Palacky University field trip to Bratislava and Vienna

The Department of Development Studies in Olomouc is one of the first departments with this focus in Czech Republic and also in Central Europe. Students can gain the knowledge in the development area and get prepared for their future carrier in national or international organizations working in the field of development.

In February 2010 the department organized a field trip to development organizations in Vienna and Bratislava. The aim of this field trip was to enable the students to complete their theoretical knowledge by the direct insight into the biggest organizations in the field. The students had the possibility to listen to many specialists from different organizations and ask questions related to their interests. The first two days were spent in Bratislava by visiting SlovakAid (Slovak Development Agency), Habitat for Humanity, UNICEF, Slovak Catholic Charity, UNDP, People in Need and MVRO (Slovak platform of development NGOs).

For the last two days the group of 39 students and lecturers moved into Vienna and its international surrounding. The students visited the UN office and participated in a vivid discussion with its employees. Among the other visited organizations were OSCE, Suedwind and TRIALOG. During the visit to TRIALOG students got inside information about the NGO sector and possibilities of involvement in Central and Eastern Europe. During the whole field trip the students enriched a lot their theoretical background and could see the development work in practice.

Photo: Students visiting the TRIALOG office

Information provided by Simona Šafaríková, Palacky University Olomouc