FUEN – Federal Union of European Nationalities
The Federal Union of European Nationalities (FUEN) is the umbrella organisation of the autochthonous minorities of Europe. FUEN was founded in 1949 and today represents more than 90 organisations of the European minorities from more than 30 European countries.
According to its statutes and the Charter for the autochthonous national minorities, FUEN works for the preservation and promotion of the identity, language, culture, rights and traditions of the European minorities. FUEN is representing the interests of the European minorities / ethnic groups on a regional, national and European level and is the voice of the minorities at international organisations, particularly at the European Union, the Council of Europe, as well as at the UN and the OSCE.
The preservation of linguistic diversity and active language promotion, using the minority languages, is a central aim in the engagement of FUEN. FUEN wants that a coherent language policy be developed, which integrates the regional and minority languages. FUEN is an experienced organisation in the field of language policy and preservation of linguistic diversity.
Contact
FUEN / FUEV
Federal Union of European Nationalities
Föderalistische Union Europäischer Volksgruppen
Schiffbrücke 41
D-24939 Flensburg
Germany
Tel.: +49 461 128 55
Fax: +49 461 180 70 9
Email: info@fuen.org
Internet: www.fuen.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/FUEN.FUEV.UFCE
YEN – Youth of European Nationalities
The Youth of European Nationalities (YEN) is a network of 40 youth organisations of the autochthonous national minorities in Europe. YEN works for the interests of the minorities – central in its commitment is the minority youth. Together with its member organisations, YEN is striving to establish a dynamic and lively network of youth organisations of all the minorities in a multi-cultural and a multilingual Europe.
The main aim of YEN is the preservation and development of the culture, language, identity and rights of the autochthonous, national minorities. Under its slogan “Living Diversity – Vielfalt leben”, YEN works for the preservation of the linguistic and cultural diversity of Europe and for participation in a European civil society, which is founded on values such as tolerance and equality, diversity and multilingualism, as well as on non-discrimination.
A particular aim is the work with youth and young adults. The contacts that arise and the knowledge about diversity and problems of cultures, stimulate young people’s engagement and allow them to act confidently as advocate for their own minority and for the European minorities in general.
Contact
YEN – JEV
Jugend Europäischer Volksgruppen
Youth of European Nationalities
Postfach 640228
D-10048 Berlin
Germany
E-Mail: office@yeni.org
Internet: www.yeni.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/yeni.org
Domowina / WITAJ-Sprachzentrum
Domowina is a politically independent federation of the Sorbs and the umbrella organisation of the Sorbian associations in Lower and Upper Lusatia (Germany). Domowina represents the interests of the Sorbian people and is mainly working in the settlement area of the Sorbs in Brandenburg and Saxony.
Since its foundation in 1912, Domowina is advocating for the preservation, development, promotion and dissemination of the language, culture and traditions of the Sorbian people. As an umbrella association it supports and unifies the Sorbs and the Sorbian organisations and represents their interests in public, in parliaments, institutions and administrations on the municipal, regional, federal and also on the international level.
The WITAJ-Language Center was founded in 2001 as an independent department of Domowina – Federation of Lusatian Sorbs. It is located in Bautzen/Budyšin, and has a second location in Cottbus/Chośebuz that is responsible for Lower Lusatia.
The word witaj means hello / welcome.
It is the task of the WITAJ-Language Center to develop activities in order to preserve and spread the Upper and Lower Sorbian language. Its main focus lies in the authentic and animated transmission of the Sorbian languages in kindergartens and schools. Adult education is provided through language courses on the one hand and through training for educators and teachers on the other hand.
The Language Center provides modern and attractive teaching materials and organises language projects with an experience-orientated approach. WITAJ is also the editor of the children’s magazine “Płomjo” and the teacher’s magazine “Serbska šula” (“Sorbian School”).
Contact
Domowina − Federation of Lusatian Sorbs e. V.
WITAJ-Language Centre Bautzen
Postplatz 3
02625 Bautzen
Germany
Tel.: 03591 / 550 400
Fax: 03591 / 550 375
E-Mail: witaj-bautzen@sorben.com
Internet: www.witaj-sprachzentrum.de
Facebook: www.facebook.com/domowina.witajsprachzentrum
Syneupedia VoG (Synergies for European Pedagogy)
The German-speaking Community in Belgium (acronym DG) forms an independent and largely sovereignly acting entity, which is integrated in the federal structures of Belgium.
SYNEUPEDIA VoG is an association of experienced teachers from different European Member States that have already worked successfully in several European projects of their respective institutions. The objective of SYNEUPEDIA is to promote educational initiatives, projects and to prepare publications in the European Union. The association consists of individuals, associations, foundations, institutions and companies.
Contact
Syneupedia VoG
Asteneter Straße 61
B-4711 Walhorn
Belgium
E-Mail: geonickuppens@hotmail.com
Region Syddanmark and its Growth Centre – success for the German-Danish region
The region Syddanmark comprises the south of Northern Jutland (north of the river Kongeå), the northern part of Southern Jutland (south of the river Kongeå) and the island Funen; its capital is Vejle. The main competence of the region is health care. Furthermore the region is responsible for regional development and cross-border German-Danish cooperation. The region Syddanmark has 1.18 million inhabitants; approximately one third of the inhabitants speak both German and Danish. The region Syddanmark is the biggest employer of the region with around 25,000 employees.
The region Syddanmark is the lead partner of the project “Growth Centre – success for the German-Danish region”. The “Growth Centre” shall contribute to the development of the region northern Schleswig Holstein – Syddanmark from a border region into a growth region. This shall be realised in three project phases.
In this lead project, all the important actors of the region Syddanmark-Schleswig- K.E.R.N. could be united in order to promote the cross-border advantages and strength of this region. The Growth Centre-project, which is funded by the European Regional Development Fund, will run till 31 December 2013.
Contact
Wachstumszentrum
Vækstcentret
Plantagevej 4
DK-6330 Padborg
Denmark
Tel.: +45 73 67 41 26
E-Mail: info@vaekstcentret.eu
Internet: www.wachstumszentrum.eu