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2004 • 49th FUEN-Congress of Nationalities at Castle Kamien Slaski
20040318-21 Minority Seminar in Chisinau / Moldova
20040319 FUEN Seminar in Chisinau / Moldova (as M1 TV-video)
20040617-18 Minorities without »kin state« in Ladinia / South Tyrol / Italia
20041008-09 Seminar in Almaty /Kazakhstan
20041029 Workshop for German minorities in Pecs / H (as TV Video)
DOCUMENTS / EVALUATIONS
20040527 FUEN Statement to a Frisian Law
20040903 Flensburg Declaration
20041116 FUEN statement to an European Agency for Linguistic Diversity
FUEN-ASSEMBLY:
20040520 FUEN-Assembly at Castle Kamien Slaski
MANUSCRIPTS
20040520 Romedi Arquint in Kamien Slaski
20040816 Romedi Arquint in Talinn
20040830 Hans Heinrich Hansen in Bergen
20040902 Dr Nigel Hicks in Flensburg
PRESS RELEASES 2004
P 2004-73
Minority Protection and the Enlarged European Union:
The Way Forward
Edited by GABRIEL N. TOGGENBURG
This volume constitutes an important and timely contribution to the
question of whether, and how, the Union should take action in order
to improve the protection of minority rights in Europe. Distinguished
experts in the field have joined together to suggest answers at
a moment when the enlargement of the Union offers a unique
opportunity to shed new light on this issue and on the related
issue of the coordination between the policies of the Union and the
protection of minorities by the Member States, the Council of Europe
and the OSCE. The resulting collection of essays is truly compelling
and is an indispensable tool to anyone interested in the protection of
fundamental rights in the Union.
(Olivier De Schutter, Coordinator of the EU Network of
Independent Experts in Fundamental Rights)
A straightforward, reasoned and consistent treatment of minorities
within the European Union context has been overdue for some
time. This compilation of informed and constructive essays provides
a welcome policy-oriented contribution to what is an ever more
pressing subject. Recent and continuing EU enlargement has only
underlined the importance of managing minority-related issues in
a peaceful and productive manner. The Bolzano/Bozen Declaration
that accompanies these essays shows the way forward. Interested
policy and law-makers, and all those affected by these matters, will
fi nd here a useful, practical and achievable set of recommendations.
Responsible politicians and offi cials should take these up in the new
European public interest. If Europe is to continue to evolve and
even to lead as a progressive open society composed of stable and
prosperous democracies, it should follow the approach and program
offered herein. John Packer, Former Director,
Office of the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities)
The publication is available on following link:
http://www.fuen.org/pdfs/20041221ToggenburgEURAC.pdf
P 2004-72
FUEN-Seminar in Pécs / Hungary available as video
Workshop for German minorities met from 28th to 31st October 2004
in Pécs / Hungary
The 14th workshop for German minorities within
the FUEN took place in Pecs / Hungary. The press releases
No. 57 and 61 already dealt with the venue a few weeks ago.
Now this venue is available as video:
http://www.fuen.org/movies/20041029AGDM_Pecs.mov
Download a Quicktime player (Win98/Windows2000XP or Mac)
P
Teaching Human Rights in Europa
Research group visited FUEN Head office
On 30/11/04 a research group which consisted of Dr Claudia Mahler,
Dr Anja Mihr and Dr Reeta Toivanen visited FUEN`s Head office in
Flensburg in order to present a 3 year project. The three ladies were
introduced in the work and aims of the FUEN by Secretary General
Frank Nickelsen.
F.l.t.r: Dr Claudia Mahler, Dr Reetta Toivanen and
Dr Anja Mihr
Above mentioned ladies took the opportunity to present their project
which is available on http://www.humanrightsresearch.de
as follows:
In 1994, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a Decade
of Human Rights Education (HRE) (1995-2004). This UN-Reso-
lution urges member states to adopt the relevant human rights
documents and encourages nation states to foster Human Rights
Education programmes.
The goal of human rights education is to educate every human
being about the rights s/he is solemnly entitled to through his/her
humanity. Working from this premise, the goal of the researchers
from Potsdam, Magdeburg and Berlin is:
First, to critically examine the existing international and national
legal frameworks for human rights education, the protection of
minorities and methods for combating ethnic discrimination. Further,
to analyze the relationship between these factors.
Second, the identification of governmental and non-governmental
actors contributing to human rights education. This will include
an analysis of these actors´ dependency on and ties to international instruments and international governmental organizations (IGO).
The research is a comparative project looking at the
nation-states of Armenia, Estonia, Finland, Germany,
Slovakia and Spain. The research period is from fall 2003
to 2006 and is covered by the Volkswagen Foundation.
Third, a study of how these frameworks and instruments affect
the lives of minorities. This will involve an examination of how
human rights programmes and legal measures are understood
and experienced by minority groups. The consequences of
human rights education on the lives of members of particularly
vulnerable ethnic and national minorities will be a focal point
of the research.
Further information:
http://www.humanrightsresearch.de
http://www.uni-potsdam.de/u/mrz
http://www.uni-magdeburg.de/ipw/ipw.html
http://www2.hu-berlin.de/ethno/seiten/institut/mitarbeiter/toivanen.htm
P
European Parliament creates Intergroup
to defend national minorities, constitutional regions
and regional languages.
The European Parliament has created an 'Intergroup' to preserve
and promote "national minorities, constitutional regions and
regional languages". More than forty MEPs will take part in
this working group.According to the Intergroup's constituent
document, the aims of the Intergroup are the promotion of the
rights of national minorities, the development of constitutional
regions and of "nations without States...it will also focus on
the promotion of regional languages. According to the docu-
ment, "the Members of the European Parliament are responsible
for ensuring that Europe is a continent where minority groups
flourish in safety".
Intergroups are cross-party Parliamentary working groups
recognized as an official way to work in areas of particular
interest. They are integrated into he wider framework of the
European Parliament.
More information: www.eurolang.net
P
FUEN supports the establishment of a
European Agency for Linguistic Diversity
At the present time the European Commission's Directorate
General for Education and Culture are carrying out a 'feasibility
study on the setting up of a European Agency for Linguistic
Diversity and Language Learning.
The objectives of the study are:
- to assess the need for setting up a European Agency for
Linguistic Diversity and Language Learning, taking into account
the existing organisations in the field of linguistic diversity and
language learning and the policies set out in the Commission's
Action Plan;
- to make a preliminary assessment of the likely positive and
negative impacts of the setting up of such Agency, as well as
to study alternative
scenarios.
Along with other minority experts, FUEN has been requested
to complete a questionnaire, which has been answered by
FUEN - Vice-President Dr. Hicks. Hicks' (see picture) answers
are available on the following link:
http://www.fuen.org/pdfs/20041116HicksQuestionnaire.pdf
FUEN-Vice-President
Dr. Nigel Hicks
P
Ute Erdsiek-Rave: KMK agrees –
in the future place names in school atlases also in Frisian
On the initiative of Schleswig-Holstein the Standing
Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs
(KMK) spoke in favour of printing t geographical names within
the Frisian area of settlement bilingually in atlases and other
material for school education.This was said by the Minister of
Education and Cultural Affairs of Schleswig – Holstein, Ms Ute Erdsiek
– Rave, in Kiel today (12.11.2005). The local Frisian name will be
added to certain place names.
„This is an important contribution to the maintenance and support
of the Frisian language“, said the the minister and promised: „I will
send this decision of the KMK to the union of publishers of school
books and ask them to consider both languages in new editions of
atlases and cartographic material.
Further information is available under:
http://www.landesregierung.schleswig-holstein.de
P
Milestone in minority politics
Friisk Foriining welcomes new law on the Frisian Language
The Friisk Foriining feels highly satisfied about the passing of the
law for the support of the Frisian language in public usage by the
parliament of Schleswig-Holsetin on its sitting yesterday.. The draft
which was proposed by the SSW in January deals with the consi-
deration of the Frisian language in administration and on building
and village signs.
„The Friisk Foriining values this new law as an important step into the
future. For the first time now the Frisian language is given equal
status with the official languages if you look at the contact with
administrations or public signposting.“, says Jörgen Jensen Hahn,
Chairman of the Friisk Foriining. Hahn points out that a European
standard of considering minority languages with this law has now
been reached. For the Sorbs in Lusatia the usage of the Sorbian
language in public has already been prescribed since 1994 and
1999 in the laws on Sorbian.
„The new law on the Frisian language shows possible ways of
protecting and supporting language in North Friesland and on
Heligoland without producing more costs for the public. Now we
must realize the certain contents rapidly“, says the Frisian Chairman.
The Law on Frisian runs as follows:
http://www.fuen.org/pdfs/20041112Friesisch_Gesetz.pdf
P
YEN Youth Leader Seminar »Euroburja 2004«
successfully concluded
YEN opens updated homepage and starts image campaign
Abriefiated press release
On the 7th of November the Youth Leader Seminar „Euroburja 2004“ of the
Youth of European Nationalities was successfully concluded. It took place in
Campo Sacro/ Boz•je Polje, close to Trieste / Trst.
60 young people from several minorities in Europe discussed the regions of
Europe and the situation of minorities and minority youth within a new, enlarged
Europe. The hosting organisation was this year the youth of the Slovenian
minority in Italy – MOSP (Mladi v odkrivanju skupnih poti).
„On this seminar we wanted to concentrate on the importance of the region in
an enlarged European union to benefit from the Change process of this
development”, according to the president of the YEN, Mr. Stephan
Kleinschmidt (see picture below) speaking about the content
of the seminar. The participants got from experts a historical overview of the
region, of its regional development and a presentation of specific projects to
improve the attractiveness of the region, so that negative demographic
tendencies can be counteracted. Furthermore a scientific study of the Slovenian
Research Institute about the youth of the Slovenian minority was presented and
analysed. The impressions and opinions were discussed together in a final
discussion.
„
„Because the bi- or multilingualism of the members of minorities, they are
important bridge builders in the European integration process. They are also the
motor for the economic development of the border-regions. With their minority
competences, language skills and the commitment to their region, they
contribute to border-crossing cooperation. This can help to overcome the
economic and socio-political disadvantages of the border-regions”, Kleinschmidt
is the opinion.
YEN) numbers 27 member organisations and is the largest minority youth
organisation in Europe. During above mentioned seminar the updated
webpage of YEN was presented: www.yeni.org.
The complete press release is available here (just klick)
P
50th international FUEN Congress in Romania
FUEN Secretary General visits Bucharest
From 8th to 10th November 2004 FUEN Secretary General
Frank Nickelsen met representatives of the Democratic Alliance
of Hungarians in Romania (http://www.rmdsz.ro). The aim was
to check all technical requirements before the 50th FUEN
Congress planned on 4th-8th May 2005 in Bucharest. Also
the President of the so-called »Romániai Magyar Demokrata
Szövetség«. RMDS, Mr. Belá MARKÓ was visited at his office.
For this anniversary congress Mr. MARKÓ offered assistance
in all required technical and logistic issues and welcomed the
organising of such an event especially in Romania.
Belá Markó (left) took the opportunity to
welcome FUEN Secretary General Frank
Nickelsen although he was very occupied by
election campaigns, on account of the
elections to be held at the end of November.
The Hungarians in Romania have been
FUEN-members since 1993.
But also the State of Romania represented by its State
Secretary for Dept. Interetnic Relations, Mr. Cristian JURA
and Member of the Romanian Parliament and representative
of the Hungarian minority, Mr. Iuliu WINKLER, welcomed the
organising of such an anniversary congress in Bucharest. Bearing
in mind that Romania belongs to the group of EU-applicant
states for 2007 this conference offers a good platform to draw
attention to the specific minority situation in Romania.
Among official welcoming speeches from the State of Romania,
from the international institutions and the host organisations,
various workshops, status reports, the regular assembly of
delegates a joint block for all minorities in Romania is planned.
Further details will be available as soon as possible
P
FUEN Delegation visits secondary School
for Roma children in Pécs / Hungary
On the 29th of October FUEN Vice-President Hans Heinrich
Hansen, Dr. Detlev Rein from the German Ministry for the
Interior, FUEN Deputy Secretary Gary Funck and the Secretary
of the Self-Administration of Germans in Hungary, Albert Konczek,
visited the Gandhi School for Roma children in Pecs / Hungary.
The visitors were welcomed by the director of the school, Ms
Erika Csovcsics, who informed the delegation about this worldwide
unique secondary school for Romas.Every year the school´s
teachers travel through Roma villages in order to search for
talented children in the respective village schools. Very often
these teachers must convince the parents in lengthy discussions
first to allow them to attend the school. Because of the high level
of poverty even the youngest ones have to contribute their part to
the feeding of the family.
F.l.t.r.: Csovcsics, Konczek, Hansen, Rein
The Gandhi School is trying to build up a kind of „Roma elite“,
which will be able to speak up for the interests of the Roma
people in the future. As a result not only the usual subjects
are but also the Roma languages Beas (an old Romanian
dialect) and Romanes.
The school operates a regular exchange with the Danish
minority in Southern Slesvig, which has been supporting
the Roma school in a quite unburocratic way for a couple
of years already.
FUEN Vicepresident Hans Heinrich Hansen was very impressed
by this project and offered the support from the FUEN side.“ We
cannot accept that there is still a whole ethnic group existing
within the united Europe, which is pushed into the social and
cultural offside of the society.
„The FUEN will use all its possibilities, in order to make its
contribution to a significant improvement of the political and social
situation of the Sinti and Roma in Europe“, so Hansen.
P
Hungary, Romania and Germany are planning
a joint „Civil Society Dialogue“ Project together with FUENt
FUEN delegation in Budapest
Under the leadership of FUEN Vice President Hans Heinrich HANSEN
a FUEN delegation, considering of the Chairwoman of the FUEN
Advisory Board Renate SCHNACK, FUEN Secretary General Frank
NICKELSEN and YEN – President Stephan Kleinschmidt, visited the
Hungarian Office for national minorities in Budapest.
Also invited to this meeting was the Federal Republic of Germany,
represented by Dr. Detlev REIN from the Ministry of the Interior, as
well as the Romanian Secretary of State for Inter-ethnic Relations,
Mr Cristian JURA.
The delegation, which was welcomed by the Secretary of State for
Minority Issues, Dr. Vilmos SZABO (see picture below), presented
the joint Civil Society Dialogue – Project, which will take place in
February 2005, as follows:
The „FUEN Civil Society Dialogue“ is a meeting of the people/nations
of Europe.
It focuses on the
Exchange of knowledge and experience of minority organisations and
governmental institutions; strengthening of the process of European
integration and development of democracy through dialogue and co-
operation at the same level.
The project is supported by the FUEN and several national governments.
The goal is an EU – supported long term project for status survey and
evaluation with recommendations on the situation of minorities.
The dialogue is supported variously by :
Representatives from government, science and society with the minority
organisations in the particular state.
The dialogue is supported permanently by:
Representatives by the FUEN Board and Advisory Board, including the
YEN – President. As lecturers / guests / observers representatives from
science, European organisations und minority-organisations from Europe
which are specially prepared for the dialogue.
The dialogues will take place in the capitals, if possible in embassies or
cultural assembly houses. The preparation, organisation and docu-
mentation is secured by a project-leadership.
Fortunately all representatives declared their will to participate in this
project. Romania had already signified its readiness to cooperate before
the meeting. So the discussion in Hungary was the final breakthrough.
The FUEN will adopt a new project-shape in order to support the Euro-
pean Integration in the field of minority policies and establish a new
form of cooperation among governmental and non-governmental organisations.
Further steps in this direction will be published soon.
Dr. Vilmos SZABO, who will be a personal adviser to
Minister president of Hungary soon.
All old and new functions of the Hungarian Government
PRESS RELEASE
»Minority politics in Hungary are transferable«
Workshop for German minorities met from 28th to 31st October in Pécs / Hungary
Some days ago the 14th conference of the German minorities within
the FUEN took place in Pecs. It was the first time that this kind of
conference was in Hungary. Host was the self-administration of the
Germans in Hungary. The conference was attended by 30 participants
from 20 countries.
After words of welcome from the self-administration of the Germans
in Hungary, the mayor of Pecs, the German Ministry of the Interior
and the FUEN, the participants were divided into 3 workshops.
There were workshops for youth representatives, participants from old
and new EU member states and for participants from CIS states.
The AGDM (working group for German minorities) is just an informal
alliance, so no final documents or resolutions were worked out.
The results which will be available within a few days serve as
reciprocal exchange of experiences. In single cases the FUEN
suggested coordinating demands of the German minorities with
those of other minorities in the certain countries, in order to create
common final declarations which could be discussed at the FUEN
Assembly of delegates.
In fact this seems quite difficult in some cases because of long
geographic distances between the minorities. In France e.g. it is
almost impossible to build up a deeper cooperation among the
people of Alsace, Brittany and Corsica.
The conference ended with an excursion to the a regional studio
of the Hungarian Broadcasting Corporation in Pecs and to the
Hungarian-German village of Himeshaza and its museum.
The participants, e.g. Dr. Harry Augst (left) from Georgia and Philip
Beyer from France were very interested in Hungarian minority politics
and wished for similar solutions for their countries.
PRESS RELEASE
Frisian place names will be included in ADAC maps
The SSW managed to secure the inclusion of Frisian place
names on road maps in the future. The parliamentarian Lars
Harms got the assent from the manufacturer of the ADAC maps
that by the end of the year the first maps with bilingual place
names will already be available. Further maps and atlases will follow.
"Now an old demand of the Frisian minority has been fulfilled.
The mentioning of the placenames in both languages is important
for language promotion. If the bilingualism is visible in general
maps the natural use of the language is also supported. And
in addition the Frisians depend on a stronger anchoring of their
culture and language in the consciousness of the people. If the
Frisian language is visible now in the road maps for everybody,
people throughout Germany become aware of the Frisians and
their language", says the North Frisian SSW - parliamentarian.
PRESS RELEASE
Bornholm Party visits FUEN Secretary General´s Office
On Thursday , 11th October Tonny Pedersen Borrinjaland from the
„Bornholms Selvstyre parti“ visited the FUEN Secretary General´s
Office in Flensburg. For quite some time this party has been working
for an autonomous status of this Baltic Sea island which belongs to Denmark.
About 46,000 people live on Bornholm and many of them still speak
their own old island language, the so-called Bornholmsk.
Tonny Pedersen Borrinjaland (see picture) was informed by FUEN
Deputy Secretary Gary Funck about goals and present activities of the
FUEN and possible ways of cooperation.
During his stay in the German-Danish Border Region the Bornholmer
also visited the political party of the German minority in North
Schleswig (DK) „Schleswigsche Partei (SP)“.
PRESS RELEASE
Revoking of the FUEN work conference of Slavic minorities 2004
The FUEN work conference of Slavonic minorities scheduled for the last week
of october in Burg near Cottbus (Germany) has been revoked due to poor
participation. We regret the low participation. Following substantial cuts
in funds for the previous conference the German federal government bottomed
its commitment for this years FUEN conference of Slavonic minorities due to
unexpected cuts of the administrations general budget. The Sorbian
organizers applied for the funds just after the budget cuts wheras the
organizers of the conference of German minorities were lucky and already
received there funds earlier in the year prior to the cuts. The Sorbian
organizers planed the conference in october in a low cost youth hostel at
Burg. Nevertheless the travel expanses for participants from Eastern and
Southeastern Europe could not be longer reimbursed. The Sorbian organizers
are now planing to organize a conference with the same topic in 2005 and
will surely apply for the necessary funds in the beginning of 2005. We are
asking the presidium of FUEN to assure a balanced funding from the German
federal government for future conferences.
PRESS RELEASE
German minorities from 22 states meet in Hungary
Annual meeting of the Workshop of German national minorities in the FUEN
from 28 - 31 October 2004 in Pécs / Hungary
The workshop of German national minorities in the Federal Union
of European Nationalities (FUEN) will be meeting for the 14th time
this year. This workshop was established on the initiative of the German
Ministry for Internal Affairs in 1991 in Budapest as an informal workshop,
including all those organisations within the FUEN, the umbrella organisation
of national minorities and ethnic groups in Europe, which regard
themselves as German minority organisations.
The last German workshop in 2003 focused on media.
The annual conference will focus on cross border cooperation and
an excursion to the German minority institutes in Hungary in particular.
The organisers expect 50 persons from 20 different states
A first draft of the programme is available on following http://www.fuen.org/pdfs/20041020programm_pecs.pdf
PRESS RELEASE
»The role of the national minorities in the Enlarged Europe«
Congress from 21th/22nd October 2004 in Feistritz/Gail/ Carinthia
The annual Congress on Nationalities in Carinthia
will take place from 21th/22nd October 2004 in Feistritz/Gail/
The conference will focus on the The role of the
national minorities in the Enlarged Europe.
FUEN will be represented by Heinrich SCHULTZ who will
make a speech on above mentioned subject.
Heinrich Schultz
The detailed programme is available on following link
http://www.fuen.org/pdfs/20041019Programm_Kaernten.pdf
PRESS RELEASEFUEN conference in Almaty
Problems of minorities within the transformation society
FUEN represented by Hans Heinrich Hansen and Dr. Koloman Brenner
In cooperation with the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan
and the Association of German organisations „Wiedergeburt“
FUEN is organizing a conference with the title „Problems of
Minorities within the Transformation Society“ on the 7th and
8th of October in Almaty (KZ).
Beside the representatives of FUEN, Vice President Hans
Heinrich Hansen (DK) and DR. Koloman Brenner (H), and the
representative of the German Ministry of the Interior (BMI), Dr.
Detlev Rein, participants will be coming from all major ethnic
communities of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Among the speakers are, aside from the representatives of the
FUEN and BMI, the Vice Chairmen of the Assembly of the
People of Kazakhstan, Sergej Tereschenko, and Sh. Alijev,
the Chairman of the German Association „Wiedergeburt“, Mr
Alexander Dederer, the Chairman of the Dagestanian Cultural
Centre M. Uveissov, S. Osdojev from the Association for
Chechen and Ingush Culture „Weinach“ and many others.
The conference will end on Friday, 8th of October with
a final resolution.
A detailed programme is availabe here:
http://www.fuen.org/pdfs/20041007almaty.pdf
Further information:
http://www.samal.kz
http://www.deutsche-allgemeine-zeitung.de
PRESS RELEASE 2004-54D
minorities in Hungary
New Hungarian Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany
announces personal and structural changes in the government
On 29 September, upon the proposition of the President
of the Republic of Hungary Ferenc Madl, and with the
supportive votes of the coalition parties, the Hungarian
National Assembly voted Ferenc Gyurcsany as new prime
minister. The voting concerned not only the person of the
new prime minister but at the same time the adoption of the
new government programme 2004-2006.
On 30 September, the newly elected prime minister announced
personal and structural changes in the government. Dr Kinga
Goncz, who up to now held office as minister without portfolio
responsible for equal opportunities and supervised the work
of the Government Office for Equal Opportunities, will in the
future work as minister leading a Ministry for Youth, Family
and Equal Opportunity Affairs. According to the new admini
strative set-up, Ms Goncz’s scope of duties will cover not only
social, youth and family affairs as well as equal opportunity
issues, but she will be responsible for issues connected to
national and ethnic minorities living in Hungary as well as
consumers’ protection and relations with the civil society. The
Office for National and Ethnic Minorities will be subordinated
to Ms Goncz’s Ministry, and shall continue to operate as an
autonomous organ of state administration with nationwide
competence. The Office for Hungarians Abroad will work
under the supervision of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. As
a consequence of these changes, the Political State
Secretariat responsible for minority issues within the Prime
Minister’s Office will be dissolved and Mr Vilmos Szabó, who
held this office, will deal - as a state secretary within the
Prime Minister’s Office - with issues connected to foreign
and security policy.
Dr Goncz was born in Budapest in 1947. Originally trained
as a doctor, she took her special examination in psychiatry
and in psychotherapy respectively in 1978 and in 1982. She
worked in different medical institutes and hospitals, but in
parallel with this she played an important part in
developing the training of social workers at university
level. Since 1989 she has been the lecturer of the
Department of Social Policy of the Eotvos Lorand University
and she regularly lectured in several other institutions of
higher education both in Hungary and abroad. Being the
director of the Partners Hungary Foundation between
1994-2002, she took part in training and development
activities concerning the techniques of democracy, mediation,
the facilitating of social participation and conflict management
in twelve different countries. Between May 2002 and June
2004, Dr Goncz worked as the political state secretary of
the Ministry of Health, Social and Family Affairs, and on 15
June 2004 she was appointed Minister without portfolio
responsible for equal opportunities. Dr Goncz speaks
English and German.
Further information:
http://archiv.meh.hu/nekh/Magyar/12.htm
http://archiv.meh.hu/nekh/default.htm
PRESS RELEASEFrisian "Harfsthuuchschölj"
From Friday, 8th until Tuesday, 12th of October the North Frisian
organisation "Friisk Foriining" is offering a Frisian "Harfsthuuchschölj"
(autumn adults and children´s education) in the Danish education
centre in Jarplund / Flensburg again.
This year the whole Harfsthuuchschölj will deal the topic of seafaring
and pirates. So the participants are requested to come in special
clothes and costumes which go with the topic.
Among other things a treasure hunt with difficult talks is planned.
Together the participants a will build and music, lectures and
presentations are also part of the programme.
An excursion will be made to the Flensburg museum shipyard,
the seafaring-museum and will end with a boat tour of the
Flensburg harbour.
The main event wiil be a "Harbour Party", which starts on Monday
afternoon at 2:30 pm in the grounds of the education centre
and where day visitors are also invited to come.
the Danish education centre in Jarplund Jaruplund Højskole
The "Harfsthuuchschölj" offers a good opportunity to improve
your knowledge of the Frisian language and to get used to
other idioms.
Anybody who is interested in the full programme can contact the
office of the Friisk Foriining in Bargum: Tel: +49 4672 775 20
info@friiske.de
PRESS RELEASE 2004-51
September-Newsletter of the German minority in Denmark
The Bund deutscher Nordschleswiger in Denmark
is publishing its monthly newsletter with information
about the work of the German minority in Denmark.
The latest September edition is dealing with several issues
as well as the calender of the second part of the year.
and is available at:
http://www.fuen.org/pdfs/20040910bdn_Interna.pdf
PRESS RELEASE 2004-50
FUEN-Seminar in Ladinia available as pdf-format
in cooperation with the Autonomous Region of Trentino and the
Union Generela di Ladins dla Dolomites FUEN organised the 3rd
Seminar for minorities without »kin-state« from 17/18th June 2004
in Ladinia in La Ila/Stern, Val Badia/Gadertal, South Tyrol, Italy
The documentation
of a/m event is just finished and available on following site:
http://www.fuen.org/pdfs/20040906DOKU_Ladinia.pdf
PRESS RELEASE 2004-49
Aysun Kacar from Flensburg was granted
Exhibition "Children draw Multilingualism" opened at Flensburg
Within the framework of the competition »Children draw
Multilingualism« the winner Aysun Kacar from Flensburg
was granted on 01st September 2004 at the North port in Flensburg
Aysun Kacar (2.f.l.) received all grants from the project manager
Peter Josika (left).
The winners and the scores of all participating drawings can
now be found on the following website:
http://www.bilinguisme.ch/competition-wettbewerb
PRESS RELEASE 2004-48
Flensburg Declaration 2004
of the Federal Union of European Nationalities (FUEN)
On the occasion of the meeting of the board of the Federal Union of
European Nationalities (FUEN) on 3rd and 4th of September 2004 in
Flensburg the FUEN Presidium passed the following declaration:
F.l.t.r.: Renate SCHNACK (Commissioner for Minority Affairs in Schleswig-Holstein and chairwoman
of the FUEN-Advosry Board), Hans Heinrich HANSEN (FUEN-Vice-President / German in Denmark),
Heinrich SCHULTZ (FUEN-Vice-President / Dane in Germany), Dr. Martha STOCKER (FUEN-Vice-
President / South Tyrolian in Italy), Dr. Nigel HICKS (FUEN-Vice-President / Cornish in Great Britain),
Romedi ARQUINT (FUEN-President / Rhaetian in Switzerland), Dr. Jurji BRANKACK (FUEN-Vice-
President / Sorb in Germany), Zlatka GIELER (FUEN-Vice-President / Croatian in Austria), Frank
NICKELSEN (FUEN-Secretary General) and Gary FUNCK (FUEN-Deputy Secretary) photo: Anne Busch
The FUEN
- takes note with regret the fact that the new constituting European Commission has scheduled no explicit competence and responsibility for matters of European national minorities / ethnic groups;
- welcomes that the commissioner for education, training and culture will explicitly be responsible for the variety of languages in future.
- Acknowledges that the appointment of a group of commissioners for equal opportunities can mean a better recognition for national minorities and ethnic groups too.
Considering
- the prohibition of discrimination because of belonging to a national minority as adopted in the Charter of Basic Rights, which was adopted in Nice 2000 and integrated in the draft of the contract of a European Constitution, which was passed on 17th/18th June 2004
- as well as the Laeken Declaration which indicates the consideration of minorities as a requirement for European Integration
- and with the hint on the criteria for membership , laid down in 1993 by the European Council of Copenhagen, which contain the consideration and protection of minorities,
the FUEN urges the European Commission
- to consider the protection of minorities, declared in numerous documents in their politics as a decisive question;
- to follow, support and develop the consideration and protection of minorities immediately by coherent politics, not only at negotiations with new candidates for membership but in the total enlarged EU;
- to pass the repeatedly announced programme for lesser used languages and cultures and to realize it currently;
- to extend continuously the newly appointed competence for the variety of languages to a competence for minorities too;
- that a commissioner assumes responsibility for the coordination of the linguistic, cultural and legal interests of the national minorities.
Flensburg, 3rd September 2004
PRESS RELEASE 2004-47
The complete Marathon Programme is availabe now!
European Minority Marathon in Flensburg
FUEN-Presidium meets in Flensburg
Under the chairmanship of the German minister for the Interior,
Mr Otto Schily and the Minister President of Schleswig- Holstein,
Ms Heide Simonis the first European Minority Marathon is taking
place next week. The detailed Marathon Run and shorter
distances are planned for Sunday, 5th September, but the
minority organisations in the German-Danish border region
as well as the FUEN have organised a programme for the whole
week which is available on following site:
http://www.fuen.org/pdfs/20040826YOUMM_Programm.pdf
The newly elected presidium of FUEN will have its first session
after the Congress in May and take the opportunity to present
itself together with the Commissioner for Minority Affairs of
Schleswig-Holstein and chairwoman of the FUEN-Advisory
Board during the
FUEN-Press Conference on Friday, 03rd September 2004 at 13.00 h
in the Danish Library, Norderstr. 59 • 24939 Flensburg (http://www.dcbib.de).
FUEN is convinced, that this sporting event will foster relations
among different nationalities and hopes that a large number
of runners will participate in such competition and at least will
be inspired of the German-Danish-Frisian minority situation.
PRESS RELEASE 2004-46
FUEN-Congress in Poland available as pdf-format
49th FUEN Congress on Nationalities from 20th-22nd May 2004
at Castle Kamien Slaski
The Federal Union of European Nationalities held its 49th Congress
on Nationalities and its obligatory Assembly of Delegates at Castle Kamien Slaski
from 20th-22nd May 2004. The documentation
of a/m event is just finished and available on following site:
Congress: http://www.fuen.org/pdfs/20040820DOKU_KAMIEN_SLASKI.pdf
Assembly: http://www.fuen.org/pdfs/20040520FUEN_Assembly.pdf
PRESS RELEASE 2004-45
EU-Faction for Etnic Groups?
from the InterNet editorship http://volksgruppen.orf.at from 19/08/04
The Latvian member of the European Parliament, Ms Tatjana Zdanoka
is planning a EU-Faction for Etnic Groups.
Tatjana Zdanoka
Zdanoka, belongs to the Russian minority in Latvia and is representative
of the party »For Human Rights in a unified Latvia (PCTVL)«, told that she
will focus on such idea just after the summer break.
PRESS RELEASE 2004-44
For the first time FUEN was present at the
so-called Schleswig-Holstein-Day
Within the framework of the Schleswig-Holstein-Day
from 13 - 15 August in Flensburg the minorities in the German-
Danish-Frisian border region as well as the FUEN
were present by a large number of exhibitions.
From left to right you see FUEN Secretary General Frank Nickelsen,
togeher with the Minister President of Schleswig-Holstein, Ms.
Heide Simonis and the Commissioner for Minority Affairs and
chairwoman of the so-called FUEN-Advisory Board, Ms Renate
Schnack.
PRESS RELEASE 2004-43
Re-construction of EBLUL
EBLUL set to continue working for linguistic diversity with
European Commission support
he Board of Directors of the European Bureau for Lesser
Used Languages (EBLUL) met with representatives from the
European Commission on Friday and discussed the future
development of the organization over the weekend. The
Board also drafted a new policy programme for 2005.
Speaking to the press on Friday President Bojan Brezigar said:
“The Board has drafted a list of priorities which will be submitted
to the EBLUL General Assembly for approval at their meeting in
September and in the meantime the Board of Directors are
keeping a close eye on developments.
“We cannot deny that there is a crisis for this year, it follows
a lapse in our contract with the European Commission caused
by the introduction of new financial regulations by the
Commission. The EBLUL Board of Directors met in Brusselstod
ay and yesterday conducted extensive meetings with Commission
officials concerned. The Commission underlined its continuing
support for EBLUL on the basis of new financial regulations.
“This will mean that EBLUL will have to reorganise its structure,
make it more decentralised, with more activities being held in
its language communities and less staff in its central office. It
will mean that we will be inviting more organisations to participate
in co-funding activities to promote lesser-used languages and
linguistic diversity and at the same time ensuring that these
activities take place within the community concerned.
“The Board wishes to express particular gratitude to EBLUL
staff such as the ongoing Partnership for Diversity project,
and to the Eurolang news agency and its journalists, who
voluntarily have kept the cause of language rights alight in
the heart ofEurope”.
PRESS RELEASE 2004-42
August-Newsletter of the German minority in Denmark
The Bund deutscher Nordschleswiger in Denmark
is publishing its monthly newsletter with information
about the work of the German minority in Denmark.
The latest August edition is dealing with several issues e.g.
BdN Presentation in Rendsburg (27-29. August)
Schleswig-Holstein-Day in Flensburg (13-15 August)
and is available at:
http://www.fuen.org/pdfs/20040809BDN_InternaJAugust.pdf
PRESS RELEASE 2004-41
No cash from the European Union:
EBLUL closes office in Brussels
from the InterNet editorship http://volksgruppen.orf.at from 08/08/04
Wolfgang Mayer of the Society for Threatened Peoples reports
the threatening of the closing of European Lesser Used Languages Office.
... reason for the closing plans are financial problems, says Wolfgang
Mayer of the Society for Threatened Peoples in Bolzano. The EBLUL
submitted a funding request to the European Union central management
for culture and will otherwise have to close the office of the EBLUL and
the press agency Eurolang in Brussels ...a few staff members have
already been dismissed, said Wolfgang Mayer in a telephone call...
... background of the closing of the office of the
EBLUL in Brussels, which is approaching now, could be the
activities of the organization in Greece and Spain, Mayer feels.
Both states criticisied EBLUL`s way of dealing with minority issues.
EBLUL was created in 1982 of the request of the European
parliament and is present as a network in all European Union states.
In 2000 EBLUL installed Eurolong as an international press agency
reporting minority issues. President of the EBLUL is Bojan
Brezigar, editor-in-chief of the "Primorski Dnevnik", the newspaper of
the Slovenian minority in Italy...
More details:
http://volksgruppen.orf.at/volksgruppen/aktuell/stories/8506
PRESS RELEASE 2004-40
The competition "Children draw Multilingualism" was a major success!
Aysun Kacar from Flensburg/Flensborg is the Winner
Exhibition is planned
The competition "Children draw Multilingualism" was a major success. The
organizing committee, consisting of the Network of Bilingual Cities, the
City of Biel/Bienne and the Forum for Bilingualism, would like to thank all
14 participating municipalities for their contributions.
The winners are:
1. Aysun Kacar, Flensburg/Flensborg, 119 points
2. Jens Kazmarek, Bautzen/Budysin, 101 points
3. Joe Annicchiarico, Luxembourg/Lëtzebuerg/Luxemburg, 80 points
The winners and the scores of all participating drawings can
now be found on the following website:
http://www.bilinguisme.ch/competition-wettbewerb
International Celebration of "22nd Lemko Vatra" in Zhdynia,
and 4th International Art Exhibition "Lemko Jerusalem"
in Gorlice, Poland
From July 23th to 25th the Lemko Union in Poland celebrated
in Zhdynia, south-eastern Poland, its 22nd International bonfire-festival,
the Lemko Vatra. Several thousands of Lemko (an ethnic goup
of Ukrainians, formerly known as Ruthenians) from Poland, Slovakia,
Ukraina, Canada and guests from many European countries
gathered at the traditional Vatra festival of Lemko Culture.
The village Zhdynia is loc ated in the region called Lemkowyna
(East Beskides), since the thitheenth century the homeland
of Ruthenians on both sides of what is today the Polish-Slovak
border. After 1944 several hundred thousands of Lemko had
been deported to former Soviet Ukraina and in 1947 during the
so called Vistula Operation another 150 000 ethnic Ukrainians
where expelled and dispersed to western and northern Regions
of Poland. This act of ethnic cleansing 57 years ago has not yet
been officially condemned by the Polish Parlament even so
a slow process of critical historical reconsideration has recently
started. During the annual Lemko Vatra festivities ethnic
Ukrainians of all ages from allover the world visit their homeland
Lemkowyna and celebrate Lemko Culture, inspired by the beautiful l
andscape and the woode n architecture of Eastern and Eastern
Catholic churches.
On July 23th opened the 4th International Art Exhibition "Lemko
Jerusalem" at the Ma?opolska Art Galery in the town Gorlice.
Young Lemko artists from Poland, Slovakia, Ukraina and
Romania presented creative and emotionally inspired modern art.
Projection of the minority languages to the public at large
3rdSeminar for minorities without so-called. »kinstate« met in Ladia (Italy)
At the invitation of the „Union Generela di Ladins dla Dolomites“
minorities without kin-states from throughout Europe met on
17th / 18th July in the „Gadertal“ (Ladinia/Italy) to participate in the
3rd FUEN Seminar for small minorities without kin-state. Among
the participants were representatives of the Raetians from Grisons,
the Occitanes from Piemont, the Western Frisians from the
Netherlands, the Sorbs and Northern Frisians from Germany,
the Cornish minority in Great Britain, the Aromanians from
Bulgaria and from Macedonia and the Ladins from South Tyrol.
Approx.25 representatives from 8 different states participated in the 03rd seminar of this kind.
Former meetings were in Sankelmark/Schleswig-Holstein and Starbienino/Pomerania.
Even if the situations of these ethnic groups are quite different it was
possible to reduce them to a common denominator: The minority
itself must be willing to go public. This ranges from the stubbornnes
and defiance of the Frisians in Netherlands up to the very small
possibilities of the Aromanians in Macedonia.
FUEN-Vice-president Dr. Nigel
Hicks welcomed and opened the
conference
Obviously the discussions in the „Gadertal“ fell on fertile ground, so
that the representatives decided to meet again in the following
years in order to detect and work on similarities and differences.
In the spare hours of the seminar the participants visited the
„Museum Ladin“, the Ladinian Cultural Institute, the Mill Valley
in Lungiarü, the office of the „Union Generela di Ladins dla
Dolomites“ in Urtijei/St. Ulrich and the office of the weekly
v newspaper „Usc di Ladins“.
A documentation will be available soon.
German minority in Denmark with own Newsletter
The Bund deutscher Nordschleswiger in Denmark
is publishing a new newsletter with interesting information
about the work of the German minority in Denmark.
The latest July edition is dealing with several issues e.g.
The annual meeting at Knivsberg
and is available at:
http://www.fuen.org/pdfs/20040618BDN_InternaJuli.pdf
FUEN-Assembly of delegates available as pdf-format
On 20th May 2004 FUEN held its obligatory Assembly of Delegates
at Castle Kamien Slaski. The documentation of a/m event is
just finished and available on following site:
http://www.fuen.org/pdfs/20040520FUEN_Assembly.pdf
The main resolution of this year's FUEN Assembly
of Delegates was aimed, amongst others, at the 'old
member states of the European Union. FUEN called
upon them to fulfil the same obligations in the realm
of minority protection as are being demanded of the
new members of the EU for enlargement to the east.
Apart from the main resolution, the Assembly of Delegates
also passed several appeals. All resolutions passed
are available at:
http://www.fuen.org/pages/english/e_5c_2002.html
The complete documentation of the 49th Congress of
Nationalities will be available soon.
Call from the Youth of European Nationalities
to go voting for the European Parliament:
„Go to the polls and put your cross (at the right place)...”
From June 10th till 13th are the elections for the European Union. After the historical
enlargement the citizens of the 25 member states are asked to cast their votes.
The president of the Youth of European Nationalities (YEN) Stephan Kleinschmidt
calls especially for the youth and the members of minorities to use their voting right
and to go to the polls. “The decisions in Brussels and Strasbourg influence the
minority and youth work. YEN is in many aspects dependant on the positive attitude
of the European institutions. Therefore we ask you to put your cross right and
consciously, but in any case use your vote”, Stephan Kleinschmidt says.
Furthermore the president of YEN recommends: „Vote for the candidate that comes
from a minority, or as an alternative vote for someone who already clearly did his or
her best for minorities and their interests”.
The General Assembly of the YEN passed a resolution in Christianslyst (Germany),
in which it demands from the European Union and the heads of states and
governments to act to their obligations and to give the necessary protection to
endangered linguistic and cultural minorities as well as to give them the
indispensable support, which they are entitled to. To realise this in the most efficient
manner, the YEN demands that in the European Constitution a paragraph about the
protection and support for these minorities is to be included.
Further information:
http://www.yeni.org
Recommendation of the YEN for the elections:
http://www.elections2004.eu.int/elections.html
http://www.votematch.net
http://www.youthdecide.com
»Projection of the minority languages to the public at large«:
3rd Seminar for minorities without »kin-state« in Ladinia
FUEN-Seminar in cooperation with the Autonomous Region of Trentino and the
Union Generela di Ladins dla Dolomites from 17/18th June 2004 in Ladinia
in La Ila/Stern, Val Badia/Gadertal, South Tyrol, Italy
From 17-18 June 2008 the 3rd seminar for for ethnic groups without a so-called
kinstate will be executed. Follwing groups will be focosed on Furlans, Ladins and
Occitans (all Italy), Rhaetians (Switzerland), Galicians (Spain), North Frisians and
Sorbs (Germany), Frisians (Netherlands), Aromunes (Bulgaria), Cornish
(Great Britain)and Aromunes (Macedonia).
The conference will be welcomed and opened by
• Dr. Veronika Stirner Brantsch (president of the assembly of South Tyrol)
• Dr. Florian Mussner (ladin assessor of the provincial council
and assessor of the regional government)
• Dr. Ugo Dorigo (mayor of the municipality Badia)
• Nani Pellegrini (president of the Union Generela di Ladins dla Dolomites)
• Dr. Martha Stocker (vicepresident of the FUEN)
• Dr. Nigel Hicks (vicepresident of the FUEN and speaker of the minorities without
• ••Kin-State••)
About 40 persons from 8 different states will be expected.
The Conference will be hold in English German and Italian.
The programme of a/m conference is available on following link:
http://www.fuen.org/pdfs/20040609Ladinia_E.pdf
Danish Minority organizes 80st „Årsmøde“
Annual Danish meeting („Årsmøde“) on 11th – 13th June 2004
The traditional annual meeting is under the topic “We meet with
the Western North“ („Vi møder Vestnorden“).
FLENSBURG / SCHLESWIG / HATTSTEDT.
The Regional Government of Schleswig-Holstein will not be
represented at the 80th Danish annual meeting ("Årsmøde")
from 11th – 13th June 2004 in Southern Schleswig this year,
but the President of the Regional Parliament, Heinz Werner
Arens, as well as the President of the Copenhagen „Folketing“,
Christian Meidahl, have announced their attendance..
And there are further Parliamentarian Representatives willing
to come: The President of the „Landting“ of Greenland,
Jonathan Motzfeld, and his colleague Høgni Hoydal from the
„Lagting“ of the Farø Islands.
The Danish government will send its Minister of Culture Brian
Mikkelsen and the Minister for Integration, Bertel Haarder.
By being present all political representatives stress the
connection between Danish minority and Denmark / Scandinavia.
The organizer of the "Årsmøde", the „Sydslesvigsk Forening“
is expecting about 20.000 visitors to 40 different events.
FUEN welcomes draft on Frisian Law
Dr. Ludwig Elle speaks at hearing in Bredstedt / Bräist on June 2nd, 2004.
The Frisian Parliamentarian of the SSW, Lars Harms, welcomed
the prevailing positive statements on the draft for a Frisian Law
at the hearing of the Landtag Schleswig-Holstein in the Nordfriisk
Instituut in Bredstedt / Bräist yesterday.
„The hearing shows that the Frisian Law offers a variety of new
possibilities of considering the Frisian language in administration.
By passing the Frisian Law the Land Schleswig-Holstein fulfills
further points of the European Charter for Regional or Minoritiy
Languages which can be reported afterwards.. So it is becoming
clear on a European level that the Land Schleswig Holstein takes
further positive steps in minority policy.
The hearing made clear that the draft meets positive resonance
from the Frisians in the Netherlands as well as the Sorbs in Saxony
and Brandenburg. This means the Frisian Law is not just an
advantage for the Frisians themselves but also for the reputation
of the Land Schleswig-Holstein“, said Lars Harms.
The Party of the Danish and Frisian minority (SSW) introduced the
draft for a Frisian Law into the Regional Parliament of Schleswig-
Holstein in January.
At the hearing the Frisian Council, the Friisk Foriining,
Nordfriesischer Verein, Nordfriisk Instituut and the Commissioner for
national Minorities, Ms Renate Schnack, had the chance to
present their statements. Also the FUEN, represented by Dr. Ludwig
ELLE, gave a statement on the draft for this law, which is
available under the link:
http://www.fuen.org/pdfs/20040527RA_Friesengesetz.pdf
Congress of the European Free Alliance - Rainbow party
Conference on 30th May 2004 in Thessaloniki / Solun
FUEN will be represented by Bela Tonkovic
The Congress of the European Free Alliance – Rainbow Party
will take place on Sunday, 30th of May 2004, in Thessaloniki
/ Solun at the Hotel CAPSIS.
nitially, the Congress should have taken place in Edessa/
Voden last November. But it was cancelled twice, due to
pressure and threats from Greek far right and neo-nazi
extremist organisations like "Golden Dawn" and "Greek
Patriotic Front". to the local authorities of Edessa / Voden city.
Among others, to the Congress will participate:
Mr MAYOL MICHEL, JOSEPH, AUGUSTE, Member of the
European Parliament and representative of the European
Free Alliance (EFA), Mr. BELA TONKOVIC, former vice-president
and present advisor to FUEN and Mr GEORGE NAKRATZAS,
Special Advisor on Balkans issues of the European Free Alliance (EFA).
The Congress is considered to be also a leading event in the
pre-election campaign of the European Free Alliance -Rainbow
Party towards the upcoming elections for the new members
of the European Parliament, on 13 June 2004.
FUEN Advisory Board at Castle Kamien Slaski/PL
49th FUEV Congress of Nationalities
from 20–22 May 2004 at the Castle Kamien Slaski/PL
The committee formed in June 2000 in Komarno/Komaron (SK)
also convened. The chairman of the committee, minority delegate
for the German state of Schleswig-Holstein, Ms Renate
Schnack, took the opportunity to present the most recent work
by the FUEN committee.
Renate Schnack welcomed to the FUEN-Advisory Board meeting
In more in-depth talks, during which, amongst others, 'The FUEN
committee and its spiritual and financial support for the targets
of FUEN' was discussed, Ms Schnack was able to welcome
numerous representatives from parliaments and governments
in whose countries FUEN member organisations live (see photos).
The committee comprises representatives from state institutions
in which member organisations live. It is a body aiming for informal
exchange of information to accompany and support the activities
of FUEN. With its creation, both the FUEN as a NGO and the state
representatives underscore their will to enter into constructive
cooperation, without which the minority issues cannot be
satisfactorily approached or solved. Further meetings are to be
convened in the near future.
Benefits and risks for national minorities
in the 'enlarged Europe
49th FUEV Congress of Nationalities
from 20–22 May 2004 at the Castle Kamien Slaski/PL
The Federal Union of European Nationalities held its
49th FUEN Congress of Nationalities and its Assembly
of Delegates from 20–22. May 2004 at Castle Kamien Slaski/PL.
After 1994 in Gdansk/Danzig, it was the second time that
FUEN held its Congress of Nationalities in Poland.
The congress was by more than 180 participants from
26 different states
The congress was devoted to the topic of 'EU enlargement
—benefits and risks for national minorities' and was attended
by more than 180 participants from 26 different states, These
were primarily members of minorities from more than 70
affiliated associations, but also included state representatives,
scientists and a number of media representatives mainly from
Poland, as all minorities resident in Poland had the opportunity
to discuss their specific situation.
Romedi Arquint was interviewed several times.
The event was opened by FUEN President Romedi ARQUINT.
'Europe must offer new chances for identification. Is it the
political and military world power Europe, is it the globalised
consumption market with Volkswagen and pizza? Or shouldn't
the new bond in Europe also be guaranteed with intellectual
values?' Romedi Arquint asked in his opening speech. He
continued by referring to the diversity of peoples as a spiritual
heritage that should be preserved and fostered. He expects
new impetus from the new member states of the EU!
ARQUINT`s speech in particular:
http://www.fuen.org/pdfs/20040520RA_KamienSlaski.pdf
Further speeches were held by Polish state representatives:
Regional Parliament of Opole, Chairwoman
Elzbieta RUTKOWSKA and Minister President Grzegorz
KUBAT (both from the Regional Parliament of Opole) and Member
of the Polish Parliament, Herinrich KROLL and Ms Merja LAHTINEN
from the Council of Europe who illustrated the status of the framework
agreement on the protection of national minorities.
F.l.t.r: Minister President Grzegorz KUBAT, Chairwoman Elzbieta RUTKOWSKA
MP Heinrich KROLL, Merja LAHTINEN (Council of Europe)
and Head of Section to the German Ministry for Interior, Dr. Detlev REIN
Guest speaker Pavlos VOSKOPOULOS drew attention to
the unsatisfactory minority situation in Greece—only weeks
before the Olympic Games.
FUEN resolutions are directed at the
'old' EU member states
FUEN-Assembly of Delegates on 20th May2004
at Castle Kamien Slaski / PL
The main resolution of this year's FUEN Assembly
of Delegates was aimed, amongst others, at the 'old
member states of the European Union. FUEN called
upon them to fulfil the same obligations in the realm
of minority protection as are being demanded of the
new members of the EU for enlargement to the east.
Apart from the main resolution, the Assembly of Delegates
also passed several appeals. All resolutions passed can
be obtained at:
http://www.fuen.org/pages/english/e_5c_2002.html
Four new Vice-Presidents
on the FUEN Presiding Committee
FUEN-Assembly of Delegates on 20th May2004
at Castle Kamien Slaski / PL
An item on the agenda at the Assembly of Delegates
was the election of the Presiding Committee. Confirmed
for a further 3 years in office were: the present FUEN
President Romedi ARQUINT (Rhaeto-romansh from
Switzerland), Vice-President Hans Heinrich HANSEN
(German from Denmark) and Dr Nigel HICKS (ethnic
Cornwall minority from Great Britain).
The previous Vice-Presidents Dr Ludwig ELLE,
Dr Bruno HOSP, Joseph v. KOMLÓSSY and Bela
TONKOVIC were no longer available for office. In their
place came Ms Zlatka GIELER (Croatian from Austria),
Dr Martha STOCKER (South Tyrolean from Italy), Dr Georg
BRANKATSCHK (Sorbian from Germany) and Heinrich SCHULTZ
(Southern Schleswegian from Germany). The delegates
expressed their appreciation for the vice-presidents
leaving with extensive applause.
In addition, the Assembly of Delegates discussed the
obligatory regular items, e.g. the annual reports from
2003 and the draft for the budget for the year 2004.
The reports were unanimously approved and passed.
FUEN now numbers 76 member organisations
from 32 states
FUEN-Assembly of Delegates on 20th May2004
at Castle Kamien Slaski / PL
The Assembly of Delegates of the FUEN on 2th May 2004
at Karmien Slaski (PL) concerned itself with the higher
classification of member organisations and with new admissions.
In the course of this, the following organisations were
adopted as FUEN members:
Full members:
RAINBOW – European Movement (Macedonian minority / GR)
http://www.florina.org
Assoziation der gesellschaftlichen Vereine „Internationaler
Verband der deutschen Kultur (German minority / RUS)
http://www.mdz-moskau.de
Volksrat der Deutschen der Kirgisischen Republik
(German minority / KG)
Associated members:
Belo-Russians in Estonia (Belo-Russian Minority / EE)
Jews in Estonia / EE
http://www.kosherdelight.com/Estonia.htm
Deutsches Kulturzentrum „Hoffnung“
(German minority/ MD)
Krimdeutsche-Stiftung e.V.
(German minority / UA)
http://www.de.crimea.ua
“cheft qwant” transnational association for
co-operation and culture exchange of the Yenish people
(Yenish people / CH)
http://www.jenisch.info
The updated list of all FUEN-members are available here:
http://www.fuen.org/pages/english/e_5c_2002.html
Just a few days until the 49th FUEN Congress
of Nationalties at the Castle Kamien Slaski
The preparations for the 49th FUEN Congress of Nationalties
from the 20th – 22nd of May in Kamien Slaski (PL) are nearly
finished. More than 180 participants from 26 European and
Central Asian countries have registered so far for this event which
will be organised at the Castle Kamien Slaski near in the region of
Opole on the Polish – Czech border this year.
Within the topic of the congress „EU-Enlargement – Benefits
and Risks for Minorities“ the annual conference deals with the
consequences of the EU – Enlargement for the national minorities
in the new and old member states.
Within the framework of the welcome and opening by FUEN-President
Romedi ARQUINT, further words of greetings will be expressed by
Tadeusz MATUSIAK from the Polish government, the Marshall
of the Region of Opole Grzegorz KUBAT, the Chairwoman of the
Regional Parliament, Elzbieta RUTKOWSKA and Merja LAHTINEN
from the Council of Europe.
Detailed information on the difficult situation for minorities in Greece
will be given by Pavlos VOSKOPOULOS from the political association
of Macedonians in Greece „Rainbow – European Movement“ in his
speech on basic principles.
The congress will also focus on the international lobbyism
of Non-Governmental Organisations in general and the national
minorities in Poland in particular.
On the agenda of the FUEN Assembly of Delegates on 20th May
there are a.o. the elections of the board, the admission of new member
organisations as well as proposals for resolutions.
Further information on the congress is available at:
http://www.fuen.org/pages/english/e_5b_2002.html
Children draw Multilinguism
Together with the Town of Flensburg the FUEN is
involved in the project „Children draw Multilinguism“.
The project is an initiative of the Network of Bi and
Multilingual Cities in Europe, which has the aim of
supporting cooperation between bi and multiligual
municipalities in Europe and to maintain their special
linguistic heritage of them, as well as the Forum for
Bilingualism and the City of Biel / Bienne (CH).
„Children draw Multilinguism“ is intended to motivate
young people to deal with the bi and multilinguism in
their environment in a creative way.
Every bi or multilingual town or village in Europe is invited
to participate. Closing date for entries is 01.06.2004,
following praeselection by the municipalities concerned.
Among the international judges are the curator of the
Children´s Museum of Flensburg and employee of the „Learning
Region of Schleswig/Sønderjylland“ Claus SAX-HINRICHS and
FUEN Secretary General Frank NICKELSEN
Further information is available at:
http://www.bilinguisme.ch
German Minority in Denmark satisfied with government´s promises
Press release of the German minority in DK
Bundes deutscher Nordschleswiger vom 27/04/2004
The German minority in Northern Schleswig / DK is satisfied with
the promises of the Danish government that the social and
cultural work will be secured in a new communal structure.
This is said in a paper on the position of the government
which was published on Tuesday afternoon in Copenhagen.
„We are satisfied that the government has kept to its promise
and confirmed that it will secure our cultural and social work“,
said Hans Heinrich Hansen, chairman of the Union of Germans
in Northern Schleswig (BdN).
„The continuing of the grant arrangements is a step in the right
direction. Regarding our political representation we are happy
that the government will secure our political influence should
the new structures will be unsatisfactory for us“, continues
Hansen.
The chairman of the German minority points out that a model
is favoured where a representation by its own votes is possible.
„We also have the opinion that a whole municipality for the
region Northern Schleswig would be the best possibilty to
secure the work of the German minority and the further
development of cross border cooperation“, said Hans
Heinrich Hansen.
Further information:
Taken from „Det nye Danmark“, p. 41:
The German minority
„The government will continue to secure the German minority
good conditions for their cultural and social work. The
government will continue with the economic grants which are
supporting the minority today. Inasmuch as the minority will
not be able to reach political representation on a local or
regional level the government will make concrete suggestions
as to how to manage a continous integration of the minority.“
The Work of FUEN presented in Tokyo
Dr. Koloman Brenner holds lecture at the UNO-University
On April 17th 2004 the FUEN-Commissioner of the
self-administration of the Germans in Hungary (Landes-
selbstverwaltung der Ungarndeutschen), Dr. Koloman
Brenner, held a lecture at the UNO-University of Tokyo
on the topic: „Linguistic variety in Hungary – FUEN for
more minority rights in Europe“. The conference was
organized by Linguapax Asia (UNESCO) and in the focus
of interest were the problems of linguistic variety and
minorityrights in the Asian region.
In order to learn about the European concepts experts
from the old continent were invited. Among them Dr.
Brenner and Dr. Herta Maurer-Lausegger (University
of Klagenfurt), who spoke about the language variety
in Austria with the focus on the Slovenian minority in
Carinthia.
During the conference there were lectures on various
topics, e.g. the Aborigines in Australia, the Ainu-com-
munity in Japan and the difficult variety of languages
and dialects in Thailand.
FUEN-Commissioner of the self-administration of the
Germans in Hungary, Dr. Koloman Brenner, while
speaking in Tokyo
During his stay in Tokyo Brenner also reported about
the activities of FUEN at the Tokyo University for foreign
languages. In the following discussion the EU-enlargement
and the resulting developments in the fields of minority
rights were the centre of interest. It was stressed that
FUEN works for similar minority standards, which have
the same level throughout the whole EU.
Collecting Experiences and presenting
them to other European Regions
DialogueForumNorth meeting in Abenrå
The Dialogue Forum North met on 20th April in Åbenrå
(DK) for talks with a.o. the re-elected Chairman
of the Youth of European Nationalities (YEN) Stephan
Kleinschmidt. At the suggestion of the Commissioner for
Minority Issues Ms Renate Schnack he was offered to the
possibility to work in the Dialogue Forum North as a permanent guest.
During the meeting the Chairman of the „Bund deutscher Nord-
schleswiger“ (Germans in Denmark) Hans Heinrich Hansen
reported on the Danish reform of counties and local structures
which has the aim of creating greater administration-districts.
The representatives of the four minorities and ethnic groups
in Schleswig-Holstein and the Region Schleswig/Sønderjylland
f.l.t.r.: Hans Heinrich Hansen (German minority in Denmark),
Dieter Küssner (Danish minority in Germany), Matthäus Weiß
(Council of Sinti and Roma – Schleswig-Holstein) and
Ingwer Nommensen (Frisian minority in Germany).
Hans Heinrich Hansen expressed his fears of a danger for the
cultural, social and political work of the German minority
resulting from the structural reform. „The Danish state has
committed itself in several international agreements not to
worsen the framework conditions of the German minority. But
exactly this will be the consequence of the structural reform if
no special considerations for the German minority are made“
, said Hans Heinrich Hansen.
The members of the Dialogue Forum North support the wish
of the German minority for the cultural and social work to be
covered by the state as well as the demand for a model which
allows the German minority to be participate politically within
its own votes.
Another important topic of the conference was the question
as to how the positive experiences of the region in the field
of conflict solving can be presented internationally. All
participants agreed that the German-Danish border region
should receive more publicity as region of competence for
minority issues.
„We want to gather our ressources and experiences and
present our region as an example for other European regions“,
concluded the chairman of the Sydslesvigsk Forening, Dieter
Paul Küssner.
in this connection the chairman of the Frisian Council Ingwer
Nommensen welcomed the fact that here of course the
experiences of the Sinti and Roma and the Frisians are
welcomed, too.
Dialogue Forum North
The four minorities and ethnic groups in Schleswig-Holstein
and the Region of Schleswig/Sønderjylland, together with
minority politicians, founded the Dialogue Forum North
in August 2004 to deal together with questions which
concern all of them.
Job Fair for the Roma
The National Agency for Employment will organize
Job Fair for the Roma on April 24, 2004 a Job Fair
at national level for persons of Roma ethnic origin.
Preparations for the fair included collaboration at local
level with all responsible factors, identification of Roma
business persons interested in offering employment,
identification and registration of employment agencies
and Roma persons seeking employment, as well as
measures for the proper advertising of the event.
The Fair was conceived in support of the implementation
of Government’s Strategy for Improving the Condition
of Roma. Also, the tasks contained in the National
Employment Plan concern the Roma as a special target
group.
Other bodies involved in the organization of the Fair are
the Ministry of Labour, Social Solidarity, and the Family
through the National Agency for Employment, the Office
for Roma Issues, as well as representatives of civil society.
Among the NGOs involved are the “Împreuna Development
Agency, “Romani Criss” Roma Centre, “Aven Amentza”
Roma Centre for Public Policies, and the Alliance for Roma Unity.
Youth of European Nationalities celebrates
its 20th anniversary
Easter Seminar from 03th to 09th April 2004
at Christianslyst / Schleswig-Holstein
With a reception the Youth of European Nationalities
celebrated its 20 year anniversary as an umbrella
organisation for youth-organisations from European minorities,
independent of the FUEN. Among the congratulators were
representatives of the minorities living in the Danish-German-
Frisian Border Region, the FUEN, the Regional Government
of Schleswig-Holstein, the Federal Government and Denmark.
The celebration was opened by the chairwoman of the
Sydslesvigsk dansk Ungdomforeninger (SdU) Ms Anne Kämper,
who, as organiser of the Easter Seminar welcomed about 120
young people from throughout Europe, and YEN-President
Stephan Kleinschmidt, who was satisfied to reach such a
good turnout for the seminar.
YEN-President Stephan Kleinschmidt
All speakers commended the YEN on a high level of competence
and its ability to criticize . Dr Detlev Rein from the German Ministry
of the Interior stressed out that the good and solid substance
of the YEN in special, complemented by the ability of
negotiation and friendlyness, makes it possible for the German
Government to support the work of YEN financially since years.
The Commissioner for National Minorities of Schleswig-Holstein
and Chairwoman of the FUEN-Advisory Board, Ms Renate
Schnack, emphasized in her speech the task of the youth
to scrutinize existing forms critically and to suggest new ways
and ideas. But also fun and happiness must not be neglected.
The YEN had always managed to combine both.
The FUEN was represented a.o. by its former Secretary General
and first Chairman of the former Youth-Committee of the FUEN,
which was the basis for the later foundation of the YEN, Armin
Nickelsen. He passed on the best wishes from FUEN-President
Romedi Arquint and stressed the good cooperation between
the two organisations. The audience also listened attentively
to Christel Petersen, who was the first president of YEN. The
North Frisian spoke about the first years of the YEN and the
aims she had at that time. „The minorities and small nations are
the Red Indians of Europe“, she säid.
Further words of greeting were expressed by Ingwer Nommensen,
President of the Frisian Council, Peter Iver Johannsen, BdN
– Association of Germans in Denmark, and Anke Spoorendonk,
SSW – the Danish/Frisian minority party.
About 120 young people from throughout Europe participate in the
annual Easter Seminar of YEN
The celebrations closed with a lecture held by Dr. Jörgen Kühl
about the time when YEN started to open itself to Eastern
Europe in the years 1990 – 1993.
The Easter Seminar of YEN will last until Thursday evening and
will close with a big Gala Night, where many former members
of the board are also expected.
Further information is available under:
http://www.yeni.org
Press Release of YEN
Youth of European Nationalities celebrates
its 20th anniversary
Easter Seminar from 03th to 09th April 2004
at Christianslyst / Schleswig-Holstein
Within the framework of its annual Easter Seminar on the
03. – 09. of April 2004 the umbrella organisation for youth-
organisations of European minorities „Youth of European
Nationalities – YEN“ will celebrate its 20th anniversary. The
association which succeeded the former youth-organisation
of FUEN was founded in1984 at a meeting in Northern
Schleswig / Sønderjylland (DK). This year the participants are
hosted by the youth-association of the Danish minority in
Southern Schleswig in Germany. To the reception on the
4th of April in the village of Süderbrarup the organisators
expect not just politicians and representatives of several
minority-groups but also many former members of the YEN-board.
Further information is available under:
http://www.yeni.org
Press Release of YEN
FUEN – ECMI Consultative Meeting
On 31st March representatives of the Federal Union of European
Nationalities (FUEN), the European Centre for Minority Issues (ECMI)
and the Regional Government of Schleswig-Holstein met for a
consultative meeting in Flensburg. The FUEN was represented
by Vice-President Hans Heinrich HANSEN and Secretary General
Frank NICKELSEN, the ECMI by director Marc WELLER, Vice-Chairwoman
Gyde KÖSTER and Senior Research Associate Tom TRIER, the
Regional Government by the Commissioner for national minorities and
chairwoman of the FUEN-Advisory Board, Renate SCHNACK. Aim of this meeting
was to clarify up the relationship between FUEN and the ECMI.
In a friendly and constructive atmosphere the representatives discussed
possible fields of cooperation. In the focus of interest were also
joint projects which will be directed to the European Commission in the near
future. Attention was drawn to the differences between both organisations. While
FUEN is an umbrella organisation of the minorities themselves, the European
Centre for Minority Issues is a scientific institution, which regards
itself as »Governmental Nongovernmental organisation«. That means
that ECMI plays several different roles in the field of conflict intervention.
All representatative pointed out the need to improve the information
flow in general and the presence in the region in particular.
»Pleasing Development for German Minority Politics«
Shared Press Release of the cultural association of the
Danish Minority „Sydslesvigsk Forening“ and the political minority
party SSW in the Regional Parliament of Schleswig-Holstein.
The promise by the German Government to establish extra titles
for the Danish and Frisian minority in the next Federal Budget was
called a „pleasing development for German Minority Politics“ by
representatives of the Danish cultural association „Sydslesvigsk Forening“
and the political minority party SSW in the Regional Parliament
of Schleswig-Holstein in a common Press Release.
In talks with Minister of State Christina Weiß, responsible for
cultural issues, the representatives stressed the difference in
definition of the term „culture“ between Danish and German.
Christina Weiß visited Kiel for a discussion about national
minorities with Minister President Heide Simonis and a following
reception with representatives of the Danish minority, the Frisians,
the Germans in Denmark, the Low Germans and the Sinti and Roma.
„While the term culture is interpreted more widely in Danish it is
different in German and does not include e.g. school, church,
youth and age“, regretted the chairman of the Sydslesvigsk
Forening Dieter Paul Küssner, Jarplund.
„If Berlin holds on to this definition the consequence could
be that the Danish youth association, the Danish church or the
Danish school association will not be able to profit from this new
budget-title. But it is a good beginning, which has further to be
improved on“, said the chairwoman of the SSW in the Regional
Parliament of Schleswig-Holstein, Anke Spoorendonk, Harrislee.
Spoorendonk and Küssner agree that with the new budget-title
a „pleasing development for the German minority politics“ has
come about, because only special titles for Serbs and Sinti and
Roma have been in existence before.
Both chairmen are also pleased about the fact that their demands
are supported by Minister President Heide Simonis so strongly.
Simonis stressed before Minister of State Christina Weiß that „a
secured financial support for the Frisian and Danish minority
would give more security“, that „minority-support does not allow
a reduction of subsidies“ and that the protection of national
minorities lies in the common responsibility of the regional and
federal political powers.
OSCE-Conference on Human Rights in Vienna
Pessimistic atmosphere after UNO-Decade
Dr. Koloman Brenner represents the FUEN on 25.-26.03. 2004 in Vienna
The OSCE-conference under the title „Human Rights
Education And Training“ dealt with a subject which is very
topical within the atmosphere after the attacks of Madrid.
Almost 50 representatives from the OSCE-States as well as
numerous representatives of NGOs participated in the
conference at the Vienna Hofburg. The FUEN was represented
by Dr. Koloman BRENNER, a German from Hungary.
Manfred NOWAK from the Ludwig-Boltzmann-Foundation for
Human Rights said in his lecture that the results of the UNO
decade have brought some disillusionment in the field of Human
Rights. Only 8 member states founded national committees
in this matter and in 6 national actionplans were established.
In his conclusion he demanded an international convention on
the Human Rights specific education. The only country where
questions of Human Rights are parts of the curricula in all levels
of the school system is Sweden, as was reported by Anna-Karin
LINDBLOM from the Swedish Ministry of Justice.
Zuza FIAVOLA, Centre for Human Rights of Slovakia, stressed
the importance of education in Human Rights for the
democratisation of the society.
The relationship between administration and citizens should
be changed, also in dealing with national minorities. But the
intention of people can only be changed in a longer lasting
process. Amnesty International pointed out that NGOs could
better use their know-how in Human Rights-issues at their
lobbywork with the governments, which have to come out of
their defensiveness and have to realize that these commitments
are part of international agreements. NGOs could do important
work in coping with these problems.
FUEN-Commissioner of the
Self-Administration of the
Germans in Hungary,
Dr. Koloman Brenner
BRENNER rates the conference as a good experience.
On the one hand, there were courageous and open comments
on the problems in the field of Human and Minority Rights in
the discussions as well as in the lectures. On the other hand
the limits on the multilateral, diplomatic levels were obvious.
FUEN Seminar in Moldova
FUEN Delegation meets Prime Minister of the
Republic of Moldova, Vasilii TARLEV
On 19th March 2004 FUEN organised a seminar
for all minorities living in Moldova. The venue took
place in Chisinau - the capital of Moldova. It was the
first time of this kind that FUEN – which was represented
by its Vice-President Dr. Ludwig ELLE and Secretary
General Frank NICKELSEN – dealt with minority issues
in this part of Europa.
Within the framework of the seminar the representatives
of the Ukrainians Russians, Bulgarians, Gagausians,
Belorussians, Polish, Armenians, Germans, Gypsies and
the Jewish minority drew attention to their specific situation.
Bearing the general poverty of Moldova in mind all minority
representatives pointed out a peaceful coexistence by
retaining their own culture, religion and language
Attention was also drawn to various problems in general
and less knowledge about European minority policy in
particular. That is the reason that the participants welcomed
FUEN`s initiative in visiting the country. Moldova ratified the
Framework Convention for the Protection for National Minorities
in 1998. The ratification of the Charter for Regional or
Minority languages is still outstanding.
A large number of minority representatives were interested
in cooperation with FUEN
Vice-President Dr. ELLE introduced the principles and aims
of FUEN as NGO and united umbrella organisation for European
Minorities. Secretary General Frank NICKELSEN introduced
in the infra-structure of FUEN. A large number of minority
representatives were interested in cooperation with FUEN.
Also the Prime Minister of Moldova Vasilii TARLEV was visited.
Among the work and aims of FUEN Dr. ELLE also informed
TARLEV about the importance that minorities be involved in
the national but also international decision making process
regarding minority policy. TARLEV very much appriciated that
FUEN visiting Moldova and agreed to the
aims of FUEN in gerenel and that minority problems must
be solved in a constructive dialogue between minority and
state institutions. Furthermore TARLEV expected that
the European Union in general and Germany in particular
must support Moldova in the process of democratisation
and social modernism.
F.l.t.r.: Vladimir Spreizer, Dr. Ludwig Elle, Prime Minister Vasilii TARLEV
Frank Nickelsen, Valentina Nickelman-Chetu, and in front the former
chairwoman of the German Association Hoffnung, Ms Elli Pilarino
Moldovian media reported about a/m seminar and FUEN`s
visit to TARLEV on Moldovian first TV channel. The report
was made in Russian and Romanian language
The whole report is available as video:
http://www.fuen.org/movies/20040319MD_Chisinau_wstr.mov
On 20th and 21st March Dr. ELLE and Frank NICKELSEN
were introduced to the work of the German minority in Moldova.
Further acivities in the near future were planned.
All manuscripts will be available in a more comprehensive
documentation.
Public Movement Multinational Georgia and
Georgian Association of Ossetians call for Justice
In March 1993 Shalva KUDUKHOV, an Ossetian citizen
of Georgia, was threatened in his apartment, given to
him by the governement for his efforts in the Great
Patriotic War, by the National Guard Nuzar N., who obviously
wanted to use the apartment for himself. This incident has
caused several court cases so far and found its end at the
Supreme Court of Georgia. A few months before a
member of KUDUKHOV´s family was murdered. This
act was announced by the opponent Nugzar N. before.
Anyway, the Supreme Court decided against KUDUKHOV.
„They didn´t take into account the delicate nature of the
case as the interethnic opposition had led the mentioned
developments. The Supreme Court remained in force the
decision taken by Tbilisi District Court leaving Kudukhov
without hope of justice“, writes Public Movement Multi-
national Georgia in its press release. Together with the
Georgian Association of Ossetians they are protesting
against the decision by the Supreme Court and are calling
upon all international NGO´s dealing with Human Rights
Protection to take into consideration the mentioned fact
and support the efforts of organizations mentioned in
order to achieve a fair hearing of Khudukhov´s case
and other similar cases.
Interesting Newsletter published by Department
For Inter-Ethnic Relations of Romania
The Romanian Department For Inter-Ethnic Relations
is publishing a new newsletter with interesting information
on the work of the department and its sub-offices like the
Office For Roma Issues (ORI) and the Phare
Implementation Unit (PIU). The newsletter is published
once a month, distributed by email and gives a general
look at the actual work of these institutions and their staff.
The Department For Inter-Ethnic Relations of Romania is
headed by Secretary of State Mr Cristian Jura who visited
the FUEN Secretariat General at the beginning of March.
For subscription please send an email to:
Andreea.Gavriliu@dri.gov.ro
Permanent Secretary of Romania visits FUEN
Cristian JURA and Ovidiu GANT in Flensburg
On March 10th the FUEN Secretary General`s office was
visited by the Permanent Secretary Christian Jura, leader
of the Romanian Department for Interethnic Relations. He was
accompanied by Mr Ovidiu GANT, Sub-Secretary for the German
minority, and Ms Luise SCHIFTER-POPESCU, Project-Assistant.
The visit was organized by the Hans Seidel Foundation, which
invited the Permanent Secretary to visit several minority
institutions in Germany.
f.l.t.r.: Ovidiu GANT and Cristian JURA
welcome joint projects with FUEN, which deal with the
Romanian minority situation in particular
During his visit to the FUEN he was informed by FUEN Secretary
General Frank NICKELSEN about the various tasks and aims
of FUEN. In particular a forthcoming seminar in Moldavia,
which is organized by FUEN in cooperation with the local
minorities and which includes a discussion with the Prime Minister
of the Republic of Moldavia Mr Vasilii TARLEV, stood in the focus
of interest.
Also the inclusion of the Romanian Department for Interethnic
Relations in the FUEN Advisory Board was mentioned, after
there had been a visit to the Commissioner for National Minorities
of Schleswig-Holstein and Chairwoman of the FUEN Advisory
Board, Ms Renate SCHNACK, previously.
The delegation was pleased to get an invitation to the next
FUEN Congress of Nationalities at Castle Karmien Slaski
PL) on 20th-22nd of May.
Beside the FUEN Secretary General`s office and the
Commissioner for National Minorities, Ms Renate SCHNACK,
the group also visited the association of Sinti and Roma in
Schleswig-Holstein, the European Centre for Minority Issues (ECMI)
and representatives of the Hans Seidel Foundation in Munich.
Further information available
http://www.hss.de
49th FUEN-Congress of Nationalities
from 19th to 23rd May 2004 in Kamien Slaski / PL
The President of the Federal Union of European
Nationalities (FUEN), MrRomedi Arquint, takes great
pleasure in inviting you to the 48th FUEN-Congress of
Nationalities from 19th to 23rd May 2004 at
Castle Kamien Slaski / PL
The FUEN Assembly of Delegates and opening of the
conference will take place in the Castle Kamien Slaski / PL.
Accomodation is also available at the Castle Kamien Slaski
and - in case of too many requests - the Hotel "Zajazd"
in the near surrounding.
All necessary details such as the programme are available
on following link:
http://www.fuen.org/pages/english/e_5b_2002.html
Youth of European Nationalities celebrates
its 20th anniversary
Easter Seminar from 03th to 09th April 2004
at Christianslyst / Schleswig-Holstein
Within the framework of its annual Easter Seminar on the
03. – 09. of April 2004 the umbrella organisation for youth-
organisations of European minorities „Youth of European
Nationalities – YEN“ will celebrate its 20th anniversary. The
association which succeeded the former youth-organisation
of FUEN was founded in1984 at a meeting in Northern
Schleswig / Sønderjylland (DK). This year the participants are
hosted by the youth-association of the Danish minority in
Southern Schleswig in Germany. To the reception on the
4th of April in the village of Süderbrarup the organisators
expect not just politicians and representatives of several
minority-groups but also many former members of the YEN-board.
Further information is available under:
http://www.yeni.org
Run-up to 1st European Minority Marathon in Flensburg
at September, 5th 2004 in Flensburg
„We would like to invite YOU!“, remarked Ulrich Scholl, Coordinator
of the Organization Committee of the 1.European Minority
Marathon Flensburg, during the EBLUL-meeting „Partnership
for Diversity“ in Flensburg’s Town Hall.
f.l.t.r.: Brezigar, Scholl and Arquint.
He addressed his invitation for the event at ,
5th September 2004 to Bojan BREZIGAR, President of European
Bureau of Lesser Used Languages (EBLUL) and Romedi ARQUINT,
President of FUEN, who encouraged the organizers to
present a sports event in the spirit of international under-
standing, especially in a growing EU.
In a short statement Romedi Arquint pointed at a freshly
designed logo and said, that YOU is not only
a phonetic hint to the first syllable of “European” but
also a wish, that as many athletes as possible may accept the
opportunity of participation. For about five months already
a comprehensive organization-team has been working “behind closed
doors” to be ready to host of the first marathon
event in Flensburg
„We look forward to the participation of runners and speed-
skaters throughout Europe, who would like to test a new
marathon route and get to know with a very
pleasant region, called Schleswig / Sønderjylland, and its
people. We would like to extend a very cordial welcome to the
people of the member organizations of FUEN to
the Secretary General`s office of FUEN and the European
Centre for Minority Issues (ECMI) here in Flensburg,
where those organizations have created
a big competence based on experiences”, explained Michael
DIEDOLPH and Gernot W. THOMSEN from the organization
committee of YOU!MM
The website of a/m event is available at:
http://www.flensburgmarathon.de
Partnership for Diversity Forum in Flensburg
Internationale Konferenz der EBLUL in Flensburg
The European Bureau for Lesser Used Languages (EBLUL)
is organizing a language and minority conference under the
title „ Partnership for Diversity Forum 2004 - Living Languages
and Cultures – Best Practice in Border Regions" from the 18th
– 21st February. This conference which is organized in
cooperation with the minorities living in the German-Danish-
Frisian region takes place in the town hall of Flensburg and
will be opened by the Minister President of Schleswig-Holstein,
Ms Heide Simonis, and the tMayor of the County Sønderjylland
Mr Carl Holst.
The congress consists of several workshops which all deal
with Europe´s language variety, and will partly be held in
cooperation with the local minorities directly on the spot.
Excursions are planned to the Danish minority, to the „Dane-
virkegarden“ (where a.o. the Sinti and Roma in Schleswig-Holstein
will introduce themselves), to the Frisians in Northern Friesland
and to Åbenrå / Apenrade (Germans in Denmark).
FUEN President Romedi Arquint will explain the border-crossing
cooperation of Switzerland and France in his capacity as
Rhaetian in Switzerland, while FUEN Vice President and
Chairman of the Germans in Denmark Hans Heinrich Hansen
will describe the cultural variety of Denmark.
The programme is available at:
Partnership for Diversity Forum in Flensburg
Anders Tilly / Region Skåne visits FUEN
A few days ago the delegate in the region of Skåne / Sweden,
Anders Tilly, visited the FUEN Secretariat General in Flensburg.
Mr Tilly was accompanied by Ms Lisa Staeves who had built up
the contact. He used the opportunity to talk with FUEN Vice
President Hans Heinrich Hansen and the chairwoman of the
FUEN Advisory Board, the commissioner for minorities in
Schleswig-Holstein Ms Renate Schnack. He was also
introduced by FUEN Secretary General Mr Frank Nickelsen
to the work and aims of the FUEN.
f.l.t.r.: Hansen, Staeves, Schnack, Tilly.
All participants agreed to intensify the contact with the region of
Skåne. First steps in this direction was the invitation to the next
FUEN congress in Kamien Slaski as well as a return visit to the
region of Skåne.
Special EU Commissioner for Minority Integration demanded
SPÖ-MEP: EU has to make active politics for Sinti and Roma
Some days ago the exhibition „Roma Policies in Austria,
the European Union and beyond“ took place in the
European Parliament in Brussels. It was realized on the
initiative of the SPÖ delegation in the European
Parliament and led by the head of the delegation MEP
Hannes Swoboda and MEP Christa Prets from the Austrian
region of Burgenland.
With this exhibition and a sweeping panel discussion
on the Austrian experiences relating to the ethnic group
of the Roma and Sinti the Austrian delegation of the
Social Democrats wanted to achieve two things: To bring
in mind the problems of integration of one of the biggest
ethnic groups in Europe and, at the same time, to show the
experiences of the Sinti and Roma with European
integration. Europe must not just make politics to
support Sinti and Roma but must also develop and
realize these policies in cooperation with them“, said
Swoboda explaining the motivation of the MEP´s.
Christa Prets
The challenge for Europe is enormous in quality
as well as quantity, Christra Prets says. There are
about 8 million Sinti and Roma living in Europe, of
which 70 per cent live in Central and Eastern Europe
and the Balkan Region. Prets: „The integration of these
minorities into society is an important factor, just
because of the EU-enlargement on the 1st of May
and the following steps.“ Looking at the demographic
development the only answer for the future could be:
„More chances through better education and initiatives
for more jobs.“
So both MEP´s demand extensive minority politics which
work strongly against exclusion and discrimination. These
politics must motivate, support and complement national,
regional and local measures. „And of course the participation
of the Roma and Sinti themselves must be of special
importance“, stresses Swoboda.
Further details:
http://www.spe.at
http://www.spe.at/default.asp?Hauptmenue=Aktuelles&ID=1376
FUEN-president Romedi Arquint welcomes the initiative
of both EU politicians. But Arquint would not limit such a
commissioner to Sinti and Roma but have him expand
on to a multitude of national minorities and authochthonous
language groups. „A lot of minorities in Europe should
benefit from such a commissioner!“
Structural Reform in Denmark
German Minority worries about its Influence
The political discussion in Denmark is dominated by a forthcoming
reform of the local structures in the kingdom. In this connection the
German minority expresses great worries about its political
influence in the future.
The main aim of several suggestions which have been made by
a group of experts is an efficient administration solution by
creating greater units.
At the moment Denmark is structured into three different
corporations: local communities, counties and the state-level,
all of them with their own competence of tax levy and different
tasks. It is expected that there will be no local communities of
below 30.000 inhabitants after the communal and countyreforms.
The German minority, led by its chairman and FUEN Vicepresident
Hans Heinrich Hansen, is worried about losing its influence not
just in the perception of the decision makers but also in concrete
politics after the reform. In bigger communities and regions it
will be much harder for the minority to get political mandates.
At the moment the political representation of the minority, the
„Schleswigan Party (SP), is represented in five local councils
and with one mandate in the county council. „ Without special
regulations the SP will have no chances to be represented in
the council of a big region“, said the chairman of the party,
Gerhard Mammen, in an interview with the German newspaper
in Denmark „Der Nordschleswiger“ some days ago.
In particular the dissolution of the county of „Sønderjylland /
Nordschleswig“, which cannot be prevented as it seems at the
moment, is regretted not just by the German minority but also
by many Danish minded inhabitants.
More detailed information about the structural reforms in
Denmark can be found on the websites of the German
newspaper in Denmark „Der Nordschleswiger“ (in the German
language) under:
www.nordschleswiger.dk
49th FUEN Congress of Nationalities in Kamien Slaski
FUEN delegation for preparation talks in Opole
The 49th FUEN Congress of Nationalities will take place
on 19th – 23th May 2004 in Kamien Slaski. This is the result
of talks of the representatives of FUEN (Vicepresident Hans
Heinrich HANSEN and Secretary General Mr Frank NICKELSEN)
with the hosts in Poland (Vicemarshall of the Wojwodztwo
Opolskie , Mr Ryszard GALLA as well as the Vicepresident
of the Wojwodztwo, Mr Richard DONITZA).
F.l.t.r.: Nickelsen, Galla, Donitza and Hansen
Within the framework of these congress preparations the
FUEN representatives took the opportunity to discuss all
technical matters which are necessary for events like this.
But also topics and contents of the congress were discussed:
While all FUEN member-organisations in Poland will get the
opportunity to introduce themselves, the forthcoming Congress
of Nationalities will focus on the EU-enlargment.
Further details will be available on the FUEN webside soon.
Dialogue Forum North established
Minorities in the German-Danish border region form a joint forum
On the 19th January what is known as the „Dialogue
Forum North“ was introduced to the media. The Dialogue
Forum North is an informal platform of the
Danish minority in Germany, the Frisians (Friisk Foriining
and Nordfriesischer Verein), the Sinti and Roma, the
Commissioner for Minority Issues of the Minister President
of Schleswig-Holstein, the German border associations, the
„Jaruplund Højskole“, der Akademie Sankelmark, the
Nordfriisk Instituut and the FUEN.
f.l.t.r.: Hans Heinrich Hansen (German minority in Denmark),
Dieter Küssner (Danish minority in Germany), Matthäus Weiß
(Council of Sinti and Roma – Schleswig-Holstein) and
Ingwer Nommensen (Frisian minority in Germany).
By the use of information, coordination and cooperation
the assertion of political demands, dealing with minority
issues, will be improved without limiting the independence
of the member organizations and institutions.
The Commissioner for Minority Issues of the Minister
President of Schleswig-Holstein, Mrs Renate Schnack,
and the Chairman of the Committee for European Affairs
of the Regional Parliament of Schleswig-Holstein, Mr Rolf
Fischer, are entrusted with the coordination of the forum.
The Dialogue Forum North is planning to cooperate with
other groups and organizations for concrete events and
topics as it was already done on the study-trip to Brussels
in November 2003.
The press conference yesterday was also planned as a
first meeting of the forum with the Federal Government
Commissioner for Matters Related to Repatriates
and National Minorities in Germany, MP Jochen Welt. The
Dialogue Forum North desires an inspiring and deep
cooperation with the the Federal Commissioner and offers
its experience, possibilities and ideas for forthcoming
projects in return.
f.l.t.r.: Dr. Detlev Rein (Head of Section at the Federal
Ministry of the Interior), MP Jochen Welt (Federal
Government Commissioner for Matters Related to Repatriates
and National Minorities), Renate Schnack (Commissioner
for Minority Issues of the Minister President of Schleswig-
Holstein) and MdL Rolf Fischer (Chairman of the Committee
for European Affairs of the Regional Parliament of
Schleswig-Holstein)
Friisk Foriining welcomes initiative for Frisian legislation
Die Friisk Foriining ist erfreut darüber, dass der
SSW im Schleswig-Holsteinischen Landtag eine
Friisk Foriining welcomes initiative for Frisian legislation
The Friisk Foriining welcomes the initiative for a special
law to support the Frisian culture and language which
was brought into the Regional Parliament of Schleswig-
Holstein by the SSW (Party of Danish and Frisian
minority in Southern Schleswig).
„It´s an old demand of the Frisians that being Frisian
and speaking Frisian must have more space in public
life. By a special law, which makes clear how Frisian will
be protected and supported in the future, the Federal
State creates a good basis for the Frisian work in Northern
Friesland and on the island of Heligoland“, said Chairman
Jörgen Jensen Hahn.
Hahn expressed the necessity that this „Frisian Law“be
judged by European criteria. „By a special law for the
support of the Frisian we fulfill standards here in
Schleswig-Holstein which are also valid in other countries
and regions where minorities live.“