International Finno-Ugric Socioeconomic Forum

The main objective of the forum:
Creation of communicative and educational platform for inter-ethnic and inter-sectorial communication, exchange of experiences, development of intellectual and creative potential in the countries of the Finno-Ugric world.

Forum Challenges:
1. Creating a partnership network among the Finno-Ugric organizations working in the field of culture, science, education, economy, civil society and culture at the international level.
2. Promoting the transfer of best practices (best practice transfer).
3. Formulation of proposals aiming to develop new forms and areas of multilateral international co-operation.

News
According to scientific predictions, the majority of the Finno-Ugric peoples of Russia will not survive the 21st century. Small nations are unstable in front of globalization. It's not just because of their small size, but it is about the absence of economic foundation for the development of ethnic group. The modern Finno-Ugric movement is mainly based on ethno-cultural component, without a socio-economic basis. The necessity to address this problem was alive in the movement several times, and the result after long reflection on this subject was the organization of the International Finno-Ugric Socioeconomic Forum.

History
In the end of 2008, at the Second Forum of the Finno-Ugric Youth, which took place in Kudymkar, was formulated the idea of a Socioeconomic Finno-Ugric forum in which we could change the usual subjects by directing the conversation toward the regional economy. The idea found approval and understanding on the part of not only all of the Finno-Ugric society of the Russian Federation, but also the government of Perm region. Thus, the International Socio-Economic Forum of the Finno-Ugric Youth has been held in October 23-25, 2009 in Perm and in the town of Kudymkar.

The forum was attended by more than one hundred representatives of non-profit organizations, government, business firms from various regions of Russia and from abroad. Representatives of the following countries and regions came to Kudymkar - Hungary, Estonia, the Republic of Karelia, Mordovia, Komi, Mari El, Udmurtia, Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous District, Perm, Tver, Moscow, St. Petersburg.

The forum delegates were young businessmen, government officials, social workers, NGO representatives, academics and students.

The forum discussed issues such as development of tourism and small business, branding of territories, civic engagement of youth, creation of favourable conditions for preservation of traditional culture and the creation of new avant-garde projects.

Members of the First International Socioeconomic Forum noted the need for an annual commemoration of this event.

Organizers:
Perm Regional Public Organization "Windrose"
Autonomous Nonprofit Organization "Civic Engagement Institute"