The Hungarian Diaspora Council held a regular conference at the beginning of this week. The Council welcomed its new members declaring that they are open for wider and deeper cooperation. The Hungarian Diaspora Council was founded in November, 2011.

According to its statue of foundation the Hungarians living in diaspora – 20 years after the regime change – will get adequate attention in national policy. The Council is the common forum of organizations related to Hungarians living worldwide that advocates the claims and interests of them. The Council also endeavours to enable the diaspora community self representation. During the conference various organizations, state and party officials were present.

Beside its other activities the organizations belonging to the Hungarian Diaspora Council will have a meaningful role in promoting Hungary’s favourable image worldwide. The diaspora organizations will be briefed on a daily basis by Ferenc Kumin, Deputy State Secretary for International Communications Office in the Prime Minister’s Office. Through this activity the International Communications Office will be able to reach out around the world contributing to the restoration of the country’s credibility judgement.

In the closing document of the conference the members of the Council declared that they support the consulates’ advising activity related to the citizenship application process and popularization of different citizenship issues. The participants also greeted the newly launched Julianus program aimed at making a complete registry about the Hungarian heritages worldwide including buildings, artifacts, plaques, streets, libraries, archives and museums.

The Hungarian Diaspora Council supports the voting process via letter of Hungarians living abroad. Referring to the process Zsolt Semjén Deputy Prime Minister stated that the potential voters have to register for voting, then they receive the envlopes with party lists. Consequently, the members of the Hungarian diaspora will be able to vote in the easiest way.

According to the closing document the Hungarian Government specifically counts on Hungarian communities living in diaspora along with their accumulated intellectual potential and cultural heritage in order to strengthen the appreciation and competitiveness of Hungarians around the world.

(Prime Minister's Office)