Mathias Corvinus Collegium (MCC) is Central Europe’s largest educational institution and research center, offering extracurricular education to thousands of students and serving as a platform for public discussions across the Carpathian Basin. Over the past 25 years, MCC has established itself as a trusted partner for distinguished scholars, universities, and NGOs, becoming the gold standard in talent development across Central Europe.
In 2023, MCC expanded to Slovakia with the establishment of its first center in Dunajská Streda (Dunaszerdahely). Since then, it has developed a robust network of partners and events to bring MCC’s high-quality educational content to the Slovak public. Among these, the Istropolis Lectures stand out as a flagship event series, continuing MCC’s mission in Slovakia by hosting renowned global experts for deep explorations of key political, cultural, and societal issues. This prestigious series enriches Slovakia’s intellectual landscape, fostering meaningful discussions and insights.
Program
9:00 AM Registration
10:15 AM Keynote Speech: Connectivity – The Foreign Policy of the Future
Balázs Orbán
10:30 AM Panel I: America First, Central Europe Next? Trump´s Influence on Central European Stability and Security
In just the first two months of his second presidency, Trump has revolutionized American governance and taken a bold course. From wielding tariffs, to reshaping America’s role in the Middle East, Trump’s return to the White House signals a dramatic departure from the Biden years. Our expert panel will dissect the key shifts of the new administration and explore what the next four years hold for our region.
Dr. Gladden Pappin
Carlos Roa
Ilya Shapiro
Liliana Śmiech
Péter Sztáray
Krisztián Pomichal
11:30 AM Coffee break
11:50 AM Plenary Address I: Battling for Control: Illegal Migration, Security, and Sovereignty in Central Europe
Matúš Šutaj Eštok
12:05 PM Panel II: Migration – An Old Challenge in a New Age
For centuries, Central Europe has stood at the heart of great migrations, but how should Central Europe respond to the pressures of migration in the 21st century? Our panelists will tackle this pressing issue, exploring strategies to balance security, integration, and national identity and how Central Europe offers a model for the rest of Europe.
Dr. Francesco Giubilei
Mark Krikorian
Hélène de Lauzun
Dr. Omar Sayfo
Szabolcs Janik
1:05 PM Lunch Break
2:15 PM Plenary Address II: Brave New West – The Road Back to Prosperity
Prof. Dr. Václav Klaus
2:30 PM Panel III: Same Game, Different Turf - Culture Wars on Both Sides of the Atlantic
Radical new ideologies are challenging long-standing traditions, national identities, and even the foundations of Western civilization itself, igniting fierce culture wars in nearly every country. But what is the role of Central Europe in resisting these dangerous cultural shifts coming from the Anglosphere? This panel will analyze the forces driving these conflicts and explore the future of the West’s identity struggles.
Rod Dreher
Prof. Dr. Frank Füredi
Dr. Joshua Katz
Juraj Šúst
Dr. Ralph Schoellhammer
3:30 PM Coffee break
3:50 PM Plenary Address III: Migration: Joint Problem for the People of Central Europe
Dr. Vladimír Palko
4:05 PM Panel IV: Today's Youth, Tomorrow's Leaders – Navigating Challenges and Shaping Worldviews
Ronald Reagan famously warned, “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.” The same holds true for leadership—without a new generation prepared to step up, nations risk stagnation or even chaos. But how can we ensure that future leaders are equipped to navigate the challenges ahead? This panel will explore the best ways to train, mentor, and integrate young leaders into today’s most pressing discussions.