DCM Eddins Helps Celebrate 50th Anniversary of Czechoslovak Society for Science and Arts

Remarks by DCM Keith Eddins

September 8, 2008
Catholic University, Ruzomberok

First let me join the other hosts in welcoming our guests to Slovakia! I am a newcomer myself, having only begun in my job in Bratislava in August. But since my most recent position overseas was working at the American Embassy in Prague, I feel I have a right to greet you as a host – and as a partner in your 50th anniversary Congress.

Ambassador Obsitnik, who was scheduled to speak to you this morning, asked me to send his personal apologies. He was invited to attend a meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs Jan Kubis today and could not travel to Ruzomberok.

We at the Embassy congratulate Catholic University for organizing this large-scale conference and for your success in bringing so many people to experience the beauties of northern Slovakia. We believe the more that people see for themselves the riches of Slovakia – its people, its academic institutions, its vibrant cultural life – the more they will build connections with Slovakia’s many centers of excellence.

And that is my message to those of you coming from the United States – and from other countries, of course: have a closer look at Slovakia.

We have many exchange programs already in place: the Slovak Fulbright Commission will sponsor 23 scholars moving in both directions this academic year, for example. And all academic institutions here have active joint research projects and other kinds of faculty cooperation –usually as the result of a single, motivated individual professor who sees the wealth of opportunities.

But we owe it to our young people and ourselves to create more exchanges. One example is the Buffalo State University-Catholic University art student cooperation. From these beginnings, longer-term and broader student exchanges can grow.

New forms of web-based distance learning are now available and the Embassy is eager to help you explore exchanges of lectures via Internet, using web-meeting technology. Some American institutions are already looking at offering advanced degrees to Slovak students, in part, by digital video conferencing.

Again, all our best wishes for a successful conference. And please consider what you as an individual can do to build closer ties between Czech Republic, Slovak Republic and your own country’s young people!

Thank you.