On 25-26 May, the XVI Regional Conference of Russian Compatriots dedicated to the theme ‘New Challenges for the Movement of Russian Compatriots in Latin America’ was held in Havana (Cuba). The event was attended by heads of country coordination councils of diaspora organisations, members of the Regional and World Coordination Councils of Russian Compatriots, community activists from Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela.
In the welcoming speech sent to the participants of the meeting by the Deputy Chairman of the Government Commission for Compatriots Abroad, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation M.Y. Galuzin, the significant contribution of compatriots living in Latin America to the development and strengthening of friendly ties between the Russian Federation and the states of the region was noted, the role of young people in promoting the ethno-cultural interests of the Russian community on the continent was highlighted.
Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council of the Russian Federation I.Y. Svyatenko, who took part in the event as a guest of honour, stressed the importance of joint work with the Russian Abroad to preserve traditional spiritual and moral values.
Speakers at the Conference were representatives of the Public Chamber of Russia, the Federal Agency for the Commonwealth of Independent States, Compatriots Living Abroad and International Humanitarian Cooperation, and the Russian Orthodox Church.
During the forum there was a lively and interested discussion of topical issues of activity of foreign Russian communities, participation of compatriots in social and cultural life of the countries of residence, protection of their legal rights and interests, horizontal interaction of country organisational structures of the diaspora. Plans of events for the next year were worked out.
Following the results of the forum a statement and a resolution were adopted.
