Milan Hodža Commemoration Days 2008 “CONNECT, ALLY, LINK and UNITE in EUROPE”

The Centre for European Studies together with the Institute for Modern Slovakia organized "Milan Hodža Commemoration Days" on 16 June 2008. Milan Hodža was a Slovak statesman from the early 20th century who many rank among the fathers of the European Union. Hodža is considered to be a European Union visionary and a passionate opponent of nationalism, Hodža later won enormous international credit for his vision of a post-war European alignment - today known as the European Union.

Mikulas Dzurinda, Chairman of Slovak Democratic and Christian Union – Democratic Party and Prime Minister of Slovakia decided to build a tradition of reminding to Slovak citizens this important statesman from Slovak history, who for many years was deleted from textbooks of socialist Czechoslovakia.

The “Milan Hodza Commemoration Days” traditionally takes place in Martin, near place of birth of Milan Hodza. The program of this year`s event was concentrated on students, who will be voters for the first time next year, in the European elections.

The central event comprised a discussion with students of secondary grammar schools from the Martin region. This took place in the historical theatre building in Martin, in the heart of Slovakia. Almost 200 students together with their teachers participated. Four distinguished panellists took the floor.

Mrs. Alena Bartlová, historian, who spoke about Milan Hodža in general, his thoughts of Europeanism, and how he turned these thoughts into practical policies during his time in office as Prime Minister of Czechoslovakia.

Mr. Mikuláš Dzurinda, MP, Chairman of SDKU-DS and former Prime Minister of Slovakia (1998-2006) spoke about the Slovak accession process to EU, its challenges and pitfalls, and applying the ideas of Milan Hodža to a federation in central Europe.

Mrs. Iveta Radičová, MP, Vice-Chairman of SDKÚ-DS, former Minister of Social Affairs and Labor, and candidate for President of Slovakia spoke about policies that connect and unite as opposied to dividing policies of populism.

And last but not least, Mr. Werner Fasslabend, MP, President of the Political Academy, former Minister of Defense spoke about the Austrian view of the central European federation envisaged by Milan Hodža, European integration today and the perception of change in Slovakia from an ex-communist neighbour to a successful member of the European Union.

An informal meeting and discussion with the students followed.