“We Must Become One Nation”

Also in attendance were MP Flórián Farkas, Chairman, National Roma Self-government (ORÖ); MP József Michl, the mayor of Tata; MP Dr. Attila Molnár, the mayor of Komárom; MoD Chief of Cabinet Dr. Gábor Szarka; Gen. Dr. Tibor Benkő, Chief of Defence; Maj-Gen. József Kovács, Commander, HDF Joint Force Command; and Maj-Gen. László Domján, Director-General, Military Security Office.

Csaba Hende underlined: the right of equal opportunities is not only a privilege that we must guarantee to every citizen, but we are given a chance every time then. “First and foremost, a chance is provided for those in need, so that they can find their place, and can exploit and cultivate their talent, and while they are growing and making progress, they can as well contribute with their newly found gifts to the great common cause of the nation. The nation is given a chance to win those, once and for all, who have not found their places for the time being and many of them have been living on the verge of human existence. A chance is provided for the state, to lend a hand to those who were living off welfare benefits to become taxpaying citizens. And the Hungarian Defence Forces will also get a chance to win soldiers to be loyal to the redwhitegreen flag."

In his address to the participants of the Equal Opportunities Camp the Minister said he knew that the campers had done a great job, had a good time, and expressed his hope that some of them will dedicate their lives to the great common national cause of Home Defence.

Based on his extensive experiences gained as chairman of the first Orbán government’s inter-departmental committee on Roma affairs, Dr. Csaba Hende pointed out: “as regards integration, we still have a long way to go, and problems cannot be solved by simply drafting laws and decrees, but the change must take place first in the hearts and souls. “We must all feel the community spirit, and everyone must notice that the nation needs each citizen! We must become one nation, otherwise we will not survive", said the Minister. “I wish we could all share the joy of finding each other this day and every single day from here onward," Csaba Hende concluded his speech.

The Defence Minister said at the meeting following the opening that since he took office, he had never experienced any signs referring to racism, or prejudice in the military; thanks partly to the community spirit prevailing in the Hungarian Defence Forces (HDF), and partly to the performance-based approach of the organization. The Minister called attention to the HDF role in social mobility, talked about the significance of the network of officials in charge of equal opportunities in the Ministry and the military organizations, and emphasized that the MoD has had outstanding achievements in the field of integrating women as well. “The Gypsy issue is an all-Hungarian issue," Csaba Hende quoted Social State Secretary Miklós Soltész. Following that, Gen. Dr. Tibor Benkő opened the exhibition: "Women in the History of Wars".

In Komárom, Csaba Hende gave awards to winners of the competition "Gypsies in the Army": Zsombor Juhász, a secondary school student from Győr, and Sergeant Gábor Kulcsár, who took his NCO oath on Friday, received tokens of appreciation.

Those who were present could choose from a wide variety of spectacular programs during the day: static and small arms displays, face and glitter painting, camouflage cream painting, handicraft workshops, fairy tale corner, guide dog-show, blind labyrinth and wheelchair obstacle course; moreover, the visitors also had a chance to learn more about Roma handicraft and try out the flight simulator of Zrínyi Media.

Photo: Tünde Rácz

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