by Cilas Kemedjio

Dr. Tarrósy’s piece brings to light interesting information, especially about the production of Western NGOs as well as Hungarian sensibilities. Hungary is a net receiver of European Union aid, and it is significant that its humanitarian vocation coincides with its admission as a full member of the EU. The EU has replaced the Soviet Bloc as Hungary’s ideological (and I suspect financial as well) patron. A question that arises is whether and how the EU patronage differs from the Soviet one? The bigger question is: How does a county that has to declare allegiance to a bigger (transnational) power manage to pass for humanitarian (a provider of aid)? What does humanitarianism add to such as country? Continue reading →

by István Tarrósy

Increasing attention has been paid to Sub-Saharan humanitarian projects across the NGO sector of Hungary for some years. This may have come with the country’s accession to the European Union (EU) in 2004, related to its full membership (and participation) in the community’s common policies, in particular, in its development policy. It is an undoubted consequence of EU membership that all members have to financially contribute to joint EU actions in African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries[i] as part of a wider framework of external relations with the technologically and economically less developed parts of the world, but Hungary has a history with Africa. Not as a colonial power, though. In scientific circles several Hungarians (or people of Hungarian descent) are known for their contribution to the global corpus on African studies, which in fact resulted in a wider and better understanding on the flora, fauna and peoples of different parts of the continent.[ii] During Communist times thousands of Africans received state scholarships to study for a degree at Hungarian universities. Today, Hungary as a donor country gives money to international organizations as well for humanitarian purposes. The EU and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development then ‘distribute’ this money between the states in need in Africa, Asia and the Caribbean. Aside from the “norms and principles of the international development aid regime” (Szent-Iványi 2012: 65) that Hungary needs to align itself with, from 2008 to 2013, Hungary has contributed 125 million Euros to the 10^th Development Program of the European Development Fund, a considerable part of which is allocated to Africa. All this is not only important from an aid point of view; thanks to this program, Hungarian civil associations have opportunities to realize EU micro projects planned in countries of Africa, the Caribbean and Pacific regions. Continue reading →