Hungarian National Rural Network

The task of Hungarian National Rural Network (HNRN) is to organize a network of all parties interested in rural development that means the organization of a network of interested governmental, local government and civil contributors, business and social organizations, professional bodies, as information and cooperative network, and the harmonization of its activities. The aims are: social and economic developments of the countryside, helping it reach the desired level, and the efficient utilization of funds. Another, but not less important aim is to develop inter-regional and international relationships in a practice-oriented manner, and to represent Hungarian national interests and values in Europe. As a result of the activities of HNRN, 27 countries participating in the European Network for Rural Development can obtain information about and get acquainted with Hungarian development results, and the national rural development communities can learn from the international examples.

The Presidium
The Presidium (12 persons) participates in the formation of the action plan of HNRN, forms opinion in professional issues, and takes a position on different issues. It offers its opinion about strategic issues of rural development upon the request of the Government or the ministers.
The president represents the unity of professional and civil bodies of HNRN. The elected president is academician Bálint Csatári. The president represents the HNRN, leads and represents the Presidium, and the Council. He engages in a dialogue with the organizations interested in rural development.

The Council
The Council, the supreme interest reconciliation body of the HNRN, held its statutory meeting on 2nd December, 2008. It can form its opinion on national, European and international rural policy, and as result of its composition it can act as a mediator at a national level of the interests of parties interested in rural policy. Its responsibility is to ensure that proposals for improvement in relation to the countryside should be formed, and a useful dialogue, joint action and international relationships be in place to promote the development of the countryside. It currently has 170 organizational and private members with a voting right. The council’s meetings are public, are open to visitors.

The Secretary General
The secretary general, Dr. Lajos Mikula leads the implementation of the action plan of the HNRN, the operation of HNRN and the Permanent Secretariat. He mediates between persons, organizations interested in rural development. He makes proposals related to the scope of services to be offered for the registered and participating parties. The Permanent Secretariat led by the Secretary General is the operative body of the HNRN acting in accordance with its scope of tasks and duties:
• Ensures the creation of an intense direct relationship of governmental bodies, rural economic and social organizations, ensures equal opportunity and greater accessibility of information in order to strengthen regional and social cohesion,
• Ensures the exchange of information between the Council, the Presidium, the Presidential Secretariat, and those registered by the HNRN,
• Liaises with the participants of the European Network of Rural Development (EN RD), international organizations and institutions with a similar function.