Report on the International Conference of EFUS

The 3-day event was officially opened by Mr. Alfred GRIXTI, mayor of Zebbug city, and then Mr. Guilherme PINTO – President of EFUS (European Forum for Urban Security) held the Keynote speech.

The numerous international organisations and representatives of the city – participating at the event – talked unanimously about the importance of more and more extensive collaboration in the frame of the „Partnership” Program.

Within the framework of the many years of cooperation between IBSSA and EFUS a very high level delegation represented IBSSA at this event.

Prof. George POPPER – President of the IBSSA, in his lecture on the first day presented the activities of IBSSA, emphasizing all its fruitful cooperation with international organisations, and then reviewed their events in „Safety of Children and Family, and Urban security” and other actions.

On the second day Prof. Popper introduced in his speech the methods of carrying out the above program in Hungary, such as the „Uniting for the Safety City” program in the city of Tihany, or the already organised „urban security” conferences in Jászberény city, which are also planned and under preparation in the city of Szolnok. Prof. Popper highlighted the need for involving and coaching the public.

Dr. Ádám SCHUMAN – member of the IBSSA delegation – upon request of the Hungarian section of IPA (International Police Association) presented that in what form the IPA takes part in the „Safety City” program, and he also emphasized the exemplary cooperation of the IBSSA – IAPA – IPA as well as of other organizations.

Mr. Zoltán HOSSÓ – member of the IBSSA, and Vice President of the IAPA (International Auxiliary Police Association) – introduced the rapidly developing international activities of IAPA and its cooperation with local law enforcement agencies.

The Chairman of the Conference specially introduced Dr. Sándor TÉGLÁS – as the security director of „Fradi”, one of the most famous Hungarian football clubs in Europe – and Dr. András NIKLÓS – who has considerable experiences in cooperation between large civil security enterprises and law enforcement agencies – in the area of „Urban Safety”.

Mr. Krisztián ZERKOWITZ – Country Representative of IBSSA for Belgium – held an extremely interesting lecture on the protection of merchant ships against piracy, until today 110 ships have been successfully defended. Mr. Zerkowitz – who was also representing the FEMERAID Belgium disaster relief unit in Malta – right at that time signed the cooperation agreement with the Maltese Minister of Home Affairs and bestowed upon a well-trained K9 sniffer dog to the Maltese Civil First Aid Organisation.

Members of the IBSSA delegation were also: Mr. András STEFÁN, Mr. Ottó HOFFMANN, Dr. George DOBÓ and Mr. Zoltán ANGLER.

On the 6th May the significance of the event was also symbolised by the „Conference Memorial tablet” unveiled on the main square of the city!