WORLD CONFERENCE OF HUNGARIAN WOMEN
To be held in the Hungarian Parliament
on November 23-24, 2007
MAIN PATRONS
Dr. Kinga Göncz, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Hungary
Dr. Zita Gurmai, Member of the European Parliament, Vice-Chairwomen of the Committee of Women's Rights and Equal Opportunities
HOST
Dr. Katalin Szili, Speaker of the Hungarian National Assembly
SPONSORS
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Repubic of Hungary
Procter&Gamble
The Association of Women's Career Development in Hungary hopes to involve women who are of Hungarian origin in the interest of promoting women's equal opportunities in Hungary. We are confident that these women could help strengthen democracy in Hungary and help the country toward a better future by offering their expertise and personal devotion towards this country.
The Objectives of the World Conference of Hungarian Women are to:
- encourage and strengthen the networking and cooperation of women from the Eastern and Western Diaspora and in the motherland,
- draw attention to the significant contributions of women of Hungarian origin to accomplishments in the fields of economy, politics, science, culture, media, and sports,
- present the achievements of Hungarian women in the solution of global problems, in safeguarding peace, and in the promotion of humanitarian values,
- encourage networking between the younger generations of the Western Diaspora and the motherland.
Further information:
Association of Women's Career Development in Hungary
Ms. Andrea Ferenczi, President (mobile: +36 30 9827093)
Ms. Rita Rónyai, Secretary General (mobile: + 36 20 911 28 39)
http://www.magyarnok.hu/, http://www.hungarianwomen.net/
INTRODUCTION TO THE ‘WORLD CONFERENCE OF HUNGARIAN WOMEN' PROJECT
On the basis of the successful projects of the Association of Women's Career Development in Hungary realized in the past four years and our national and international networking, we have launched a project that aims to involve women who are of Hungarian origin in the interest of promoting women's equal opportunities in Hungary. We are confident that these women could help strengthen democracy in Hungary and help the country toward a better future by offering their expertise and personal devotion towards this country.
Background
The Association of Women's Career Development in Hungary, in conjunction with the "Women in political decision making" project in 2006, published Dr. Katalin Koncz's 450-page book entitled "Women in Politics - Hungary 1990-2006" (An Overview with International Comparisons) including summaries in English, German and French.
The book has filled a gap with a detailed analysis of women's participation in political decision making at the parliamentary, governmental, local governmental and civil organization level as well as with its examination of the reasons for the lack of sufficient participation of women in comparison to other parts of Europe.
The conference jointly organized by the Association of Women's Career Development in Hungary and the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor to promote women's participation in political decision making, designed as the introductory event in Hungary of the "2007 - European Year of Equal Opportunities for All", mobilized extensive political and social forces.
The Conference was unique and exemplary because it evoked a determination in civil organizations, political parties, the multinational business sphere, and the top-level EU institutions to cooperate in the promotion of equal opportunities for women in Hungary. This success was further enhanced by the participation of the U.S. Ambassador to Hungary in this cooperative effort, and the presence of a representative from the Canadian Embassy.
The Conference's topicality
The women of Hungarian origin who are coming to the conference from different parts of the world are bringing their distinct cultures with them. Simply by participating, they are acting as symbolic bridges between the culture of their motherland and the cultures of their adoptive countries. They also serve as living testimony to the strides that the idea of equal opportunities has made in their chosen countries, thereby bringing with them a message that is especially important and inspiring in 2007, the European Year of Equal Opportunities for All.
As a result of increasing migrational trends, countries that have been welcoming people of various nationalities are rapidly being transformed into true multicultural nations. Having recognized this trend, the European Union has decided to mark 2008 as the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue.
Accordingly, our upcoming World Conference of Hungarian Women is in full accordance with current European and world developments and is meant to herald in the European Union's 2008 European Year of Intercultural Dialogue. Thus, by paying tribute to the achievements of preeminent Hungarian women, it is also fostering the modern striving for intercultural communication everywhere in the world.
Accordingly, the upcoming World Conference of Hungarian Women will not only foster the cause of equal opportunities for all but by heralding in the European Union's 2008 European Year of Intercultural Dialogue, also hopes to set an example of lively intercultural exchange.
PRESS RELEASE
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