On May 17-22, CIPE conducted a Hungarian Business Association Management Training Program in Balatonfured, Hungary. This was the third such session, following earlier programs in 1996 and 1997, and it was the most productive yet because it:
One participant, Ms. Eva Rajki, Secretary General of the Association for Direct Sellers, said that the program was extremely helpful because it concentrated on "context, not just content" - enabling different cultures to exchange ideas and share successes and failures.
Twenty-three people, representing 20 organizations attended the training program, which was also supported by the U.S. Agency for International Development. Some of the topics discussed included project planning and proposal writing, conflict management and negotiations, the role of volunteerism, small business development, and community economic development. All of the participants had attended CIPE's earlier sessions, which enabled them to build on knowledge gained in 1996 and 1997.
In concluding the five-day program, Mr. Lazlo Villanyi, Member of the Presidency of the EMED Alumni Association, put it this way: "Our message is that a market economy better promotes the welfare of mankind than the structures tried previously . . . . We shall be partners and provide assistance to ensure that the market economy solidifies in neighboring countries as well." And with an eye toward Washington, he added: "Our message to the U.S. taxpayer [who helped to fund the program] is that we are not wasting his money" and that "[CIPE] could not have spent this money any better than on this purpose."