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Havel Conversation with Wendy Celebrate Havel at the Lincoln Center NYU Panel Dedication of the Vaclav Havel bust
A Conversation with Wendy Luers Honoring Wendy and William Luers
 
 

For over 30 years

FCS has worked with leading nongovernmental organizations, states, government representatives, communities, and individuals to engage societies around the world with the United States through diplomatic and cultural exchange.

 
 
 
 

The Foundation for a Civil Society (FCS) is a small New York-based nonprofit organization (501 (c) 3), founded by Wendy Luers in January 1990 as Charter 77 New York to respond to the needs Czechoslovakia faced as it transitioned to democracy with offices in New York and Prague.

Following the split of Czechoslovakia, FCS established an office in Bratislava, Slovakia in 1993. In the late 90’s and continuing to this day as affiliates of FCS, these offices became the highly successful indigenous NGO’s: Nadace VIA and Nadace Pontis. At the height of its programming in 1996-97, FCS had a staff of 42.

 
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Walking down 5th Avenue in New York City en route to the Metropolitan Museum of Art is Wendy (left), Václav Havel (center), the new president of Czechoslovakia, and Ambassador William Luers. The photo was taken in Feb. 1990.

Walking down 5th Avenue in New York City en route to the Metropolitan Museum of Art is Wendy (left), Václav Havel (center), the new president of Czechoslovakia, and Ambassador William Luers. The photo was taken in Feb. 1990.

Wendy Luers (right) with Polly Kraft and Václav Havel at Hrádecek in the summer of 1989.

Wendy Luers (right) with Polly Kraft and Václav Havel at Hrádecek in the summer of 1989.

Wendy, Václav Havel, Kveta Dienstbierová, Petr Pithart, William Luers and Karel Schwarzenberg gather at U Sedmi Andelu restaurant at President Havel’s inaugural dinner hosted by the Luers and Miles Glaser on December 28, 1989 – the night before his

Wendy, Václav Havel, Kveta Dienstbierová, Petr Pithart, William Luers and Karel Schwarzenberg gather at U Sedmi Andelu restaurant at President Havel’s inaugural dinner hosted by the Luers and Miles Glaser on December 28, 1989 – the night before his swearing in as President of free Czechoslovakia.

Wendy speaking at the opening of The Foundation for a Civil Society joint international Young Visual Artists Awards (YVAA) exhibition at the Slovak National Gallery in 2011, with the US Ambassador Tod Sedgwick and his wife Kate.

Wendy speaking at the opening of The Foundation for a Civil Society joint international Young Visual Artists Awards (YVAA) exhibition at the Slovak National Gallery in 2011, with the US Ambassador Tod Sedgwick and his wife Kate.

 

Our Projects

FCS has worked with leading nongovernmental organizations, states, government representatives, communities and individuals to engage societies around the world 

 
 

Ongoing projects

 
 
 

Legacy Projects

 
 
 
 
 
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FCS News

 

Honoring Wendy and William Luers at BBLA & VHLF Gala

Bohemian Benevolent and Literary Association & Vaclav Havel Library Foundation Annual Gala celebrating cultural diplomacy with guests of honor ambassador William Luers and Mrs. Wendy Luers

 

Transition from Communism: A Conversation with Wendy Luers

Wendy W. Luers is the founding President of The Foundation for a Civil Society (FCS) and Co-Chair of the Project on Justice in Times of Transition. Mrs. Luers established the Foundation for a Civil Society in New York and Prague in January 1990.