Canada in the European Mind

More than 60 Canadianists from 12 countries took part in the First International Conference on "Canada in the European Mind" between 24-27 October 2002 in Debrecen, Hungary. Over 50 papers were presented in all areas of Canadian Studies from literature to sociology both in English and French. The participants included Mr. Alan Bowker, Director of International Academic Relations Department, DFAIT, from Ottawa as well as Mr. Ronald Halpin, Ambassador of Canada in Budapest who talked about the relationship between Canada and Hungary. The plenary speaker was Professor Tibor Egervári from the University of Ottawa. After several years' attempt and hard work, Don Sparling managed to realise the formal establishment of the Association of Central European Canadianists which will include  members from Poland, the Czech Republic, Romania, Yugoslavia and Hungary.