The accession of ten new countries to the European Union (EU) on 1 May 2004 created a community of 460 million people and the largest economy in the world. Two decades ago the very idea that countries such as Poland and Hungary would not only break free from the Soviet regime, but also enjoy open borders with the West, was beyond anyone’s conception. Hollywood was still making spy films with mysterious Slavs acting as double agents and nuclear missiles on each side of the Iron Curtain were trained ominously either towards Moscow or Washington.

For the professional trainer, this change brings a whole new set of opportunities and potential demands. The new member states are rapidly developing into full market economies, but generally lack the services infrastructure and skills to develop their human resources to take full advantage of the opportunities of EU membership. The self-employed training professional remains a rarity, and many of the established education and training institutions in eastern Europe are still locked into a past culture that discouraged effort and often penalised initiative. ...

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