PTP International, Pécs Chapter

PTPI, Pécs Chapter re-animated

European Conference as goal for 2010

Membership doubled

People to People International, Pécs Chapter, held its annual meeting at the beginning of February, 2006, the year which is marked by the 50th Anniversary of this world-wide non-profit organization, at the Civil Közösségek Ház. The chapter was founded in 1996, and since then has been involved in creating international relations from "people to people". PTPI is non-political and open for everyone regardless of nationality, occupation, age and religious belief.

The organization was founded by former U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1956. His grand-daughter Mary Jean is leading it to-day as president and chief executive officer. Members are dedicated to advancing understanding and friendship through the exchange of ideas and experiences directly among people of different cultures, "thinking globally" and "acting locally".

The local chapter, one of far more than a hundred in America, Europe, Asia and other parts of the world, was established in 1996 when the European Conference was held in Pécs. After a few years of inactivity, it was re-animated by Hans Randau, a German living here. One great goal of the group is to hold the European Meeting in Pécs once again in 2010. That will be the year when the City becomes one of the European Culture Capitals, and the Chapter thus wants to contribute to this great event in the history of Pécs.

The European Conference will be held in Pécs

from May 20 - May 23, 2010

For the details, please follow this link: European Conference 2010

We are delighted to announce that PTPI’s Veszprém Chapter was founded in February, 2006. It consists of 10 members aged 25-50, mainly teachers. The chapter offers homestays in the summer and its members look forward to hosting visitors in the town, which lies in the Transdanubian region of Hungary. It is 110 km from the capital and is the county seat of Veszprém County. With a population of 60,000, Veszprém is located between Lake Balaton to the south, and the Bakony Mountains to the north.

The town is one of the oldest towns in Hungary as it was built more than 1,000 years ago. It is also called the City of Queens because it was the wife of Stephen (Hungary’s first king), Gizella who furnished and equipped the old cathedral at the beginning of the 11th century. As it was the first and oldest cathedral of the country, the Hungarian queens from then on became the patrons of the town. Throughout the centuries, the town changed owners several times as it was right on the border between the Turkish and the Austrian parts of the country.

Today, Veszprém is an important tourist and educational centre. You can’t miss the Castle Hill, which boasts the famous Fire Tower with its clock, which plays wonderful music every hour. Once you enter the Castle Gate, you will find the Episcopal Palace, St. Michael’s Cathedral, the Statue of the Stephen and Gizella and the Square of the Holy Trinity. Outside the Castle district, visitors can admire the beautiful Town Hall and other older buildings in the Old Town. There is also the famous Bakony Museum, which presents the life of the people who have lived in this area throughout the centuries. Veszprém also has the largest university in the north Transdanubian region. It has around 10,000 students. Veszprém is famous for its renowned handball team. The team has been in the top 5 in the world for years.