THE HUNGARIAN DIASPORA COUNCIL HELD A SESSION IN BUDAPEST

On October 15, the Hungarian Diaspora Council held its 14th session, where Petra Lipóth, Hungary’s Honorary Consul in Auckland, represented the Hungarian community of New Zealand. Each session concludes with the adoption of a closing statement that provides direction and encouragement to Hungarian communities living around the world.

The closing statement includes the adoption of the following goals and values: The members of the council agree that the foundation of the future of the Hungarian nation lies in the preservation of peace, the support of families, the strengthening of national unity, and the protection of our identity. They express their conviction that the development of communities can only be ensured in a peaceful environment; that strengthening Hungarian families guarantees the survival of the nation; that the sense of belonging makes the Hungarians of the Carpathian Basin and the world whole; and that our most important task is to preserve our language, culture, and traditions for future generations.

The members of the council reaffirm that, from the perspective of youth education, it is of utmost importance to preserve, nurture, and pass on to future generations the legacy of our national history and Christian Hungarian traditions, which connect generations.

The members of the council express their gratitude to the Hungarian diaspora organizations that sustain our centuries-old historical traditions, as well as to the churches and scouting organizations for their dedicated service in youth education and community building.

The members of the council trust that the Diaspora School Camp Program, organized by the Hungarian Scout Association Abroad and enjoying great popularity, will help strengthen the identity of young Hungarians in as many new locations as possible.

The members of the council consider the continuous, high-quality work taking place in weekend Hungarian schools to be of particular importance and look forward to the expansion and strengthening of the professional methodological network established within the framework of the Weekend Hungarian Schools Conference, which will once again take place in person in 2025.

The members of the council express their gratitude for the effective cooperation with the Apáczai Csere János Faculty of Széchenyi István University in Győr, which provides extensive professional support to teachers educating in the diaspora. They acknowledge that, within this cooperation, an online platform is available free of charge for teachers to share best practices.

The members of the council welcome that, alongside the accredited postgraduate program and the Master Course for professionals teaching Hungarian language and culture in the diaspora, a new micro-certificate training course has been added this year to the training opportunities for teachers at weekend Hungarian schools. The members of the council also welcome the educational conferences and language teaching programs taking place in various parts of the world.

The members of the council express their hope that an increasing number of young people will be reached by traditionally successful diaspora programs such as the Students Without Boundaries program (Hungarian Cultural Mobile Camp) and the ReConnect Hungary – Hungarian Birthright Program, as well as by new initiatives such as the HYPE Network Program (Hungarian Young Professional Engagement Network).

The members of the council continue to consider it especially important to strengthen the identity and connections of young adults who play an active role in Hungarian diaspora organizations, as well as to support the activities of youth organizations operating in the diaspora. They express their joy that following the establishment of the European Hungarian Youth Council, young people in Canada have also united under the name Canadian Hungarian Youth Council.

The members of the council support the continuation of programs that strengthen young people's attachment to the motherland and the Carpathian Basin, such as the operation of the Rákóczi Association's Diaspora Program.

The members of the council express their delight that the Diaspora Higher Education Scholarship Program, launched in 2021 for university students of Hungarian descent, was expanded in 2024 with a Summer University training component.

The members of the council welcome the World Hungarians Network Program of the University of Pécs, operating since 2015, which contributes to maintaining relations among diaspora organizations and between Hungarians in the Carpathian Basin and the diaspora. Within this framework, the establishment of the World Hungarians School and the World Hungarians Media Network are also taking place. The members of the council express their joy that the Kőrösi Csoma Sándor Program continues with an increased number of scholarship recipients, thanks to which the organizational life of Hungarian communities living in the diaspora is further strengthened.

The members of the council welcome the results of the Hazaváró (“Welcome Home”) service and the smooth, customer-friendly operation of the system assisting returning families. They are pleased that, starting in September, the service has been expanded with a program that helps returning students integrate into Hungary’s national public education system.

The members of the council welcome that the Hungarian Diaspora Digital Civic Circle, initiated and founded within the Hungarian diaspora to foster unity and orientation, has found widespread support.

The members of the council consider it important to prepare for the dignified commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the 1956 Revolution and War of Independence, preserving the heritage of the Hungarians who emigrated at that time.

They will continue to strengthen cooperation among Hungarian communities and the bridge role of diaspora communities between the motherland and the countries that integrate them.

The members of the council believe that Hungarians living scattered around the world are, in terms of public law as well, part of the Hungarian nation and wish to participate in the most important decisions affecting its fate. They remain committed to promoting the registration of non-resident Hungarians with Hungarian citizenship and their participation in next year’s parliamentary elections. The members of the organizations express their commitment to enforcing the principles set out above and to carrying out the designated tasks.