Participants of the 27th AGSM Seminar see extremism as a clear and present danger

21.11.2024

The political situation, and especially the increased right-wing extremism is a current concern of Slavic nationalities in Europe. 14 nationalities from 11 countries took part between 14-17 November 2024 in the 27th AGSM Seminar in Košice, Slovakia, hosted by the Czech Association in Slovakia.

„The political situation is very critical in some countries. This also applies to the terrible war in Ukraine, which particularly affects us as AGSM. Nationalist thinking is gaining more and more influence. An important question is how language and culture can be preserved in the face of political uncertainty” – said AGSM Speaker Hartmut Leipner in his introductory speech.

He reminded the participants that the situation of autochthonous minorities has deteriorated significantly throughout Europe in the last decade. There are positive examples, but negative trends are emerging, for example in the Baltic States, where Russian schools are being closed, but also in Poland. In countries that have ratified the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities and the Language Charter, the recommendations of the Convention are increasingly being ignored. This was highlighted by the main resolution of the FUEN Congress in Husum.

The concerns of the AGSM Speaker were also reflected in the presentations of the representatives of the members of the Working Community of Slavic Minorities and Nationalities. Right-wing extremism is increasing in many countries, which also has an impact on the work of national minority organisations. The rise of extremism, the lack or not ideal state of schooling in minority languages, the deficiencies in the implementation of minority laws, alongside the decrease of the communities shown by recent census data were recurring problems many of them have to face.

The chairwoman of the Czech Association, MUDr. D. Takácsová, recommended for the next meeting discussing the question of identity, the involvement of young people in the work of nationalities and the possibilities for cross-border cultural exchange between members of the working group.

The participants expressed their high esteem for Dr. Ewgen Župan, who attended the meeting on behalf of the Rusyns in Ukraine. Dr. Župan is a paediatrician and heads the corresponding department at the hospital in the Ukrainian city of Mukachevo. Every day he saves the lives of children who have been injured in war zones.

During the visit to the area around Košice and to the town of Stará Ľubovňa, the AGSM members were given an insight into the eventful history of the multicultural region of Eastern Slovakia and head the chance to meet town representatives to exchange ideas on minority protection on the local level.

Here you can find the photo gallery of the Seminar. 

Here you can find the Slovak translation of the AGSM Broschure. 

The AGSM

Established in 1996 and currently uniting 33 member organisations, the Working Group of Slavic Minorities is a well-established working group in the FUEN network, whose annual seminars of Slavic minorities in Europe, each organised at a different location, have a long tradition. In 2017, the coordination of the AGSM was taken over by the FUEN Coordination Office, which meant that the working group's long-standing efforts to further develop and professionalise its activities could finally be realised.