Jitka Hromek-Vaitla (right) and Kathy Aquilina (Photo: Unknown)

Jitka Hromek-Vaitla has an interesting name that reflects a history full of stories. Born in Czechoslovakia, she grew up under the communist regime and was 11 when the “Velvet Revolution” ushered in a new era of democracy in 1989. Jitka brings her personal experience to her role as the new Program Director of The Caux Scholars Program. “It is so important for young people from emerging democracies to meet the world at Caux and learn skills that they can apply to post-conflict societies,” she says.

Because her uncle was a Catholic Bishop who fled the country in the early 1950’s her family was singled out as being possible traitors and discriminated against in schools and jobs. Jitka and her twin brother were the only ones in the whole village who did not join the young Socialist Pioneers. It was hard on their family to be constantly harassed for not being in line with the regime. “I remember hiding in the basement, everything dark, listening to Radio Free Europe and to mass…the fact that we could not go to church made our faith stronger,” she said.

When communism collapsed her first impression was that she did not have to call her teacher “comrade” any more. “We could now publicly go to church, practice our faith and watch the news from countries other than Russia.” Vaclav Havel had caught the imagination of the people. After democratic elections he became President. “He was the bright star in my eyes,” said Jitka. “While communism taught us to use white lies and abuse the system, Havel affirmed truth and moral responsibility.”

Jitka received a scholarship to study in California which allowed her to escape the danger of predatory human traffickers. Her friends were not so lucky and remain scarred to this day. This close brush with brutality has given her a passion for abused women around the globe. She is grateful for the doors that opened up for her, leading to completing her Master’s in International Relations at American University, where she met her husband, Vasu Vaitla, a 1999 Caux Scholar. “I learned about IofC through Vasu. It had changed his life and gave him a sense of direction.”

Meeting IofC, was like meeting a huge international family and Jitka and Vasu often opened their home in New York City to Caux Scholars and other visitors. For Jitka personally, it was time to reflect on her motives, “I thought a job had to be about making more money. IofC was about people, and I thought wow—impossible! Is it real or sustainable? Yet, I thought it would be fascinating to be part of a world, where life is about more than making money. These were people devoting their lives to social change—just like our Velvet Revolution.”

Caux Scholars Brochure

Now that their twin sons are nearing school age, Jitka applied for the job of CSP Program Director. Her goals for the program reflect her background and experience. She would like to promote the power of scholars to continually connect and learn from each other: “I want Caux Scholars to realize the amazing benefit of their network. They gain so much from each other in this network of global leaders.”

She knows that to survive, CSP needs to expand its network of support: She plans to do a major fundraiser in honor of the 20th anniversary of CSP. Jitka is delighted with the many individuals who generously support CSP but plans to also look for foundations that will respond to the vision and history of CSP.

For the upcoming class of 2012, Jitka would like to get a lot more applications! There is rolling admissions with the final deadline February 15, 2012. ”Please encourage young professionals and students between the ages of 21 and 35 to explore this opportunity,” Jitka says. She is looking for the first Caux Scholar from Tunisia. “Their Arab Spring has some similarities to the Velvet Revolution, and my heart reaches out to them. CSP can help them find guidance about their next steps.”

Watch a short video from last summer's program

For more information and to apply for the program visit the website