Hungarian American Coalition News, 1992 (1. évfolyam, 2. szám)
1992 / 2. szám
The Coalition at Work I have been in Debrecen for two months and it seems to be a lifetime. My Hungarian- American upbringing leads me to make constant comparisons between Here and There. The most dramatic difference is that here there is a constant sense of being surrounded, of being besieged by the suspicions, threats and bellicose posturing of half-wits like Milosevic, Meciar and Iliescu. In the U.S. our day-to-day existence is never made in reference to what the Canadian or Mexican government or their leaders are about. In living memory I can think only of the Cuban missile crisis of 1962 as an instance when Americans felt any real sense of unease because of what their neighbors were doing or intending to do. Here in Hungary everything, on the other hand, is linked to what is happening across the borders in our immediate neighborhood. In other words, like it or not, Hungarians are surrounded and they j have to remain cool, calm, and collected. (Unfortunately, some of them are not — i.e. István Csurka — and thereby jeopardize the overall positive international image that the Antall administration has been able to nurture to the present!) At any rate, why am I in Hungary rather than in Ada, Ohio — where I would not be under international stress? The reason is that I have been awarded a Fulbright Teaching position at Kossuth Lajos University in Debrecen for the 1992-1993 academic year. During this year I am involved in teaching Hungarian university students about the American political system. This is a challenging opportunity to teach and to inform. Although my classes are small (I have a total I of seventeen students), the interaction is intense and the students, without exception, are highly motivated. The other task that I have before me is to help reform the curriculum of the Political Science department at Kossuth Lajos University. In a sense this has embroiled me in departmental politics and the long-term plans to institutionalize the study of politics in a non-ideological context. So far this aspect of my work has been moving ahead without any real obstacles. It looks like I am having a real impact at least in this comer of the Hungarian academic community. In conclusion I would only add that there are many other things that Hungarian-Americans can do to help with the political transition that is taking place in Hungary. Within the context of Fulbright, IREX and Soros grants they can influence the future development of higher education in Hungary. Many can also become consultants and investors in the transformation process, either at the governmental or the business level. I think that the Coalition can help this process along by informing our members about the opportunities that exist. However, as I look at our priorities, I feel that the most important continues to be keeping American policymakers informed about developments in this comer of the world. This task is something that can best be done by those who maintain their base of operation on the North American continent. We on the other shore can collect and synthesize, but you on the home front must become the effective transmission belt. Almost everything depends on the accurate transmission of information and messages. Wishing all of you the best always, Andrew Ludanyi Professor Andrew Ludanyi at Kossuth Lajos University, Debrecen. Special Honors for Coalition Members Several of our members have been honored recently for their work on Hungarian issues. Andrew Ludanyi has been awarded a Fulbright Teaching position at Kossuth Lajos University in Debrecen during the 1992-93 academic year. Professor Ludanyi also was honored with a Little Cross (“Kiskereszt”) of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Hungary for his activities on behalf of Hungarians. In recognition of his many years of leadership in maintaining Hungarian scouting abroad and for assisting the rebirth of scouting in Hungary, Gabor Bodnar, Executive President of the Hungarian Scouts Association Abroad, was given the Middle Cross (“Középkereszt”) of the Order by Ambassador Pal Tar during the October 23rd celebration at the Hungarian Embassy in Washington. During the same ceremony, Dr. Edward Chaszar was awarded the Officers ’ Cross of the Order in recognition of his championing the rights of Hungarian minorities. Anne Bader and John Lauer were dubbed “Honorary Hungarians” by Ambassador Tar in June. General Electric Grant to the Coalition GE Lighting, parent of GE Tungsram, which represents the largest foreign investment in Hungary, has made a $5,000.00 grant to the Hungarian American Coalition. This support is a vote of confidence in the work of our organization and as such is greatly appreciated. 8 • Hungarian American Coalition News • Winter 1992
