The towns of Slovenske Nove Mesto in Slovakia and Satoraljaujhely in Hungary both lie between the Hornad and Bodrog Rivers. The border between them has been closed for the past several generations as a result of historic suspicion and hostility between the two towns. However, both towns have an interest in the quality of drinking water provided by a tributary to the Bodrog River, which has suffered severe pollution from local industry and improper waste disposal. Effective and efficient cleanup of this pollution is critical for both towns, as usage of this region’s river system is increasing as the Ukraine becomes a major transportation and shipping highway for international trade. Leaders of Satoraljaujhely and Slovenske Nove Mesto recognize the potential environmental impact this increased usage could have on their communities.

During the spring of 1994, Partners’ Centers in Slovakia and Hungary, in cooperation with the Independent Ecological Center in Budapest, provided conflict resolution training in Satoraljaujhely for representatives of both towns. The trainers identified and trained over 40 local environmental experts, academics and municipal and regional officials. Mayors of both towns also participated in the trainings. The skills provided included collaborative planning, effective communication, meeting facilitation, negotiation, and multi-party problem-solving skills.

Although the immediate concern of local officials and water authorities was to protect the water supply, they developed a formal recommendation during the session to begin cooperative measures to address other environmental issues and initiate cross-cultural exchanges. The meeting culminated in a proposal to reopen the border between the two towns.

This unique effort was Partners’ first joint Slovak-Hungarian intervention. Dusan Ondrusek, Partners-Slovakia’s Director, worked with Judit Vasarhelyi, Director of the Independent Ecological Center and manager of the Hungarian trainers. This liaison created a cooperative problem-solving process that achieved dramatic results. The first of two training sessions introduced representatives from the two towns to conflict management skills. Working independently, the groups identified areas of concern to address in role plays in the final joint training session. The training session, by utilizing issues relevant to the participants, illustrated the value of cooperative action.

Participants of the training developed a written resolution and joint action plan, which included a petition to both countries’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs requesting that the border towns be opened to mutual commerce. In addition, participants designed an environmental agreement that identifies industrial polluters and outlines a plan for proper methods of disposal, identifies sources of detected sewage leaks and methods for waste collection and disposal programs, and forms a Slovak-Hungarian cooperative research and planning team to design systems for prevention of further environmental degradation and promote environmentally sensitive industrial development. Further, a cross-cultural agreement reopened the pedestrian bridge at Satoraljaujhely, enabling cross-border access to emergency medical care, school exchange programs, and other community activities; and established a Slovak-Hungarian committee to discuss common economic challenges, tourism issues, and cross-cultural activities.

All participants agreed that the program positively influenced the environmental, social and economic relations between the two towns. This landmark resolution documents a new level of international cooperation that offers a model for other border towns or groups addressing similar challenges and disputes.