International Women of Courage

Type: 
General
Audience: 
Open to the Public
Building: 
Nador u. 9, Faculty Tower
Room: 
Auditorium
Thursday, March 4, 2010 - 5:30pm
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Date: 
Thursday, March 4, 2010 - 5:30pm to 6:30pm

International Women of Courage

Program:

  • Welcome by Professor John Shattuck, President and Rector, CEU,
  • Remarks by HE Eleni Tsakopoulos Kounalakis, U.S. Ambassador to Hungary, and
  • Presentation of the International Woman of Courage Award to The Hon. Agnes Galajda, Supreme Court Justice, Founder and Chairwoman of the Association of Hungarian Women Judges

Reception to follow.

In honor of International Women's Day 2007, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice established the annual Award for International Women of Courage, recognizing women around the globe who have shown exceptional courage and leadership in advocating for women’s rights and advancement. This is the only Department of State award that pays tribute to emerging women leaders worldwide.

HE Eleni Tsakopoulos Kounalakis—prior to her appointment as Ambassador of the United States to Hungary, Eleni Tsakopoulos Kounalakis was the president of the land development firm, AKT Development Corporation. She served two terms as a California State World Trade Commissioner, sat on the board of directors of the Sacramento Metro Chamber of Commerce, and served as a trustee of the renowned San Francisco War Memorial and Performing Arts Center.

The Hon. Agnes Galajda has been a criminal judge since 1986. As director for court administration in the Office of the National Council of Justice she initiated a deep analysis of the adjudication practice of Hungarian courts in cases related to domestic violence, and initiated the inclusion of issues of domestic violence in the professional training of judges. Presently she is responsible for managing the Supreme Court's relationship with NGOs and for formulating draft legislation, by taking part in the work of various bodies. For five years she has provided expertise about domestic violence, the rights of women, and trafficking in human beings, and has also organized several conferences at which judges and other experts can learn more about these issues. Agnes Galajda was the founder of a new civil organization, The Association of Women Judges, which is to become the Hungarian branch of IAWJ (International Association of Women Justices).