8 July 2007 The Slovenian government has established permanent dialogue with Slovenes around the world. In historic legislation in 2006 (Ur.I. RS st. 43/2006) the legal framework for cooperation with Slovenes abroad was enacted for the first time. A special consulting body called the Council for Slovenes around the World – Svet za Slovence po svetu – is chaired by the Prime Minister of Slovenia, Janez Janša. The Council consists of nineteen members, thirteen living outside of Slovenia. Representatives were nominated by the communities and duly elected. A meeting will be held each year in summer and more as needed.
In Australia two representatives Peter Mandelj and Florjan Auser have been appointed. Consultations with the Prime Minister Janez Janša and other ministers have been held and representatives have spoken in the Parliament.
Aleksandra Ceferin has prepared a paper, which was in parts read by Peter Mandelj to the assembled members at the inaugural session of the Council on 3 July 2007 in Ljubljana. The paper presents the situation of the post-migrant generations of the descendants of Slovenian emigrants, questions the aims and substance of Slovenian emigrant publications and presents two main proposals:
1. a major Slovenian web site
2. establishment of Slovenia House in Ljubljana
Note: The paper was presented in Slovenian with an English version for publication.