The 2007 Summer University was opened on July 2nd by a public roundtable discussion on "The Open Society in Fragile States". Panelists included George Soros, Founder of the Open Society Institute and Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Central European University, Paul Collier, Director, Economics Department, Center for the Study of African Economies, Oxford University, Lily Habash, Head of Governance Reform, Palestinian Authority and Clare Short, Former Development Minister, United Kingdom. The discussion was moderated by Fredrik Galtung, Director of the SUN 2007 Course "Integrity Reform and Strategic Corruption Control".

The discussion was launched by Paul Collier, also the author of a highly successful book "The Bottom Billion. Why the Poorest Countries Are Failing and What Can Be Done About It.". (During the discussions, George Soros kindly offered to donate to every Summer University participant a copy of the book, whose key issues formed the basis of the debate). After the panel discussion questions were taken from the audience and a lively question and answer period ended the event.

Yehuda Elkana, President and Rector of CEU, also added his own reflections to the debate and then officially opened the 2007 edition of the CEU Summer University. This year's edition of the CEU Summer University, the 12th, offered 16 courses, joining over 460 participants from 75 countries.

CLICK HERE to listen to the panel (mp3)

George Soros Founder & Chairman of the Open Society Institute and the Central European University       Paul Collier Director of the Economics Department of the Centre for the Study of African Economies     Lily Habash Head of Governance Reform, Palestinian Authority       Clare Short Former United Kingdom Development Minister       Fredrik Galtung (Moderator) Tiri Chief Executive & Director of SUN 2007 Course, "Integrity Reform and Strategic Corruption Control"