Walls or bridges

for democracy and

citizens participation?

The overall theme for CPU 2015 refers to the 25th anniversary for the fall of the Iron Curtain celebrated in 2014. We will combine a view of the history with the present and looking into the future of the European Democracy and the conditions for citizens participation.

We will address the issues of extremism, how to prevent the manipulation of people by the extremists actions. Testimo-nials from our countries will be addressed what brought us into democracy? In some countries the iron curtains broke down but some inner walls were build that did not exist be-fore. How to strengthen the strengths and diminish the weaknesses in our new democracies? Were people prepared and educated for the democracy? How can we improve through community interventions, education, advocacy and influencing of the policy?

This year we introduce what was suggested earlier: The CPU Film Festi-val how to explain our work through visual approaches. We will be sharing films and videos to address the theme.

We will discuss and present these different perspectives and questions in plenary sessions, keynotes, hands-on workshops, informal discussions and open spaces.

The event will be organized in the residential training centre of the Civil College Foundation in Kunszentmikls-Kunbbony, 76 kms South of Budapest. Info about the College: http://www.civilkollegium.hu, http://www.civilkollegium.hu/english/ CPU film and info: http://ceecn.net/citizen-participation-university

Citizen Participation University

The next 25 years

6 10 July 2015

Travel- People will arrive to the Budapest Airport (Terminal 1 or 2)

Expected time of arrivals:6th July until 13pm Expected time of departures: 10th July (afternoon)

We kindly ask everybody to use train connection* from the airports to Kunszentmikls, as that is the easiest solution according to the logistics. We will pick you up at station Kunszentmikls-Tass

Programme, financials, further questions: Chuck Hirt - chuck@ceecn.net, Mt Varga: matev@cka.hu, mobile: +36302101318 We are looking forward to meet you here in Hungary!

Accommodation The College is a community-like place, it has 24 beds in 2-3-4 bedded rooms each with bathrooms. At summer events like that, participants usually stay in tents in the park around the College. Bathroom opportunity will be provided for them as well! We have limited number of rooms in the house, priority is given to those who are not able to stay in tents for different rea-sons. Nearby accommodation is also available but will increase costs and logistic tasks both for you and for us.

*Travel information here: http://civilkollegium.wordpress.com/projektek/nemzetkozi-nyari-egyetem/travel-2-cpu/ If you arrive by car: http://goo.gl/maps/nqq2T

Technical equipment The College is equipped with all the necessary equipment: computer, wireless internet-access, projectors, flipcharts, music-boxes etc.

After and before the meeting Those who would like to stay in Budapest, or arrive earlier, we can help with providing hotel and travel information in Budapest, but concrete booking will be your task

On behalf of the Civil College: Andi, Betti, Ilona, Zsuzsa, Mt