Even though Hungary and the rest of Central European states went through a peaceful, bloodless transition in 1989-1990, our nations have experienced the complexity of rapid political, economic and social transformation. The challenge of constructing a new politico-economic model with parallel reforms in all sectors of society is quite apparent. The task is immensely more difficult in countries devastated by violence, insurgency and war. Based on this recognition, Hungary decided to lend a helping hand to less fortunate countries even before attaining membership of the European Union. Hungary has been a donor state since 2003, Afghanistan being among the very first recipients of international development assistance. Hungary’s international development policy is focused mainly on sharing our experience in political-economic transition, knowledge transfer, education, vocational training, health care, agriculture and water management. In accordance with the conclusions of the Council of the European Union, Hungary undertook to increase official development assistance from the present level which is slightly over 0.1 % of the GNI to 0.17 % by 2010. This article intends to present a short overview of Hungary’s diverse roles and activities in a wide range of international missions, and then focus on the Hungarian-led Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) in Afghanistan, pointing out why a comprehensive approach to stabilization efforts is necessary in the 21st Century’s global security environment. Taking part in NATO, EU, coalition, as well as UN and OSCE missions, Hungarian soldiers have been contributing to stabilization and reconstruction in various ways: building bridges in Bosnia-Herzegovina, providing medical support to ISAF-troops, training Iraqi soldiers in Baghdad, ensuring food supply to African Union troops serving in Sudan, advising on security sector reform in the Democratic Republic of Congo and furnishing UNIFIL forces with accurate maps of Lebanon. Involving police experts and contingents is a relatively new trend in international peace support missions. Despite of the lack of experience in this field, as well as the legislative, budgetary and human resource restraints, Hungary also deployed police trainers to Kabul, sent police officers to Sarajevo and the Sinai Peninsula. Hungarian police and border guard officers play a leading role in the ongoing EU Border Assistance Mission in Moldova, and there is a Hungarian correction officer in the EU JustLex mission in Baghdad. Hungarian non-governmental organizations—relying on governmental or international funds as well—tend to play an increasing role in post-conflict capacity building,