in co-operation with the 
in co-operation with the AEGEE-Bratislava is proud to present
Seminar, in Bratislava, April 24-26, 1998
26 April - 2 May 1998
Number of participants:
In the recent past, people in our country were expected to fulfill
planned tasks with obedience and yield rather than to approach
problems critically and to search for the truth. Any intention
to form one's own opinion, that would differ only slightly from
the official line was regarded as a subversive activity troubling
the peaceful progress of the society. We think that this has caused
immense damage. Enormous efforts will have to be made to reverse
this situation and to start a transition to a society of individuals,
a society whose stability is based on an active competition of
opinions, a society which encourages the diversity of opinion,
in short, to a civil society.
Slovakia is heading into the European structures - this direction
is declared to be the priority of the foreign policy both of the
Slovak government and of other political parties of the country.
Recently, the European Commission has published the evaluation
reports on the countries that aspire to joining the European Union.
Membership in the EU would undoubtedly mean a decisive moment
for the future direction of our country.
We find the current situation of the knowledge about the EU among the
members of the public to be very unsatisfying. Insufficient information
and thus impossibility to form one's own impartial opinion on
the issue gives way to demagogy and manipulations of public opinion.
We want to look for a solution of this problem by offering the
possibility to get information concerning the integration of Slovakia
into the European structures to a large group of people and to
enable the participants to sophisticate their opinions thanks
to concrete arguments.
We would like to provide foreign participants with a close and
varied look at Slovakia, its orientations, problems and perspectives
in connection with joining the EU.
The seminar itself will be followed by a five-day case-study
trip during which the foreign students having a deep interest
in the topic will look into the matters covered by the conference.
This would allow them to get information on the socio-cultural
background of Slovakia's development. At the end, the participants
are expected to summarize the results in the final report.
The Study Visit is intended for a relatively small number of
students only. We would like to present the described topics to
a larger group on the three-day conference named "Quo vadis
Slovakia?". 70 -100 foreign students will take part in this
event and we would be happy if many local people joined us as
well.
During the seminar, one and sometimes two main lectures will be
held; their topics will be developed in the panel discussions
and workshops that will deal with the detailed problems. This
structure will enable every participant to get specific facts
and share their opinions and views in debates. The preparation
and making of a film including an opinion poll among the citizens
of Bratislava on the knowledge they have about the EU will be another
form of active participation. We will be happy to provide the
film to other student organizations and NGOs.
Thursday 23rd April 1998
arrival of participants
Friday 24th April
breakfast
10.00 Official opening ceremony
10.30 Presentation - Development and fullfiling criteria of Assosiation
agreement in certain countries. (Institute for Public Affairs
in Slovakia or Slovak Society for Foreign Affairs.)
11.30 lunch
13.00 Panel discussion with representatives from Hungary, Poland,
Slovakia and Czech rep. and journalists (F. Šebej - Slovakia,
Mr. Smejkal - Czech republic)
14.00 break with refreshment
14.30 Workshops about Hungary, Poland, Czech republic, Slovakia.
16.00 Presentation of workshop results
17.00 interviewing in the streets of Bratislava (seeking for opinions
among people on EU)
reception
social programme
Saturday 25th April
breakfast
9.00 Presentations - EU as political system (European Commision)
10.00 Panel discussion - Slovakia's ability to aquint political
criteria of EU membership (D. Slobodnik, B. Bugar, J. Figel)
10.45 break with refreshments
11.00 Workshops
12.30 lunch
14.00 Presentation Slovakia's ability to accept economical criteria
neccessary to fullfil in order to EU membership
15.00 break with refreshments
15.30 Workshops
17.00 Presentation of workshophs results
free programme,
dinner
social programme (European Night)
Sunday 26th April
breakfast
11.00 Presentation - Quo vadis Slovakia? Slovakia's perspectives
(Centre for Economic Development - E. Jurzyca)
12.00 Panel discussion - Quo vadis Slovakia? (with representatives
of opposite political viewpoints)
13.30 lunch
15.00 interviewing in the streets of Bratislava (seeking for opinions
among people on EU)
voluntary programme for the ones interested in Slovak culture: (folklore
dance group, video-film)
social sightseeing in Bratislava
How to apply:
by sending your personal data to
quovadis@nt.cenezu.sk
(or cosmex@mail.softline.sk) or to
AEGEE Bratislava
Stare grunty 36
SDLS B 1203
SK-84 225 Bratislava
and answering the following question by March 20, 1998
What particulary would you like to learn during this seminar?
(about 150 words)
Fee: for the seminar: for 50 CEEC participants free
of charge / other participants: 10 ECU
26.04.1998 Sunday
departure from Bratislava to Kosice
27.04.1998 Monday
28.04.1998 Tuesday
departure to Presov
29.04.1998 Wednesday
departure to Banska Bystrica
departure to Zilina
meeting with students discussion with the chair of the Slovak
National Party (SNS) and mayor of Zilina Jan Slota
departure to Nitra
meeting students of European studies, Hungarian students -
discussion
01.-02.05.1998 Friday, Saturday
meeting political representatives,
minority groups,
journalists, students....
How to apply:
by sending your personal data to
quovadis@nt.cenezu.sk
(and andrea@cenezu.sk,
cosmex@mail.softline.sk) or to
AEGEEBratislava
Stare grunty 36
SDLS B 1203
SK-84 225 Bratislava
Write an essay on a topic related to Slovakia concernig its history,
political and economic transformation, minority rights and other
issues of your interest (approx. 1500 - 2000 words), together
with your application form.
Send it to quovadis@nt.cenezu.sk
by 30. March 1998!
Fee: for CEEC 35 ECU, for western Europe:
65 ECU