AT HOME – FEELING HOME: Hungarian Diaspora Council Proposes 2025 as the Year of Future Generations

Petra Lipóth, Honorary Consul and President of the Auckland Hungarian Club, represented the Hungarian diaspora of New Zealand at the 13th Session of the Hungarian Diaspora Council in Budapest on November 20, where diaspora leaders from four continents gathered to consult and share their visions.

The Council unanimously adopted the proposal to designate 2025 as the Year of Future Generations. In the closing statement sent to the Hungarian News Agency (MTI), the Council emphasized that the aim is to achieve peace, ensure the safety of the Hungarian nation and families, protect shared achievements, and secure continuity. The Council paid tribute to Árpád János Potápi, the recently deceased State Secretary for National Policy, who dedicated his life to the cause of a united Hungarian nation. Honoring his life’s work, diaspora leaders expressed their commitment to continuing the efforts he had led.

Deputy Prime Minister Zsolt Semjén nominated Member of Parliament Lőrinc Nacsa for the position of State Secretary for National Policy under the Prime Minister’s Office. President Tamás Sulyok officially appointed him effective November 15.

For Hungarians living in New Zealand, it is important to note that Dr. Péter Szilágyi, Deputy State Secretary for National Policy, will visit Auckland in February to attend the 2nd Hungarian Festival and Market, and to connect with the Hungarian community living furthest from the motherland.

The Council members highlighted the importance of the consistent and high-quality work of weekend Hungarian schools, along with the professional progress achieved in this area. They emphasized the significance of the cooperation between Széchenyi István University of Győr and the Apáczai Csere János Faculty, which provides support for teachers working in the diaspora.

Participants welcomed the expansion of accredited master courses that broaden training opportunities, and expressed confidence that traditional diaspora programmes—such as Students Without Borders and ReConnect Hungary—will attract an increasing number of young people.

They were also pleased to note that the Diaspora Higher Education Scholarship Programme, launched in 2021 for university students of Hungarian descent, was expanded in 2024 to include a Summer University component.

The Council voiced its support for the continuation of programmes that strengthen the connection of young people to the motherland and the Carpathian Basin, including the Diaspora Programme of the Rákóczi Association. They also welcomed the increased number of scholarship recipients in 2024 under the Kőrösi Csoma Sándor Programme, which further strengthened the organisational life of Hungarian communities abroad.

Council members praised the results of the "Hazaváró" ("Welcome Home") service and the seamless, user-friendly assistance system supporting returning families.

Communities were encouraged to organize events marking the 150th anniversary of Kuno Klebelsberg’s birth and the 200th anniversary of Mór Jókai’s birth.

Attendees also emphasized the importance of preparing for the 70th anniversary of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution and Freedom Fight, aiming to preserve the legacy of those who emigrated during that time.

The session underlined the bridge-building role of diaspora communities between Hungary and the countries in which they live and integrate.