Amerikai Magyar Szó, 1988. július-december (42. évfolyam, 27-48. szám)
1988-12-08 / 46. szám
Thursday, Dec. 8. 1988. AMERIKAI MAGYAR SZO 11. AltlEBUfltl HUtlGARinns Rumanian Leader Is Adamant on Rural Plan PSYCHOLOGICAL CORNER N.Y. Times, Nov. 30, 1988 WARSAW - President Nieolae Ceausescu of Rumania has reaffirmed his Government's plan to consolidate rural communities by eliminating thousands of villages, declaring that "resolving the problem of living places for villagers represents an objective necessity." But Western diplomats found suggestions in some of his remarks Monday that the project, the object of intense international criticism, may face obstacles because of its cost. Addressing the Central Committee of the Communist Party, Mr. Ceausescu said, "Without doubt, realizing this wish toward civilized modern life in the spirit of the humanism of our society, will require a longer period and will call for sustained effort." The speech was published today in the party daily Scinteja. Under a plan announced officially in April, many villages have been put on notice that they would be razed to create more arable land in the country, which is roughly the area of Wyoming. The plan under which about half of Rumania's 13,000 rural villages are to disappear, is to replace some with modern cities containing light industry. The plans are escribed by Western diplomats and Rumanians to Mr. Ceausescu's striving to put his personal stamp on all things Rumanian, in what official propaganda describes as the 'Ceausescu era'." The projects have met harsh criticism from abroad for their destruction of monuments and the elements of older Hungarian and German ethnic cultures in the interior. Particular criticism has come from Rumania's Warsaw pact ally, Hungary, since many of the villages lie in formerly Hungarian Transylvania. Hungarian critics have accused Mr. Ceausescu of using the plan to eradicate the Hungarian minority. The clash has led to anti-Rumanian demonstrations in Hungarian cities, mutual denunciations and diplomatic steps including the closing of consulates and the expulsion of diplomats. A meeting in August between Mr. Ceausescu and the Hungarian leader Karoly Grósz, failed to resolve the differences. Echoing previous declarations, the 70- year old Rumanian leader sought Monday (Nov. 28) to justify the Government action as a means of providing modern housing for rural populations. Mr. Ceausescu also repeated his rejection of political and economic change along Soviet lines. Margit Kovács, the artist who died in 1977, was one of the outstanding figures of Hungarian sculpture, and continues to be one through her works displayed at exhibitions. Her sculptures are on show in Szentendre, in a museum named after her and set up according to her own plans Rudolf Szilvasy's photographs were taken in the museum colleagues, organized by the Information Bureau of the US as a professional complement to an exhibition entitled American Design in the Museum of Applied Art. Peter H. Wooding, president of the Industrial Design Society of America (IDSA), member of the Interior Design Artists Society of the US, a frequent participant in professional boards awarding the prizes of professional contests, and also the founder and owner of a design company, the Peter Wooding Design Associates in Providence, Rhode Island, spoke in his lecture "American design: new revival" about how industrial design in the US is undergoing a revival, the signs of which are becoming more apparent everywhere. Museums nowadays host great design exhibitions, the number of design stores is steadily growing and there is a growing interest towards design in the press, with the result that industrial designers are now surrounded by a super star myth. Design itself is in continuous motion and progress, because this field can easily be influenced by emerging social, cultural, political and economic factors. As he said, design in the US reflects a multi-faceted and colourful culture. The Design Forum, an event organized annually by the Design Centre of the Hungarian Chamber of Commerce inviting design artists with experiences in special fields from abroad, has been very successful for years now. This last time leadings professionals in design work and education from the USA gave lectures to Hungarian Nine bridges span the Danube and there are 4 small islands along the Budapest section of the river. Budapest has 47 public baths and swimming pools and 287 sports grounds are at the disposal of the public. Dr. Borbély will be glad to answer questions about the functioning of the mind. LONELINESS ONE OF THE PROBLEMS OF OLD AGE by Dr. Anted Borbély People, due to improved health care, will in the average, reach higher ages in the future. Also the percentage of old people will increase at the close of the century due to the babyboom of the 40's and the decrease in the birth rate since then. It will be therefore increasingly important to understand and to resolve old people's problems both on an individual as well as a broader social level. Old people often suffer from feelings of loneliness. Increasing social isolation may result from retirement, incapacitating illness and death of loved one (family, or friend). This can be handled by getting the person to socialize more (Senior Centers, church activities, other social organizations, family and friends). And, if possible and desired by finding part time employment (reinbursed or voluntary). Often psychotherapy can relieve unnecessary loneliness by uncovering and resolv- ine selfdestructive tendencies underlying social isolation, low self-esteem or bitterness and depression. At times this has to be combined with antidepressant medication when the depression has psychological components like crying spells, insomnia, weightloss, or suicide ideas. If health and social avareness permits, the active involvement in selfhelp groups, like the Grey Panthers movement, is recommended. Therej socialization occurs but more importantly, the feeling of making a difference due to active social participation contributes to selfrespect and respect by others. U.N. group prepares treaty to regulate waste shipments. GENEVA - In response to growing demands from developing countries, a United Nations environmental organization is conducting talks aimed at drafting a treaty to regulate the international shipment of hazardous wastes. Among them are requirements that an exporting country take back waste if it cannot be disposed of safely in an importing country, that exporting countries punish those who illegally ship toxic waste and that a list be established of countries that refuse all hazardous waste imports. Countries that sign the treaty would be prohibited from shipping wastes to those on the list. Although a number of other issues remain unresolved, officials of the United Environment Program, which is overseeing work on the treaty, said they hoped it would be ready for singing at a meeting of environmental ministers in Basel, Switzerland, in March. Two more negotiating rounds are scheduled before then.
