{"id":21126,"date":"2023-04-04T14:07:06","date_gmt":"2023-04-04T13:07:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vtei.cz\/2023\/04\/rozhovor-s-michalem-brozou-vedoucim-informacniho-centra-osn-v-ceske-republice\/"},"modified":"2024-08-19T17:48:23","modified_gmt":"2024-08-19T16:48:23","slug":"rozhovor-s-michalem-brozou-vedoucim-informacniho-centra-osn-v-ceske-republice","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vtei.cz\/en\/2023\/04\/rozhovor-s-michalem-brozou-vedoucim-informacniho-centra-osn-v-ceske-republice\/","title":{"rendered":"Interview with Michal Bro\u017ea, head of the UN Information Centre in the Czech Republic"},"content":{"rendered":"

Mr. Bro\u017ea, you have been working at the\u00a0United Nations in\u00a0various positions since 1995. What brought you to\u00a0work at the\u00a0UN? Do you remember when you decided on\u00a0it? And what topic did you deal with after joining the\u00a0UN?<\/span><\/h4>\n

It was\u00a0a\u00a0coincidence of\u00a0many different circumstances. I studied information\u00a0science and political science at Charles University, and at the\u00a0University of\u00a0Amsterdam I studied a\u00a0wider range of\u00a0social sciences, including international relations. I had travelled to\u00a0foreign countries and learned about various cultures. At the\u00a0time the\u00a0offer came, there was\u00a0war in\u00a0the\u00a0former Yugoslavia, and the\u00a0UN was\u00a0being discussed a\u00a0lot in\u00a0Europe in\u00a0relation\u00a0to\u00a0that \u2013 for\u00a0better or\u00a0for\u00a0worse. I found working for\u00a0the\u00a0global system a\u00a0great challenge. The\u00a0opportunity presented itself \u2013 it wasn\u2019t a\u00a0dream job, but it seemed cool given my interests and experience. Big, global, beneficial, and controversial at the\u00a0same time. From the\u00a0very beginning, my task was\u00a0to\u00a0find ways to\u00a0communicate complex topics connected with a\u00a0global organization; in\u00a0that first phase it was\u00a0mainly the\u00a0aforementioned war in\u00a0Yugoslavia.<\/span><\/p>\n

You worked in\u00a0a\u00a0number of\u00a0foreign missions. Is\u00a0there anything that surprised you that sticks out the\u00a0most from these missions?<\/span><\/h4>\n

Missions are a\u00a0specific job. Often in\u00a0difficult, sometimes extreme conditions, far from everything. From one\u2019s own way of\u00a0life, from family, friends, culture. UN missions are mainly about helping the\u00a0civilian population\u00a0in\u00a0extreme economic, social, and political situations. You can\u2019t avoid feeling like a\u00a0real missionary doing good and saving the\u00a0world. The\u00a0sooner this\u00a0feeling is\u00a0gone, the\u00a0better for\u00a0everyone, including you. It is\u00a0a\u00a0professional job that requires not only practical or\u00a0technical skills, but also the\u00a0ability to\u00a0empathize and show solidarity with those you help and those you work with. And these are people literally from all over the\u00a0world. You must have the\u00a0ability to\u00a0adapt and be resilient enough. This\u00a0is\u00a0the\u00a0only way to\u00a0do your best and contribute, at least in\u00a0a\u00a0small way, to\u00a0the\u00a0stabilization\u00a0of\u00a0countries affected by\u00a0war or\u00a0some other disaster. What struck me the\u00a0most was\u00a0how many fantastic people you get to\u00a0meet doing this\u00a0kind of\u00a0work. Both among local residents and among collaborators from the\u00a0UN and international non-governmental organizations.<\/span><\/p>\n

Within\u00a0the\u00a0UN, you specialize in\u00a0the\u00a0issue of\u00a0global risk communication, which undoubtedly includes the\u00a0protection\u00a0of\u00a0water and water resources. Can you assess where this\u00a0communication\u00a0has\u00a0moved during your tenure at the\u00a0UN?<\/span><\/h4>\n

Water is one of the three main things necessary for survival. Its meaning is obvious to everyone. In rich countries, we have become accustomed to the fact that the availability of quality water is not a problem. But it is a problem for 800 million people and almost 2 billion people use water from unsafe sources. The water problem has worsened dramatically in recent years due to the climate crisis. If we fail to prevent warming above 1.5 degrees, so-called water stress will affect us all. Somewhere and sometimes it will be too little water, other times and in other places too much. Flooding, increased ocean levels. Ten per cent of the world\u2019s population lives in low-lying coastal areas. If the current trend continues, they will have to find new homes. Some places on Earth will become uninhabitable due to temperature, but also due to the unavailability <\/span>of\u00a0water. Water must be a\u00a0reason\u00a0for\u00a0greater cooperation\u00a0between countries, but we often see the\u00a0opposite. This\u00a0means that the\u00a0issue of\u00a0water also has\u00a0a\u00a0strong security aspect. The\u00a0situation\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0water ecosystem is\u00a0also critical. In\u00a0the\u00a0last 300 years, 85 per cent of\u00a0the\u00a0world\u2019s wetlands have disappeared.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Conference World 2030, Litom\u011b\u0159ice, October 2022<\/h6>\n

At the\u00a034th UN-Water Meeting, member countries agreed that the\u00a0theme for\u00a0World Water Day 2023 would be \u201eAccelerating change through partnerships and cooperation\u201c. What do you personally expect from this\u00a0theme, and how can the\u00a0discussion\u00a0about it further advance the\u00a0global perception\u00a0of\u00a0water protection\u00a0and water resources?<\/span><\/h4>\n

It follows from the\u00a0development of\u00a0recent decades that in\u00a0a\u00a0connected world, it is\u00a0impossible to\u00a0exist without global cooperation. However, the\u00a0reality is\u00a0different. Covid has\u00a0shown that countries tend to\u00a0deal with common\u00a0problems either individually, or\u00a0bilaterally, or\u00a0in\u00a0coordination\u00a0with allied countries. However, it is\u00a0no longer sufficient for\u00a0the\u00a0problems of\u00a0the\u00a021st century. Russia\u2019s war with Ukraine or\u00a0the\u00a0long-term increase in\u00a0tensions between the\u00a0two main\u00a0powers \u2013 the\u00a0US and China \u2013 reinforces the\u00a0risk of\u00a0geopolitical confrontation. The\u00a0world needs more cooperation\u00a0and coordination\u00a0and stronger global institutions. Certainly the\u00a0UN, more powerful and in\u00a0line with the\u00a0current world. Therefore, we need to\u00a0improve, deepen and expand cooperation, including water protection\u00a0and management. Cooperation\u00a0is\u00a0the\u00a0key word for\u00a0the\u00a021st century.<\/span><\/p>\n

One of\u00a0the\u00a0main\u00a0topics of\u00a0today is\u00a0the\u00a0SARS-CoV-2 and the\u00a0epidemiological situation. During discussions at the\u00a0UN level, have you noticed an increased interest in\u00a0the\u00a0topic of\u00a0wastewater monitoring as\u00a0a\u00a0medium for\u00a0estimating the\u00a0development of\u00a0epidemiological situations?<\/span><\/h4>\n

Covid, but also the\u00a0climate crisis\u00a0and the\u00a0growth of\u00a0global population\u00a0is\u00a0related to\u00a0an increase in\u00a0the\u00a0risk of\u00a0threats to\u00a0global health. And this\u00a0is\u00a0also connected with the\u00a0topic of\u00a0wastewater. Wastewater cannot be viewed as\u00a0waste, but as\u00a0a\u00a0resource. Again, we are literally condemned to\u00a0work together to\u00a0actually solve common\u00a0problems. The\u00a0development of\u00a0cooperation\u00a0in\u00a0the\u00a0field of\u00a0wastewater, hygiene, and sanitation\u00a0is\u00a0key. After all, 3.6 billion\u00a0people in\u00a0the\u00a0world either live without a\u00a0toilet or\u00a0use toilets that are not connected to\u00a0a\u00a0safe sewage system. This\u00a0is\u00a0a\u00a0huge problem for\u00a0human health and the\u00a0environment.<\/span><\/p>\n

Another topic is\u00a0the\u00a0Russian-Ukrainian conflict. In\u00a0this\u00a0context, much is\u00a0also written about environmental damage. Is\u00a0it possible to\u00a0describe to\u00a0what extent the\u00a0UN is\u00a0currently involved in\u00a0the\u00a0issue of\u00a0the\u00a0environment, i.e. the\u00a0protection\u00a0of\u00a0water and water resources in\u00a0this\u00a0conflict?<\/span><\/h4>\n

This\u00a0is\u00a0a\u00a0huge topic for\u00a0a\u00a0separate interview. The\u00a0United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) released the\u00a0first report mapping the\u00a0environmental problems related to\u00a0the\u00a0war last autumn. This\u00a0is\u00a0a\u00a0preliminary summary for\u00a0now and work on\u00a0the\u00a0evaluation\u00a0and solution\u00a0plan continues. Due to\u00a0the\u00a0war, Ukraine is\u00a0facing many simultaneous environmental crises, whether it is\u00a0the\u00a0issue of\u00a0chemicals, ammunition\u00a0and military equipment, pollutants, damage to\u00a0infrastructure, including water management, energy and waste systems, but also, for\u00a0example, fuel storage. Just assessing all the\u00a0damage will be a\u00a0huge task; as\u00a0well as\u00a0developing recovery plans. I must add that the\u00a0obligation\u00a0to\u00a0protect the\u00a0environment in\u00a0times of\u00a0armed conflict is\u00a0reflected in\u00a0international law, including the\u00a0UN Charter or\u00a0the\u00a0Geneva Conventions, and it is\u00a0desirable that justice be achieved in\u00a0this\u00a0area.<\/span><\/p>\n

It is\u00a0well-known that you are involved in\u00a0educational activities at the\u00a0school level. You are a\u00a0long-term partner and supporter of\u00a0the\u00a0\u201eSuccess for\u00a0every pupil\u201c conference, which includes, among other things, the\u00a0topic \u201eChildren as\u00a0co-creators of\u00a0the\u00a0future\u201c. Do you see a\u00a0shift in\u00a0the\u00a0development of\u00a0the\u00a0topic of\u00a0environmental protection\u00a0at the\u00a0level of\u00a0secondary and primary schools? Namely, what, from your point of\u00a0view, would be appropriate to\u00a0change in\u00a0the\u00a0school curriculum in\u00a0the\u00a0field of\u00a0environmental protection?<\/span><\/h4>\n

The\u00a0shift is\u00a0significant in\u00a0terms of\u00a0both quality and quantity. In\u00a0particular, there has\u00a0been a\u00a0boom in\u00a0climate change education. New books are being published (a new one on\u00a0climate solutions is\u00a0to\u00a0be printed soon, I am looking forward to\u00a0it), programmes and methodologies are being created, there are a\u00a0number of\u00a0active teachers (including the\u00a0\u201cTeachers for\u00a0the\u00a0Climate\u201d initiative), many schools have taken up the\u00a0topic very actively. But are we already where we should be? Far from it. Climate must rise to\u00a0the\u00a0top of\u00a0the\u00a0political agenda before we can see the\u00a0desired impact on\u00a0climate education.<\/span><\/p>\n

Please tell us what you are currently working on\u00a0and what awaits you in\u00a02023.<\/span><\/h4>\n

Our priorities for\u00a0this\u00a0year will remain\u00a0similar to\u00a0last year. Ending the\u00a0war in\u00a0Ukraine, including the\u00a0protection\u00a0of\u00a0refugees from Ukraine, but also other conflicts in\u00a0the\u00a0world, climate change \u2013 in\u00a0March we will hold a\u00a0press conference with our Czech partners to\u00a0publish the\u00a0final synthesis\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a06th IPCCC assessment report \u2013 biodiversity protection. Furthermore, the\u00a0equality of\u00a0women and men, the\u00a0issue of\u00a0violence against women and girls, human rights protection\u00a0\u2013 this\u00a0year we will commemorate the\u00a075th anniversary of\u00a0the\u00a0adoption\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0Universal Declaration\u00a0of\u00a0Human Rights \u2013 Sustainable Development Goals and many other topics. The\u00a0never-ending war in\u00a0Syria, the\u00a0deteriorating situation\u00a0in\u00a0Afghanistan. Within\u00a0the\u00a0Czech Republic, we will continue to\u00a0maintain\u00a0and deepen cooperation\u00a0primarily with schools and non-governmental organizations, but also with other institutions and enterprises of\u00a0the\u00a0state and private sector.<\/span><\/p>\n

For\u00a0all of\u00a0them, I will mention\u00a0one project that makes me very happy. At\u00a0the\u00a0end of\u00a0this\u00a0year, together with the\u00a0Learned Society of\u00a0the\u00a0Czech Republic, we will award the\u00a0Climate Change Communication\u00a0Award for\u00a0the\u00a0fifth time. It\u00a0is\u00a0intended for\u00a0scientists and experts for\u00a0their educational activities. It is\u00a0our small contribution\u00a0to\u00a0strengthening climate action, to\u00a0bridging differences of\u00a0opinion\u00a0and to\u00a0supporting the\u00a0culture of\u00a0critical discussion\u00a0within\u00a0various scientific fields in\u00a0the\u00a0Czech Republic.<\/span><\/p>\n

Thank you for\u00a0taking the\u00a0time to\u00a0do this\u00a0interview.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Michal Bro\u017ea was born on 13 May 1965 in Su\u0161ice. He graduated from Charles University in Prague and also studied at the University of Amsterdam in the Netherlands. Since 1995, he has worked at the UN in various positions. Since 2004, he has been the head of the UN Information Centre in Prague. He participated in missions in Africa and working stays in the former Yugoslavia and the Middle East. He also
\nworked as a World Bank consultant and researcher in the private sector. He specializes in UN issues, communication of global risks and megatrends. He is the author and co-author of publications and articles related to these areas, and he also gives lectures.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":18659,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[120,3128],"coauthors":[1742],"class_list":["post-21126","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-from-the-world-of-water-management","tag-interview","tag-un-information-centre"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vtei.cz\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21126","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vtei.cz\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vtei.cz\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vtei.cz\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vtei.cz\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=21126"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.vtei.cz\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21126\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":32062,"href":"https:\/\/www.vtei.cz\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21126\/revisions\/32062"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vtei.cz\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/18659"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vtei.cz\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=21126"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vtei.cz\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=21126"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vtei.cz\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=21126"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vtei.cz\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=21126"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}