PRE-ACTIVITY HUNGARY
Issue 1: Environmental Pollution
Stakeholder: Hungarian Environmental Protection Agency (HEPA)
In Hungary, one of the local issues is environmental pollution, particularly air and water pollution. The Hungarian Environmental Protection Agency (HEPA) is a key stakeholder responsible for addressing and mitigating environmental pollution. They play a vital role in monitoring and enforcing environmental regulations, as well as implementing sustainable practices.
HEPA has been working towards reducing air pollution by promoting the use of renewable energy sources, improving energy efficiency, and implementing stricter emission standards for industries and vehicles. They have also initiated various public awareness campaigns to educate citizens about the importance of environmental protection and the individual actions they can take to reduce pollution.
In terms of water pollution, HEPA has been actively involved in monitoring and controlling pollution sources such as industrial discharges and agricultural runoffs. They collaborate with other stakeholders, including water management authorities and local communities, to implement effective wastewater treatment systems and promote responsible water usage.
Proposed Solution: Apart from the efforts of HEPA, it is essential to encourage a shift towards sustainable practices and raise public awareness. Implementing stricter regulations, providing incentives for eco-friendly technologies, and promoting education on environmental conservation are crucial steps to address pollution issues effectively.
Issue 2: Healthcare Accessibility in Rural Areas
Stakeholder: Hungarian Ministry of Human Capacities
In Hungary, healthcare accessibility in rural areas is a significant concern. Many remote regions lack adequate medical facilities and face challenges in accessing quality healthcare services. The Hungarian Ministry of Human Capacities is a key stakeholder responsible for addressing healthcare disparities and improving accessibility across the country.
The Ministry has initiated various measures to enhance healthcare services in rural areas. This includes deploying mobile medical units to remote regions, providing healthcare subsidies to attract medical professionals to practice in underserved areas, and upgrading and expanding existing rural healthcare facilities. They also focus on increasing the availability of telemedicine services to bridge the gap between patients and healthcare providers.
Proposed Solution: To further improve healthcare accessibility, additional steps can be taken. These may include implementing policies to encourage healthcare professionals to choose rural practice through financial incentives or career development programs. Collaborations with private healthcare providers, community organizations, and NGOs can also be established to enhance healthcare outreach and awareness campaigns in rural communities.
Issue 3: Youth Unemployment
Stakeholder: Hungarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (HCCI)
Youth unemployment is a pressing issue in Hungary, with young people facing challenges in finding suitable employment opportunities. The Hungarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (HCCI) is a key stakeholder actively working towards addressing this issue by fostering entrepreneurship, promoting vocational training, and facilitating the integration of young job seekers into the labor market.
HCCI has implemented various programs to support youth entrepreneurship, providing mentorship, training, and financial assistance to aspiring young entrepreneurs. They collaborate with educational institutions to enhance vocational training programs and develop curricula aligned with the needs of the job market. Additionally, HCCI facilitates job fairs and networking events to connect young job seekers with potential employers.
Proposed Solution: To further tackle youth unemployment, a multi-faceted approach can be adopted. This may involve strengthening collaborations between HCCI and educational institutions to ensure industry-relevant skills training. Governments can offer tax incentives and support programs to encourage businesses to hire young talent. Furthermore, fostering partnerships between the public and private sectors to create more internship and apprenticeship opportunities would help bridge the gap between education and employment.
Issue 4: Roma people in Hungary
Stakeholder: Hungarian Gypsy Missions International
Hungarian Charity Service of the Order of Malta
No home country
Though Roma have lived in Hungary for centuries, there is continued racism, discrimination and social exclusion related to the Romani minority in Hungary, and the very subject of the Roma is a controversial topic in the country. Anti-Roma discrimination has worsened since 2011 due to the rightward shift of Hungarian politics.
The separation of Romani children into segregated schools and classes is also a problem. In 2023, the European Court of Human Rights issued a judgment against Hungary for the racial segregation of Roma pupils at the Jókai Mór Primary School in Piliscsaba. The court urged Hungary to "develop a policy against segregation in education and take steps to eliminate it".
In the transition to a market economy, Roma workers were disproportionately likely to lose their jobs, leading to severe economic hardship and social exclusion. The housing conditions of Hungarian Roma are considerably worse than those of non-Roma across a range of indicators of deprivation.
NGOs, academics and religious organizations working with the Roma report that they are often denied access to public housing, and where government programmes to improve their living conditions exist, they can be impeded by local authorities.
Intelligence claims that the proportion of the Romani population will double by 2050.
Proposed Solution: A Szeretetszolgálat kirekesztett közösségekben, elfeledett településeken, szegény/cigány telepeken végez segítő munkát, nyújt hiánypótló szolgáltatásokat azoknak a rászorulóknak, akik túlnyomó többsége a nem megfelelő lakás mellett súlyos munkavállalási és megélhetési gondokkal, etnikai kirekesztéssel is sújtott, társadalmi hátrányaik pedig olyan mértékűek, melyekkel önerőből, vagy a meglevő szociális támogató rendszer segítségével képtelenek megküzdeni.
