Administrative State Secretary Iván Bába participated at the opening of the Budapest International Model United Nations April 12, 2013. While welcoming the participants he delivered the following remarks.

Ladies and Gentlemen,
Distinguished Participants,
Dear Students,

It is a great pleasure to welcome you at the Third Conference of the Budapest International Model United Nations on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Hungary. I am pleased to see many enthusiastic young students interested in international relations and the United Nations who are eager to debate on global challenges of our contemporary world.

I cannot help remembering my own youth when respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms seemed unattainable goals, the fall of communism, end of the cold war and the bipolar world were considered as a utopia. Nevertheless, with the genetically coded faith of young generations, we were determined to strive for freedom and believe in a better future. We fought for not becoming another brick in the wall. And we managed to demolish the “wall”.

It is in this spirit that I encourage you to believe in personal contributions in history and to act accordingly. Assuming responsibility for the future world is rooted in every single action. It is like singing in a choir, if everyone waits for the other to sing there will be silence.

The present conference is dedicated to exchange of views and presentation of different positions on outstanding and crucial matters currently on the top of the international agenda. You will discuss issues concerning global security, economic and financial crisis, observance of human rights, developmental issues.

By doing so you will have the chance to acquire experience how international forums are operating, the complexity of global agenda and the interrelated nature of national interests. You will get an opportunity to feel the atmosphere of negotiations, dialogue, conflicts, compromises, diversity and solutions.

In some decades, several of you will have become responsible to manage and decide on serious matters. I trust that the present experience definitely contribute to your future work and success. But even more so, I wish that you will become capable to make wise decisions and assume responsibility for that.

Let me close by wishing you meaningful exchange of views and a responsible attitude in your future engagements.

(Ministry of Foreign Affairs)