News

Central Europe, the EU and myself

In 1989 our region, Central and Eastern Europe rose up. The countries of the region regained their freedom and independence, and they started on their path of democratization and development. Finally, in 2004, the V4 countries joined the European Union, an area of freedom and democracy.  For many, these events are part of their everyday lives, for others, this is already history. We are looking for the latter!

The Hungarian Europe Society and its partners - as part of the 'EUritage' consortium led by WiseEuropa, a Warsaw-based think-tank - announce an essay competition for Hungarian high school and university students. Essays of maximum 1.000 word must be written in English and should reflect on the years of the democratic transition or the effects of EU integration in the region.

Polarisation and cleavages

István Hegedűs gave a presentation entitled "Political Implications of the Refugee Crisis in Hungary, Central Europe and the European Union" for students of the Central European University in Budapest on 7 February 2020. 

After Brexit

István Hegedűs gave an interview about the new power relations inside the European Parliament and the likely postponement of the suspension of Fidesz' membership in the European People's Party on 30 January 2020. 

Shrinking Space

István Hegedűs gave a short presentation about the Hungarian political climate at the conference of Das Progressive Zentrum entitled "Open Spaces! How Tech Can Empower Civil Society" on 13 January 2020 in Futurium in Berlin.

Events

HES Workshop

On 3 January 2020 members of the Hungarian Europe Society discussed the report entitled "Tyranny and Hope" as well as the political situation in Hungary at their traditional annual meeting.

Tyranny and Hope: The state of Central Europe in the European Union

The international conference "Tyranny and Hope: The state of Central Europe in the European Union" organised by Republikon and the Hungarian Europe Society, hosted by Friedrich Naumann Stiftung für die Freiheit was held on 10 December 2019 in Brussels.

PROGRAM

Conference video

Belgian, Walloon, Flemish

On 19 September Benjamin De Cleen, assistant professor at Vrije Universiteit Brussel gave a presentation entitled "Populism, nationalism and the radical right in Belgian politics" in Brussels.

Diagnosis and Therapy

Representatives of the V21 Group and the Hungarian Europe Society held an event on 11 September 2019 to discuss the evaluation of the Hungarian situation entitled "Breaking the Silence" prepared by the V21 Group and the analysis entitled "Tyranny and Hope" as a contribution of HES to the debate.

Declarations

We Need Civil Rádió!

Thirteen NGO-s, including the Hungarian Europe Society, members of the Civilizáció group protested against the decision of the National Media Authority on 21 October 2019.

For the Renewal of Budapest

"NGO-s can be important co-operative partners of the new local council; their expertise, volunteers and members are able to provide significant resources for fulfilling its tasks. A free and green capital needs civil groups" - claimed twenty NGO-s, including the Hungarian Europe Society, in a joint proposal on 22 November 2019.

On a Candidate of the European People's Party

On 15 July 2019 the Hungarian Europe Society signed a joint letter of protest published by European civil groups against the nomination of a Fidesz politician for the role of a Vice-Chair of the Committee on civil liberties, justice and home affairs of the European Parliament calling upon the group to review their choice.

Media coverage:

Against the Gleichschaltung of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences

The Civilisation Coalition - including its member organisation, the Hungarian Europe Society - protested in a declaration on 4 June 2019 against the new intentions of the Hungarian government to undermine academic freedom.