czech Republic and abroad.
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Symbols of the Republic 26 February 2010 - up to now, Hrzán Palace A long-lasting exhibition informs on historical roots of the official Czech state symbols – the Large and Small State Emblems, the State Colours, the State Flag, the State Banner of the President of the Republic, the State Seal, and the State Anthem.
The exhibition is open to the public every Wednesday from 10:00 to 15:00 for groups of minimally six visitors upon an advance reservation. Great interest showed especially secondary and elementary schools.
Jind řich Zeithamml – Drawings, graphics
The exhibition of the cycle of contemporary visual artist’s presentations in the premises of the Straka Academy.
9 May – 15 June 2010, Straka Academy
The exhibition was opened by the Prime Minister Jan Fischer; the curator of the exhibition Ms. Adriana Primusová gave an introductory speech about Zeithamml's works. Performance
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All the Official Mastering The exhibition of final examination works of students of the Studio of the Entire Sculpture. It was organized by the Academy of Arts, Architecture and Design in cooperation with the Office of the Government of the Czech Republic. 3 June – 15 June 2010, garden of the Lichtenstein Palace
Day Twenty Seven – Exhibition of Ji ří Sozanský The exhibition on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the execution of Milada Horáková, Záviš Kalandra, Jan Buchal and Old řich Pecl 26 June – 30 September 2010, Straka Academy
Author of the project Ji ří Sozanský Curator of the Project: Ji ří T. Kotalík in cooperation with the architect David Vávra Organizer of the Project: Civic association SYMPOSION in the cooperation with the Municipality of the Capital City of Prague and the Office of the Government of the Czech Republic under the auspices of the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic Jan Fischer and the Lord Mayor of Prague Pavel Bém.
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The sculptural group MATER MORTIS was installed in front of the main entrance of the Straka Academy and will be open to the public. Collages of Ji ří Sozanský were presented in within the open days in the corridor on the 1 st floor of the Straka Academy.
Romanian Treasure 11 May - 16 May 2010, Hrzán palace On the occasion of the 90th anniversary of establishing mutual diplomatic relations between Romania and the Czech Republic the Embassy of Romania in cooperation with the Office of the Government of the Czech Republic prepared the exhibition of numismatic and philatelic exhibits with symbols of mutual bilateral relations.
One Day in the Czech Republic September 2010 – January 2011, Straka Academy
The exhibition organized in cooperation with the Czech Centre Prague presented photographs of leading Czech authors; its purpose was to capture one of ordinary days in the Czech Republic from different points of view.
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Annexe No. 6: Publishing activities The Publishing house of the Office of the Government of the Czech Republic is focused primarily on publishing documents resulting from the activities of advisory and working bodies of the government; it concerns in particular annual reports, studies, analyses on the situation in the sphere of human rights, drug policy, national issues, science and research and such like.
In the European agenda context, the Office publishes documents aimed at European policy, the EU agenda, the European law, as well as handbooks for the public.
Publications brought out by the Office are not for sale, most of them are intended for institutions and cooperating organizations or for experts. Obligatory copies are deposited in the National Library, the Moravian Regional Library, the Scientific Library in Olomouc, the Central-Bohemian Library in Kladno, the Municipal Library in Prague, and in other libraries.
Publishing activities of the office, for example ISBN allocation, files of publication, distribution of obligatory copies are carried out by the ICV.
Basic statistical data for 2009 Total number of publications brought out by the publishing house of the 251 pcs Office of the Government of the Czech Republic since 31 January 2003 Number of publications brought out by the publishing house of the Office of 56 pcs the Government of the Czech Republic in 2009 Number of publications brought out in connection with the CZPRES in 2010 25 pcs Number of publications brought out by the ICV 10 pcs
Apart from the staff work related to the publishing activities, the ICV participates in the creation of books and publications. It concerns in particular publications on the history of buildings that the ICV publishes for its own use and publications on personalities and events connected with the history of the Czech government and the Czech Republic. These publications are published in various languages and are used as gifts for guests and partners of the Prime Minister.
Publications brought out by the ICV in 2010
Lichtenštejnský palác (text Michal Kolá ř, photographs Martin Frouz, 24 pages 15x15cm) Booklet with extensive picture supplement on the history and present of this government building The Liechtenstein Palace (text Michal Kolá ř, photographs Martin Frouz, 24 pages15x15cm) English version of the booklet Lichtenštejnský palác
Cesty české ústavnosti (Ways of the Czech Constitutionality) Mlsna Petr, Šlehofer Lukáš, Urban Dan; 120 pages, 21 cm) Publication brought up on the occasion of the 90 th anniversary of the adoption of the first Czechoslovak constitution in 1920.
Vila Hany a Edvarda Benešových (The villa of Hana and Edvard Beneš) (2. edition, Jana Čechurová, Michal Kolá ř, photographs Herbert Slavík, 24 pages 15x15cm) Booklet with extended picture supplement on the history and the present of that government villa.
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The Villa of Nad ěžda and Karel Kramá ř (Kolá ř Michal, V ětvi čka Václav, 28 pages, 15x15cm) The English version of the book Vila Hany a Edvarda Benešových.
Svatý Václav – První Československý historický velkofilm (Saint Wenceslas – the First Czechoslovak Epic Film) (Viktor Velek, 104 pages in Czech, 108 pages in English, 2 DVD, 19x19cm) Published on the occasion of the Czech Statehood 28. September 2010.
Aktuální problémy právního postavení menšin v České republice (Current Problems of the Legal Position of Minorities in the Czech Republic ) (Petráš René, Baršová Andrea, Kuklík Jan, Petr ův Helena, Scheu Harald Christian, Sulitka Andrej, Wieshaider Wolfgang, 121 pages, 21 cm) Anthology of contributions to the seminars of experts Minorities and Law in the Czech Republic.
Hrzánský palác (text Michal Kolá ř, photographs Karel Pazderka, Herbert Slavík, Ond řej Kocourek, 24 pages, 15x15cm) Booklet with extended picture supplement on the history and present of this government villa.
The Hrzan Palace (text Michal Kolá ř, photographs Karel Pazderka, Herbert Slavík, Ond řej Kocourek, 24 pages, 15x15cm) English version of the booklet Hrzánský palác.
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Annexe No. 7: Tours and Open Days
The Office of the Government of the Czech Republic offers the public and schools or other organizations a possibility of tours of the premises of the Straka Academy. In the course of a tour visitors can get a brief information on the history of the building, on the government activities, they can visit reception rooms and the meeting room of the government and they can also get information on offices where the prime minister and his team work.
The tours were in 2010 attended by 225 visitors.
On the occasion of national holidays and anniversaries of historical events, the Office makes open to the public some of buildings which it administers. In 2010 citizens could visit the Straka Academy and the Kramá ř Villa. Also the villa of the second Czechoslovak president Edvard Beneš in Sezimovo Ústí was open to the public
Summary of the Open Days in buildings of the Office held in 2009
Date Building Number of Visitors 7.3., 12.6. and 4.9.2010 Straka Academy 2125 28.11.2010 Kramá ř Villa 2100 May - November 2010 Villa of Hana and Edvard Beneš 3888 Total 8113
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Annexe No. 8: Inquiries and Contests
Contests on the websites http://icv.vlada.cz are changed every two months; a winner gains publications of the publishing house of the Office of the Government of the Czech Republic. Topics are related to the activities of the ICV, the Office and current affairs. The ICV use inquiries and contests for the interactive communication focused on gaining feedback from the public. Inquiries for elementary schools find out the knowledge of pupils of elementary schools in the sphere of government; winners have a possibility to visit the Straka Academy.
In 2010 the fifth year of the Christmas contest for children from children homes and other facilities for abandoned children was organized and this year's topic was “The Most Beautiful New Year Card”. In total 119 contestants from 25 facilities took part in the contest.
Basic statistical data for the period 1 June to 31 December 2010 Contests on the ICV websites 7 contests held 474 contestants Inquiry on the ICV websites 7 inquiries held 865 votes Inquiry for pupils of elementary schools 1 contest 130 schoolchildren Voting on the most beautiful advent garland 1 inquiry 1100 votes
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Annexe No. 9: Lectures for Schools
The ICV organized 42 lectures in 2010 for schoolchildren of elementary schools and students of secondary schools and grammar schools. The lecture of the Minister for European Affairs Juraj Chmiel on the future of the Lisbon Treaty was attended by 50 students. The total attendance at lectures was in the last year 1043 students.
Educational programmes for schoolchildren and students were organized in the form of lectures from February to December 2010 in the premises of the Information Centre of the Government in Vladislavova Street in the lecture hall Forum.
The long-lasting exhibition Symbols of the Republic: Pillars of the Czech Statehood visited in the Hrzán palace in total 687 schoolchildren and students in 2010.
Summary of lectures held in the ICV from 1 June to 31 December 2009
No. of Date Lecture Topic Lecturer School Attendees Zuzana Di Secondary School for EU 5.2. Ministry for Human Rights 27 Falc Administration Government Council for Milan ď 19.2. Grammar School Bu ánka 20 National Minorities Pospíšil Secondary School for EU 26.2. What is the government? Petr Musil 32 Administration Secondary School for EU 5.3. Electoral systems - seminar Dan Urban 23 Administration Government Board for Grammar School of J. 12.3. Pavel Ptá čník 25 |people with Disabilities Heyrovský
Secondary School 19.3. Ministry for Human Rights Ema Galová Č 24 AKOVICE
23.3. Lisbon Treaty Juraj Chmiel University students 50 Elementary School 26.3. What is the government? Petr Musil č 21 Havlí kovo Square., Prague 3
Government Legislative Secondary School of public 9.4. Petr Mlsna 26 Council services
Grammar School Na Zatlance Eva
Č Haunerová, 12.4. eský západ o.s. 26 Anna
Dun čeková
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Government Council for Secondary School 16.4. Gabriela Ř 16 Roma Community Affairs Hrabalová HOSTIVA
What is the government? 22.4. Petr Musil Grammar School H. Králové 26
What is the government? 22.4. Petr Musil Grammar School H. Králové 27
28.4. Electoral systems - seminar Lukáš Secondary School of Public 26 Šlehofer Services Lukáš Secondary School of Public 30.4. Electoral systems - seminar 26 Šlehofer Services Secondary School of Public 3.5. Electoral systems - seminar Dan Urban 31 Services What is the government? Environmental Grammar 7.5. Petr Musil 16 School Prague Barbora 14.5. Protocol Business School Prague 9 21 Loudová Government Council for 21.5. Equal Opportunities for Pavla Grammar School of Ota 17 Women and men Špondrová Pavel
26.5. Government Council for Vlastimil Secondary School of Public č 18 Drug Policy Coordination Ne as Services 28.5. What is the government? Petr Musil Elementary School DUBÍ 22 Unwelcome – projection of the film with the discussion Václav Krása, 7.6. within the campaign “Equal Tomáš Grammar School Na Zatlance 41 Opportunities for All” Škrdlant
11.6. What is the government? Petr Musil Secondary School Hostiva ř 14 Grammar School of 8.10. What is the government? Petr Musil 30 J.Pato čka 14.10. What is the government? Petr Musil Secondary School Hostiva ř 28 Business School Heroldovy Government Council for Milan 15.10. sady 25 National Minorities Pospíšil
What is the government? Secondary School A.Klára 21.10. Petr Musil 30
Elementary School Marjánka 22.10. Czech Statehood Dan Urban 35
1.11. Czech Statehood Dan Urban Grammar School Vod ěradská 30
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Elementary School Na 4.11. What is the government? Petr Musil 20 Smetance Secondary School KAV ČÍ 5.11. What is the government? Petr Musil 25 HORY Secondary School for EU 8.11. Czech Statehood Dan Urban 30 Administration What is the government? Grammar School of 9.11. Petr Musil 15 J.G.Mendel Brno Government Council for 12.11. Equal Opportunities for Pavla Grammar School Karlín 13 Women and men Špondrová
15.11. What is the government? Petr Musil Secondary School Smíchov 30
19.11. Secondary School for EU Czech Statehood Dan Urban 30 Administration TREVIS Secondary School 26.11. Government Council for Vlastimil ČAKOVICE 20 Drug Policy Coordination Ne čas
Secondary School for EU 29.11. What is the government? Petr Musil 25 Administration 3.12. Czech Statehood Dan Urban Grammar School Jinonice 15 Secondary School for EU 6.12. What is the government? Petr Musil 20 Administration Elementary School 8.12. What is the government? Petr Musil 20 Mikulandská Secondary School for EU 10.12. What is the government? Petr Musil 20 Administration TREVIS
1043 Total 42 lectures
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ANNUAL REPORT 2010
1. Introduction page 1 2. Organizational Arrangements and Budget of the ICV page 1 3. ICV Activities page 2 3.1. Educational Activities page 2 3.2. Educational Aids page 4 3.3. Methodological Support of the Public Administration page 4 3.4. Scientific and Cultural Projects page 5 4. Conclusion page 6
Annexes Annexe No. 1: Internet presentation of the ICV page 7 Annexe No. 2: Survey on Inquiries and Requests Settled page 10 Annexe No. 3: Library, databases and Information Resources page 11 Annexe No. 4: Scientific and Enlightenment Projects page 13 Annexe No. 5: Exhibitions page 19 Annexe No. 6: Publishing Activities page 22 Annexe No. 7: Tours and Open Days page 24 Annexe No. 8 Contests and Polls page 26 Annexe No. 9 Lectures for Schools page 27
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