Invited paper by Lendvai-Lintner, Imre, President, Hungarian Scouts Association in Exteris
Rekindling the Flame of Scouting in the Carpathian Basin
Type of Abstract (select):Abstract (max. 250 words):
Scouting in Hungary between 1910 and 1948 was the premier youth organization with a goal of increasing the physical, mental, and spiritual capabilities and the moral fiber of its members. Shortly after the Second World War, the communist dominated government outlawed scouting replacing it with its own politically focused youth organization, the Pioneers. Immediately following the reemergence of democracy in Eastern Central Europe, scouting restarted in Hungary and the adjacent countries with significant Hungarian minorities.
This presentation will focus on the efforts of the emigre Hungarian Scout Association in Exteris to actively assist in reestablishing scouting in the Carpathian Basin. Leadership training camps, instructional material and financial assistance led to successful scouting organizations in Hungary and five adjacent countries within five years. Since then these scouting orgaizations have established an effective modus operandi allowing for mutual support, training and development. Today Hungarian Scouting is again the preeminent youth organization in Hungary, the adjacent countries and the Diaspora. With over 20,000 members today, Hungarian Scouting is again facing a bright future.
Brief Professional Bio (max. 100 words):
The author is the President of the Hungarian Scouts Association in Exteris (HSAiE) since 1993. Previously he held other organizational positions such as Scoutmaster, Leadership Training Camp Commandant and Chairman of the Board of the HSAiE. In addition, he is the President of the Forum of Hungarian Scout Associations, which is responsible for coordinating all Hungarian Scouting initiatives worldwide. Prior to focusing full time on Scouting in 2006, he was employed by ExxonMobil Research and Engineering for 32 ½ years. After 10 years in research and consulting, he spent the final 20 years managing various engineering functions supporting ExxonMobil’s refining business both domestically and overseas. The author resides in Morris Plains, New Jersey. lendvaimre@aol.com