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.

Preliminary Programme (may be subject to change):

09:00-09:10   Opening Remarks

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

09:40-10:10   Keynote Address II: The American Perspective on Regional Workforce Transformation

10:15-11:25   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.

11:45-12:55   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.

12:55-13:05   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.