National Council Meetings
A National Council Meeting (NCM) is organised once during the autumn semester and once during the spring semester in the city of one of ELSA Hungary's Local Groups. The 2024 spring NCM was held in Győr, the 2023 autumn NCM in Szeged, and the 2023 spring NCM in Budapest. The main event of the NCM is the General Assembly, where the members of the ELSA Hungary National Board report on the results achieved during the previous semester and present their goals for the upcoming semester. In addition, the Local Groups present their semester reports at the General Assembly. The General Assembly also provides an opportunity for transparent discussion of amendments to the Statutes and for the adoption of resolutions, followed by voting. An integral part of the NCM is the series of workshops organised by section. During these workshops, the Board members and Directors of the respective sections discuss proposed amendments and possible changes before the General Assembly. Following the General Assembly, another workshop is held where participants exchange ideas and best practices concerning the organisation's future goals.
In addition to the professional programmes, ELSA members can also participate in team-building activities. The members of the Local Group hosting the NCM preparea variety of programmes that allow members studying law at universities in different Hungarian cities to get to know each other better, exchange experiences, and build a strong and cohesive ELSA community. Popular activities among participants include city tours and a joint dinner following the General Assembly.
The main objective of the NCM is to shape the organisation's future by amending its regulations, rules, and objectives during the General Assembly.
National Officers Meetings
The National Officers Meeting (NOM) is an annual event organised by ELSA Hungary, where the Board members of the Local Groups come together to address and jointly determine important strategic issues concerning the organisation. The event provides an opportunity for the Local Groups to get to know one another, address challenges affecting the member organisations, and discuss key issues concerning the future of the organisation. These discussions are particularly important because, following the National Officers Meeting, the issues raised may lead to internal regulations being adopted or other organisational changes being made during the National Council Meeting.
In addition, participants have the opportunity to get to know representatives of the different ELSA member organisations through various team-building activities. The event was first organised in March 2024, following an international model, at the building of Eötvös Loránd University.
Summer Law Schools / Winter Law Schools
Summer ELSA Law Schools and Winter ELSA Law Schools are one- to two-week programmes organised during the summer and winter. Participants can choose from a wide range of topics according to their individual interests. The aim of ELSA's Summer and Winter Law Schools is to provide law students with opportunities for interdisciplinary learning and the development of international connections. Participants can study and discuss a variety of legal fields, including human rights, international law, commercial law, and legal research methods.
During the Winter or Summer Law School, students receive approximately 20 hours of intensive education per week in their chosen field through lectures and workshops. The entire programme is conducted in English, and participation is open to law students and recent law graduates studying or having studied in any European country, regardless of ELSA membership.
The academic programmes are delivered by renowned professors from local universities and often include interactive activities such as mock trials and legal debates, allowing participants to develop their legal skills and gain practical experience in legal work.
In addition, ELSA's Summer and Winter Law Schools provide an excellent opportunity to build international connections. Participants can learn about the legal systems and cultures of other countries while developing relationships with fellow law students and legal professionals.
Alongside the professional programmes, the Winter and Summer Law Schools also offer a variety of cultural and social activities. After classes, local ELSA members show participants around the city and introduce them to their culture through various programmes.
A Summer or Winter Law School provides an opportunity to develop professionally alongside law students from different European countries, discover a new culture, and have an enjoyable experience at the same time.
International Council Meetings
The International Council Meeting (ICM) is the General Assembly of ELSA International. Representatives of ELSA's member countries participate in the meeting and vote on proposals submitted to the General Assembly. During the spring General Assembly, they also vote on the members of the new ELSA International Board.
Before the plenary sessions, participants have the opportunity to discuss the main proposed amendments in workshops organised according to different areas. ELSA International also presents the results achieved in the respective fields. The workshops provide an opportunity to explore specific areas in greater depth, exchange experiences, and build connections with members of other ELSA organisations.
In addition to the professional programmes, participants can learn about the culture of the host country and take part in various social activities. The main objective of the ICM is to amend the organisation's regulations, rules, and objectives during the General Assembly. Decisions on these matters are supported by discussions and decisions made during the International Strategy Meeting.
International Strategy Meetings
The International Strategy Meeting (ISM) is an annual event organised by ELSA International, which is open to representatives of ELSA's member organisations and observer member organisations. The event takes place during the winter and is hosted by a different country each year. During the ISM, representatives of the member organisations develop ELSA's future strategy and evaluate the current activities of the member organisations. Participants also take part in various workshops. The ISM usually concludes with the formulation of priorities for the following cycle and the organisation's long-term priorities.
The function of the International Strategy Meeting is similar to that of the National Officers Meeting. While the NOM prepares participants for the rule-making and problem-solving opportunities of the NCM, the ISM prepares participants for the rule- making and problem-solving opportunities of the ICM in an international environment, with the involvement of the ELSA International Board.
National Training Meeting
The aim of the National Training Meeting is to provide the ELSA National Boards with an opportunity to develop professionally, jointly plan the year, and acquire knowledge through various training sessions delivered by professionals, all within the framework of a professional weekend. The event also provides an opportunity to meet and integrate new Directors into the community through team-building activities. During the National Training Meeting, participants acquire the fundamentals of communication, conflict management, and event organisation with the help of professionals.
In addition, participants plan the programmes and team-building events for the upcoming year and have the opportunity to discuss the ELSA Handbooks in detail. The event was first organised in autumn 2023 in Velence, and our organisation aims to organise it every autumn in the future.
