Strategy-making was the central theme of the second training camp of the Carpathian Public Leadership Program

On the first day of the training, Lajos Barcsa, the deputy mayor of Debrecen, provided insights into the city’s long-term strategic planning. His presentation made it clear that the personal accountability of leaders and thoughtful decision-making are fundamental prerequisites for successful strategy formulation. Self-awareness is an essential tool in this process. As highlighted by Ádám Márky in his self-awareness lecture, leaders are better equipped to handle challenges when they are aware of their coping strategies and emotional responses. However, the role of self-awareness extends beyond individual development. The social dimensions of strategy formulation—particularly within the context of Transcarpathian Hungarians—require leaders to have a deep understanding of not only their internal values and motivations but also the needs of the communities they represent. This dual focus enables strategic goals to create genuine value for the community.

On the second day, participants engaged in a simulation game led by Márton Sulyok, which illuminated various aspects of decision-making. This exercise illustrated that strategic thinking is not a static process, but rather a dynamic one in which short-term decisions and their long-term consequences intertwine. This realization is particularly crucial in today's world, where complex systems, global connections, and information overload complicate decision-making. During the simulation, participants recognized that the quality of decisions depends not only on the quantity of available information but also on the ability to interpret that information. This practice encouraged attendees to examine issues not only from their own perspectives but also to consider the interests and viewpoints of other stakeholders.

Viktória Ferenc, a representative of the European Parliament, enriched the weekend's theme by discussing the strategic power of national identity. Her presentation emphasized that representing the community on both local and international levels demands long-term strategic thinking, which strengthens community cohesion and advocacy capacity. It highlighted that strategy formulation concerns not only the achievement of immediate goals but also the long-term sustainability and development of the community.

On the final day of the training, the practical aspects of leadership self-awareness and dialogue were in the spotlight. Porkoláb Gyöngyi drew attention to the importance of self-awareness in leadership, while Sándor Fekete’s debate skills workshop emphasized the significance of constructive negotiation and compromise-seeking. These elements underscored that strategic thinking pertains both to defining goals and to the means of achieving them.

The lessons from the weekend clearly indicate that self-awareness, decision-making skills, and values-driven thinking play key roles in strategy formulation. This weekend served as a reminder that strategic thinking not only provides solutions to the current problems of individuals or communities but also serves as a tool for shaping the future.