By Joseph Kamanga
The Cool Czechia 2025 programme has kicked off in Prague, bringing together 20 young African leaders from across the continent for a 10-day exchange running from October 8 to 17.
Now in its third edition, the Cool Czechia initiative is a flagship project of the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) aimed at building bridges between Czechia and Africa through dialogue, cultural exchange, and shared learning. Participants on the programme get a rare opportunity to explore Czech history, diplomacy, and media while engaging with Czech counterparts on issues of mutual global concern.
On the opening day, the participants were officially welcomed at the Czernin Palace, home to the MFA, by Vaclav Prasil, Director of the Sub-Saharan Africa Department, who inaugurated the 2025 edition.
They held interactive debates on Czech–Africa relations and conducted a guided tour of the historic Czernin Palace, one of Prague’s most iconic diplomatic buildings.
The group also visited the Office of the President of the Czech Republic, where they met a representative from President Petr Pavel’s Foreign Policy Department, and later toured the Vaclav Havel Library, dedicated to the legacy of the Czech Republic’s first president and democracy advocate. They concluded the day with a lively exchange with Czech journalists, discussing media freedom and press autonomy in their respective countries.
On the second day, the young leaders visited Radio Prague International to learn about its rich broadcasting history and unique multilingual service in seven languages. They later toured Czech Television, the country’s independent public broadcaster, and interacted on editorial freedom, comparing experiences in their countries.
The group also held an engaging session at the European Union Information Centre, where they took part in a simulation of parliamentary negotiations at the European Parliament.
Zambia is represented by Free Press Initiative lawyer and programmes assistant Shida Sande and Chapter One Foundation lawyer Henry Mulenga, both young leaders under 30.