The fourteenth Global Minority Rights Summer School, held between 5 and 10 July, explores the themes of self-determination and minority rights and is once again hosted by the Ludovika University of Public Service. The international summer school is jointly organized by the Department of International Law of the Faculty of Public Governance and International Studies (FPGIS) at the Ludovika University of Public Service, the Tom Lantos Institute, the Human Rights Consortium operating within the University of London, and the UNPO (Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization).
The summer school is a unique programme series with an ever-expanding international network of connections, highlighted Anna-Mária Bíró, Director of the Tom Lantos Institute, at the official opening ceremony held on 6 July at the Educational Center. She added that, due to the continuously growing pool of applicants, the selection of lecturers and participants places an ever greater responsibility on the organizers. Speaking about the institute, she explained that it primarily deals with human rights and minority rights, including, from an international perspective, the situation of the Roma and Jewish minorities in Hungary.
The summer school can now look back on a fourteen-year tradition, emphasized Balázs Vizi, Associate Professor (habil.) at the Department of International Law of the Faculty of Public Governance and International Studies. The programme initially had a European focus; however, today it addresses the situation of minorities from a global perspective, which has also significantly broadened the international recruitment base of participants. Speaking about the Ludovika University of Public Service, the Associate Professor noted that, with its public service focus, it is unique among Hungarian universities. He added that the Faculty of Public Governance and International Studies has long been engaged in the field of international law and in examining the situation of minorities. The Faculty is open to PhD students arriving from abroad and also offers publication opportunities to interested participants.
Participation in the summer school is a great source of inspiration for both students and lecturers, added Corinne Lennox, Head of the Human Rights Consortium at the School of Advanced Study of the University of London. She drew attention to the fact that participants in the programme must form a community, as active student engagement is indispensable for achieving change in the fields of minority rights and self-determination. Speaking about her own institution, she explained that it provides postgraduate education through seven research centres focused primarily on legal studies and has also established close cooperation with, among others, the Faculty of Public Governance and International Studies and the organizers of the summer school.
Following the opening ceremony, and before the first lecture, participants also had the opportunity to introduce themselves. During the week-long programme, distinguished Hungarian and international experts on the subject will work together with students to examine the most important issues of international minority protection.
Text: Tibor Sarnyai
Photo: Dénes Szilágyi