The Hungarian Student, 1958 (3. évfolyam, 1-2. szám)
1958-10-01 / 1. szám
WUS Annual Meeting Reported by L. K., Union of Free Hungarian Students’ Delegate The World University Service held its annual meeting from August sixteenth to twenty-second at the Maison Montmorency, near Quebec in Canada. The delegates greatly enjoyed the beauty of the surroundings. Quebec, which celebrated its 350th anniversary recently, is in the French-speaking part of Canada. The Maison Montmorency is situated about seven miles from the city, and is managed by nine Jesuit priests, who are hosts to similar conventions several times a year. Close to the building are Canada’s highest waterfalls, the 274 feet-high Montmorency Falls, which are an unforgettable sight. About 130 delegates representing thirty countries participated in the meeting. They included representatives of local groups from all over the world, members of the Central Secretariat, observers and guests. The meeting consisted of three major parts: a report to the full session, meetings of subcommittees, and a symposium. Four subcommittees met and dealt with the following subjects: placement and subsistence of students, student health problems, study activities and equipment, and individual and immediate aid. The first item on the agenda of the plenary meeting was last year’s financial report, which was accepted. Then next year’s financial outlook was discussed. One of the major issues at the meeting of the Aid Committee was the placement of Hungarian refugee students. The first comprehensive report was presented on the changes in the students’ situation since the Revolution and on the present situation. We heard a detailed report on the Hungarian students in Austria, who constitute the largest group in Europe. Many of them are still living in the refugee camps. Most of these commute to the universities, and some go to work. Their placement is underway, but this is a slow procedure due to the large number of Hungarians in Austria. Our students established a Hungarian Library in Vienna and prepared a catalogue of the Hungarian books in the Vienna Library. Many Hungarian students visit these libraries. The situation of the Hungarian students in Italy is the most difficult. The continuation of their studies is not fully assured, and this situation is made worse by the fact that the World University Service has no local group in Italy. However, one is being organized now. In Europe, about three hundred Hungarian students graduated from high school at the end of the 1957-1958 school year. One hundred fifty of these asked to be admitted to college, and the World University Service is taking care of their placement. On the whole, the placement of Hungarian students is the biggest enterprise the W. U. S. has undertaken since its establishment. This task is not nearly finished yet, and the work will be continued all over the world until a way is found for each Hungarian student to continue his studies. In many countries the refugee Hungarian professors are a problem, because they cannot continue teaching unless they pass a state examination. The committee instructed the Central Secretariat to study the situation and attempt to find a solution. The Committee also dealt with the problem of the Algerian refugee students, about three hundred of whom are in France and would like to continue their studies, and Lebanon asked for aid to cover the hospital expenses of students wounded during the recent fighting. At one session of the symposium there was a debate on establishing relations with the Polish and Russian student associations. A member of the Central Secretariat reported on his experiences in Poland and Russia and said that he believed the above-mentioned student associations had democratically-chosen leaders, because on several occasions they had criticized their governments. Nevertheless, the meeting expressed no confidence in them, but passed a resolution allowing the truly democratic leaders to be invited to the next meeting as observers. The closing session was held on the twentysecond, and ended by wishing good luck to the leaders in their important task of aiding youth throughout the world to receive higher education. That night there was an informal party at which the delegates from various countries had a chance to strengthen their friendships. It was a wonderful ending to a friendly and interesting meeting. October 1958 13
