Achievements of PTF CU

Josef Hlávka Award
In accordance with the will of Josef Hlávka, the greatest Czech benefactor, prominent Czech architect, capable construction entrepreneur and politician, on the eve of the Day of the Struggle for Freedom and Democracy and the International Day of Students, the awards of the Foundation "The Endowment of Josef, Maria and Zdenka Hlávka" are presented.

The Josef Hlávka Award, which rewards outstanding students and graduates of Prague public universities, Brno University of Technology and also young talented workers of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, was received this year by 54 students.

Among them was Mgr. Eliška Vančová, a graduate of the Evangelical Theology Master's programme at ETF CU, who was awarded for her exceptionally high quality diploma thesis entitled Approach to Same-Sex Couples in the Evangelical Church of Czech Brethren.

This thesis is valuable for its exceptionally chosen topic, topical both in the context of the discussion of the draft law on equal marriage and in the context of popularization of the issue within Czech society. The theoretical part of the thesis presents the issue of same-sex relations in general and Czech history and in the environment of Christian churches. The research part, conducted in the ECCB, shows that most ordained church members are receptive to blessing same-sex couples, but at the same time few have experienced it. And when the pastor is asked to give such a blessing, it is not easy to get the approval of the elders. Most often, same-sex unions are blessed by pastors working in large cities. The blessing usually takes the form of a modified order of service for a wedding assembly, the only major difference being the absence of a legal act.

Eliška Vančová received the award on 16 November 2023 at the Josef Hlávka Castle in Lužany near Přeštice.

Marcela Uhlíková

Genderman of the Year
The intention of the Genderman of the Year Award, which is announced by the non-profit organization Open Society, is to draw attention to men who actively speak up against sexism, discrimination, unequal working conditions or violence against women. In this way, the organization wants to acknowledge the efforts of those who strive for such changes, and at the same time point out that addressing gender inequality is not something that can be shied away from in a democratic society. In the sixth year of the campaign, the public could nominate candidates in two categories – High Level Politician and Public Figure. Nominations included ten high-ranking politicians (including the President of the Republic, Petr Pavel) and 17 public figures.

The Genderman of the Year 2023 award in the Public Figure category went to JUDr. Daniel Barton, LL.M., Ph.D., attorney at law and assistant professor at the Department of Social Work at ETF UK. The expert jury justified his selection by the fact that he brings a rational and professional perspective to the discussion on sexually motivated violence, in addition to being based on his practice as an advocate for victims of this type of violence. The third place was awarded to Lukáš Talpa, a graduate in Theology of Christian Traditions at ETF CU, from the NGO League of Open Men. Lukáš Talpa runs the Patron Project, which provides adolescents from orphanages with a patron who provides a positive role model and helps them to become independent.

Open Society NGO, ETF UK