Banská Bystrica, Eslovaquia
1 de Septiembre del 2005
Participating organizations:
Conferencia Mariano Otero, Mexico
Conférence Olivaint, France
EFPOLIT, Slovakia
Foro Generacion del 78, Spain
Studentenforum im Tönissteiner Kreis, Germany
Young Diplomats´s Center, Poland
The International Summer Academy, held in Slovakia from the 2nd to the 9th September 2005, is the sixth of its kind. This year it was organized by EFPOLIT. The previous Academies were held in Berlin (2000), Madrid (2001), Paris (2002), Zagreb (2003) and Mexico (2004). They play an important part in strengthening the international youth network “Politea”, which serves as a forum for further cooperation between the member organizations. Through cross-country dialogue and joint activities, we support the construction of an international civil society at both the student and young professional level. All members of Politea have signed an agreement to this effect. We are united in recognizing and valuing the variety of social, cultural and political identities within international society- “Unity in Plurality,” as the European Union states it.
The 6th Summer Academy was based in Slovakia and aimed at presenting the new vision of the European Union after the biggest enlargement in its history which took place on the 1st of May 2004. It focused especially on the Slovak perception of this enlargement and the political, military, economic and cultural challenges this historical event has brought about.
Over the course of the ISA week, a number of lectures and discussions took place. Guest speakers were drawn from a variety of backgrounds including politics and diplomacy, public administration, academia, business and civil society.
The participants got a chance to recognize Slovakian capital Bratislava as the first part of the ISA 6 took place there. The second part of the ISA 6 was held at the Matej Bel University in Banská Bystrica which is situated in the centre of Slovakia. One excursion to the castle of Devín near Bratislava was organized to enable the participants to visit one of the most important place of the Slovak history and national pride.
Media coverage on Slovakian television and press underlined the significance of this conference. The number and diversity of the participants testified the interest that the young generation takes in the current situation as well as in the prospects the future holds for the integrated Europe.
As a result of International Summer Academy 6 the following
Joint Declaration
Was issued
We, the participants, agree to these
Political and Security Issues
• Emphasize the importance of democracy for stable and prosperous development of society. After analyzing Slovakian experience of transition to democracy, special attention should be paid to the following issues:
1. To emphasize democracy is the only condition to bring about stability.
2. In order to enhance the development of the civil society, it is necessary to motivate people to cast their votes as well as to stand for the elections of all levels: local, regional, national, supranational.
• New challenges in the international security such as terrorism, proliferation of WMD, etc. will be easier to solve if the dialogue between the nations will be deepened and the mutual trust will be enforced.
• Peace, security and stability in Europe can be reinforced through the increased cooperation in the framework of the European Union.
Economic Issues
• Economic development is very closely linked with the improvement of human life conditions.
• Transitional Central Europe economies could provide an incentive to Western Europe economies to dynamize their economic growth.
• It is of great importance to recognize and fight against regional economic disparities within a country.
• Foreign investments serve as an engine for the economy of a country- as in the same time the country creates sustainable economic development.
• The future of global economic development lies in research and new technologies so that i tis important to invest in these sectors.
• Sustainable development has to be linked to the economic development to provide future generations with essential ressources necessary for their economic growth and prosperity.
Cultural Issues
• Although our cultures are very different we all share the same universal values. Every culture is unique and has to be respected in its complexity.
• The nation should be defined more in political terms than according to the ethnicity criteria.
• In order to enable free and unconstrained individual development of every human being the minority rights have to be respected.
• There should be more university exchanges among our countries in order to promote friendly and deeper relationships in the future generation of our decision-makers.