The Hungarian American Coalition is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization founded in 1991. Its mission is to identify and promote the interests of the Hungarian-American community. Its goals are to foster appreciation of Hungary’s history and culture; to encourage cultural and educational interaction between the people of the U.S. and Hungary; to protect and preserve the human and minority rights and cultural heritage of Hungarians throughout the world; and to support democratic institutions and economic development in Hungary.

Information/Communication

• Washington, DC Office – Information Center
  
  Participation of a five-member Hungarian delegation in Roundtable Discussions for Leaders of U.S. Ethnic Communities:
  1. January 5-6, 1994, Milwaukee, Wisconsin: Discussions with Vice President Gore, and high ranking Administration Officials from the State Department, and the National Security Council conducted by the White House Office of Public Liaison.
  2. March 2, 1994, Washington, DC: Follow-up conference at the White House with President Clinton, Deputy Secretary of State, Strobe Talbott, and others.
  3. December 2, 1994, Washington, DC. White House Briefing with Alexis Herman, Assistant to the President and Director, Office of Public Liaison; Daniel Fried, Director of Central and Eastern European Affairs, National Security Council; Carlos Pascual, Deputy Assistant Administrator at the Bureau for Europe and the Newly Independent States of AID; Stephen Flanagan, Associate Director of the Policy and Planning Staff, Department of State; and Swanee Hunt, newly appointed U.S. Ambassador to Austria.
     
     
• Coordination of action and information with the Central and East European Coalition on issues of mutual interest.
  
  
• Regular exchange of information with organizations, such as the Potomac Foundation, the Fulbright Commission, the German Marshall Fund, the Center for Democracy, and various universities.
  
  
• Co-applicant for USAID grant, to built a “Democracy Network” by strengthening NGO’s in Hungary (action pending)
  
  
• Initiation of the DUNA TV project, to support the administration of donations for DUNA TV and general assistance with DUNA TV’s efforts to bring its programming to the United States.
  
  
• Newsletter – sent to members, press, Washington decisionmakers.
• Clipping, exchanging reports and articles; dissemination of information on matters of interest to Hungarian Americans.
  
  
• Development of E-mail network to connect Coalition members.

Education

• Fifth Annual Human Rights Workshop – University of Hartford, Connecticut, June 10-12, 1994 – organized and conducted workshop for 40 participants with the Hungarian Human Rights Foundation, the Hungarian Communion of Friends, and with support from the Hungarian Reformed Federation of America.
  
  
• White House Internship – nomination and sponsorship of two young Hungarian American college graduates as candidates for the Winter 1995 Internships.
  
  
• Video History of Hungary – Parts I-III are finished; ongoing support for the production of Parts IV-VIII; negotiations on the Coalition’s role in use and distribution of the series.
  
  
• Educational Program Directory – the 1995 publication has been updated and expanded since the earlier 1993 version.
  
  
• Information Directory for Investment and Trade in Hungary – a compendium of the latest business information to be published in 1995.
  
  
• Financial assistance for Hungarian students in the U.S. and Romania – providing information and/or financial help.
  
  
• Teaching English to personnel at the Hungarian Embassy – two-year project by volunteer teachers completed in Summer, 1994.

Hosting and Coordinating Programs for Hungarian Visitors

• Sponsored visit and/or assisted in making U.S. arrangements for:
  
  
• Kristóf Forrai (Dept. Director, Office of Hungarians Abroad)
• Sándor Sára (President, Duna Television)
• Gábor Fodor (Minister of Culture and Education)
• József Debreczeni (former member of Parliament)
  
  
• Co-hosted reception with Washington law firm, Paul, Hastings, Janofsky and Walker, for eleven Hungarian journalists from Southern Slovakia.
  
  
• Active participation in hosting USIA-sponsored Hungarian visitors through local organizations, such as the Council of World Affairs.

Organization Activities

• Board Meetings in June and December
  
  
• Long Range Planning Session – evaluation of the mission, role and activities of the Coalition since 1991.
  
  
• Annual Meeting scheduled for December – Election of Board of Directors and of Officers.
  
  
• Ongoing membership campaign for organizational, individual and corporate members.