Hungarian American Coalition News, 1997 (6. évfolyam, 1-2. szám)
1997 / 2. szám
COALITION MEMBERS ATTEND HUNGARY 2000 Seven members of the Hungarian American Coalition were among the 150 Hungarians from the West invited to participate in Hungary 2000, organized by the Hungarian government, on May 30-31, 1997. Four major topics of discussion at the conference were: Hungary’s Euro- Atlantic integration, the development of Hungary’s image in various countries, world awareness and need for the promotion of Hungarian science and culture, and the relationship between the modern Hungarian Republic and Hungarians of the Carpathian Basin and Hungarians of the West. Official as well as social events throughout the weekend provided many opportunities to get acquainted and discuss common challenges faced by Hungarian community leaders from France, Switzerland, Austria and Australia. Many participants urged the Hungarian government to improve its communication with the Hungarian diaspora. In addition, it was suggested that future conferences would have more lasting value if in addition to providing a venue for discussion, the agenda would include the formation of working groups with specific assignments and goals. Edith Lauer and Zsolt Szekeres presented a proposal urging the Hungarian government to establish an effective and comprehensive communication system connecting Hungarians in the Carpathian Basin with Hungarians in the rest of the world. This system would include a national news service, a world-wide information database, and satellite broadcasting of Duna TV programs in the US and Canada. News front Slovakia Published On August 20 Hungarians Celebrate St. Stephen’s Day August 20 is Hungary’s most important national holiday, dedicated to the memory of Saint Stephen, or Szent István as he is known in Hungarian. This Hungarian king was a reformer with remarkable vision. When in the year 1000 he requested from Pope Sylvester II that Hungary be raised to the status of a Christian Kingdom, he thereby determined the country’s future course as a European nation. Crowned king in the year of 1000 Saint Stephen is considered the founder of the Hungarian nation. In recognition of his faith, vision and outstanding qualities, Saint Stephen was canonized by Pope Gregory VII in 1083. Nothing printed here is to be construed as an attempt to aid or hinder the passage of any legislation before the Congress of the United States or any other legislative body in the U.S. or abroad. The Coalition is a non-partisan organization. Newsletter editing, design and layout by Bernadette K Újvági. We are grateful to all those who contributed articles or information to this Newsletter. In an effort to inform Washington decisionmakers and members of the press, the Coalition has this year published three issues of News from Slovakia, a bi-monthly collection of news, pertaining to the life of the 600,000 large Hungarian community of Slovakia. Material for this newsletter is compiled at the Coalition’s Washington Office by Dr. Edward Chászár from The Hungarian American Coalition is a 3. not-for-profit 501 (c)3 tax exempt organization, registered in Washington, D.C. on August 20, 1991 OUR MISSION The Coalition was established to mobilize and coordinate the talents and resources of its members and to promote the interests of Hungarian-Americans. OUR GOALS 1. To identify and promote the concerns and interests of the Hungarian-American community; 2. To foster interest and appreciation in the United States for the history, education, and culture of Hungary, including its literature,arts, and scientific achievements; sources including reports of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Hungarian News Service, (MTI), and various reports from Slovakia. It includes a cover-page which provides information on population statistics, geographical location and human rights aspirations of the Hungarian community. If you are interested in receiving a copy of this new publication, please call (202) 296-9505 and request one from the Coalition Office. To encourage cultural and educational interaction between the people of the United States and Hungary; 4. To protect and preserve the humanand minority rights and cultural heritage of Hungarians throughout the world; 5. To support democratic institutions and economic development in Hungary. ORGANIZATION AND MEMBERSHIP The Coalition consists of organizational and individual members and operates in accordance with its Articles and Bylaws, under direction of its Board of Directors. (These documents are provided upon request). SOME FACTS ABOUT THE COALITION 3 * Hungarian American Coalition News * Summer 1997 (front row, left) Jenő Megyesy; Edith Lauer; László Hámos; Prof. Andrew Ludányi; (back row, left) Peter Kurz; László Papp and Zsolt Szekeres
