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Office of Defense Cooperation

Ohio - Hungary 2004

Ambassador Walker and Dr. Susan Tave Zelman, Ohio State Superintendent of Public Instruction

The Ohio National Guard-Hungary partnership was established in 1993 and has been a vibrant and continuous relationship.  Why was Ohio chosen? The diverse and large Hungarian ethnic population in the Cleveland and Toledo metropolitan areas in Northern Ohio and the Columbus and Dayton metropolitan areas in Central Ohio were the primary reason for the selection. The partnership has grown over the last ten years maturing to the level where the primary focus of the program has shifted from military-to-military events to a civilian-to-military and civilian-to-civilian focus. In fiscal year 2004, a total of twenty-one scheduled exchanges were conducted.

As the focus of the program changed to the civilian arena, Ohio has been asked by NGB, with sponsorship from the Department of State, to partake in a test Educational Program.  During 2004 this program spotlighted professional exchange programs at the educator and administrator level. The Minuteman Fellowship Program (MMF) initially funded the program, with the end-state being Department of Education and Department of State grants providing the funding for long-term activity.

Background

Since its inception, over 100 state partnership program events between Ohio and Hungary have occurred. Our efforts have focused on Chaplaincy, Civil Emergency Planning (an Exchange with Ohio Emergency Management Agency), the Legal System, the Military Partnering with the Civilian Community, breaking down economic barriers through outsourcing, privatization, and dual airport use, Environmental Management, Leadership Development and the Retirement System model.

Hungary was admitted into NATO in March 1998, a key milestone in a decade-long effort by three successive post-Communist governments to reintegrate Hungarian political, economic and security relationships into transatlantic structures. Hungary continued this work and membership in the European Union, which was the next step, to take place in May 2004. The Hungarian economy is characterized by 80 percent private ownership, with current and sustainable GDP growth of 4-5 percent per year predicted for the next several years.
 
The Ambassador's country objectives are numerous and involve initiatives in many different areas. Those that affect the partnership program are the following:

• Further Hungary's integration into NATO and ability to operate effectively with U.S. and NATO forces; provide assistance in implementing the Strategic Defense Review and meeting NATO Target Force Goals and Defense Capabilities Initiative goals.
• Strengthen bilateral military relationships and provide assistance to liaison positions at various U.S. commands.
• Maintain support for U.S. security policy by keeping Hungarian policy makers, opinion leaders, and the public as a whole informed about the details and underlying principles of Hungary's pro-NATO policy. Provide proactive dissemination of information to Hungarians in selected ministries, academic institutions and think tanks, and media organizations.
• Encourage civilian control, modernization, professional development, force restructuring, and NATO inter-operability of the Hungarian Defense Forces.

Based on the goals set forth by the U.S. Ambassador to Hungary, the European Command (EUCOM), Hungarian Defense Force's goals and the availability of Ohio National Guard our 2004 bilateral plan focused on the following areas:   

• NCO Professional Development  
• Disaster Management
• Family Support
• Response to Terrorism
• Environmental, and
• Educational Exchanges

The Education Exchange

On July 27 through August 14, 2004, a team of 12 Ohio educators traveled to Hungary to participate in the Ohio/Hungary Teacher Exchange Program. This program built on the successful Ohio National Guard State Partnership Program in Hungary, and was the first step of what is hoped to be a long and productive relationship between schools in Hungary and in Ohio.

Participants

Members of the Ohio delegation included:

Angela Chapman, Principal, Boulevard Elementary School
Michelle Walton, 5th Grade Teacher, Boulevard Elementary School
Brigitte Pronty, 2nd Grade Teacher, Boulevard Elementary School
Jackie Connelly, Art Teacher, Boulevard Elementary School
Stephanie Myers, 4th Grade Teacher, Boulevard Elementary School
John Balas, School Counselor, Northwest High School
Jim Triffun, Business Teacher, Northwest High School
Lee Snyder, Media Specialist, Northwest High School
Margaret Crawford, English Teacher, Northwest High School
Luisa Koy, Foreign Language, Northwest High School
Dr. Susan Tave Zelman, State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Ohio Department of Education
Dr. Marilyn Troyer, Associate Superintendent, Ohio Department of Education

Activities

During the course of the Teacher Exchange Program, the Ohio educators participated in many rich and informative activities both in Budapest and throughout Hungary. The following education-related sessions were led by the individuals listed below:

• Meeting with Ambassador George Herbert Walker III at the U.S. Embassy
• Presentation on the Hungarian education system - Yvonne Schuchmann and Tamas Kowalik, Ministry of Education, Hungary
• Financing Education in Hungary - Peter Rado, Institute for Public Education, Center for Education Policy Analysis
• Professional Development for Hungarian Teachers - Marta Polinsky, Center for Inservice Training 
• Overview of Issues in Hungarian Education System, Balint Magyar, Minister of Education
• Education of Roma Students - Roma Integration Network
• Tour of the Gandhi School
• Visit to the American Corner in Pecs - Zsuzsanna Nagy
• Religious Education in Hungary - Camp Lauder
• Central European University
• Kalocsa School for Roma Students - Katalin Sztojka
• Student Information and Resource Center - Adam Horvath and Barbara Rotter
• National Center for Evaluation and Examination - Mr. Pongracz

In addition, many other rich cultural experiences were enjoyed by the Ohio educators.  These included visits to an arts festival in Kapolcs, the Castle District, the Central Market, the Holocaust Museum, Hero Square, historical sites in Esztergom and Visegrad, Statue Park, Gellert Hill, musical performances, the Jewish Synagogue, an art museum, and a tour of the Parliament building.

Exchange Program Leaders

The following individuals served as leaders and hosts for the Ohio delegation:

Tamas Kowalik, Strategic Analyst, Ministry of Education
Yvonne Schuchmann, Senior Counselor, Ministry of Education
Magdolna Balazs, Cabinet Officer, Ministry of Education
Lt. Col. Thomas E. Brown, Bilateral Affairs Officer, Ohio Air National Guard

The Ohio delegation especially appreciated the warm and gracious hospitality extended to the team by these individuals.  All four of them gave of their personal time in the evenings and on weekends, as well as throughout the workday, to lead the delegation in many rich and varied experiences. They are thought of fondly by members of the Ohio delegation.

Follow-Up Since the Trip

Several steps have been taken in follow up to the trip. The Northwest High School team has established e-mail connection with a high school in Hungary. The goal is to continue to link both teachers and students through regular e-mail exchanges. In the future both Hungary and Ohio are planning video teleconferences between the educators.

The Ohio National Guard success in 2004 is attributed to its strong Joint Contact Team Program, the U.S. Office of Security Co-Operation Bi-Lateral Affairs Program, National Guard Bureau-International Affairs, all joint planning with Hungary to meet their target goals, a totally integrated Joint Force program backed by the U.S. Ambassador to Hungary, Ohio's Governor, The Adjutant General, and the Commander, United States European Command.