Letter to the editor
Slovakia has become more important to Europe and the world this year.
The central European tiger's involvement in international affairs and its attractiveness as a place to do business is growing. There is still a great deal of potential.
As part of the new Europe, I hope that Slovakia continues to think in news ways and to explore creative solutions to age-old problems. The country is capable of setting an example for the rest of the world, despite having plenty of people who would prefer to follow tradition for tradition's sake: be it the tradition of corruption, racism, or accepting second-class status on the European stage. There are many forces that creep up and say, "Don't bother, some things will never change."
My wish for Slovakia is for people with ideas of reform to have the courage to stand up to the forces of inertia and to not stop trying. Most of all, I would like this attitudinal change to be institutionalized in the school system, so that the next generation can prove the effects of positive thinking.
It is possible to reduce the damaging affect of racial stereotyping starting with the young. It is possible to give them a skill set that will allow them to tackle the budgetary, health and social challenges of the future. I hope that this will finally happen so that another generation will not be condemned to elect a government of embarrassing scandals with institutions in which corruption is accepted.
And when is Slovakia finally going to persuade the Austrians to do their part in connecting Bratislava to Vienna with European class communications (rail/motorway) between two EU capital cities?
Is it going to be another 15 years?
BB
