Hif Newsletter the Latest News & Updates from the Hungary Initiatives Foundation

F A L L 2 0 1 9 HIF NEWSLETTER THE LATEST NEWS & UPDATES FROM THE HUNGARY INITIATIVES FOUNDATION

WRAPPING UP OUR BUSIEST SEASON YET

I N T H I S I S S U E After an eventful summer with programs on both sides of the Atlantic, this fall kicked CLARINETIST BENCE off with a record number of HIF-sponsored SZEPESI DEBUTS IN DC interns, scholars and fellows coming to SZÉLL KÁLMÁN FELLOWS Washington. OFF TO A GREAT START

We bid farewell to an exceptionally YOUNG HUNGARIAN talented trio of summer TFAS Fellows and LEADERS PROGRAM RECAP welcomed to Washington three new HAC LTP interns, two new Széll Kálmán Fellows, ZEBEGÉNY ALUMNI RETREAT two Quinnipiac Central European American 2019 GALLERY Business Leaders Scholarship recipients, CELEBRATING EUROPE our first Denton Fellow and also welcomed WHOLE AND FREE AT THE back all of our CEPA Andrássy Alumni. ATLANTIC COUNCIL

The Hungarian Buzz in DC is now talk of the town.

F A L L 2 0 1 9

Do Free Markets Work? ECON SEMINAR WITH CHRIS BALL

As part of our in-house programming, on Saturday, July 27, we held our first econ seminar focusing on first principles and economic dilemmas.

The all-day seminar was held by Prof Christopher Ball, Director of the Central European Institute at Quinnipiac University, and was offered to all HIF-sponsored summer interns, fellows and graduate scholars in Washington DC for the summer period.

The discussions focused on topics that gave a comparative Professor Christopher Ball perspective on both US and Hungarian economies, and on theory and practice in both countries.

Participants had the opportunity to become familiar with the basic principles of free market economics and its effects on the US as well as on Europe, specifically on Hungary.

CELEBRATING EUROPE WHOLE AND FREE AT THE ATLANTIC COUNCIL

The Atlantic Council in cooperation with GLOBSEC hosted a two day conference in July in Washington highlighting the importance of Central Europe as engines of transatlantic relations. HIF Chairman Amb. April Foley and Board Member Amb. Kurt Volker were featured in the robust program discussing the past, present and future of the alliance.

On the panel on Identity, Values, and Democracy Anna Smith Lacey talked about why national identity and sovereignty is important for countries in Central Europe that suffered from communist oppression, and why a respect for traditions that region holds dear should be a key element of US-Central Europe relations. She also highlighted the wide support that NATO enjoys across the region and praised the U.S. administration’s new approach towards Central and Eastern Europe based on realism, restraint, and respect. “The West cannot lose its soul and expect to win geopolitical battles on land, air, sea and cyber space. ”

– Anna Smith Lacey F A L L 2 0 1 9

Molly Montgomery Ambassador Daniel Fried, Anna Smith Lacey, Pavol Demes

HIF AT BRAIN BAR FUTURE JOBS BUDAPEST, HUNGARY Brain Bar 2019 was a two-day whirlwind of groundbreaking discussions, including the future of data, business, travel, geopolitics, and intelligence. Over 15,000 people from every continent gathered to hear speakers such as Jordan Peterson, Canadian political scientist and psychologist. HIF was also featured at Future Jobs talent and job fair where HIF staff provided information on fellowship, scholarship, and internship programs, and their mission to strengthen the understanding and cooperation and build bridges between Hungary and the US.

Isabelle Colf, Franciska Cunningham-Epli

Fanni Virág F A L L 2 0 1 9

Do Free Markets Work? ECON SEMINAR WITH CHRIS BALL

As part of our in-house programming, on Saturday, July 27, we held our first econ seminar focusing on first principles and economic dilemmas.

The discussions focused on topics that gave a comparative perspective on both US and Hungarian economies, and on theory and practice in both countries.

Participants had the opportunity to become familiar with the basic principles of free market economics and its effects on the US as well as on Europe, specifically on Hungary. F A L L 2 0 1 9

QUINNIPIAC AND HIF JOIN FORCES AT ZEBEGÉNY ALUMNI SUMMIT

On June 1, 2019 Quinnipiac University’s Centr al European Institute (CEI) and The Hungary Initiatives Foundation (HIF) co-hosted the Zebeg ény Alumni Summit. This event, for the first time, brought together the alumni of all Quinnipiac- and HIF-sponsored scholarships, internships and fellowships and our allies from the business, non-profit and government sectors.

The keynote speaker and guest of honor of the summit was Wess Mitchell, Vice Chairman of the Board of CEPA who held an alumni-only seminar on the statesmanship of István Széchenyi, drawing important historical lessons from nineteenth century Austro-Hungarian geopolitics and statecraft.

Vizi E Szilveszter, President of the Friends of Hungary Foundation presented the foundation’s “Friend on Hungary Award” to Prof. Christopher Ball, for his tireless efforts in expanding and deepening the educational and personal ties between the United States and Hungary.

For over a decade, the Zebegény gathering has served as a networking opportunity for those wanting to contribute to the future of Hungary and the region by helping younger generations through educational and business opportunities in both the US and Europe. F A L L 2 0 1 9

2019 SUMMER SZÉLL KÁLMÁN FELLOWSHIP RECAP

Ilona Schumicky, Noémi Pálfalvi, and Márton Hegedüs, this year’s first batch of Széll Kálmán Fellows really made us proud this summer. They "I am very happy I had this experience before have gone above and beyond to excel in their moving to China, because it emphasized the fact studies, at their internships and to spread some that no matter what people say about economic Hungarian cheer among their peers. growth, trade relations, etc., the freedom of individuals and communities is the most important..” - Noémi Pálfalvi Noémi Pálfalvi spent eight weeks at the Religious Freedom Institute, where she learned about the importance of religious liberty in the US and around the world. This internship was particularly important to her on a personal and professional level since she plans on pursuing a career working on this issue. Noémi often attended briefings and hearings in the House and the Senate and helped with the preparations of a high-level ministerial meeting on Protecting Vulnerable Religious and Ethnic Minorities, one of the highlights of the

Miklós K. Lázár summer.

“I was so happy to be here and get an insight on American politics, which I wouldn’t have gotten Ilona Schumicky interned at the Media Research otherwise, and also be able to do meaningful Center’s CNS news division while attending the work.” Economic and Public Policy track with TFAS with -Ilona Schumicky ethics and leadership electives. In two short months, Ilona wrote more than two dozen articles on a wide array of topics ranging from the State Department’s new Unalienable Rights Commission to Brexit and big tech companies use of private data.

Márton Hegedüs spent his summer interning at Rumble Up, the biggest peer-to-peer texting platform and one of the most dynamically developing technology startups in the US. Márton emphasized how important it was that Rumble Up treated him as an important, full-time employee “Being handled as one of the colleagues and from his first day, an attitude which inspired him to being listened to in meetings is something that do his best and deliver great work. Márton said he shows how seriously RumbleUp took this enjoyed getting to know other fellows, visiting the internship." - Márton Hegedüs Hungarian Embassy, and connecting with both Hungarians and Americans this summer.

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HIF FEATURED AT TFAS' WASHINGTON DC CONFERENCE ON THE FUTURE OF LIBERTY + LEADERSHIP

What is the Future of Liberty and Leadership? That's the question the two day conference hosted by one of HIF’s partner institutions, The Fund for American Studies, focused on to provide an opportunity to hear fJraonmka aDnedli engage progrGaámb oarl uMmárnkii who are involved in educating for liberty around the globe.

The conference in Washington DC featured a panel moderated by Shane M. Mazzella, Vice President of U.S. Programs at TFAS, with speakers including Peter Feldman, commissioner, Consumer Product Safety Commission Nick Ballasy, PJ Media and Anna Smith Lacey, executive director of HIF. Anna spoke of the impact that TFAS programs have on their participants and how the programs shape their thinking on the role of government in a free society. She said that an important aspect of Máté Vincze the programs is that while students get a total immersion experience in Washington, they are encouraged to interact and debate amongst themselves, even more so than in an American college class.

Since 2018, HIF has been closely cooperating with TFAS and launched the Széll Kálmán Fellowship in 2017. The fellowship is a unique, fully-funded opportunity for Hungarians to participate in TFAS’s intense summer and fall programs to live, learn, and intern in Washington, DC. “You can't have a free society without debates. But debates cannot censor or Founded in 1967, The Fund for American Studies (TFAS) is bully the other side - they have to be an educational nonprofit that has over 42,000 alumni respectful, balanced and civilized.” – Anna Smith Lacey around the globe and has worked with over 18,000 students to teach the principles of limited government, free-market economics and honorable leadership to students and young professionals in America and around the world.

Nick Ballasy,Anna Smith Lacey, Shane Mazzella, Nick Ballasy, Peter Feldman, A. Smith Lacey Peter Feldman F A L L 2 0 1 9

INTRODUCING THE 2019 FALL HAC INTERNS

Márton Zsuráfszky is an undergraduate student of International Relations at Corvinus University Budapest. Márton is a member of the largest student organization of Corvinus, called Studium Generale where he teaches history for students in the 11th and 12th grade on a weekly basis and he also organizes debate forums. Márton Zsuráfszky Márton is also a semi-professional folk-dancer and "My goal is to get to know Washington-based member of the Bartók Dance Ensemble of Budapest. institutions, learn about the American political and He is interning this fall at the Center for European administrative system as well as to promote Policy Analyis (CEPA). Hungarian culture in Washington DC."

Hajnalka Tóth holds an undergraduate degree in Communications and Media and a Master’s degree in International Relations from from Corvinus University. Alongside her university studies, Hajnalka participated in the Körösi Csoma Sándor Internship Program helping the Hungarian diaspora in Geneva, Switzerland for six months in 2014, and she was a summer intern at the Hungarian Institute for Foreign Affairs and Trade on Middle Eastern affairs between June-August 2018. Hajnalka Tóth Hajnalka has also been working as a news anchor and editor for the Hungarian Public Television's 10-minute "I believe that I will learn a lot from English-language news segment, Hungary Reports since the program and the people I will 2015. Hajnalka’s host institution is the Meridian Center work with, and that my professional development will also greatly benefit for Cultural Diplomacy. from pursuing this internship."

István Zoltán Bán from Debrecen, Hungary arrived to Washington this fall and will spend 4 months at the Institute for Governance and Sustainable Development. István has recently obtained his István Zoltán Bán undergraduate degree in International Relations from

Corvinus University. Previously he completed an This internship is a perfect opportunity internship at the U.S. Embassy in Budapest, and has to leaIrlno nmao Tre leakbiout the world’s best great interest in the life stories of Hungarian 56-ers functioning democracy and to carry out living in the United States. my grandfather’s heritage of helping democratic development all around the world.

F A L L 2 0 1 9 YHLP 2019 YOUNG HUNGARIAN LEADERS PROGRAM RECAP HIF’s third annual Young Hungarian Leaders Program (YHLP) included 13 Hungarian participants this fall. Through a mixture of briefings, study sessions, workshops, and meetings with think-tanks, U.S. gJoanvkear nDmelei nt representatGiváebso,r aMsá wrkiell as site visits, participants deepened their understanding of the history and evolution of the American constitutional order, and a representative government necessary for a free and prosperous society.

Site visits included briefings at George Washington's Mount Vernon, the State Department, the Pentagon, the Hungarian Embassy, the Heritage Foundation, the McCain Institute, Politico, the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation and the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Máté Vincze Senate.

Dávid Kosztrihán, Géza Radimeczky, Szonja Balogh, Kinga Dér, Noémi Veronika Szakonyi, Nóra Pálma Miklós, Eliza Hajdu, Norbert Szabó, Viktória Keresztes, Márton Zsuráfszky, Zsófia Rácz, Zsombor Zeöld, Hajnalka Tóth, Krisztián Jójárt

I learned to appreciate things in my life more, not taking everything for granted.

I learned how important Hungary is to me. I also learned what made the U.S. the way it is.

When you think you know a lot about America and politics, there is still so much to learn and explore.

I learned more during this one week than in a whole semester at my university. F A L L 2 0 1 9

Dávid Kosztrihán is interning this fall at the Leadership Institute.

He completed his studies of Public Administration Manager summa cum laude at the National University of Public Services Faculty of Public Administration in 2014, Since 2017, he has been studying for his Master's degree in Political Science at the Faculty of Political Science and Administration, where he has been awarded a national scholarship and a national excellence award by the Minister of Education. Dávid also completed a thesis in which he examined the political role of the Prime Minister's Office in light of institutional and personal changes, which ranked second in the legal competition section of the institutional competition (also a national competition). “I consider it a huge advantage, that due to this fellowship I will be placed in From his Széll Kálmán Fellowship, Dávid expects mental rejuvenation, the a situation in which broadening of his perspectives, and the comprehension of another work- competition is real, and culture. He looks forward to small groups, where he feels that everyone will reaches new heights-- that be able to do their best thanks to plenty of support and attention. can urge me to perform

better.”

-Dávid Kosztrihán

MEET OUR FALL SZÉLL KÁLMÁN FELLOWS:

KINGA DÉR, DÁVID KOSZTRIHÁN

Kinga Dér is interning with the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation.

Kinga graduated from the University of Pannonia in Veszprém with a Bachelor’s degree in English and American Studies. She completed her Masters program in English Studies with a specialization in Applied Linguistics at Eötvös LorándG eUnnei vMeergsiyteys.y , Anna Smith Lacey, April Foley

While taking part in the Széll Kálmán Fellowship Program, Kinga plans to improve her communication and networking skills. As part of her "I would professional goals, she hopes to deepen her understanding of issues like to deepen my knowledge related to education in the United States, and how US organizations about issues related to education in the United approach these issues and change policies. States and understanding how US In the future, Kinga would like to work at the office of the State Secretary organizations approach of Education in Hungary. Her goal is that all Hungarian students receive these issues and change high-quality education, including the second-language education of policies." English. She is also interested in pursuing a PhD program related to second -Kinga Dér language education. F A L L 2 0 1 9

HUNGARIAN YOUNG PROFESSIONALS JOIN CEPA FORUM IN WASHINGTON

Zoltán Turai, Zsombor Zeöld, Antónia Kováts, Krisztián Jójárt, Miklós Lázár

Anna Smith Lacey, Krisztián Jójárt

The annual CEPA Forum has become the go-to event for anyone working on US-CEE relations. This year’s conference, held at the MayDfalonwcinegr aHto Ttiemle isn S Wquaasreh iinng Nteown ,Y foorkc uCsiteyd on the “Unfinished Business of 1989” and challenged all participants to ask: who will win the future— China, Russia, or our Atlantic World? The Forum also featured a heavy focus on expanding the discussions to include the next generation of Young Atlanticists.

For the first time, since the launch of the HIF-CEPA Andrássy National Security Fellowship, the CEPA Forum welcomed back Galel neth Mreeegy epsrye ,v Aionunsa SHmuinthg Laaricaeny, Afeprlliol Fwosle, y Zoltán Turai, Krisztián Jójárt and Miklós Lázár, who were joined by the first HIF-sponsored Denton Fellow, Antónia Kováts, and current Andrássy Fellow Zsombor Zeöld. With HIF support, Quinnipiac University’s Széchenyi Chair, Prof. Christopher Ball also brought a group of students interested in deepening their knowledge of US-CEE relations.

"We are proud of this partnership and we hope to cultivate many more young Hungarian warriors who one day will take the helms of steering our future and finish all the business that is still to be done.”

– Anna Smith Lacey F A L L 2 0 1 9

CLARINETIST BENCE SZEPESI DAZZLES AMERICAN AUDIENCES ON FIRST US TOUR

Adam György

Bence Szepesi

This October acclaimed Hungarian Clarinetist Bence Szepesi made his debut performance at Washington’s Katzen Center for the Arts as part of his 2019 US Tour presented by AGP Agency.

Introduced by 2017 Cultural Ambassador of the Year Adam György, Szepesi played an impressive variety of pieces from Béla Bartók, Leó Weiner, Schumann, Brahms, Rossini and others with a special encore featuring an energetic performDannccineg oaft Tkilmeezsm Seqru amreu sinic N.e Swz Yeoprek sCi’isty US tour continues in Chicago and New York this fall where he will perform in Carnegie Hall.

Read Roger Kaplan's review of the concert in the American Sepctator at www.spectator.org