The Lantos Foundation and the Tom Lantos Institute Take the Lead in Fighting Anti-Semitism

More than 50 Countries Represented at Conference by Ambassadors and Political Leaders

Budapest, Hungary—More than 550 people from around the world, including Ambassadors representing more than 50 countries gathered today at the opening of "Jewish Life and Anti-Semitism in Contemporary Europe," a conference to address the alarming resurgence of anti-Semitism.

Representatives from Greece, Austria, Georgia, and Germany were among the participants. Israeli Minister of Finance Yair Lapid, and Hungarian Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Tibor Navracsics opened the two day conference in Budapest, Hungary.

“We are encouraged that many world leaders and policy makers have joined us today to discuss the important issue of anti-Semitism. We hope it will be the beginning of a greater dialogue aimed at solving this problem. Anti-Semitism is everyone’s issue, and we must come together to find a solution.” said Dr. Anna-Mária Bíró, Director of the Tom Lantos Institute.

“The conference today was not intended to be a stand-alone event. Our aim is to be the preeminent organization fighting anti-Semitism in Europe, and this conference is just part of a broader strategy for addressing the issues of anti-Semitism,” continued Dr. Bíró.

Katrina Lantos Swett, daughter of Congressman Tom Lantos, President of the Lantos Foundation, and Co-chair of the Executive Committee of the Tom Lantos Institute announced a Solidarity Sabbath scheduled for the Spring of 2014, which will bring world leaders together to stand in solidarity against anti-Semitism in their countries. “My father, Tom Lantos, a proud Hungarian- American once said “The veneer of civilization is paper thin. We are its guardians, and we can never rest” This important conference exemplifies the vigilance my father was speaking about and I know he would be proud to see the Institute that bears his name, taking the lead on these vital issues.

The Tom Lantos Institute

The Tom Lantos Institute is an independent human and minority rights organization with a particular focus on Jewish and Roma communities and other transnational minorities. This conference is part of the Institute’s work focusing on Jewish communities. The Institute was named after Tom Lantos, the Hungarian-born American political leader, and the only Holocaust survivor ever elected to the United States Congress.  Throughout his political career Congressman Lantos was a global leader in the struggle to advance human rights.  He was the Co-Founder of the Congressional Human Rights Caucus, and the Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

Jewish Life and Anti-Semitism in Contemporary Europe

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and Israeli Minister of Finance Yair Lapid inaugurate an international conference organized by the Tom Lantos Institute in Budapest

The high-profile event is sponsored by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Hungary, the American Lantos Foundation and the Appeal of Conscience Foundation. The conference will examine resurgent anti-Semitism in Europe; its causes and means of combating it.  It will also focus on the more encouraging story of the revival of Jewish life in Europe.

A number of prominent figures of the international political scene, distinguished experts on the topic, academics and representatives of the non-profit sector will participate in the conference. Hungary and the State of Israel will be represented at the opening ceremony, which will include speeches by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán; Israeli Minister of Finance Yair Lapid; Foreign Minister János Martonyi; Annette Lantos, widow of the late Hungarian- American Congressman, Tom Lantos; and Anna-Mária Bíró, Director of the Tom Lantos Institute.

The event will also be attended by Parliamentary State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Zsolt Németh, Israeli Ambassador to Hungary Ilan Mor, and Cardinal Péter Erdő, who is also a trustee of the Appeal of Conscience Foundation. Chairman of International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance Mario Silva will also be present, together with Sir Andrew Burns, United Kingdom Envoy for Post-Holocaust issues.

After the opening ceremony, the conference will continue with panels addressing the gathering’s two main topics. International experts will hold thematic presentations on the rise of anti-Semitism in Europe, as well as on other key issues affecting Jewish communities. The panels will examine ways of combating anti-Semitism and discuss topics such as Jewish identity, advocacy, education and culture.

“Clearly this event is one that has significant relevance from a political perspective. However, as an international research, education and human rights organization, the primary objective of the Tom Lantos Institute is to approach these challenging topics in a manner that brings all the tools of social science and honest academic inquiry to these difficult discussions.   We wish to provide a platform where top experts in the field, academics, NGOs and decision-makers can meaningfully discuss the key issues affecting Jewish communities in Europe. We believe this approach can help illuminate and inform the choices that political leaders must make. To that end, following the conference, concrete recommendations will be presented to decision-makers with the involvement of participating international experts,” Dr. Anna-Mária Bíró, Director of the Tom Lantos Institute emphasized. “While the protection of fundamental human rights, is partly, though not exclusively, the task of political leaders, these essential rights must never be politicized. These basic rights speak to our deepest values and principles, and the Tom Lantos Institute believes that the shared defense of human rights should be a unifying force in society” the director added.

The Tom Lantos Institute

The Tom Lantos Institute is an independent human and minority rights organization with a particular focus on Jewish and Roma communities and other transnational minorities. The conference is part of the Institute’s work focusing on Jewish communities. The Institute was named after Tom Lantos, the Hungarian-born American political leader, the only Holocaust survivor ever elected to the United States Congress.  Throughout his political career Congressman Lantos was a global leader in the struggle to advance human rights.  He was the Co-Founder of the Congressional Human Rights Caucus and the Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

Lantos Foundation Announces Inauguration of New Human Rights Institute in Budapest

Concord, NH -- Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and her predecessor, Dr. Condoleezza Rice, will headline ceremonies June 30 at the Országház, the Hungarian Parliament Building in Budapest, inaugurating the new Tom Lantos Institute, Lantos Foundation President Katrina Lantos Swett announced.

The rare joint appearance, where both women are scheduled to address an audience of Hungarian and American dignitaries, highlights the new institute’s importance both to the trans-Atlantic relationship as well as to Hungary’s regional role as a leader in the field of democracy and human rights.  “This represents an important commitment on the part of the Hungarian government to advance human rights, protect minority rights, promote tolerance and strengthen trans-Atlantic relations,” Lantos Swett said.  The Tom Lantos Institute will serve as a home for such projects as researching minority inclusion and developing proposed policies, gauging the effectiveness of various assistance organizations and developing means to defend those who champion human rights.

The Institute is named for Lantos Swett’s father, former Congressman Tom Lantos, who served in Congress from 1981 until his death in 2008.  Born in Budapest, he was the only Holocaust survivor ever elected to Congress where he was known as one of its greatest advocates for democracy and human rights. Congressman Lantos was the co-founder of the Congressional Human Rights Caucus and also served as Chairman of the powerful House Foreign Affairs Committee. He gained the admiration of both sides of the political aisle and on both sides of the Atlantic for his active and unwavering leadership on behalf of human rights.

The inaugural ceremonies will culminate a week of activities including an International Human Rights conference sponsored by the International Center for Democratic Transition, the Tom Lantos Institute and the Hungarian Government.  There will also be the unveiling a statue of the late US President Ronald Reagan, who Hungarians honor for his leadership in hastening the end of communism. This will be followed by a gala “Freedom Dinner” commemorating the 20th anniversary of Hungary’s freedom from tyranny.

Press Release: Hungary to Establish Lantos Institute Later this Year, Prime Minister Viktor Orban Announces Establishment of the Lantos Institute in 2010

The Lantos Foundation welcomes with great enthusiasm the announcement from Prime Minister Orban that later this year Hungary will establish "The Lantos Institute" which will be based in Budapest and established to promote minority and human rights.

The announcement was officially made in Washington DC on June 24th by Hungary's new Minister of Foreign Affairs, Janos Martonyi, during his meeting with Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton. Secretary of State Clinton, who was a close colleague and admirer of the late Congressman Tom Lantos has been deeply supportive of this initiative and expressed her hope to be present in Budapest for the inauguration of the Institute.

Mrs. Annette Lantos, chairman of the Lantos Foundation said, “We have long believed that such an institute will serve to strengthen the Transatlantic Alliance; while cementing Hungary’s reputation as an emerging leader in the human rights field and serve as an important vehicle for strengthening the forces of tolerance throughout Europe.

The Lantos Foundation for Human Rights and Justice wishes to express our deep gratitude for this commitment, and once again congratulate Prime Minister Orban on the progress that Hungary is beginning to make under his dynamic leadership.”