Sustainable Workforce Development in Emerging Regions

How can regions facing economic transition turn vulnerability into competitiveness? From Central and Eastern Europe to Appalachia and the American South, communities are confronting shared challenges: workforce skill gaps, youth outmigration, educational inequality, and the urgent need to align training systems with rapidly evolving labour markets.

The conference brings together senior policymakers, business leaders, and education experts from Hungary and the United States to launch a new phase of transatlantic cooperation. Hosted by the Danube Institute, the event marks the beginning of the 2026-2029 Hungary-U.S. workforce development partnership. This flagship event will explore how education reform, corporate engagement, and regional development policy can be aligned to create durable, community-anchored workforce ecosystems.

Program (click here to download):

Master of Ceremonies: Melissa O’Sullivan, Deputy Director, Danube Institute

09:00-09:10   Opening Remarks

• Kristóf György Veres, International Director, Danube Institute

09:10-09:40   Keynote Address I: Hungary’s Vision for Education-Driven Economic Competitiveness

• Gergely Pálmai, Deputy State Secretary for Vocational Education, Ministry of Culture and Innovation, Hungary

09:40-09:42   Video Message: The American Perspective 

• The Honorable Rusty Crowe, State Senator, Tennessee General Assembly, USA

09:45-11:00   Panel I:  Equalizing Opportunity - Shared Challenges, Shared Solutions?
Economic decline does not only reduce income - it erodes opportunity across generations. This panel will examine how governments and institutions can break cycles of undereducation, youth outmigration, and social vulnerability.

• Carter LeCraw, Founder and CEO, American Values Investments
• István Forgács, Social Inclusion Policy Expert
• Zsolt Hudák, Instructor, Wesselényi Miklós Technical School and Dormitory, Nyíregyháza Vocational Training Center; Mentor Teacher of the "tekerd!" Group
  Moderator: Gergely Dobozi, Deputy Director, Danube Institute

11:00-11:30   Coffee Break

11:30-12:50   Panel II: Sustainable Workforce - The Strategic Role of Companies
No workforce strategy can succeed without corporate leadership. This panel brings togethers senior executives of multinational companies to discuss how dual training models, corporate investment, and long-term talent planning can build resilient workforce ecosystems.

• Darrell Fowler, Owner/Operator, Chick-fil-A, State of Tennessee, USA
• Botond Barabás, Head of Qualification, Apprentice and Future Talent Programs, BMW Group Plant Debrecen
• Tamás Kerepes, Managing Director, Webvalto LtD.
• Károly Varsóci, Director, Trefort Ágoston Bilingual Technical High School, Budapest Technical Vocational Training Center
  Moderator: Katalin Zoltán, Senior Policy Advisor, Department for Vocational Education and Training Regulation and Governance, Ministry of Culture and Innovation, Hungary

12:50-12:55   Closing Remarks

This event is more than a policy discussion. It is about building systems that restore mobility, competitiveness, and dignity through work. By connecting public policy, corporate leadership, and educational innovation, the conference aims to demonstrate that sustainable economic growth begins with investing in people - and in the regions they call home.

Details:

Date & time: Monday, March 9, 2025, 9:00 A.M.
Venue: Lónyay-Hatvany Villa, 1 Csónak Street, 1015 Budapest (Entrance: Aranybástya Restaurant)
Gate opens at 8:30 A.M.
Language: English

Participation is free; however, due to limited seating, pre-registration is required by clicking the button below.