1. religion and spirituality

EC-CUP E u r a s i a C i r c l e f o r C u l t u r a l U n d e r s t a n d i n g & P r o s p e r i t y 1
The founders
and their purpose for
founding the Center:
EC-CUP
The Center was by three persons, Kenyeres Sandor, Zoltan Acs
and Kovács Imre Barna for the purpose of creating an integrated
approach to Eurasian culture and prosperity. The Center will
promote the cultural understanding of the nations of Eurasia and
will work on developing an awareness of our interdependent
Culture,
religion and economy go hand in hand
causes of prosperity.
Eurasia Circle for Cultural
Understanding & Prosperity
The founders envisioned
a much broader
powerhouses
will
be
organized
where
approach than that of the usual which uses
religion, culture and economy will be viewed
economic data and analysis only as the key
in an integrated manner with the purpose of
factor for life and prosperity. In the founder’s
harmonization for Eurasian prosperity. Such
vision culture, religion and economics are
vision has a state of the art tool, GEDI, a global
intertwined and interdependent, they nurture
monitoring project which will be extended to
each other, depend on each other and cannot
include religious and cultural factors which will
have a stable and beneficial existence without
serve all nations of Eurasia.
each other.
The founders believe that it is the harmonious
interplay of culture,religions and economy
which makes human life truly satisfying and
prosperous in the material, intellectual and
spiritual sense as well. Therefore first in the
world conferences, research and intellectual
EC-CUP E u r a s i a C i r c l e f o r C u l t u r a l U n d e r s t a n d i n g & P r o s p e r i t y 2
Eurasian Center for Cultural Understanding and Prosperity
The founders
and their purpose for
founding the Center:
The Center was founded by three persons, Kenyeres Sandor,
Zoltan Acs and Kovács Imre Barna for the purpose of creating
an integrated approach to Eurasian culture and prosperity. The
Center will promote the cultural understanding of the nations
of Eurasia and will work on developing an awareness of our
interdependent causes of prosperity.
The founders envisioned
a much broader
powerhouses
will
be
organized
where
approach than that of the usual which uses
religion, culture and economy will be viewed
economic data and analysis only as the key
in an integrated manner with the purpose of
factor for life and prosperity. In the founder’s
harmonization for Eurasian prosperity. Such
vision culture, religion and economics are
vision has a state of the art tool, GEDI, a global
intertwined and interdependent, they nurture
monitoring project which will be extended to
each other, depend on each other and cannot
include religious and cultural factors which will
have a stable and beneficial existence without
serve all nations of Eurasia.
each other.
The founders believe that it is the harmonious
interplay of culture,religions and economy
which makes human life truly satisfying and
prosperous in the material, intellectual and
spiritual sense as well. Therefore first in the
world conferences, research and intellectual
Content:
The Founders and their Purpose
The Mission
3
11
Culture, Religion and Economics
Go Hand in Hand
13
A True Understanding of
Eurasian Culture and Religion
15
Asia and the EU
19
“Deerpark”, a Spiritual Home
21
Advanced Studies Institute
23
GEDI - CR
25
The Uniqueness of Eurasia Circle
27
World Forum
28
Interdisciplinary and Cross-Cultural
Conferences and Studies
35
Art Collection and Workshops
37
Music and Dance Performances
39
Spiritual Teachings, Meditation,
Yoga and Sacred Art
41
Scholarships
43
EC-CUP E u r a s i a C i r c l e f o r C u l t u r a l U n d e r s t a n d i n g & P r o s p e r i t y The founders
and their purpose for
founding the Center:
The Center was founded by three persons, Kenyeres Sandor,
Zoltan Acs and Kovács Imre Barna for the purpose of creating
an integrated approach to Eurasian culture and prosperity. The
Center will promote the cultural understanding of the nations
of Eurasia and will work on developing an awareness of our
interdependent causes of prosperity.
The founders envisioned
a much broader
powerhouses
will
be
organized
where
5
The Founders
and their Purpose in
Founding Eurasia Circle:
Eurasia Circle for Cultural Understanding and Prosperity (EC-CUP)
was founded in 2010 by Sandor Kenyeres, Zoltan J. Acs and Kovacs
Imre Barna, for the purpose of creating an integrated approach to
Eurasian culture and prosperity.
Eurasia Circle will
founders believe it
promote the cultural
is the harmonious
understanding
interplay of culture,
of the nations of
spirituality, religions
Eurasia
will
and economics that
work on developing
makes human life
an
awareness
of
truly satisfying and
the
interdependent
prosperous in the
and
approach than that of the usual which uses
religion, culture and economy will be viewed
nature of the sources
material, intellectual
economic data and analysis only as the key
in an integrated manner with the purpose of
of prosperity. The
and spiritual sense.
factor for life and prosperity. In the founder’s
harmonization for Eurasian prosperity. Such
Circle’s three founders
Therefore, for the
vision culture, religion and economics are
vision has a state of the art tool, GEDI, a global
intertwined and interdependent, they nurture
monitoring project which will be extended to
each other, depend on each other and cannot
include religious and cultural factors which will
have a stable and beneficial existence without
serve all nations of Eurasia.
each other.
are
envisioning
much
a
broader
Kovacs Imre Barna, Sandor Kenyeres, Zoltan J. Acs
first time, in world
conferences,
approach than usual for measuring quality of
research as well as seminars, round table
life and prosperity.
talks, brain-storming sessions and informal
discussions will be organized, where religion and
Normally, only economic data and analysis
spirituality, culture and economic factors will be
are used. The founders of Eurasia Circle see
viewed as an integrated whole for the purpose
The founders believe that it is the harmonious
an integrated approach as the key factor for
of the development of Eurasian prosperity in
interplay of culture,religions and economy
measuring quality of life and prosperity. In the
harmony with the diverse cultures and spiritual
founders’ vision, culture, spiritual traditions,
traditions. There is a state-of-the-art tool, a
religion and economics are intertwined and
global economics-monitoring project known
interdependent: they nurture each other, depend
as GEDI, which the Circle plans to expand (to
on each other and none of them can have a stable
include spiritual, religious and cultural factors)
and beneficial existence without the others. The
to serve all the nations of Eurasia.
which makes human life truly satisfying and
prosperous in the material, intellectual and
spiritual sense as well. Therefore first in the
world conferences, research and intellectual
EC-CUP E u r a s i a C i r c l e f o r C u l t u r a l U n d e r s t a n d i n g & P r o s p e r i t y 7
Sandor Kenyeres
is founder and president of the Talentis Group. He is currently in
the process of establishing the ambitious Talentis Program, which
aims to be a Central East European „Silicon Valley”—a research and
development area for high-tech start-ups.
A research engineer, Kenyeres worked in America’s
established a partnership that launches the Talentis
Silicon Valley in the late 1970s, and later in Japan
Program within the New Széchenyi National Plan.
(Tokyo and Nagoya), where he came up with the
Kenyeres has long been aware of the priority of the
idea of combining other knowledge-based activities,
spiritual world over matter, and he considers that
such as educational and cultural activities, with the
cultural and spiritual matters need to be integrated
high-tech innovation and research, and business, all
into economics planning for the future well-being of
in one place. In this way, he believed, it would be
the world. And so, in the year 2002, Sandor Kenyeres
possible to attain even more-outstanding scientific
and his partner Sandor S. Nagy installed four large
and business results. This approach is the current
granite stones covered with calligraphy and ancient
strategy of the Talentis Group.
symbols of spiritual knowledge, reminiscent of the first
stone monuments in Europe, under the artistic and
In 2000, several profitable business initiatives allowed
spiritual guidance of I.B. Kovacs. Kenyeres believes
Kenyeres, finally, to implement his dream of starting
these symbols have guided his life ever since.
the Talentis Program, thereby seeking to consolidate
the knowledge capital of Central East Europe in
With this in mind, in 2011, Kenyeres and his two
Hungary and reverse the braindrain. His vision for
partners, Zoltan J. Acs and Imre B. Kovacs, founded
Hungary is to gather together and gain recognition
the Eurasia Circle for Cultural Understanding and
throughout the world for prominent Central
Prosperity (EC-CUP), which will be headquartered in
East European scientists working in the Talentis
a cultural park in the Talentis knowledge valley. The
knowledge and cultural valley he is creating outside
intention of Eurasia Circle is to help bring about a
Budapest. Through a multi-lateral international
harmonization of culture, religion and economics,
alliance, participating nations are now able to
by promoting an integrated view of life. The EC-
enjoy the benefits of collaboration and the unique
CUP will have a conference and study center and
advantages of the Talentis knowledge valley.
museum, and the plans are to further its goals by
organizing conferences, seminars, exhibitions, and
The year 2011 is pivotal. The Hungarian Government
publications, and by providing scholarships to foster
has recognized the importance of knowledge-based
a new integrated outlook that can better understand
economic development, where talent is considered
and solve the problems arising due to globalization.
to be the form of capital that contributes the greatest
Kenyeres is committed to Eurasia Circle because
added value to the nation’s growth. To this end, the
he believes that economics alone will not create a
Hungarian Government and the Talentis Group have
better culture, understanding, and prosperity.
EC-CUP E u r a s i a C i r c l e f o r C u l t u r a l U n d e r s t a n d i n g & P r o s p e r i t y 9
Zoltan J. Acs
Zoltan J. Acs is founder and president of The Global Entrepreneurship
and Development Institute (GEDI). In this capacity, he guides the overall
direction of GEDI activities and research. Dr. Acs is also a professor
and director of the Center for Enterpreneurship and Public Policy
at George Mason University, visiting professor at Imperial College
Business School in London and the University of Pecs in Hungary.
Dr. Acs’s research focuses on the link between
Center for International Business Education and
innovation, entrepreneurship, and development in
Research (CIBER) at the University of Maryland,
industries, cities, and worldwide. He has published
Research Fellow at the Science Center Berlin, and
more than 100 articles and 20 books, including
Research Associate at the Institute on Western
articles in the American Economic Review, Review
Europe at Columbia University.
of Economics and Statistics, Kyklos, Journal of
Urban Economics, Economica, Research Policy, and
In 2001, Dr. Acs was awarded the International
Science Policy.
Award for Entrepreneurship and Small Business
Research on behalf of the Swedish National Board
Dr. Acs’s work has been cited in many of the nation’s
for Industrial and Technical Development.
leading publications. He has testified in congressional
hearings on small business and entrepreneurship,
In the 1970s Acs rediscovered the importance of
and he has prepared special reports for the White
small business and entrepreneurship for innovation.
House and congressional committees.
Over four decades his research has influenced
scholars and policy makers throughout Eurasia and
Prior to founding GEDI, Dr. Acs’s helped establish
the Americas. He is one of the leading advocates of
the Max Planck Institute for Economics in Jena,
entrepreneurship in the world.
Germany, and was Scholar-in-Residence at the
Kauffman Foundation. He has also served as:
Acs and Kovacs who have known each other
Research Fellow at the U.S. Bureau of the Census,
for almost forty years share a world view on the
Chief Economic Advisor at the U.S. Small Business
importance of culture, religion and economics for
Administration (SBA), Associate Director of the
world prosperity.
EC-CUP E u r a s i a C i r c l e f o r C u l t u r a l U n d e r s t a n d i n g & P r o s p e r i t y 11
Imre B. Kovacs
Imre B. Kovacs, Th.M., has for many years been an independent
researcher and teacher of spiritual art, symbols, and culture,
traveling extensively throughout the U.S. and Eurasia.
Using this same knowledge, he has also done important
work in the field of early computer software. As well as
being a spiritual researcher and teacher Kovacs creates
spiritual art for use in contemplation, and his works can
be seen in many private collections.
At age seven, Kovacs was already an accomplished
artist, considered to be a child prodigy, able to do
line drawings of the highest artistic quality. Today, he
continues to do line drawings, as part of his spiritual
practice and teaching, as well as being a calligrapher
and teacher of many calligraphy forms, including the
little-known Hungarian rune calligraphy.
In the 1970s, Kovacs attended Princeton Theological
Seminary, where he was awarded a Master of Theology
degree. His interdisciplinary major included classes
and seminars at Princeton University on the study
of indigenous tribal religions and their cosmology,
symbols and artistic expression, with a focus on
Asian shamanic traditions. He pursued studies in
several arenas, including at the Woodrow Wilson
School of Public and International Affairs and frequent
consultations with Professor Andreas Alföldi on Eurasian
history and symbols at the Princeton Advanced Studies
Institute. A graduate earlier of the School of Fine Arts
in Budapest, Kovacs also received art instruction at
Princeton University, from some of the best-known
artists, including Sol Lewitt, Andy Warhol, Linda Benglis,
Joseph Kossuth, Gary Kuehn, and Richard Serra. Already,
Kovacs’s expertise in Asian arts was being sought out
at that time, including by artist Salvador Dali, who
consulted him on the symbols of the Hun burial carpet
of Noin Ula and the Scythian “flying deer” motif.
In the 1970s, Kovacs traveled extensively in the
Himalayas, in India and Ladakh, commissioned to
do scholarly research on the Mandala, the Cross and
other Eurasian spiritual and religious symbols and
cosmograms. Since then, he has continued to travel
in Asia, and he has spent much time with a number
of Asian spiritual leaders and healers, studying spiritual
practices as well as symbols and calligraphy. During
his travels in China, Kovacs met with noted Chinese
calligraphers, who identified his Hungarian rune
calligraphy as ancient Chinese An Yang writing. This
was an important discovery because it showed the
common roots in two far-apart regions of Eurasia.
A man of many talents, Kovacs in the late 1970s was
invited to spend three years at Brown University working
under a U.S. government grant, where he designed a
user interface with S.Nagy, Feiner and Van Dam that was
selected as among the ten most significant inventions
in computer science. He also developed a graphic
language for the description of Miller’s Calculus of
Communicating Systems, with Alessandro Giaccolone.
Kovacs was able to accomplish this work in computer
science by applying his knowledge of symbols and
ancient signs to modern problems.
Kovacs has lectured widely in the U.S., Europe and Asia,
and is the author of two books, Secret Teachings in
Hungarian Tales, and a book on Hun Gastronomy and
healing with food: The Great Secret: Compatible and
Non-compatible Foods. At present, he is working on a
book on Eurasian calligraphy and sacred line art,
and on the teachings of the ancient masters of
Hungarian tribal spirituality who came to what is
modern Hungary from Central Asia.
A permanent testament to Kovacs’s loyalty to the
culture of Eurasia and the pursuit of its common roots,
there are the five granite stones (weighing between
12 and 18 tons each) standing in center of Buda and
the town of Ózd today, covered with his carvings of
ancient Eurasian symbols and rune calligraphy. Kovacs
believes passionately in the common ancient roots of
Eurasian spirituality and art, and is one of the founders
of EC-CUP.
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Eurasian Center for Cultural Understanding and Prosperity
The founders
and their purpose for
founding the Center:
The Mission:
The purpose of the EC-CUP is to further the understanding
between the peoples of Eurasia, using both information and
knowledge about one another, and an appreciation of both
culture and economics.
The Center was founded by three persons, Kenyeres Sandor,
Zoltan Acs and Kovács Imre Barna for the purpose of creating
an integrated approach to Eurasian culture and prosperity. The
Center will promote the cultural understanding of the nations
of Eurasia and will work on developing an awareness of our
interdependent causes of prosperity.
The founders envisioned
a much broader
where
The activity of Eurasia Circle is focused on all
is envisioned that a more human understanding
approach than that of the usual which uses
religion, culture and economy will be viewed
those nations of Asia which have a stake in
and relationship will develop between the
economic data and analysis only as the key
in an integrated manner with the purpose of
having a good connection with the European
participating people and their nations.
factor for life and prosperity. In the founder’s
harmonization for Eurasian prosperity. Such
Union (EU), in general, and with Hungary in
Eurasia Circle aims to be the focal point and
vision culture, religion and economics are
vision has a state of the art tool, GEDI, a global
particular. An understanding of the different
radiating source of a new Eurasian consciousness,
intertwined and interdependent, they nurture
monitoring project which will be extended to
cultures, and their spiritual traditions and
which we believe will be a key factor in the
each other, depend on each other and cannot
include religious and cultural factors which will
religions, the founders believe, will bring the
twenty-first century. There are a number of
have a stable and beneficial existence without
serve all nations of Eurasia.
nations of Eurasia closer to each other. These
historical examples of Eurasian consciousness,
nations, they believe, will, in this way, come to
with periods in the past of outstanding shared
each other.
powerhouses
will
be
organized
recognize that which is common, everlasting
cultural achievements and prosperity. If we want
The founders believe that it is the harmonious
and beautiful in the different cultures of the vast
to have the blessings and opportunities that will
interplay of culture,religions and economy
Eurasian continent. The goal is for the different
come with a renewed Eurasian consciousness,
which makes human life truly satisfying and
cultures to be inspired by each other, by a feeling
we need to rebuild this Eurasian consciousness
prosperous in the material, intellectual and
of brotherhood issuing from shared art and
on solid ground, cemented by culture, spirituality
spiritual sense as well. Therefore first in the
spirituality. Across Eurasia, the diverse cultures
and religion, as well as economics. Surely, the
world conferences, research and intellectual
will find common roots and values. As a result, it
political will follow.
EC-CUP E u r a s i a C i r c l e f o r C u l t u r a l U n d e r s t a n d i n g & P r o s p e r i t y 14
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Eurasian Center for Cultural Understanding and Prosperity
The founders
and their purpose for
founding the Center:
The Center was founded by three persons, Kenyeres Sandor,
Zoltan Acs and Kovács Imre Barna for the purpose of creating
an integrated approach to Eurasian culture and prosperity. The
Center will promote the cultural understanding of the nations
of Eurasia and will work on developing an awareness of our
interdependent causes of prosperity.
Culture,
Religion and Economics
Go Hand in Hand
The founders of Eurasia Circle believe firmly that culture,
spirituality, religion and economics go hand in hand, that they
are interdependent and are able to either nurture or destroy
each other. Regarded as a whole, they need to be brought into
harmony. Otherwise, destructive forces often emerge to threaten
the achievements of one or another field.
Today, these three major fields of humanity are
this into consideration when trying to measure
where
often in opposition to one other, each taking its
the wellbeing and health of a society can be
approach than that of the usual which uses
religion, culture and economy will be viewed
own course, with the others often assuming an
likened to sailing in uncharted waters. Even
economic data and analysis only as the key
in an integrated manner with the purpose of
aggressive posture. In the end, they often end
economics, which today is often thought of
factor for life and prosperity. In the founder’s
harmonization for Eurasian prosperity. Such
up fighting and opposing one another, or one
as the major defining factor of human society,
vision culture, religion and economics are
vision has a state of the art tool, GEDI, a global
can overwhelm the other, which then can cause
is built on a foundation of culture and spiritual
intertwined and interdependent, they nurture
monitoring project which will be extended to
society and human life to become unbalanced
traditions, and depends on whatever value
each other, depend on each other and cannot
include religious and cultural factors which will
and incomplete, and full of conflict and suffering.
system these factors uphold.
have a stable and beneficial existence without
serve all nations of Eurasia.
The founders envisioned
a much broader
each other.
powerhouses
will
be
organized
There is nothing in life that does not have spiritual
or religious roots, not even in modern secular
The founders believe that it is the harmonious
life. And so, for example, as Max Weber pointed
interplay of culture,religions and economy
out, Protestantism was intricately connected
which makes human life truly satisfying and
with early capitalism. Other religions, cults and
prosperous in the material, intellectual and
teachings are likewise closely related to the
spiritual sense as well. Therefore first in the
different life styles, morality, behavior, culture,
world conferences, research and intellectual
art, value systems and economics. Not taking
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17
Eurasian Center for Cultural Understanding and Prosperity
The founders
and their purpose for
founding the Center:
The Center was founded by three persons, Kenyeres Sandor,
Zoltan Acs and Kovács Imre Barna for the purpose of creating
an integrated approach to Eurasian culture and prosperity. The
Center will promote the cultural understanding of the nations
of Eurasia and will work on developing an awareness of our
interdependent causes of prosperity.
The founders envisioned
a much broader
powerhouses
will
be
organized
where
approach than that of the usual which uses
religion, culture and economy will be viewed
economic data and analysis only as the key
in an integrated manner with the purpose of
factor for life and prosperity. In the founder’s
harmonization for Eurasian prosperity. Such
vision culture, religion and economics are
vision has a state of the art tool, GEDI, a global
intertwined and interdependent, they nurture
monitoring project which will be extended to
each other, depend on each other and cannot
include religious and cultural factors which will
have a stable and beneficial existence without
serve all nations of Eurasia.
each other.
The founders believe that it is the harmonious
interplay of culture,religions and economy
which makes human life truly satisfying and
prosperous in the material, intellectual and
spiritual sense as well. Therefore first in the
world conferences, research and intellectual
A True
Understanding
and Appreciation of
Eurasia’s Cultures and
Religions Can Bring
People Together:
While the people of the world are often
mores, on the whole, the founders believe that
divided by political and economic interests,
people of different nations can meet each other
the founders of Eurasia Circle believe that it
and form an understanding and brotherhood
would be possible for people to communicate
through an appreciation of their different
more effectively with one another and to form
cultures.
a true brotherhood through culture. Music,
It is a historical fact that religious intolerance has
dance, the fine arts and gastronomy have a
caused mankind much suffering. But it also a fact
strong attraction for people, and can often be
that, ultimately, along with the desire to convert
easily shared and appreciated. In other words,
others to a certain spiritual path or religion, or
culture can often bring people together. It is
to exclude them, there is an underlying desire,
also important that through culture people can
beginning to surface in the world, in various
often come to know one another. The soul of a
spiritual paths and religions, to reach a universal
people, their innermost nature, is expressed in
understanding of spirituality and life, to unite
their art, music, dance and gastronomy. Even
mankind in mutual understanding and love and
when political differences exist, although there
to look at other spiritualities and religions as
are extremists who would reject other cultural
different paths leading to the same source.
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Eurasian Center for Cultural Understanding and Prosperity
The founders
and their purpose for
founding the Center:
Several movements and examples show today
that openness and appreciation is the best
way for different cultures to approach one
other. There are a number of organizations
successfully pursuing this course, such as: The
International Circle for Cultural Studies (ICCS)
under the leadership of Professor Radeshyam
Dwivedi, and the Research Institute of World’s
Ancient Traditions, Cultures and Heritage
(RIWATCH), with Vijay Swami. There are also
a number of Christian and other thinkers
The Center was founded by three persons, Kenyeres Sandor,
Zoltan Acs and Kovács Imre Barna for the purpose of creating
an integrated approach to Eurasian culture and prosperity. The
Center will promote the cultural understanding of the nations
of Eurasia and will work on developing an awareness of our
interdependent causes of prosperity.
who have been writing about the desirability
of an interspiritual approach to spirituality
and religion, such as Father Bede Griffiths
(a Benedictine monk who practiced both
Christianity and Hinduism, and founded the
Shantivanam Ashram in southern India), Wayne
Teasdale (monk and author of The Mystic
Heart), Matthew Fox (One River many Wells:
Wisdom Springing from Global Faith) and
The founders envisioned
a much broader
powerhouses
will
be
organized
where
approach than that of the usual which uses
religion, culture and economy will be viewed
economic data and analysis only as the key
in an integrated manner with the purpose of
factor for life and prosperity. In the founder’s
harmonization for Eurasian prosperity. Such
vision culture, religion and economics are
vision has a state of the art tool, GEDI, a global
intertwined and interdependent, they nurture
monitoring project which will be extended to
each other, depend on each other and cannot
include religious and cultural factors which will
have a stable and beneficial existence without
serve all nations of Eurasia.
each other.
The founders believe that it is the harmonious
interplay of culture,religions and economy
which makes human life truly satisfying and
prosperous in the material, intellectual and
spiritual sense as well. Therefore first in the
world conferences, research and intellectual
Thomas Berry (The Dream of the Earth) (two
Catholic monks who promoted shamanism
and a shamanic worldview as a solution to
the destruction of the world ecology), Cynthia
Bourgeault (Episcopal priest and practicing
Sufi; author of The Wisdom Way of Knowing).
This new openness can be furthered through
conferences, as well as through a mutual
understanding of the sacred, visual art, rituals,
dance and music of the different spiritual
traditions and religions. Conferences with
participating
religious
leaders,
teachers,
professors and involved lay people can bring
attention to the interrelatedness and the
unrecognized common roots in the disparate
moral and lifestyle benefits of these. The origin
spiritual traditions, teachings and religions.
myths of people will be studied so they can be
It will be possible to shed new light on the
appreciated by everyone.
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Eurasian Center for Cultural Understanding and Prosperity
The founders
and their purpose for
founding the Center:
The Center was founded by three persons, Kenyeres Sandor,
Zoltan Acs and Kovács Imre Barna for the purpose of creating
an integrated approach to Eurasian culture and prosperity. The
Center will promote the cultural understanding of the nations
of Eurasia and will work on developing an awareness of our
interdependent causes of prosperity.
The founders envisioned
a much broader
powerhouses
will
be
organized
Asia and the EU
need to reach an across-theboard cultural and religious
understanding because we
are all Eurasians.
Eurasians need to develop an appreciation of
parties. The founders believe the time is here
one another and find a set of shared values
for such an understanding, for an appreciation
through the development of an intricate web
of one another, and for finding the historically
of cultural, religious, spiritual and economic
shared values, thereby opening a new period
relationships that complement one other in
of Eurasian cultural achievements and
ways that are favorable and acceptable to all
prosperity.
where
approach than that of the usual which uses
religion, culture and economy will be viewed
economic data and analysis only as the key
in an integrated manner with the purpose of
factor for life and prosperity. In the founder’s
harmonization for Eurasian prosperity. Such
vision culture, religion and economics are
vision has a state of the art tool, GEDI, a global
intertwined and interdependent, they nurture
monitoring project which will be extended to
each other, depend on each other and cannot
include religious and cultural factors which will
have a stable and beneficial existence without
serve all nations of Eurasia.
each other.
The founders believe that it is the harmonious
interplay of culture,religions and economy
which makes human life truly satisfying and
prosperous in the material, intellectual and
spiritual sense as well. Therefore first in the
world conferences, research and intellectual
Mr. Sandor Kenyeres, Founder of Talentis Group, Mrs. Gao Jian, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s
Republic of China to the Republic of Hungary and Mr. Tamas Fellegi, Minister for National Development of Hungary.
EC-CUP E u r a s i a C i r c l e f o r C u l t u r a l U n d e r s t a n d i n g & P r o s p e r i t y 22
23
Eurasian Center for Cultural Understanding and Prosperity
The founders
and their purpose for
founding the Center:
The Center was founded by three persons, Kenyeres Sandor,
Zoltan Acs and Kovács Imre Barna for the purpose of creating
an integrated approach to Eurasian culture and prosperity. The
Center will promote the cultural understanding of the nations
of Eurasia and will work on developing an awareness of our
interdependent causes of prosperity.
The founders envisioned
a much broader
powerhouses
will
be
organized
where
approach than that of the usual which uses
religion, culture and economy will be viewed
economic data and analysis only as the key
in an integrated manner with the purpose of
factor for life and prosperity. In the founder’s
harmonization for Eurasian prosperity. Such
vision culture, religion and economics are
vision has a state of the art tool, GEDI, a global
intertwined and interdependent, they nurture
monitoring project which will be extended to
each other, depend on each other and cannot
include religious and cultural factors which will
have a stable and beneficial existence without
serve all nations of Eurasia.
each other.
The founders believe that it is the harmonious
interplay of culture,religions and economy
which makes human life truly satisfying and
prosperous in the material, intellectual and
spiritual sense as well. Therefore first in the
world conferences, research and intellectual
“Deerpark”
a Spiritual Home for the
Indigenous Spiritual Traditions
and Religions of Eurasia:
Eurasia is the birthplace of many great spiritual traditions and
religions of the world. Some of these spiritual traditions and
religions are well known and have millions of followers.
But there are many indigenous tribal spiritual
will promote the preservation of indigenous
traditions and religions, ancient cults and
spiritual traditions and religions, their study, and
teachings known only to small groups of people,
the application of their experience and wisdom
the disciples or to researchers. These spiritual
to the solutions required by a globalized world.
traditions and religions and teachings belong to
Eurasia Circle will join forces with those
the spiritual treasures of mankind. They contain
movements, conferences and organizations
invaluable knowledge and spiritual experience.
which are already involved with fostering
They define the value system, the lifestyle and the
cultural, spiritual and religious understanding
economics of their people. They have influenced
among the nations and tribes of the world. Two
and continue to influence the iconography,
hundred acres of land on rolling hills in Hungary
mythology and teachings of the great spiritual
will offer a home to Eurasian indigenous religions
traditions and religions of the world. At the
and spiritual traditions.
same time, a number of the indigenous spiritual
traditions and religions are ready to adapt to
the challenge of a globalized world in order to
preserve and transmit their wisdom to
the people of the twenty
first century. Eurasia Circle
EC-CUP E u r a s i a C i r c l e f o r C u l t u r a l U n d e r s t a n d i n g & P r o s p e r i t y 24
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Eurasian Center for Cultural Understanding and Prosperity
The founders
and their purpose for
founding the Center:
The Center was founded by three persons, Kenyeres Sandor,
Zoltan Acs and Kovács Imre Barna for the purpose of creating
an integrated approach to Eurasian culture and prosperity. The
Center will promote the cultural understanding of the nations
of Eurasia and will work on developing an awareness of our
interdependent causes of prosperity.
Advanced
Studies
The Integration
Institute
of Eurasia
of
Vital Knowledges
is the Goal:
Circle (ASIEC)
The GEDI Project:
The Global Entrepreneurship and Development Index, known as
GEDI, is fast becoming a major economic measurement system. It
can help to monitor the economic development and status of the
world’s economies. Thus, it is an invaluable planning tool for people
and organizations involved in economics, such as governments,
small and medium size enterprises, multinational corporations,
multinational institutions, banks and the supranationals.
that gives an accurate picture of the economic
GEDI is a worldwide network currently monitoring
The
Studies with
Institute
of Eurasia
Circle
over Advanced
70 countries,
many
universities,
development of any given country. Due to its
serve as aGEDI
platform
intellectual
work
that
accuracy,
is fast for
becoming
a major
tool
in
(ASIEC)
aims and
to honor
the best minds
of Eurasia By
by
professors
researchers
participating.
offering them
a home foras
permanent
temporary
placing
the European,
well as aorpart
of the
willhands
fosterofthe
advancement
the highestthe
economic
planners of
in governments,
level thinkingcorporations
and ideas onand
an integrated
view
universities,
supranationals.
residence,
with all theoffices
infrastructure
for
Asian, organizational
of GEDI needed
within the
scholarly
and artistic
A campus
Talentis project,
onpursuit
land inand
theresearch.
Zsámbék
Valley,
of theinterest
cultureinand
economics
of the
continent
The
GEDI
is growing
exponentially
of Eurasia.
The focus
will be of
onthe
cultural
around
the world.
The creators
GEDI
will
be builtwill
on the
grounds
the Talentisstatus
business
Hungary
achieve
a of
recognized
in
and cultural
park in the
the beautiful
Valley
this
field among
nations Zsambek
of the World.
understanding
and
the culturalProfessor
and economic
program
are two
Hungarians:
Zoltan
prosperity
in Eurasia.
J.
Acs (George
Mason University) and his partner
each other.
outside
Budapest,
Hungary.
ASIECintellectualcampus will
It will be
the home
of aThe
global,
consist
of program
a central building
large meeting
property
serving with
the ainterests
of all
Szerb László (University of Pécs). GEDI currently
ASIEC
will feed into
the agenda
of conferences
has
subscribers
around
the globe,
including a
The founders believe that it is the harmonious
hall,
small conference
rooms, a library
andwho
art
governments
and corporations—of
those
gallery,
a restaurant
and pavilionplan
and
monitor and
the coffee
overallshop,
economy
of the
and projects
of universities
Eurasia Circle
for Cultural
great
number of
and participating
Understanding
and Prosperity,
theBank.
EC-CUP.
researchers,
as well
as The World
which makes human life truly satisfying and
like
houses
small gardens
for the residents.
world.
The with
information
and decision-making
There
willGEDI
be printing
Internetthe
services,
and
tool that
offersand
is among
most DVD
coveted
prosperous in the material, intellectual and
publication
provided on site as well.
tools in thefacilities,
modernetc.,
economy.
The major intellectual participants are George
ASIEC will
serve as
main think
Mason
University,
thetheLondon
Schooltank
of
and meeting
the development
Economics,
the forum
ImperialforBusiness
School, and
The
Institute,
ASIEC,index
will
GEDI Advanced
offers an Studies
economic
monitoring
andPécsi
exchange
of ideas on Eurasian
cultural
the
Tudományegyetem.
In addition,
there
understanding
and prosperity.
is
a university participating
in each of the seenty
The founders envisioned
a much broader
powerhouses
will
be
organized
where
approach than that of the usual which uses
religion, culture and economy will be viewed
economic data and analysis only as the key
in an integrated manner with the purpose of
factor for life and prosperity. In the founder’s
harmonization for Eurasian prosperity. Such
vision culture, religion and economics are
vision has a state of the art tool, GEDI, a global
intertwined and interdependent, they nurture
monitoring project which will be extended to
each other, depend on each other and cannot
include religious and cultural factors which will
have a stable and beneficial existence without
serve all nations of Eurasia.
interplay of culture,religions and economy
spiritual sense as well. Therefore first in the
world conferences, research and intellectual
EC-CUP E u r a s i a C i r c l e f o r C u l t u r a l U n d e r s t a n d i n g & P r o s p e r i t y 26
27
Eurasian Center for Cultural Understanding and Prosperity
The founders
and their purpose for
founding the Center:
The Center was founded by three persons, Kenyeres Sandor,
Zoltan Acs and Kovács Imre Barna for the purpose of creating
an integrated approach to Eurasian culture and prosperity. The
Center will promote the cultural understanding of the nations
of Eurasia and will work on developing an awareness of our
interdependent causes of prosperity.
GEDI - CR:
Towards an Integrated
Index and Monitoring Tool:
countries where GEDI is used as a monitor.
Although GEDI is at present primarily an economic tool, its
scope can be significantly widened to include the various
interdisciplinary and cross-cultural aspects.
It is foreseen by Eurasia Circle that, in the
future, economics researchers of will meet
and discuss GEDI measurement issues with
cultural, spiritual and religious representatives,
of the possible effects of spirituality, religion
The founders envisioned
a much broader
powerhouses
will
be
organized
where
approach than that of the usual which uses
religion, culture and economy will be viewed
economic data and analysis only as the key
in an integrated manner with the purpose of
factor for life and prosperity. In the founder’s
harmonization for Eurasian prosperity. Such
vision culture, religion and economics are
vision has a state of the art tool, GEDI, a global
intertwined and interdependent, they nurture
monitoring project which will be extended to
each other, depend on each other and cannot
include religious and cultural factors which will
have a stable and beneficial existence without
serve all nations of Eurasia.
each other.
and culture on the economy. They will
also discuss matters related to economic
development in culturally diverse regions of
the world. By using the experience gained in
using the economics version of GEDI, a future
version which will be an integrated economiccultural and spiritual/religious index, GEDICR (Culture and Religion), will be developed.
In GEDI-CR the measurement of economic
development will be complemented with
The founders believe that it is the harmonious
interplay of culture,religions and economy
which makes human life truly satisfying and
prosperous in the material, intellectual and
spiritual sense as well. Therefore first in the
world conferences, research and intellectual
cultural and spiritual/religious data to provide
a deeper understanding of how spiritual,
religious, cultural and lifestyle traditions affect
an economy. Zoltan J. Acs and Kovács Imre
Barna will be in charge of the interdisciplinary
and cross-cultural programs.
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29
Eurasian Center for Cultural Understanding and Prosperity
The founders
and their purpose for
founding the Center:
The Center was founded by three persons, Kenyeres Sandor,
Zoltan Acs and Kovács Imre Barna for the purpose of creating
an integrated approach to Eurasian culture and prosperity. The
Center will promote the cultural understanding of the nations
of Eurasia and will work on developing an awareness of our
interdependent causes of prosperity.
The Uniqueness
of Eurasia Circle’s
Approach:
The Harmonization of Spiritual Traditions, Religion, Culture and
Economics by Using GEDI as a Tool.
There are many conferences around the world
Therefore,
on economics, spirituality, religion and culture.
conferences will in this way be integrated into
But Eurasia Circle is the first and only one
GEDI conferences on economics, following
which promotes an integrated approach where
the major concept of Eurasia Circle, the
economics, culture, spiritual traditions and religion
development of integrated information and an
will be placed on a common ground, to find
awareness that includes and aims to harmonize
comprehensive solutions for the problems of
economics, culture, spirituality and religion.
where
Eurasia in the twenty-first century. To facilitate such
Participants will have an opportunity to develop
approach than that of the usual which uses
religion, culture and economy will be viewed
integration is the primary goal of Eurasia Circle.
an integrated view of human life, culture, religion,
economic data and analysis only as the key
in an integrated manner with the purpose of
This will make Eurasia Circle’s conferences unique
spiritual tradition and economics, and define the
factor for life and prosperity. In the founder’s
harmonization for Eurasian prosperity. Such
events, where the leaders of religions, spirituality,
harmonious interaction of the different kinds of
vision culture, religion and economics are
vision has a state of the art tool, GEDI, a global
culture and economics can find new tools and
knowledge needed for cultural, material and
intertwined and interdependent, they nurture
monitoring project which will be extended to
comprehensive approaches for their own work.
spiritual wealth.
each other, depend on each other and cannot
include religious and cultural factors which will
have a stable and beneficial existence without
serve all nations of Eurasia.
The founders envisioned
a much broader
each other.
The founders believe that it is the harmonious
interplay of culture,religions and economy
which makes human life truly satisfying and
prosperous in the material, intellectual and
spiritual sense as well. Therefore first in the
world conferences, research and intellectual
powerhouses
will
be
organized
cultural,
spiritual
and
religious
EC-CUP E u r a s i a C i r c l e f o r C u l t u r a l U n d e r s t a n d i n g & P r o s p e r i t y 30
31
Eurasian Center for Cultural Understanding and Prosperity
The founders
and their purpose for
founding the Center:
The Center was founded by three persons, Kenyeres Sandor,
Zoltan Acs and Kovács Imre Barna for the purpose of creating
an integrated approach to Eurasian culture and prosperity. The
Center will promote the cultural understanding of the nations
of Eurasia and will work on developing an awareness of our
interdependent causes of prosperity.
The founders envisioned
a much broader
powerhouses
will
be
organized
where
approach than that of the usual which uses
religion, culture and economy will be viewed
economic data and analysis only as the key
in an integrated manner with the purpose of
factor for life and prosperity. In the founder’s
harmonization for Eurasian prosperity. Such
vision culture, religion and economics are
vision has a state of the art tool, GEDI, a global
intertwined and interdependent, they nurture
monitoring project which will be extended to
each other, depend on each other and cannot
include religious and cultural factors which will
have a stable and beneficial existence without
serve all nations of Eurasia.
each other.
The founders believe that it is the harmonious
interplay of culture,religions and economy
which makes human life truly satisfying and
prosperous in the material, intellectual and
spiritual sense as well. Therefore first in the
world conferences, research and intellectual
EURASIA CIRCLE
The
founders
FOR CULTURAL
and their purpose for
UNDERSTANDING
founding the Center:
AND PROSPERITY
(EC-CUP)
The Center was by three persons, Kenyeres Sandor, Zoltan Acs
and Kovács Imre Barna for the purpose of creating an integrated
approach to Eurasian culture and prosperity. The Center will
promote the cultural understanding of the nations of Eurasia and
will work on developing an awareness of our interdependent
causes of prosperity.
EC-CUP World Forum
Eurasia is one vast landmass, that stretches all
The founders envisioned a much broader
the way from China and Japan in the East to
approach than that of the usual which uses
Europe and the Atlantic Ocean in the West.
economic data and analysis only as the key
Eurasia is one continent, not two, as portrayed
factor for life and prosperity. In the founder’s
in modern geography. Throughout many
vision culture, religion and economics are
thousands of years there were migrations
intertwined and interdependent, they nurture
of peoples in both directions, creating a rich
each other, depend on each other and cannot
cultural tapestry of trade routes that carried the
have a stable and beneficial existence without
diverse cultural belief systems, including the
each other.
artistic, spiritual and religious traditions, from
peninsula of Asia, which, indeed, is how it looks
powerhouses will be organized where
on a world map. It was only with the Greeks
religion, culture and economy will be viewed
and the Romans that East and West came to be
in an integrated manner with the purpose of
considered two separate entities, or continents.
harmonization for Eurasian prosperity. Such
Even today, there are European academics who
vision has a state of the art tool, GEDI, a global
consider Eurasia to be one continent, such as
monitoring project which will be extended to
Oxford University’s Sir Barry Cunliffe, who has
include religious and cultural factors which will
said that Europe is but “the western excrescence
serve all nations of Eurasia.
of the continent of Asia.”
one end of Eurasia to the other.
The founders believe that it is the harmonious
Although there were always sharp differences
interplay of culture,religions and economy
in the cultures of Eurasia, there has been
which makes human life truly satisfying and
cross-cultural dissemination of spiritual and
prosperous in the material, intellectual and
religious traditions, in addition to trade and the
spiritual sense as well. Therefore first in the
arts, for thousands of years. In fact, the people
world conferences, research and intellectual
coming from far Asia considered Europe to be a
spirit of wholeness and exchange of goods and
The EC-CUP World Forum seeks to restore that
culture in its most positive expressions, while
celebrating and respecting the diversity of the
many cultures. The Eurasia Circle seeks thereby
to work to eliminate the artificial barriers that
have been created, through meetings by
representatives of all parties concerned, on
EC-CUP E u r a s i a C i r c l e f o r C u l t u r a l U n d e r s t a n d i n g & P r o s p e r i t y 32
32
EC-CUP E u r a s i a C i r c l e f o r C u l t u r a l U n d e r s t a n d i n g & P r o s p e r i t y 33
Eurasian Center for Cultural Understanding and Prosperity
to attain widespread “Cultural Understanding
The founders
forms of philanthropy have fallen into disuse.
Information
and Prosperity,” the “CUP,” in order to play a
In Europe, the traditional role of philanthropy
positive role in the new economic paradigm
has largely been substituted by government
that is emerging—Globalism.
programs. The Eurasia Table believes that the
In this new economic paradigm, where
various forms of philanthropy, such as for social
the world population is being offered the
and educational and health programs, as well
possibilities of ever-increasing mobility and
as new forms of philanthropy by those who
forms of communications and technology,
hold the purse strings is an avenue that needs
what is needed is to find new ways to make
to be explored and revived across Eurasia,
this work in the world, so that the world is not
in order to bring to the table those sectors,
divided into haves and have-nots of material as
including Eurasia’s artists and intellectuals, as
well as spiritual and technological resources, or
well as the spiritual and religious leaders, who
prosperity. Asia Circle’s EC-CUP World Forum
feel they are being left out of the benefits of
proposes to lead in this effort.
Globalization.
The current globalization of economies and the
The EC-CUP World Forum is a place where
consolidation of ever-larger economic units
Eurasians can bring to the table and share in
amassing virtual and actual control over much
the discovery of their many common historical
of the world’s wealth and resources, without
roots, and seek to work out new solutions to the
taking into sufficient consideration the “Cultural
economic and social problems. These solutions
Understanding
“CUP,”
will include, not just economic solutions divorced
component, has created a situation whereby
from societal concerns such as spirituality
cultures everywhere are being crushed and the
and religion, but the harmonizing of “Cultural
where
peoples of the world feel that they are being
Understanding and Prosperity,” or the “CUP,” with
approach than that of the usual which uses
religion, culture and economy will be viewed
divested of the opportunity to share in the
the economic problems.
economic data and analysis only as the key
in an integrated manner with the purpose of
prosperity, and that their voices are not being
While there are many global economic forums,
factor for life and prosperity. In the founder’s
harmonization for Eurasian prosperity. Such
taken into consideration or even heard. In the
such as the important World Economic Forum
vision culture, religion and economics are
vision has a state of the art tool, GEDI, a global
past, some of the venues for sharing wealth
(WEC), that meets annually in Davos, Switzerland,
intertwined and interdependent, they nurture
monitoring project which will be extended to
have been through governments, as well as
as well as other types of forums such as the small
each other, depend on each other and cannot
include religious and cultural factors which will
have a stable and beneficial existence without
serve all nations of Eurasia.
through the community spirit of generosity and
As of today, GEDI involves practically the
a shared stewardship over the common good,
entire economic community of the world.
generally in communities that are bound by a
Governments have become involved
common spirituality or religion.
because they need GEDI, as well as banks,
One voluntary venue for sharing wealth
corporations and the supranationals, for
and prosperity, traditionally, has been that of
their economic planning, as well as the
philanthropy by those who have prospered
many universities that are active participants.
the most economically in a society. Today,
This worldwide community needs to be
although charity remains a respectable
“fed” regularly by high-quality information
institution throughout much of Asia, most other
that keeps people informed and shows the
but influential, non-profit, TED, which holds
relevancy of GEDI to their work. Eurasia
conferences “devoted to ideas worth spreading,”
Circle, therefore, will act as an information
none of these addresses “Cultural Understanding
clearinghouse for the global GEDI Project.
and Prosperity,” the “CUP,” and the desirability
This is one of the great assets of Eurasia
of the harmonization of economics with the
Circle. Publications and media will be primary
CUP in a meaningful way. In order to promote
objectives in combination with ongoing
“Cultural Understanding and Prosperity” for all,
research and integrated culture and religion
the EC-CUP has been designated as a place
(CR) conferences. Eurasia Circle will function
where the concerns and accomplishments of
as an organizational office and information
the peoples of what we have come to call the
integrator for the GEDI project.
and their purpose for
founding the Center:
The Center was founded by three persons, Kenyeres Sandor,
Zoltan Acs and Kovács Imre Barna for the purpose of creating
an integrated approach to Eurasian culture and prosperity. The
Center will promote the cultural understanding of the nations
of Eurasia and will work on developing an awareness of our
interdependent causes of prosperity.
The founders envisioned
a much broader
each other.
The founders believe that it is the harmonious
interplay of culture,religions and economy
which makes human life truly satisfying and
prosperous in the material, intellectual and
spiritual sense as well. Therefore first in the
world conferences, research and intellectual
powerhouses
will
be
organized
Integration and
Publications:
and
Prosperity,”
or
EC-CUP E u r a s i a C i r c l e f o r C u l t u r a l U n d e r s t a n d i n g & P r o s p e r i t y 34
35
Eurasian Center for Cultural Understanding and Prosperity
The founders
and their purpose for
founding the Center:
The Center was founded by three persons, Kenyeres Sandor,
Zoltan Acs and Kovács Imre Barna for the purpose of creating
an integrated approach to Eurasian culture and prosperity. The
Center will promote the cultural understanding of the nations
of Eurasia and will work on developing an awareness of our
interdependent causes of prosperity.
The founders envisioned
a much broader
powerhouses
will
be
organized
where
approach
than
usualto which
uses
East and the
Westthat
canof
bethe
“brought
the table”
to
religion,
culture and
economywill
willprovide
be viewed
people meeting
periodically
the
economic
data understanding
and analysis only
as foremost
the key
promote mutual
on the
in
an integrated
manner
with
the purpose
of
nucleus
of Eurasia
Circle’s
EC-CUP
outreach
factor arising
for life as
and
prosperity.
the founder’s
issues
a result
of theInglobalization
of
harmonization
prosperity. larger
Such
program,
with for
the Eurasian
aim of producing
vision culture,
economics
economies.
The religion
EC-CUP and
has been
createdare
to
vision has a state
of thethe
art EC-CUP
tool, GEDI,
global
conferences.
In addition,
willasupport
intertwined
and interdependent,
they all
nurture
bring to a common
table people from
walks
monitoring
project which
will
extended
to
widely-disseminated
lectures
to be
large
audiences
each
other,
dependartists,
on each
other and
cannot
of live,
including
musicians,
scientists,
include
religious
andthroughout
cultural factors
which will
by pertinent
leaders
Eurasia.
have a stable
and beneficial
existence without
journalists,
business
people, academics,
spiritual
serve all Table
nationswill
of Eurasia.
Eurasia
seek to provide meetings
eachreligious
other. leaders, and government officials,
and
in this new format, that includes Cultural
as well as invited guests from other parts of the
Understanding and Prosperity, or the CUP, with
The
founders
it is the
harmonious
globe,
at placesbelieve
on thethat
Eurasian
continent.
the participation of cultural leaders who are
interplay
of will
culture,religions
economy
The
EC-CUP
provide a wayand
for people
to
not normally a party to the working meetings
which makes
life truly historical
satisfyingroots
and
discover
their human
many common
with important economic leaders, as a way for
prosperous
the commonalities
material, intellectual
and build onin the
in orderand
to
people to engage meaningfully in a wide range
spiritual
sense
as well.
in the
understand
where
we areTherefore
today andfirst
where
we
of important issues. In its focus on the topic of
world
conferences,
research
and
intellectual
are
going.
Small groups
of fifteen
to twenty-five
prosperity, as a part of the larger program, the
EC-CUP will deal with two aspects of prosperity:
viewed as secondary or dependent on the
entrepreneurship and philanthropy, and how to
economy. In fact, it is the other way around.
achieve prosperity for all, which is an important
Culture and religion, and the ethical values and
issue throughout the world. In fact, it can be said
behavior issuing from them are the foundations
Interdisciplinary
that entrepreneurship and philanthropy are two
for a satisfying life for humans, for a satisfying
sides of the same coin. Entrepreneurship can be
society and for all economic activities. It is a
said to be the creation of wealth, and philanthropy
fact that different cultures and religions have
a form of redistribution of that wealth.
developed different economies. Today, it is
and Cross-Cultural
Conferences and Studies:
It is unfortunate that in much of Eurasia the
idea of philanthropy, in general, has died out,
and although in Asia charity continues to play a
a global economy that the different cultures
and religions of the world are facing. Without
harmonizing the local cultures and religions with
the global economy, the world will continue to
By organizing
conferences,
crucial
role, one way for Eurasia
to prosper is forperformances and cultural events,
head toward violent clashes and unpredictable
higher
levels of
meaningful
philanthropy
the nations of Eurasia in recognizing,
Eurasia
Circle
will
assist on
the
events. A global economy cannot succeed by
part of those who control the wealth, in order to
and it cultures.
cannot hope to simply erase the
understanding and appreciating theitself
other
create opportunities for the millions and millions
different cultures and religions of the world,
of people and for prosperity to flourish. While
because they hold values that are deeply rooted
philanthropy can and does provide opportunities
in
human nature,
and aspiritual
global economy
in and
economy,
culture,
and religious
for the broad middle class and its entrepreneurs,
of
itself canParticipants
offer nothing
to replace
traditions.
willmeaningful
have an opportunity
it can also provide opportunities for the deprived,
them.
When local
cultures and
religions
are erased
to develop
an integrated
view
of human
life,
lower-income classes to rise to the middle class
by
force,
a
spiritual-cultural
vacuum
comes
to
culture, spirituality, religion and economics,
through education or well-paid skilled labor.
being,
a loss
values. No reliable
civilian
and towith
define
theofharmonious
interaction
of
Without the opportunities and without incentives
society can be built upon such a vacuum, and it
the different kinds of knowledge needed for
that are not just economic, but also cultural, as
can become the root of unending problems and
cultural, material and spiritual wealth.
well as spiritual and religious, for individuals to
failures. There are many places around the earth,
GEDI participants from all over the world will be
express their deepest economic and cultural
already, which sadly reflect this.
invited to the GEDI-CR conferences, along with
aspirations, it is not possible to achieve the level
This is why the reestablishment of a proper
the honorable and respected leaders of spiritual
of prosperity of which societies are capable. The
order of priorities is important, where culture
traditions, religions and culture, to create a
and religion come first and the economy is
underlying philosophy of economics combined
truly integrated, interdisciplinary approach to
built on them, not the other way around. This
with the concept of CUP (Cultural Understanding
harmonizing religion, culture and economics.
is why the harmonization of cultures, religions
and Prosperity) will drive the EC-CUP’s vision
This will be the first time something of this
and economics is necessary, with the input of
of a more prosperous Eurasia, where everyone
nature will be organized on such a scale (70
all those who are affected, in order to find solid
has a meaningful opportunity to share in the
countries), and with this degree of intellectual
ground for cultural-economic prosperity.
economic as well as Cultural Understanding and
depth and background.
Prosperity, the CUP.
The cultural and spiritual/religious conferences
Each conference will be followed by publications
We believe that priorities have been put in the
will be integrated into the GEDI conferences
and, whenever feasible, a project that will exert
wrong order in the last two centuries in Europe.
according to the major concept of Eurasia Circle,
an active influence. Media attention will thereby
Economics took the lead and all other aspects
the development of integrated knowledge and
be ensured. All conferences will be integrated
of human life and society, the CUP, have been
awareness which includes and harmonizes
into the GEDI economics meetings.
EC-CUP E u r a s i a C i r c l e f o r C u l t u r a l U n d e r s t a n d i n g & P r o s p e r i t y 36
37
Eurasian Center for Cultural Understanding and Prosperity
The founders
and their purpose for
világzászlók
founding
the Center:
The Center was founded by three persons, Kenyeres Sandor,
Zoltan Acs and Kovács Imre Barna for the purpose of creating
an integrated approach to Eurasian culture and prosperity. The
Center will promote the cultural understanding of the nations
of Eurasia and will work on developing an awareness of our
interdependent causes of prosperity.
The founders envisioned
a much broader
powerhouses
will
be
organized
where
approach than that of the usual which uses
religion, culture and economy will be viewed
economic data and analysis only as the key
in an integrated manner with the purpose of
factor for life and prosperity. In the founder’s
harmonization for Eurasian prosperity. Such
vision culture, religion and economics are
vision has a state of the art tool, GEDI, a global
intertwined and interdependent, they nurture
monitoring project which will be extended to
each other, depend on each other and cannot
include religious and cultural factors which will
have a stable and beneficial existence without
serve all nations of Eurasia.
each other.
The founders believe that it is the harmonious
interplay of culture,religions and economy
which makes human life truly satisfying and
prosperous in the material, intellectual and
spiritual sense as well. Therefore first in the
world conferences, research and intellectual
Interdisciplinary
Advanced
Studies
GEDI-CR
and
Cross-Cultural
Institute
of Eurasia
CONFERENCE:
Conferences
and Studies:
Circle
(ASIEC)
a Message the World
Cannot Ignore:
By organizing conferences, performances and cultural events,
Eurasia Circle will assist the nations of Eurasia in recognizing,
understanding and appreciating the other cultures.
economy,
culture,
spiritual
and
religious
traditions. Participants will have an opportunity
to develop an integrated view of human life,
culture, spirituality, religion and economics, and
When the time is appropriate, a global conference
to define the harmonious interaction of the
will be organized by Asia Circle, with all the GEDI
different kinds of knowledge needed for cultural,
participating institutions and universities from
material and spiritual wealth.
seventy countries. This conference will send a
GEDI participants from all over the world will be
message to the world that cannot be ignored.
invited to the GEDI-CR conferences, along with
GEDI researchers, representatives of different
the honorable and respected leaders of spiritual
cultures, religions and spiritual teachings will
traditions, religions and culture, to create a
develop a view and knowledge of the world
truly integrated, interdisciplinary approach to
in which religion, spiritual traditions, culture
harmonizing religion, culture and economics.
and economics are viewed in an integrated
This will be the first time something of this
manner as interdependent factors of human
nature will be organized on such a scale (70
life. The integrated knowledge gained by the
countries), and with this degree of intellectual
GEDI-CR conferences will be a valuable tool for
depth and background.
analyzing
theand
causes
and effects ofconferences
the present
The cultural
spiritual/religious
economics,
and for into
planning
for theconferences
future.
will be integrated
the GEDI
Each conference will be followed by publications
according to the major concept of Eurasia Circle,
For
worldwideof
organization
of GEDI see and
the
the the
development
integrated knowledge
an active influence. Media attention will thereby
website:
enclosed
awarenesswww.thegedi.org
which includesand
andtheharmonizes
material.
into the GEDI economics meetings.
and, whenever feasible, a project that will exert
be ensured. All conferences will be integrated
EC-CUP E u r a s i a C i r c l e f o r C u l t u r a l U n d e r s t a n d i n g & P r o s p e r i t y 38
39
Eurasian Center for Cultural Understanding and Prosperity
The founders
and their purpose for
founding the Center:
The Center was founded by three persons, Kenyeres Sandor,
Zoltan Acs and Kovács Imre Barna for the purpose of creating
an integrated approach to Eurasian culture and prosperity. The
Center will promote the cultural understanding of the nations
of Eurasia and will work on developing an awareness of our
interdependent causes of prosperity.
The founders envisioned
a much broader
will
be
organized
Eurasia Circle already has a collection of calligraphy and paintings,
along with granite sculptures, as the basis of its collection.
where
It is planned that in 2011 a substantial collection
music and dance performances and lectures.
approach than that of the usual which uses
religion, culture and economy will be viewed
of calligraphy and fine art will be assembled
The founders believe that art is a major force
economic data and analysis only as the key
in an integrated manner with the purpose of
to represent the cultural diversity and unity of
that can bring people together. A special
factor for life and prosperity. In the founder’s
harmonization for Eurasian prosperity. Such
Eurasia. The painting collection will contain 250
calligraphy and music performance show will
vision culture, religion and economics are
vision has a state of the art tool, GEDI, a global
paintings and examples of calligraphy, while the
be developed at the outset to convey the art
intertwined and interdependent, they nurture
monitoring project which will be extended to
sculpture collection will consist of twenty-four
and spirit of Eurasia.
each other, depend on each other and cannot
include religious and cultural factors which will
special pieces carved into 80 by 120 cm granite
have a stable and beneficial existence without
serve all nations of Eurasia.
slabs. In addition, the entire surface of five 12
each other.
powerhouses
Eurasia Circle
Art Collection
and Workshops
Museum
and Art collection:
to 18 ton granite stones will be carved with
calligraphy and symbols in order to express
The founders believe that it is the harmonious
the most ancient spiritual roots of Eurasia.
interplay of culture,religions and economy
Catalogues and books will be commissioned
which makes human life truly satisfying and
and published as well on Eurasian art.
prosperous in the material, intellectual and
Eurasia Circle will organize regular exhibitions of
spiritual sense as well. Therefore first in the
fine art and calligraphy, fashion and photography.
world conferences, research and intellectual
These exhibitions will be accompanied by live
EC-CUP E u r a s i a C i r c l e f o r C u l t u r a l U n d e r s t a n d i n g & P r o s p e r i t y 40
41
Eurasian Center for Cultural Understanding and Prosperity
The founders
and their purpose for
founding the Center:
The Center was founded by three persons, Kenyeres Sandor,
Zoltan Acs and Kovács Imre Barna for the purpose of creating
an integrated approach to Eurasian culture and prosperity. The
Center will promote the cultural understanding of the nations
of Eurasia and will work on developing an awareness of our
interdependent causes of prosperity.
The founders envisioned
a much broader
powerhouses
will
be
organized
where
approach than that of the usual which uses
religion, culture and economy will be viewed
economic data and analysis only as the key
in an integrated manner with the purpose of
factor for life and prosperity. In the founder’s
harmonization for Eurasian prosperity. Such
vision culture, religion and economics are
vision has a state of the art tool, GEDI, a global
intertwined and interdependent, they nurture
monitoring project which will be extended to
each other, depend on each other and cannot
include religious and cultural factors which will
have a stable and beneficial existence without
serve all nations of Eurasia.
each other.
The founders believe that it is the harmonious
interplay of culture,religions and economy
which makes human life truly satisfying and
prosperous in the material, intellectual and
spiritual sense as well. Therefore first in the
world conferences, research and intellectual
Music and
Dance
Performances:
Eurasia Circle will invite music and dance performance groups to
Europe and organize European tours for Asian groups, and Asian
tours for European groups. Special attention will be paid to the
rich and often very ancient minority cultures of Asia and Europe,
their folk songs and dances.
EC-CUP E u r a s i a C i r c l e f o r C u l t u r a l U n d e r s t a n d i n g & P r o s p e r i t y 42
43
Eurasian Center for Cultural Understanding and Prosperity
The founders
and their purpose for
founding the Center:
The Center was founded by three persons, Kenyeres Sandor,
Zoltan Acs and Kovács Imre Barna for the purpose of creating
an integrated approach to Eurasian culture and prosperity. The
Center will promote the cultural understanding of the nations
of Eurasia and will work on developing an awareness of our
interdependent causes of prosperity.
The founders envisioned
a much broader
powerhouses
will
be
organized
where
approach than that of the usual which uses
religion, culture and economy will be viewed
economic data and analysis only as the key
in an integrated manner with the purpose of
factor for life and prosperity. In the founder’s
harmonization for Eurasian prosperity. Such
vision culture, religion and economics are
vision has a state of the art tool, GEDI, a global
intertwined and interdependent, they nurture
monitoring project which will be extended to
each other, depend on each other and cannot
include religious and cultural factors which will
have a stable and beneficial existence without
serve all nations of Eurasia.
each other.
Spiritual
Teachings,
Meditation,
Yoga and
Sacred Art:
Eurasia Circle will invite teachers and masters to give teachings
and demonstrations, and to form groups with practitioners or
disciples. Gradually, the entire scope of Eurasian spiritual teaching
will be revealed.
Many of these teachings and masters are yet
unknown in Europe. Eurasia Circle will make it
possible for Europeans to meet, in person, the
spiritual masters of Asia, who uphold the oldest
and purest lines of teachings.
Sacred art is different from fine art in that it is
practiced as part of a spiritual discipline that
The founders believe that it is the harmonious
interplay of culture,religions and economy
which makes human life truly satisfying and
prosperous in the material, intellectual and
spiritual sense as well. Therefore first in the
world conferences, research and intellectual
utilizes and has a focus on mind-power, healing
and/or the attainment of enlightenment. Masters
of sacred art will be invited to give lectures and
demonstrations and to teach.
Exhibitions of
sacred art will also be organized. Catalogs and
books on sacred art will be published.
EC-CUP E u r a s i a C i r c l e f o r C u l t u r a l U n d e r s t a n d i n g & P r o s p e r i t y 44
45
Eurasian Center for Cultural Understanding and Prosperity
The founders
and their purpose for
founding the Center:
The Center was founded by three persons, Kenyeres Sandor,
Zoltan Acs and Kovács Imre Barna for the purpose of creating
an integrated approach to Eurasian culture and prosperity. The
Center will promote the cultural understanding of the nations
of Eurasia and will work on developing an awareness of our
interdependent causes of prosperity.
The founders envisioned
a much broader
powerhouses
will
be
organized
where
approach than that of the usual which uses
religion, culture and economy will be viewed
economic data and analysis only as the key
in an integrated manner with the purpose of
factor for life and prosperity. In the founder’s
harmonization for Eurasian prosperity. Such
vision culture, religion and economics are
vision has a state of the art tool, GEDI, a global
intertwined and interdependent, they nurture
monitoring project which will be extended to
each other, depend on each other and cannot
include religious and cultural factors which will
have a stable and beneficial existence without
serve all nations of Eurasia.
each other.
Eurasia Circle
Scholarships:
Fine Art and Calligraphy:
As a pilot program, in the summer of 2011,
Eurasia Circle will initiate a fine arts scholarship
program for Asian postgraduates. Participants
will have an opportunity to study Hungarian
and European art, both modern and traditional,
and to use the experience in the formulation of
their own art works.
美术奖学金
Science:
The Talentum Prize, founded by Kenyeres
Sandor in 2002, is awarded every year to three
young scientists. The Talentum scholarship will
be an integral part of Eurasia Circle activity.
The founders believe that it is the harmonious
Cultural and Religious
studies:
interplay of culture,religions and economy
Eurasia Circle plans to initiate a scholarship
which makes human life truly satisfying and
for the research and promotion of indigenous
prosperous in the material, intellectual and
religions, tribal cultures and lifestyles. We plan
spiritual sense as well. Therefore first in the
to do this in cooperation with successful
world conferences, research and intellectual
organizations in this field.
EC-CUP E u r a s i a C i r c l e f o r C u l t u r a l U n d e r s t a n d i n g & P r o s p e r i t y 46
47
Eurasian Center for Cultural Understanding and Prosperity
The founders
The founders
The Center was founded by three persons, Kenyeres Sandor,
Zoltan Acs and Kovács Imre Barna for the purpose of creating
an integrated approach to Eurasian culture and prosperity. The
Center will promote the cultural understanding of the nations
of Eurasia and will work on developing an awareness of our
interdependent causes of prosperity.
The Center was by three persons, Kenyeres Sandor, Zoltan Acs
and Kovács Imre Barna for the purpose of creating an integrated
approach to Eurasian culture and prosperity. The Center will
promote the cultural understanding of the nations of Eurasia and
will work on developing an awareness of our interdependent
causes of prosperity.
and their purpose for
founding the Center:
a much broader
powerhouses
will
be
organized
where
approach than that of the usual which uses
religion, culture and economy will be viewed
economic data and analysis only as the key
in an integrated manner with the purpose of
factor for life and prosperity. In the founder’s
harmonization for Eurasian prosperity. Such
Eurasia
Circle
for
Cultural
vision culture, religion and economics are
vision has a state of the art tool, GEDI, a global
Understanding
&monitoring
Prosperity
intertwined and interdependent,
they nurture
project which will be extended to
each other, depend on each other and cannot
include religious and cultural factors which will
have a stable and beneficial existence without
serve all nations of Eurasia.
each other.
H e a d O f f i c e : H U N G A RY 1024
The founders believe that it is
Bthe
u dharmonious
apest, Lövőház
u . 2- 6 .
interplay of culture,religions and economy
www.ec-cup-institute.com
which makes human life truly satisfying and
prosperous in the material, intellectual and
spiritual sense as well. Therefore first in the
Copyright 2011 EC-CUP. All Rights Reserved!
world conferences, research and intellectual
Artwork & Branding: Csaba Marjai - Branding House International
EC-CUP
The founders envisioned
www.BrandingHouses.com
and their purpose for
founding the Center:
The founders envisioned
a much broader
powerhouses
will
be
organized
where
approach than that of the usual which uses
religion, culture and economy will be viewed
economic data and analysis only as the key
in an integrated manner with the purpose of
factor for life and prosperity. In the founder’s
harmonization for Eurasian prosperity. Such
vision culture, religion and economics are
vision has a state of the art tool, GEDI, a global
intertwined and interdependent, they nurture
monitoring project which will be extended to
each other, depend on each other and cannot
include religious and cultural factors which will
have a stable and beneficial existence without
serve all nations of Eurasia.
each other.
The founders believe that it is the harmonious
interplay of culture,religions and economy
which makes human life truly satisfying and
prosperous in the material, intellectual and
spiritual sense as well. Therefore first in the
world conferences, research and intellectual