Resolution 1996

Resolution of the II World Congres of Finno-Ugric Peoples

Looking back at the period since the First World Congress of Finno-Ugrian Peoples, which set the revival of the Finno-Ugrian world as one of our primary aims, we the participants in the Second World Congress of Finno-Ugrian Peoples realise that the objectives set at our first Congress retain their urgent character, and with complete responsibility we reaffirm the path chosen by our peoples, since:

• this path agrees with progressive democratic reforms in the world community at large;
• it promotes self-development of Finno-Ugrian peoples, while not offending the rights and interests of other peoples;
• it promotes multilateral rapproachement of kindred Finno-Ugrian peoples;
• maintaining traditions, it generates new forms of dialogue and new values in Finno-Ugrian community, thus enriching all spheres of life.

Considering the processes in the Finno-Ugrian world in the last years, we ascertain that:

1. the First World Congress of Finno-Ugrian Peoples was an historical event that gave an impetus to genuine revival in the Finno-Ugrian world;
2. solidarity of Finno-Ugrian peoples has become a factor that the world community reckons with;
3. the first steps have been made in rapproachement of our peoples, mutual ties and co-operation are increasing in the spheres of economy, culture, education, science and information;
4. problems of indigenous peoples have drawn international attention and conditions for their survival have been created;
5. the right to self-determination, as well as the right to belong to an ethnic minority and the right to have a distinct culture and language are now considered as human rights;
6. the Consultative Committee of Finno-Ugrian Peoples as the executive body of the World Congress works actively in conformity with the documents of the First World Congress of Finno-Ugrian Peoples, co-ordinates the activities of all national organisations and structures in solving common problems, and represents the interests of our peoples at international institutions and forums, including the United Nations Organisation.

For our Finno-Ugrian community to continue its successful development, we find it necessary:

1. to continue along the fruitful path of dialogue and joint action of all interested structures, both public and non-governmental;
2. to ensure that the right of all Finno-Ugrian peoples to national self-determination be actually observed in compliance with the generally accepted international standards and principles, and to advance territorial and cultural self-government of our peoples;
3. to enhance the Finno-Ugrian peoples representation and participation in international institutions engaged in the issues of human rights, the rights of indigenous peoples and national minorities;
4. to promote further elaboration of our legislations, seeking that the basic standards and principles of international law concerning indigenous peoples and national minorities be included into national legislations;
5. to foster contractual co-operation between Finno-Ugrian countries and regions in the areas of social, economic and cultural development, as well as in science and education, and to develop peoples diplomacy;

to make the contacts between Finno-Ugrian peoples permanent and to begin establishing mutual cultural representative offices;

• to disseminate, around the world, knowledge of the history and the modern life of Finno-Ugrian peoples;
• to devote special attention and care to the processes of revival and development of cultures and languages, as well as of national identity, of Finno-Ugrian peoples, as these are the basic conditions of their existence;
• to advance the systems of education and mass media of Finno-Ugrian peoples, to nourish intelligentsia of their own and to raise funds for national sciences of Finno-Ugrian peoples.

Budapest
August 19, 1996