39th Federal Union of European Nationalities Congress in South Tyrol

The 69th Federal Union of European Nationalities (FUEN) Congress was held in Bozen/Bolzano from 23 to 25th October. With a festive ceremony at the Hotel Four Points by Sheraton, the 69th Annual Congress of FUEN officially opened in Bozen / Bulsan / Bolzano. This year’s host is the South Tyrolean People’s Party (Südtiroler Volkspartei, SVP), representing the German and Ladin minorities in South Tyrol (Italy). Until Sunday, representatives of autochthonous national minorities, nationalities and language groups from over 30 European countries will discuss current developments and future strategies in minority policy. A YEN (Youth of European Nationalities) delegation took part in the 69th FUEN Congress in South Tyrol – a fantastic opportunity to bring the voice of youth into shaping the future of the minority world and to connect with communities from all across Europe. YEN President Louis Albert-Becker (also a member of the FUEN Presidium) and Enora Le Louarn, Convenor for Member Integration, were active delegates in the General Assembly and important voices in decision-making processes.

The meeting enjoyed learning more about the German minority in South Tyrol and the Ladin community– two inspiring examples of how cultural diversity can thrive. We also had the chance to dive into the actual minority themes through panel discussions, which set out a vision for the future of minority policy in Europe. The Congress was not only a place for exchange but also for connection – with inspiring discussions, cultural highlights such as visits to the Haselburg in Bozen and the Neustift Monastery, and many new friendships.

“Being united in diversity – this is our message from Bolzano to all decision-makers in Europe.” a session dedicated to the hosting minorities of South Tyrol, moderated by André Comploi and featuring Daniel Alfreider, FUEN Vice-President and Deputy Governor of South Tyrol, Harald Stauder, SVP Parliamentary Group Leader, and Herbert Dorfmann, Member of the European Parliament. Through personal insights, video messages and a musical performance by the female vocal quartet Tel Tipes, the discussion illustrated how the German- and Ladin-speaking com the delegates reviewed reports, discussed financial plans and prepared key decisions for the upcoming Presidium elections.

The delegates also debated and adopted twelve resolutions, addressing a wide range of political, linguistic and human-rights issues affecting minority communities across Europe and beyond:

The right for the Dodecanese Turks to use “Turkish” as a designation for their cultural identity;

Resolution on linguistic choice in the Spanish justice system;

Violation of the freedom of association of the “Turkish Community” in Western Thrace;

Right of the People of Pays Nantais (Loire-Atlantique) to decide on reunification with Brittany;

Support on the education in Breton;

The rights of the Macedonian national minority in the Republic of Albania;

On the return of the Meskhetian Turks and the strengthening of Georgia’s European integration;

Support to the Greenlandic Inuit;

Support to the Kanaky people in New Caledonia in a colonial context;

Protecting minority rights and strengthening democracy in Europe;

Ensuring the survival of the existence of the Greek-Orthodox Minority in Istanbul;

For the protection of the rights of the indigenous Crimean Tatar people and the national minorities in Ukraine have built a strong model of coexistence and autonomy that continues to inspire regions across Europe.


Following the presentations, the delegates proceeded to the elections. After the votes were counted, Olivia Schubert from the National Self-Government of Germans in Hungary (Landesselbstverwaltung der Ungarndeutschen, LdU) was elected as FUEN President for the 2025–2028 term, receiving 180 of 260 valid votes. In addition to the presidential election, the delegates also elected the new FUEN Vice Presidents, confirming


Bahne Bahnsen (Friisk Foriining e.V., Germany),

Sterica Fudulea (Armãn Community from Romania),

Nabi Ibraimtzik (Federation of Western Thrace Turks in Europe),

Hartmut Leipner (Domowina – Zwězk Łužyskich Serbow / Zwjazk Łužiskich Serbow – Union of Lusatian Sorbs, Germany)

Harald Stauder (South Tyrolean People’s Party, Italy), and

Balázs Tárnok (Hungarian Alliance – Magyar Szövetség – Maďarská Aliancia, Slovakia).