Accent on Youth

One of the most important aspects of the recent highly successful SVU World Congress in Washington (August 8-13, 2000) was the participation of young people. They all made a very good impression and, to my knowledge, they enjoyed our Congress as well. Some of you were there. Several sessions were actually organized by young people, thanks to Bruce Berglund and Anna Vysoka.

We would obviously want you, as well as other young people, to participate in our future activities. In order not to lose the momentum we are in the process of establishing a special database of interested and promising young folks who have roots or professional interest in Czechlands or Slovakia. Your input into the database is welcome.

Without waiting for its completion, we are considering creating a smaller nucleus of interested young persons who would put on their thinking caps to advise us how to get young people involved in specific SVU activities. One option is to establish a special section within SVU, a sort of "SVU Yuppies," which may sound corny but it may attract other young people to join. In this connection, I would welcome any volunteers who would like to help us in this endeavor.

I am pleased to say that several other young people are already involved in SVU activities, including Jiri Eichler of Prague who is helping us build a new SVU Web Site and Karel Zastera of Plzen/Prague who has taken the initiative of establishing a new SVU Chapter in Plzen. The latter will also play an important role in the next SVU World Congress.

By joining SVU (Dues for students are only $5), young people can benefit a lot. For example, they have an opportunity: 1. to present papers in SVU conferences and world congresses; 2. to submit papers to the SVU English periodical Kosmas; 3. to periodically report on their progress and work in SVU Newsletter (actually we have a special column entitled "Focus on Our Younger Generation for which we solicit success stories); 4. to participate in student essay contests; 5. to consult with many of our knowledgeable members at universities and other institutions throughout the world; 6. to assist in organizing future SVU congresses and conferences; 7. to work on special projects; 8. to become active on various SVU Committees or become SVU officers.

You may, of course, have additional ideas. We welcome specific suggestions on how else SVU could be helpful to students and young people starting their careers, on both sides of the Atlantic.

In connection with special projects, it would be useful, for example, to prepare a student guide, one for students in CR and SR planning to study in the US and Canada; and another for Americans planning to do research in Czech or Slovak Republics. A listing of available grant agencies may be of definite use. Perhaps some of you may be interested in working on this with us.

We are also thinking of launching a new SVU Forum on our Web Site and consider establishing a new electronic publication series.

The possibilities of your involvement are unlimited and your initiative is encouraged. Send your comments to: svu1@comcast.net

I am looking forward to hearing from you.

Mila Rechcigl, SVU President

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