Slovenian World Congress

The Slovenian World Congress (Slovene: Svetovni slovenski kongres, SSK; English: Slovenian World Congress, SWC) is a non-profit association founded at the end of June 1991, at the moment of Slovenia's independence and international recognition. It was created as an expression of a unique historical moment that united all Slovenians — those in the homeland and those abroad — in the effort to preserve Slovenia's independence and achieve international recognition. The organisation describes its mission as connecting Slovenians from the homeland and the world in the spirit of national awareness, science, economy and culture. The SWC is open to all who are interested in civil-society work for a better future for all Slovenians, for the further development of democracy and ethical values in the Republic of Slovenia. Its primary goal is to establish a fruitful relationship between Slovenians wherever they live and the mother homeland Slovenia, to build contacts, new ties of reciprocity and cooperation, and to identify and value common interests for the benefit of all. It advocates the inclusion of Slovenians living around the world in Slovenia and has actively participated in the adoption of the law on Slovenians around the world and in the improvement of electoral legislation intended for compatriots. Among its core activities, the SWC organises professional conferences of Slovenian experts from various scientific and economic fields, cultural events, and public discussions of current political and cultural events concerning Slovenians at home and abroad. A significant part of its work is dedicated to younger generations: it organises the annual Camp of Slovenian Children from Around the World (Tabor slovenskih otrok po svetu), which brings together teenagers of Slovenian origin living outside Slovenia to promote interest in and love for Slovenia and the Slovenian language. In 2025 the SWC became a member of the international association of non-governmental organisations Europeans Throughout the World (ETTW) based in Brussels, and Slovene Dejan Valentinčič was elected its secretary-general. The organisation has received public recognition: on its twenty-fifth anniversary it was decorated with the Order of Merit by then President of the Republic of Slovenia Borut Pahor, and on its thirtieth anniversary a memorial plaque was unveiled at Cankarjev dom in Ljubljana in memory of the efforts of the SWC, its members and friends who helped realise the dream of Slovenia's independence.

The Slovenian World Congress (SWC) was founded at the end of June 1991, at the moment of Slovenia's independence and international recognition. It emerged as an expression of a unique historical moment that united all Slovenians — in the homeland and around the world — in the effort to preserve Slovenia's independence and achieve international recognition. From its beginnings, the organisation sought to establish a proper relationship between Slovenians living abroad and those living in Slovenia, to build contacts, new ties of reciprocity and new ways of cooperation in common interests. In the years following its founding, the SWC actively participated in the adoption of the law on Slovenians around the world and in the improvement of electoral legislation intended for compatriots. It advocated the inclusion of Slovenians living around the world in Slovenia and worked to enhance democracy in Slovenia. The organisation launched a series of professional conferences in different scientific and academic areas to improve cooperation between Slovenians working and living abroad and professionals in Slovenia. A significant part of SWC activities has been dedicated to younger generations. The organisation runs the annual Camp of Slovenian Children from Around the World (Tabor slovenskih otrok po svetu), which binds together teenagers living outside the borders of the Republic of Slovenia who have Slovenian origins. The main purpose of the camp is to promote interest in and love for Slovenia and the Slovenian language. In 2026 the camp marked its 30th edition, held from 19 to 25 July at the Škorpijon Centre for School and Extracurricular Activities. In 2025 the SWC became a member of the international association of non-governmental organisations Europeans Throughout the World (ETTW) based in Brussels, and Slovene Dejan Valentinčič was elected its secretary-general. ETTW connects organisations from all over Europe active in the field of diasporas and represents the interests of 17 million Europeans living in other EU member states and 60 million Europeans living outside Europe before EU institutions in Brussels. The organisation has received public recognition for its work. On its twenty-fifth anniversary, it was decorated with the Order of Merit by then President of the Republic of Slovenia Borut Pahor. On its thirtieth anniversary, a memorial plaque was unveiled at Cankarjev dom in Ljubljana in memory of the efforts of the SWC, its members and friends who helped realise the dream of Slovenia's independence.

• 2026

  Held the 30th Camp of Slovenian Children from Around the World (19–25 July 2026).

• 2025

  Became a member of Europeans Throughout the World (ETTW); Dejan Valentinčič elected its secretary-general.

• 1991

  Founded at the end of June 1991, at the time of Slovenia's independence and international recognition.

A civil-society association connecting Slovenians at home and abroad, promoting national awareness, democracy and cooperation.

• Camp of Slovenian Children from Around the World

  Annual camp for teenagers of Slovenian origin living outside Slovenia, promoting interest in Slovenia and the Slovenian language.

• Professional conferences

  Conferences of Slovenian experts from various scientific and economic fields.

• Drawing-literary competition for young compatriots

  A competition for young compatriots around the world, with the 2026 edition based on the fairy tale 'Čudežna naprava' by Cvetka Sokolov.

1. 1SSK | Svetovni slovenski kongresslokongres.com
2. 2About the Congress | Svetovni slovenski kongresslokongres.com
3. 3Svetovni slovenski kongreswikidata.org
4. 4Svetovni slovenski kongressl.wikipedia.org