Anthropologiai Közlemények 33. (1991)
1991 / 1-2. füzet - Papers presented at the Fifth International Symposium of Human Biology, Keszthely, 1991 - Eiben, O. G.: Reflections on the Question: "Youth at the end the 20th century" (Opening address)
3 Anthrop. Közi. 33; 3-4. (1991) REFLECTIONS ON THE QUESTION: "YOUTH AT THE END OF THE 20TH CENTURY" Opening Address at the Fifth International Symposium of Human Biology Keszthely, 3-6 June, 1991 O.G. Eiben Department of Physical Anthropology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary It is my great pleasure and honourable task to have the occasion for the fifth time to welcome all of you to our Symposium. The series of our Symposiums of Human Biology have already become a nice tradition, and without any immodesty we can state that our preceding symposiums were successful. In 1976, in Balatonfiired, in connection with the "summing up" phase of the International Biological Programme, the main subjects of our First Symposium of Human Biology were Growth and Development of children as well as the variations of human Physique, themes which had been in the centre of interest tong ago. Our intention at that time was to open the Hungarian physical anthropology's/human biology's windows wide at the world. In 1979, in Visegrád, the main subject of our Second Symposium was the Functional Biotypology, and the overwhelming majority of presentations dealt with different aspects of the human physique. However, several lectures touched on the problems of growth and development of children, and so, we intended to contribute to the success of the International Children's Year. In 1981, in Bozsok, during our Third Symposium, we discussed the Variations of Human Growth and Physique, especially four aspects of them: the genetical, the clinical, the ecological, and the kinanthropometrical sides of this problem-circle. In 1986, in Pécs, as main topic of our Fourth Symposium we have chosen the Growth Standards, again a theme which was in the forefront of interest of human biologists as well as pediatricians decades ago. The multidisciplinary character of our symposiums was ensured. What are the causes, of this great interest? Simply two facts, l think. Firstly, a lot of us have a feeling of responsibility for the children's welfare, and secondly, growth and development data constitute a comprehensive and sensitive indicator specific to child health. In 1991, here in Keszthely, we should like to discuss the problem of youth at the end of the 20th century. / do not think that the importance of this problem can be overstated. In 1991 we remember some of the great personalities of universal cultural history. 1 mention here two names: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and the Hungarian Count István Széchenyi. The whole of mankind remembers W. A. Mozart who died 200 years ago. What does he say to the people of our age full of strain and worries? In one of Platon's dialogues, "The Junket" (in Greek: Symposium) the characters vary the theme of eras and love. This opus in one of the most excellent variation-works in world literature. One of its characters, the sophist, says that eros is an ability of man that he/she should have some inclination towards other men, great ideas, and important things. This is such a great adviser which accompanies one in any fields and situations of life. Mozart is such an accompanist for our lives. He is an amiable companion who keeps alive our confidence reposed in mankind. Mozart's music is our travelling companion from the cradle throughout childhood, adolescence and the whole of life, and it can give some protection against many troubles and hurts. We all need such a protection, and children especially need such protection. This perception guided us as we founded the Hungarian Forum of Interest of Children, and have chosen the slogan: "With deciduous teeth to stone.. ."We had the feeling that children - generally - are in a defenceless situation. Dr Árpád Göncz, the President of the Republic of Hungary also establish the fact that during the last one and half years the conditions of the Hungarian youth became worse. I will not go into the details of this problem, however, I call your kind attention to the problem of equal chances. This is not only a question of right; it is also a general problem of human biology. Allow me, please, to cite some results from our Hungarian National Growth Study (Eiben 1989, Eiben — Pantó 1986,1987/88, etc.).