Welcome to Budapest in 2009
Message from the Minister of Justice and Law Enforcement
On behalf of the Ministry of Justice and Law Enforcement I welcome all participants to the 47th Annual Congress of the International Association of Young Lawyers (AIJA). It is a great privilege for Hungary to host the 2009 Annual Congress and for me to participate.
The event is a unique learning opportunity for both foreign and Hungarian lawyers and certainly for the ministry as well. I consider that it is essential to promote legal culture and to enhance cooperation between lawyers from all over the world.
In the last two decades Hungary has undergone significant political, economical and social changes, which have made it necessary to renew our legal system. In the course of these changes, lawyers played – and are still playing – a vital role. The inspiration and support that lawyers receive from fellow colleagues and international organizations, such as AIJA, is fundamental. The application of international experiences will also be a central element in future legal development.
I wish you an excellent stay in Budapest and a very productive congress. I am convinced that the congress will contribute to your work.
Tibor Draskovics, Minister of Justice
and Law Enforcement
AIJA’s President invitation
Dear Friends,
It is a pleasure and a privilege to invite you to take part in the major event of AIJA in 2009, the 47th Annual Congress, which will be held in Budapest from Tuesday 25 to Saturday 29 August.
Budapest, the “Pearl of the Danube”, capital of Hungary and one of the world’s most beautiful cities is on UNESCO’s World Heritage list. The city straddles a gentle curve in the Danube: one third on the western bank is hilly Buda, two thirds on the eastern bank is flat Pest.
In Budapest 2000-year-old Roman ruins and 400-year-old Turkish monuments are side-by-side. The city has also a turn-of-the-century feel, for the capital’s heyday was during the industrial boom of the early 20th century.
Budapest has gained importance over the years. With over 1.8 million inhabitants it has become the capital of one of the most dynamically developing examples of Eastern European countries.
It is a “city of bridges”, cosmopolitan, with a complex identity, between East and West, combining luxury and simple traditions.
It is undoubtedly one of the best locations to host AIJA’s Congress! We also are an association full of “bridges”: between cultures, between national traditions and common principles, between diversity and continuity, between a career building membership and a career proven association, between prime quality legal education and cutting edge topics.
AIJA congresses offer a unique balance between substantive and social program. Over the course of five days you will be invited to enjoy a comprehensive and substantive program offering working sessions on a wide range of legal topics. Furthermore the organizing committee is planning unforgettable social events which will provide opportunity to have fun while networking with like minded lawyers and corporate counsel from all over the world.
I warmly invite you to join AIJA Congress in Budapest 2009!
Duarte de Athayde, Lisbon, Portugal
WELCOME ADDRESSES
Dr. János Bánáti, President of the Hungarian Bar Association
On behalf of the Hungarian Bar Association, a hearty and warm welcome to all participants to Hungary and to the 47th AIJA Congress!
As President of the Hungarian Bar Association, the collective organization of the 19 county Bar Associations as well as that of Budapest, it is my duty to ensure that the needs and interests of the Hungarian legal community are served by the Bar’s regulation of the profession, which includes its interaction with international organizations representing lawyers worldwide.
The impact of globalization, especially within the context of the current turmoil in the financial markets and economies worldwide, provides challenges and opportunities for lawyers, in-house counsel and attorneys-at-law alike. Associations such as AIJA enable legal practitioners and law firms to build international business strategies to meet these challenges and to use these opportunities.
The current instability of the global climate makes it your role to maintain the avenues of communication even more a key issue. As young lawyers, you will all play a part in continuing to uphold and to deepen further the core values of our profession.
It is my hope that you will reap not only the professional benefits of this year’s AIJA congress, but will also learn about the comprehensive and diverse culture and rich history of our country.
It is a pleasure for the Hungarian Bar Association to support this program; we wish you all the best and invite you to make the most of this excellent opportunity!
Dr. János Bánáti
President of the Hungarian Bar Association
Dr. László Réti, President of the Budapest Bar
It is an honor for the Budapest Bar Association to be the host of the AIJA Annual Congress in 2009.
I welcome you all to Budapest and hope that while absorbing the scientific program and meeting new people you will enjoy all the delights our city has to offer.
The Budapest Bar Association’s roots can be traced back further than its official establishing date of 1875, as historical records from the seventeenth century make reference to organizational efforts on the part of the legal community to regulate services by lawyers. Today, the Bar represents around 5,000 members and is the country’s largest Bar Association.
Our work in representing the rights and obligations of the legal profession is therefore not negligible, and we welcome all initiatives to promote legal education and co-operation. When an opportunity arises to extend the scope of such education through a co-operation with an international association, we are all the more supportive of the cause. The fact that AIJA targets the younger members of the legal community is particularly important as especially these professionals benefit the most from guidance and connections available in the international arena. It is this same group of people who are capable of ensuring that other young, career-building lawyers from around the world will be welcomed and encouraged to participate in the multitude of professional and recreational events planned for the 2009 Annual Congress.
All that remains is to invite you to enjoy the excellent program lined up for you by the organizers.
Cordially,
Dr. László Réti
President of the Budapest Bar Association
Welcome to Budapest in 2009!
Following in the footsteps of previous great cities but offering a fresh Central Eastern European perspective, the 2009 Budapest Congress will be an unforgettable event for all. This will be the first time the Annual Congress has been held in this part of Europe, and we are certain that once you experience our particular brand of hospitality combined with the “AIJA Spirit”, you will not be disappointed.
Whatever part of the agenda tickles your fancy, one thing is for certain: an Annual Congress that begins with an Opening Ceremony held in a most stunning venue is guaranteed to leave you wanting more.
The Organizing Committee is looking forward to welcoming you, and making sure that you get the most out of the series of professional and social programs planned. We warmly invite you to register, but above all, come join us to make this an Annual Congress to remember!
Orsolya Görgényi, President of the Organizing Committee
ORGANIZING COMMITTEE
Orsolya Görgényi, Szecskay Attorneys at Law
President
Tímea Árva, Árva & Sótonyi Law Office
Gusztáv Bacher, Szecskay Attorneys at Law
Kinga Kelemen, S. B. G. & K. Patent and Law Offices
Dávid Kiss, in association with Bán, S. Szabó & Partners
András Krajnyák, Dr. Asbóth Dr. Krajnyák & Partner Law and Patent Office
Zsófia Lendvai, Chemical Works of Gedeon Richter Plc.
Zsuzsanna Nagy, in association with Bán, S. Szabó & Partners
Anna Ránky, Prime Minister’s Office
Rupert Várnai, Várnai & Partner Law Firm
