Soros receives Highest Viennese honour for CEU
Vienna’s Mayor Michael Ludwig welcomed the establishment of the Central European University (CEU) in Vienna and presented the Great Golden Medal of Merit to the Hungarian-born investor and philanthropist, George Soros, for his services to the State of Vienna.
Euronews reports that CEU opens its gates in Vienna this week.
Since December 2018, it has been known that CEU will move all of its US-accredited degree programs from Hungary to Vienna, as the Hungarian government made it impossible for the establishment to function in the Hungarian capital.
While presenting Soros with the medal, Vienna’s Mayor also expressed his concerns regarding anti-democratic developments in “the neighbouring countries,” a.k.a. Hungary, which led to the relocation of the university in the first place.
In his acceptance speech, George Soros emphasised how grateful he was for the establishment of the CEU in Vienna. He also referred to one of his tutors, Karl Poppers, who was sent away from Vienna to London. Poppers has a huge influence on Soros. His idea of an open society is still the driving force behind Soros’s socio-political involvement.
George Soros is the founder and most important supporter of the internationally renowned Central European University (CEU) based in New York and now also in Vienna. The CEU is shaped by the basic idea of cosmopolitanism and democracy.
Source: https://hu.euronews.com/