Opening Remarks by Ambassador Eleni Tsakopoulos Kounalakis at the Active Citizens Launch with Hungarian Baptist Aid

Good afternoon. Thank you all for coming today for the launch of the U.S. Embassy in Hungary’s Active Citizenship initiative.

I would like to start off by attempting to explain what I mean by Active Citizenship. The best way for me to do this is to go back about 2,500 years, to ancient Greece. As a student of Athenian democracy, and as a member of a Greek American household, I was raised on the concept of the Athenian oath. This was the oath that was recited by all young men as they became citizens of ancient Athens. And here is what they pledged: “I will not leave my country diminished when I die, but greater and better, so far as I am able by myself and with the help of all.”

Thousands of years later, in the United States, which is considered by many to be the great successor of Athenian democracy, President John F. Kennedy put it this way. In his inaugural address he famously urged all Americans to "Ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country.”

It is a phrase that many around the world instantly recognize and it captures the fundamental ethos which most Americans are raised with. Active citizenship in the United States is not a hobby or a social activity but part of our core beliefs. It is the idea that we have not just an opportunity, but an obligation to play an active role in our society and, by extension, in our own governance.

Two generations after President Kennedy spoke his famous words, a young man named Barack Obama graduated from Harvard Law School. He had college loans to pay. And he had plenty of opportunities to work for a high paying law firm. But he knew that those jobs would always be there. And instead, he moved to a poor neighborhood in Chicago to become a community organizer. With his knowledge and energy, he helped people learn how to take better care of their neighborhoods, and improve and strengthen their communities.

It is no surprise to most Americans that a future political leader would have spent part of his or her life dedicated to helping improve society. In fact, we recognize and value those who roll up their sleeves and, on what we call a “grass roots” level, strive to be part of something bigger than just themselves.

As a way of demonstrating this deeply held value, the Obama administration launched a national initiative called “Champions of Change.” This initiative is designed to recognize ordinary Americans doing extraordinary things in their communities. In launching the initiative, Senior Advisor to President Obama Valerie Jarrett said, “Everyone has a story to tell and everyone has a role to play.” In sharing their ideas and their hard work, ordinary citizens can help address the challenges of the 21st century and build a better future together.

During my time as the U.S. ambassador here in Hungary, I have encountered many inspirational stories about citizens and organizations working together to bring advancements to their communities and Hungarian society as a whole.

Many of you in the room today are here because you have distinguished yourselves as active citizens. We at the U.S. Embassy recognize and applaud your efforts.

Throughout the year and across the country, I plan to recognize different citizens and organizations that embody the ethos of active citizenship. As I visit different cities and towns throughout Hungary, I will meet with leaders from all walks of life who are working to improve their communities.

We have set up a space on the U.S. Embassy in Hungary’s website and Facebook page where you can go to learn more about our Active Citizenship initiative and where you can nominate individuals as active citizens. Each month we will highlight a new active citizen or citizen’s organization on our website and via our embassy Facebook page.

Today, we are recognizing our first award recipient. I am very pleased to be awarding the inaugural “Ambassador’s Award for Active Citizenship” to Hungarian Baptist Aid, in recognition of its domestic and international humanitarian work.

Hungarian Baptist Aid is a major force in Hungarian civil society that has provided vital assistance to people in need. Their list of undertakings in Hungary is extensive and includes launching secondary school education campaigns to raise awareness about Trafficking in Persons and the perils of drug smuggling, advocating against racism, and providing after-hours programs and activities for the homeless and addicts. They also run a nation-wide holiday shoe-box charity that collects and distributes thousands of holiday gifts for under privileged children.

But their work within Hungary is only part of what this incredible organization has accomplished. They are also active in Africa, the Middle East, Asia and the Western Hemisphere. In Afghanistan, they have served alongside Hungary’s NATO contingent in Baghlan province, providing mid-wife training and medical support. In Haiti, Hungarian Baptist Aid and their U.S. counterparts were among the first responders in the aftermath of the January 2010 earthquake. Two years later, they are still engaged in the rebuilding of Haiti. Just this month, they opened a school and orphanage that will provide care and education for hundreds of Haitian children.

In recognition of Hungarian Baptist Aid’s efforts, former U.S. President Bill Clinton congratulated the group, “for having the vision and the heart to imagine the complex, and the initiative and dedication to bring it to reality.”

So, without further ado, I would like to welcome Hungarian Baptist Aid Director Béla Szilágyi to accept the “Award for Active Citizenship,” and invite him to say a few words about how their organization has promoted active citizenship."

Source: U.S. Embassy Budapest

Photo: Ambassador Kounalakis presents the award to Hungarian Baptist Aid Director Béla Szilágyi (Embassy photo by Attila Németh)