Czech Centres set for new direction as Ivan Jukl takes over
The network of Czech Centres is heading for its biggest transformation in years. Newly appointed director Ivan Jukl says the goal is not to shrink the organisation but to strengthen its presence abroad while making it more efficient at home.
The Czech Centres, a state-funded organisation operating under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, form one of the country's principal instruments of cultural and public diplomacy. Through 26 offices around the world, they promote Czech culture, language, science, innovation, education and business cooperation, working alongside Czech embassies to present the country to foreign audiences.
Ivan Jukl, who takes over after serving as the Czech ambassador to Egypt and previously headed the government trade promotion agency CzechTrade, was appointed by Foreign Minister Petr Macinka following months of debate over the future of the organisation. Earlier this year, concerns over the financial consequences of the Czech participation at Expo 2025 in Osaka raised questions about the network's future, while the ministry also announced plans to review the organisation's priorities. The minister has now ruled out closing any of the existing foreign offices, saying instead that the network should become more effective.
Speaking shortly after his appointment to Czech Radio, Ivan Jukl repeatedly stressed that he sees the Czech Centres' future not in reducing their international footprint but in making better use of their resources.
"Our vision is to strengthen the network abroad. We want to preserve it and, if possible, find ways of making the Czech Republic even more visible internationally. At the same time, we need a lean headquarters that supports that mission. I cannot yet say exactly what organisational changes that will require because I officially take over only now."
Looking beyond traditional cultural diplomacy
Rather than relying exclusively on permanent state-run offices, Ivan Jukl suggested that the Czechia could expand its international presence through closer cooperation with Czech expatriate associations, honorary consuls and other local partners.
He described the concept as something resembling a franchise model, in which trusted organisations abroad could represent the Czech Republic under the Czech Centres brand while maintaining agreed professional standards. According to Jukl, the approach could allow the Czech Republic to reach places where maintaining a permanent office would be impractical while still strengthening its international visibility.
The incoming director said one of his first priorities will be to consult Czech ambassadors around the world in search of pilot projects that could test this approach. Rather than choosing locations based simply on geography, he said future expansion should respond to local demand and the willingness of partners to actively promote the Czech Republic.
"The model should be based on demand. Wherever there are people genuinely interested in helping represent the Czech Republic—whether expatriate associations, honorary consuls or friends of our country—we should explore ways of working together. One of my first tasks will be to discuss possible pilot projects with Czech ambassadors and identify where such cooperation could work best."
Integrating culture, business and innovation
The new director says the future of the Czech Centres lies not in narrowing their mission but in ensuring that their different activities reinforce one another. While the organisation has traditionally been associated with exhibitions, concerts and language courses, its remit also includes promoting Czech science, innovation, education and business abroad. He argues that these individual strands should no longer operate in parallel but as parts of a broader strategy presenting a modern image of the Czech Republic.
"If you look at the founding charter of the Czech Centres, you'll find that their responsibilities are much broader than culture alone. They include informing people about the Czech Republic, supporting business opportunities, promoting science and innovation and working with Czech expatriate communities. My task is to find a model in which all these activities support one another instead of functioning separately."
That approach also reflects Jukl's own professional background. Before returning to the diplomatic service, he led CzechTrade, the government's trade promotion agency, experience that he says has convinced him that cultural diplomacy and economic diplomacy should complement each other rather than compete for attention.
Although the incoming director acknowledged that some Czech Centres have already found this balance, he said he first wants to identify examples of best practice before deciding whether changes are needed elsewhere.
The cautious tone also extended to the politically sensitive debate surrounding the organisation. Announcing Jukl's appointment, Foreign Minister Petr Macinka said that some Czech Centres had gradually shifted away from cultural diplomacy towards what he described as "culture wars", arguing that the network should once again focus on promoting Czech culture, science, business and the country's international reputation.
Ivan Jukl, however, avoided endorsing that criticism. Instead, he said he intends to meet the directors of every Czech Centre before reaching any conclusions.
"Until yesterday I was serving as ambassador in Egypt. I need time to speak with every director of every Czech Centre and form my own opinion about their work. What matters most to me is how each centre fits into the mission for which the organisation was established. There may be many different aspects to consider, so I do not want to judge anyone on the basis of a single criterion."
That measured approach was echoed when asked about possible personnel changes. Jukl acknowledged that reforming the organisation would inevitably mean comparing the current network with the vision set out by the ministry. While he suggested that some people would continue in their present roles and others might not, he declined to speculate about individual appointments before completing his review.
For now, many of the details remain to be worked out. Yet one message emerged consistently from Ivan Jukl's first Czech Radio interview as incoming director: the government no longer sees the Czech Centres as a network to be downsized. Instead, it wants them to become a more visible and more effective instrument of Czech public diplomacy—one that continues to promote Czech culture while placing greater emphasis on innovation, business, science and partnerships with Czech communities abroad.
