Easter seminar – the annual congress of YEN

In the week before Easter, the main congress of YEN, the Easter Seminar takes place. It is always organised by one of our member organisations. This seminar is the biggest meeting of young people and youth organisation of European minorities, attracting more than 100 participants each year.

A diverse program is offered with workshops dealing with an actual topic, which is connected to the situation of the host-minority or minority issues in general. The program is completed by excursions, lectures and other activities and offers the opportunity to get to know the hosts better.

Above all, the Easter Seminar is an exchange- forum for young people. It often marks the beginning of a long-term commitment for minorities and serves as a source of motivation for their work at home.

The meeting is our central event of the year. This is where the annual General Assembly takes place and where the direction for future developments is set. Furthermore, our board is elected during the seminar and decisions about resolutions are passed.

Normally five representatives of each member organisation as well as guests attend the Easter Seminar.

The motto of the Easter Seminar 2004 was “Minority Development”. It was characterised by the 20 th anniversary of YEN and by discussion about the future development of the network.

The Easter Seminar 2005 was organised by YEN and Sϋdtiroler Jugendring (Youth of the German minority in South Tyrol) close to Bozen (Italy). The seminar focused on the participation of European minorities on European and regional levels.

In 2006 the Gemeinschaft Junger Ungarndeutscher- GJU (Youth of the German minority in Hungary) is inviting us to come to Hungary for the Easter Seminar 2006.