At the beginning of September, the Youth Research Institute embarked on a work trip to the United States, where they held several professional discussions and book launch events for the compilation of studies titled, For a Better World – 110 Years of Hungarian Scouting, in three locations (New York, Garfield, and Washington, D.C.).
As part of the professional program, our institute’s staff visited Hungary's Consulate General and the United Nations Representation in New York City, where they met with Magdolna Pongor, Representative for Hungary at the United Nations on human rights and social policy, and at Hungary's Consulate General, they discussed research collaboration opportunities with István Pásztor, the Consul General, and Tamás Novák, the Science and Technology Attaché.
After New York, the professional programs continued in Washington, D.C. First, our colleagues visited George Mason University, where thanks to Director Brian J. Benison, they gained insight into the practice-oriented educational system of the United States. The innovation performance and research potential of George Mason University place it among the top ten public universities. Following this, they discussed the similarities and differences between U.S. and Hungarian family policies with Professor Helen Alvaré.
At Georgetown University, our colleagues met with Program Director Matthew Mangiacarnia and JD LaRock, a professor at Northeastern University, who was a former education advisor to the late Senator Ted Kennedy and played a key role in shaping Massachusetts' education reforms. They exchanged ideas with LaRock about educational reforms and the future of work.
At the Heritage Foundation, they had discussions with Ross Hougham, Deputy Director of Student Programs, about equipping young leaders with public policy knowledge and conservative values. Adam Kissel, an education expert at the Heritage Foundation, the team discussed challenges in the U.S. education system, school choice, and parental rights.
Last but not least, our colleagues visited the Cygnal polling company, where they met with President Brent Buchanan and gained insight into the latest public opinion polling methods and data analysis techniques. Before the book presentation in Washington, D.C., our colleagues were received by His Excellency Szabolcs Takács, Ambassador, with whom they discussed the role of Hungarian scouting, the situation of youth, and Hungarian-American political relations.
The professional visits provided us with valuable experiences and helped outline further international collaboration opportunities, which can contribute to the long-term development of our institute's research and professional activities.
