The Eötvös Károly Institute was created in January 2003 by the Soros Foundation in order to establish a novel, unconventional institutional framework for shaping democratic public affairs in Hungary. Acting hand in hand with other entities, including advocacy groups, watchdog organizations, and other institutions, the Eötvös Károly Institute wishes to contribute to raising professional and general public awareness and to shaping the political agenda in issues with an impact on the quality of relations between citizens and public power. The Institute is deeply committed to the liberal interpretation of constitutionality, constitutional democracy, and individual rights, and labors to support initiatives instrumental in bringing about a civil political culture inspired by the spirit of solidarity. Thus the Institute is ready to join forces with any organization or individual working to improve the destiny of a democratic Republic of Hungary founded on the principle of equality, no matter where they place the emphasis and what worldview guides them in their pursuit. With its limited means and resources, the Eötvös Károly Institute is dedicated to continuing and bolstering the tradition of 19^th-century Hungarian liberalism, 20^th-century progressive democratic thought, and the legislative process that culminated in the creation of the Constitution of the Third Republic. We strive to uphold the spirit of Károly Eötvös, the statesman from whom we have borrowed the name for our Institute, by combining theoretical arguments on behalf of liberal democracy with practical political action.

The Eötvös Károly Institute pursues three different types of activities, and therefore addresses three different types of audiences. Through issuing positions on momentous political issues, hosting conferences, and authoring various publications and announcements, we seek to directly reach the general public, the entirety of the democratic political community. Thereby we wish to foster a higher level of legal awareness among the echelons of government and society at large, optimally even swaying the practitioners of public power in the decisions they make.

Secondly, we turn to political decision makers indirectly by drafting specific policy proposals, concepts, and background studies, with a view to representing a constitutional, liberal perspective in regulatory issues and marshaling arguments for action plans conceived in a kindred spirit.

Thirdly, the Institute engages in conducting long-term surveys and studies investigating the condition of certain institutions of the democratic republic, such as the courts, the municipalities, and the law enforcement agencies, and of certain public services, including education, health care, culture support etc. The intended audience of these investigations consists of professionals. By broadening the horizons of professional and political debate on the above mentioned institutions and services, we hope to bring reliable information and a sound perspective to public decisions to be made further down the line.

Our aim is to win public recognition for the Eötvös Károly Institute in Hungary as an independent voice, authenticated by its dedication to the cause of democracy and the consistently high standards of its positions, that will serve as a landmark point of orientation for those scrutinizing the state of the Republic. Another aspiration of ours is that the Eötvös Károly Institute be regarded as a potential partner by any existing and future government, regardless of world view and basic stance–not because we deliver the expected answers, but because our positions carry weight. We will not consider our labors fruitful unless we can say with confidence that our interventions have resulted in a demonstrable improvement of the relations between public power and the citizens.

The founder president of the Institute is László Majtényi. He is a legal scholar specializing in information rights and ombudsman institutions. He also lectures at several universities and maintains an attorney’s practice. A candidate in political and legal science studies, Mr. Majtényi served as the DP&FOI Commissioner of the Republic of Hungary from 1995 to 2001.Previously, chief adviser of the Constitutional Court (1990-1995),university docent, and legal counselor (1975-1980). The widely recognized author of several books, essays, and publication sthat have appeared in Hungary and abroad. On 31th of Mach, 2008 he was elected for the President of the National Radio and Television Commission by the Parliament. During the tenure of this office, Mr Majtényi has suspended his activities in the Institute.

The Staff

Zoltán Miklósi currently teaches political philosophy at the Department of Political Science of the Central European University and ELTE University’s Institute of Philosophy. Having pursued graduate studies at ELTE and the New School University of New York, he obtained his doctorate in philosophy at ELTE in 2005. Working as an expert for Freedom House from 2000 to 2002, he served as one of the main authors of the 2001 and 2002 country reports on Hungary. He is research coordinator for the Eötvös Károly Institute.

Imre Baranyi is an economist specializing in organization development and telecommunication regulation. Having graduated from the Budapest University of Economic Sciences in 1994, until 1996 he served as secretary of foreign affairs for SZDSZ, the Alliance for Free Democrats, followed by a post, until 1998, as press secretary for the Ministry of Culture and Education. From 1998 to 2002, advisor for Arthur Andersen and KPMG. From June 2002, member of the board of ÁPV Rt., the State Privatization and Holding Company; from October 2007, member of the National Facility Management Council. Mr. Baranyi is director of the Eötvös Károly Institute.

Máté Dániel Szabó is a lawyer specializing in privacy and data protection law. A lecturer for ELTE University’s Department of Constitutional Law, he teaches constitutional law as his main discipline, as well as a course on information law. Currently pursuing a research program in the fields of informational self-determination and the constitutional legal aspects of disclosure and public trust, Mr. Szabó formerly served on the staff of the DP&FOI Commissioner (2000-2003).