Newsletter of the Non-Kin-State WG 2022/1

Dear members of the WG Non-Kin-State, dear friends,

With this newsletter I would like to inform you about the news from our working group Non-Kin-State:

1. News: Annual meeting of the WG Non-Kin-State has taken place in Velingrad/Bulgaria in 2022.
   From 31 August to 03 September 2022, representatives of ten different minorities without a kin state from several European countries met for the annual meeting of the Working Group Non-Kin-State in Velingrad, Bulgaria. Thematically, the meeting was dedicated to the topic of "community developement", which is of great relevance for the Pomaks in Bulgaria and also for many other Non-Kin-State minorities. In addition, the meeting focused on the culture, language, institutions and other challenges of the Pomaks. The annual meeting was covered on FUEN channels, and press releases are available on the FUEN website. A selection of photos taken during the event is available in the gallery of the WG Non-Kin-State website.
   
   
2. News: FUEN Vice President Bahne Bahnsen was elected to another term 2022-2025 as spokesperson for the Non-Kin-State Working Group.
   At the annual meeting of the Non-Kin-State Working Group in Velingrad, Bulgaria the elections of the spokesperson of the WG have taken place. After the term of FUEN Vice President Bahne Bahnsen ended in 2019-2022, Bahne Bahnsen stood for election for another term. The voting member organizations in attendance unanimously elected Bahne Bahnsen to serve another term 2022-2025 as spokesperson for the Non-Kin-State Working Group. We congratulate Bahne Bahnsen on his re-election and wish him success for another term.
   
   
3. News: The website of the Non-Kin-State working group was presented.
   At the annual meeting of the Non-Kin-State Working Group in Velingrad, Bulgaria, the new website of the Non-Kin-State Working Group was presented. The website serves the exchange of information within the WG and should also strengthen the presence and visibility of the Non-Kin-State communities in the public. Furthermore, the website shall present the activities of the WG. You can access the website through the following link: https://nks.fuen.org/
   
   
4. News: Reminder - sending the questionnaires for the brochure of the WG Non-Kin-State
   In 2022 we are working on the production of the brochure of the WG Non-Kin-State. Thank you to all participating organizations who have already filled out their forms and sent them to us along with pictures. Members who have not yet been able to send the questionnaire, I would kindly ask them to send the completed questionnaire to officeberlin@fuen.org by 28/10/2022.
   
   
5. News: Invitation to the working meeting of the Non-Kin-State WG at the 2022 FUEN Congress in Berlin.
   The 66th FUEN Congress will be held in Berlin, Germany from September 29 - October 2, 2022. There will be a working meeting of the Non-Kin-State WG on Friday, September 30, 2022 at 11:00. Members and friends of the WG Non-Kin-State among Congress participants are cordially invited. There will be presentations at the meeting. Furthermore, priorities for the work of the WG in 2023 will be set. An agenda will be sent to congress participants and friends of the WG Non-Kin-State in due time.
   
   
6. News: Location and host for the annual meeting of the WG Non-Kin-State 2023 wanted.
   In 2023, the WG Non-Kin-State would again like to organize an annual meeting in cooperation with a hosting Non-Kin-State minority community. For this, the WG needs a local partner organization. We would be happy to receive proposals and initiatives from potential hosts for the annual meeting of the WG 2023. Proposals are welcome to be sent to officeberlin@fuen.org by 28/09/22. Then the Non-Kin-State WG can discuss the proposals at the Congress meeting on 30/09/22 and possibly determine a venue for the 2023 Annual Meeting.
   
   
7. News: Topics sought for the 2023 activities and focus of the Non-Kin-State WG.
   After the Non-Kin-State Working Group focused on "Tourism as a Tool for Strengthening Non-Kin-State Communities" in 2021 and "Community Developement" in 2022, we would like to determine a focus topic for 2023. Suggested topics are welcome to be sent to officeberlin@fuen.org by 28/09/22. Then the Non-Kin-State WG can discuss the topic suggestions at the 30/09/22 Congressional meeting and possibly determine a focus topic for WG activity in 2023.

Arvid Martens is available for your questions, ideas and suggestions! Feel free to write to him at officeberlin@fuen.org

On behalf of the FUEN Presidium and the entire FUEN team, I wish you all the best. See you at the congress in Berlin.

Bahne Bahnsen,

FUEN Vice President