- Communiqués de presse
The Federal Union of European Nationalities (FUEN) will have its 63rd Annual Congress in Leeuwarden Ljouwert, the Netherlands, between 20-24 June 2018.
Europe’s largest umbrella organisation for national minorities and linguistic groups and its West Frisian member organisation, Ried fan de Fryske Beweging have prepared an unforgettable event in the European Capital of Culture 2018.
A colourful agenda, great cultural moments and meetings with the local community are waiting for the more than 200 participants coming from all parts of Europe, representing the 98 FUEN member organisations from 33 countries.
“Fryslân is one of Europe’s most renowned minority regions. We will learn about the life and society of the West Frisians. As every year we will discuss the situation and the challenges of the European minorities. After a successful campaign for the Minority SafePack Initiative, FUEN’s biggest project ever, this is the time to celebrate at the Congress, but also to carefully plan the next steps of our project” – said the President of the FUEN, Loránt Vincze. Further main topics of the FUEN Congress 2018 will be the language diversity in Europe, the current situation of the Frisian community in the Netherlands, and sharing good practices and working models in minority protection.
Important personalities from the Netherlands and Europe will take part in the event, including Fernand de Varennes (UN Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues), Ferd Crone (Mayor of Leeuwarden), Paul Bekkers (OSCE), Árpád János Potápi (State Secretary in the Hungarian Government), Bernd Fabritius (Commissioner in the German Federal Ministry of the Interior, Building and Community), Bob Deen (Office of the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities), Geart Benedictus (Chair of The Council of the Frisian Movement), and Tjeerrd van Bekkum (CEO of the European Capital of Culture 2018).
Arrival to the WestCord WTC Hotel Leeuwarden is on Wednesday, 20 June 2018 where the traditional Minority Market will take place in the evening. The Congress will start with the official opening on Thursday, 21 June 2018 and continues on Friday, 22 June 2018. The Assembly of Delegates will be held on Saturday, 23 June 2018 followed by a cultural evening, which will conclude the FUEN Congress program.
Further information on the FUEN Congress 2018: congress2018.fuen.org
