AGDM Conference 2024: German Minorities Seek Support Amid Budget Cuts
The 33rd Annual Conference of the Working Group of German Minorities (AGDM) concluded in Berlin, with over 40 representatives from 17 countries in Europe and Central Asia attending. The event, held from October 13 to 16, 2024, discussed alternative financing for educational projects due to budget cuts and emphasized the importance of supporting German minorities.
The conference, attended by delegates including Yevgeniy Bolgert, Olga Stein, and Kristina Larina from Kazakhstan, highlighted the role of German minorities as bridge builders and partners in economic and cultural cooperation. Despite budget cuts, support for these minorities in Eastern Europe and Central Asia was maintained in 2025.
Participants adopted an appeal to German politics to continue treating the promotion of German minorities as a foreign policy priority. Maintaining and potentially increasing financial support was emphasized as crucial. The conference focused on discussions with decision-makers from the CDU/CSU, SPD, Foreign Office, and Federal Ministry of the Interior and for Homeland.
Parallel to the main conference, the 3rd AGDM Youth Conference took place, with Sebastian Arion from Romania elected as the new youth coordinator. Maulen Ashimbayev, Chairman of the Senate and Senator of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan, participated in the conference.
The 33rd AGDM conference ended with a focus on securing support for German minorities despite budget cuts. The event underscored the importance of these minorities in fostering cooperation and understanding. The election of Sebastian Arion as youth coordinator and the participation of Maulen Ashimbayev from Kazakhstan highlighted the international scope and relevance of the conference.
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