Free speech is at the heart of democracy across the globe. The Greek writer Homer said it was every man's right; the French philosopher Voltaire would have died to protect it; and former Czech President Vclav Havel believed it to be the cornerstone of democratic life. <\/p>\n
Since the Velvet Revolution, and thanks largely to Havel's leadership afterward, free speech has become an accepted civic right in the Czech Republic over the past 20 years. <\/p>\n
In 2004, Prague even saw the establishment of its own Speakers' Corner, inspired by the famous Hyde Park platform in London where anyone can come and express their views. <\/p>\n
British expat Euan Edworthy, who has been based in Prague since 1994, was behind the establishment of the Prague Speakers' Corner, and is now a trustee of the international charity Speakers' Corner Trust which grew out of his original idea. <\/p>\n
Speakers' Corner has spread internationally, including to Berlin. <\/p>\n
\"We wanted to create a forum where people could express their opinions and not be scared,\" he said. \"Speakers' Corner is a landmark for freedom of speech in the sense that, if anyone came and tried to bulldoze it, it would be a huge thing.\" <\/p>\n
From its launch pad in Prague six years ago, Speakers' Corner Trust has grown and unveiled a number of Speakers' Corners across the globe, from Berlin to Abuja, Nigeria. <\/p>\n
\"It was born as a pipe dream. Now it has evolved into a UK-based, international charity,\" Edworthy said. <\/p>\n
Speakers' Corner Trust is now run by director Peter Bradley, a former Labor MP, and backed by major sponsors and supporters, including the UK Justice Ministry and Google. <\/p>\n
Edworthy said there are plans in place to expand further in the Central and East European region, as well as focusing on developing the outpost in Nigeria. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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