The session of the Government Council for Slovenians Abroad was chaired by the Prime Minister, with the Minister for Slovenians Abroad Helena Jaklitsch acting as the co-chair. In addition to other members of the government, the session was also attended by representatives of Slovenian communities abroad, representatives of Slovenian organisations that work on preserving Slovenehood around the world, and ministers whose departments are strongly involved in topics related to Slovenians around the world.

Most of the discussion was devoted to activities to preserve and strengthen the knowledge of the Slovenian language of Slovenians around the world, the situation of Slovenian communities in the post-pandemic period and proposals for improving the situation of Slovenian communities around the world. At the beginning, the participants were greeted by the Prime Minister, who noted the importance of such cooperation with Slovenians around the world with the homeland.

Minister Jaklitsch greeted all participants and thanked the Prime Minister and other ministers who have shown inclination and support for content related to Slovenians around the world in the past two years. "It is much easier to work with the support of the Prime Minister and fellow ministers," said the Minister, noting that the Office for Slovenians Abroad had made extra effort to be as connected with compatriots as possible. "We felt how important personal contact was during the epidemic, when activities were scaled back in many fields." He also noted that there were some positive aspects of Covid, as many people started to get actively involved, including young people, who showed their talent, abilities and skills in the digital world. The latter has become the main channel for maintaining contacts both in the community and with the homeland.

The session continued with members of the Council who represent Slovenians abroad presenting the situation of the Slovenian diaspora and expressing gratitude for all the care that the Slovenian government provided with its targeted work. They agreed that preserving the Slovenian language is of key importance, as otherwise assimilation is accelerated. Slovenia can and must support them in the professional field, with appropriate material, teachers and training programmes, while they still play the greatest role themselves, as they must ensure that Slovenian is the spoken language among families and communities. Only in this way will the language be truly preserved.

The ministers then presented activities, measures and policies within their respective departments that are specifically aimed at assisting Slovenians outside their homeland.

Members of the Council also touched on one of the hitherto unfulfilled, though legitimate wishes for Slovenians around the world, which is to have their representative in parliament. This would be an important recognition for our compatriots that could significantly contribute to the more effective implementation of their efforts at the point where legislation is being created, while it would also have great symbolic significance. Slovenians around the world are of exceptional importance for Slovenia, they are its most important messengers, promoters and diplomats, which was shown 31 years ago, when Slovenia embarked on the path of independence, and still shows today, for which they were sincerely thanked by the Prime Minister.

It was noted at the end that the Republic of Slovenia, through the Office of for Slovenians Abroad and through the activities of all ministries and government services, will continue to strive to maintain and upgrade the strong ties between the homeland and Slovenians around the world.

Session of the Government Council for Slovenians in the Neighbouring Countries

Most of the discussion focused on two major topics: the future of Slovenians abroad and preservation of the Slovenian language and identity beyond the borders of Slovenia, and the role and attitude of the Republic of Slovenia in this.

The participants were initially greeted by the President of the Council, Prime Minister Janez Janša, who made a brief overview of the future of Slovenians in the neighbouring countries. He spoke about the care for the Slovenian language and identity, recalling the thoughts of the late Justin Stanovnik: "Identity is what you are and what you want to be." He noted the strengthening of cooperation between cultural institutions on both sides of the borders, the role of young people, who must be a priority of all activities, and also spoke about the strategic attitude of the Republic of Slovenia in this field. He noted the government's efforts to strengthen the good relations with its neighbours, including the desire for the best possible implementation of the minority rights of our compatriots in these countries.

Minister Helena Jaklitsch welcomed all participants and said she was happy that today's meeting could take place despite the current epidemiological situation. She then briefly presented the activities and efforts of the Office in this year and the plan for future activities. The Office has strengthened cooperation with the Ministry of Economy, including with the aim of creating a common economic space, and with the Ministry of Agriculture, with which it is linked by a project to establish a model farm in Gorski Kotar in Croatia. She noted the strong cooperation with the Ministry of Education, which is one of the key partners in supporting Slovenians abroad when it comes to improving their knowledge of Slovenian. The Minister also noted the importance of including content on Slovenians in the neighbouring countries in the Slovenian media, while assessing the drafting of a new comprehensive strategy for the next 10 years as one of the most important steps towards a more systematic reflection on activities aimed at improving the situation in Slovenian communities in the neighbouring countries.  "I myself see this strategy from two aspects - as a strategy of the relationship between Slovenia as the homeland and Slovenians in the neighbouring countries, and also as a strategy whose implementation will contribute to greater awareness of the existence and work of our national communities in Slovenia".

Members of the Council from the neighbouring countries noted the expectations they have of the Republic of Slovenia on strategic issues of development of minorities and bilateral cooperation with the neighbouring countries in the field of protection and relations with the Slovenian community.

They agreed that the preservation of the Slovenian language and identity is a fundamental factor of the existence of Slovenians abroad. The use of the Slovenian language in all areas of life - public, private/family and administrative - is crucial for the preservation and development of the Slovenian identity. In order to achieve this goal, both cultural and other activities that strengthen mutual and cross-border cooperation and maintain ties with Slovenia are important. Upbringing and education in the Slovenian language at all levels, from the cradle to the matura exam, play an increasingly important role in this. Various exchanges, of youth, cultural societies and groups that have been more diversified in the past, certainly contribute to the connection with the homeland.

It was agreed at the session that the discussion and reflection on the future of Slovenehood in the neighbouring countries will continue with the participation of the relevant Slovenian state departments, and that the existing policies will be upgraded and a new strategy prepared, which will be adapted to new challenges of mutual partnership and preservation and development of Slovenehood in the neighbouring countries.

The Council for Slovenians in the Neighbouring Countries as a consultative body of the Government of the Republic of Slovenia participates in the drafting and implementation of policies and strategies of the Republic of Slovenia in the field of care for Slovenians abroad. It cooperates in the drafting of other strategic documents and development programmes and adopts positions on events related to the activities and situation of Slovenians in the neighbouring countries.