July 9, 2008

People To People International at the Embassy

People to People International is a voluntary effort of private citizens promoting international understanding through direct people-to-people contacts. PTPI is an international private, non-governmental organization headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri.

The purpose of People to People International is to enhance international understanding and friendship through educational, cultural and humanitarian activities involving the exchange of ideas and experiences directly among peoples of different countries and diverse cultures.

People to People International is dedicated to enhancing cross-cultural communication within each community, and across communities and nations. Tolerance and mutual understanding are central themes. While not a partisan or political institution, PTPI supports the basic values and goals of its founder, President Dwight D. Eisenhower.

A group of 40 students from all over Oregon State visited the Embassy on Tuesday, July 8 to reach these goals and objectives in reality. They were given a presentation by Congressional Liaison András Juhász and Cultural Attaché Béla Gedeon on the structure and functioning of the Embassy, the every day work of diplomats in Washington, DC, and contemporary Hungary, which was followed by an interesting round of Q&A on a wide range of issues about the Embassy and Hungary.

After this, the American students filled out a cultural-historical quiz on Hungary, and the winners with the five highest results won educational prizes such as books about the history and art of Hungary. The presentation and quiz show was followed by a buffet reception in the Grand Hall of the Embassy.