Single country profile
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Hungary|
Content: |
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Basic information
| Year of approval of the SD strategy and updates |
The National Development Agency, in partnership with the Ministry of Environment and Water, has prepared the first NSDS. It was adopted by the Government in June 2007. In autumn 2007, the NSDS was discussed in the Parliament. The Parliament decided on the establishment of the National Council on Sustainable Development which was established in September 2008. In parallel to the approval process in the Parliament, the first SD Action Plan will be published. The SD Action Plan has to be approved by the Government and will be renewed bi-annually. |
| Type of SD strategy | Framework strategy – the implementation is based on bi-annual Action Plans. |
| Lead ministry/institution in the SD strategy process |
National Development Agency, Ministry of Environment and Water |
| Link to the SD strategy document |
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| Further information about the SD strategy process |
Mechanisms of Vertical Integration
National — sub-national linkages
Sub-national levels were involved in the general consultation process of preparing the NSDS. Several round-table discussions were held in order to involve stakeholder groups. An on-line forum provided opportunities to give opinions, suggestions, etc.
EU linkages
The renewed EU Strategy for Sustainable Development (EU SDS) that was adopted in June 2006 foresees that Member States bi-annually report about how they address the priorities of the EU SDS. Hungary has published its first national report on implementing the EU SDS in summer 2007.
Mechanisms of Horizontal Integration
The guidance document for preparing the Hungarian NSDS points out that, during the decision-making process (e.g. legislative, investment, budget, institutions or governmental issues in a broader sense), all important social and environmental factors have to be considered beside the long-term effects.
All Government ministries were involved in the development of the NSDS and could comment on early drafts.
Evaluation and Review
The implementation should be a process with extensive social cooperation, based on a regular strategic review, which broadens and extends knowledge about sustainability, the processes threatening sustainability, and the necessary societal change. It should also strengthen scientific research and the exchange of knowledge, as well as availability of research results and extensive dissemination of knowledge about sustainability.
Indicators and Monitoring
The environmental department of the Hungarian Central Statistical Office (CSO) contributed to the publication, ‘Indicators of Sustainable Development and Changes in Hungary in the Frame of EU Indicators’, that was published by the Ministry of Environment and Water in 2004. This publication was in compliance with the recommendations of the UN and aimed at presenting the main goal of applying SD indicators and monitoring SD Hungary.
Since 2006, CSO publishes its collected data collection on SD issues that was based on an SD indicator set (155 indicators all together) elaborated by Eurostat. CSO also took part in the preparation process for the NSDS and in the development of the related indicator set.
The national Sustainability Basic Indicator System (SBIS) – in a process coordinated by the Eurostat – is under development. The concept of SBIS is based on two pillars: (i) implementation of the EU sustainability indicator system on a strong and detailed methodological basis, elaborated together with Eurostat; and (ii) headline indicators to communicate information on SD to the wider public.
Participation
In the framework of the public participation process in developing the NSDS (based on a Government decree), the strategy and a related structured questionnaire were made available on the homepage of the National Development Agency and the Ministry of Environment and Water. An email with the request for participation in this process had been sent to several hundred professionals, interest representing and social organizations, as well as to representatives of the economic, local governmental, and civil spheres. The opinions were submitted via the homepage or by e-mail. Moreover, a four-round panel discussion series had also been organized. Almost 100 organizations had been invited to the panel discussions. The draft NSDS was then discussed, amongst others, with the Nationwide Regional Development Civil Interest Reconciliation Forum and the Nationwide Regional Development Council.
For
a detailed documentation of all advisory and participatory councils (for SD and/or the environment) in this country,
please go to the EEAC website at http://www.eeac-net.org/bodies/hungary/hu_frame.htm and click on one of the listed institutions.
Sub-national activities
There is only an older study on the local SD initiatives but it has not been updated yet, so there is no recent up-to-date overview available on initiatives on local and regional levels. A more in-depth survey and outreach on sub-national SD activities is expected in the new phase of NSDS development under the auspices of the National Council on Sustainable Development.
This Country Profile has been last updated on: Friday, 05 December 2008
For the sources used in the country profiles, please click here.
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