The "Ordered Liberty School in Central Europe" event began on July 8th at the Ludovika Campus. This English-language, two-week summer university, held for the fourth time in 2024, focuses on freedom of speech, new media, and online platforms, with the University of Paris-Saclay being this year's distinguished guest.
Réka Varga, Dean of the Faculty of Public Governance and International Studies (FPGIS), expressed her pleasure in her opening speech that the program, realized in cooperation between Ludovika University and the University of Louisville, has attracted 44 students representing universities from 12 countries this year. She expressed her hope that the event would provide them with a deeper understanding of media affairs, freedom of speech, and the digital world. Réka Varga highlighted that the current program features lecturers from Southwestern Law School, the Louis D. Brandeis School of Law, and the University of Paris-Saclay.
In his welcome speech, Balázs Bartóki-Gönczy, Vice-Dean for Scientific Affairs at FPGIS, briefly discussed the history of Ludovika University, its faculties, and programs. He then outlined the most important activities and technical details for the upcoming two weeks to the students.
The summer university's lecturers include renowned Hungarian and American legal experts whose research in their fields strengthens the academic staff of the collaborating universities. The list of lecturers and course leaders includes András Koltay, media law expert, president of the National Media and Infocommunications Authority (NMHH), former rector of Ludovika University, and research professor at FPGIS; Luke M. Milligan and Russell L. Weaver, law professors at the University of Louisville; and from Ludovika University, Ágnes Veszelszki, Zsolt Ződi, Gábor Kovács, and Balázs Bartóki-Gönczy. Joining them are Philippe Achilleas, Vice-Dean of the Jean Monnet Faculty at Paris-Sud University, and Michael M. Epstein, law professor at Southwestern Law School.
Every summer, law professors from the United States and Hungary gather in Budapest to offer courses centered around the concept of "ordered liberty." According to this concept, a good society is not dependent on utopian human constructions but on the measurable consideration of three values: justice, order, and liberty. Political communities worldwide face the challenges posed by new forms of technology and communication. The Ordered Liberty Summer School helps students assess the proper balance of justice, order, and liberty in their own nations.
Text: Zsófia Sallai
Photo: Dénes Szilágyi