Reception of ASEF Fellows at the Government Office for Slovenians Abroad

On Monday, July 11, 2022, at the Office of the Government of the Republic of Slovenia for Slovenians Abroad and the World, a reception was held for this year’s ASEF Junior Fellows, who these days are already making their research visits and visits to companies in Slovenia. They were received by the minister, and ASEF mentors and other associates of the foundation were also present at the event.

At the meeting, the minister Matej Arčon emphasized how important it is to pay proper attention to young people in their professional and personal development, which is why the office will continue to support such study programs in the future. He particularly highlighted the importance of raising the visibility of exchanges between Slovenian communities around the world.

Dr. Rok Sekirnik, Head of the ASEF Tutoring program and member of the executive board of ASEF Slovenia, spoke at this reception about the wonderful mission and work of the foundation, highlighting the ASEF Fellowship program as the main activity of the foundation, which has significantly enriched its program in recent years and thus offers even more opportunities for Slovenians at home and around the world.

In this year’s call for visits to Slovenia, 11 young people were selected, who are already in Slovenia or will come in the coming months. At the minister’s reception, they shared their experience of the visit: 𝗔𝗻𝗻𝗮 𝗦𝗵𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗱, 𝗔𝗻𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗮 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝗰, 𝗡𝗼𝗹𝗮 𝗩𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗻, 𝗝𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗽𝗵 𝗠𝗲𝘇𝗻𝗲𝗿, 𝗔𝗻𝗮 𝗠𝗮𝗹𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗮 𝗣𝗼𝗿𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗼 𝗭𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗹𝗷, 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗮 𝗖𝗮𝘀𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗹 and 𝗥𝗲𝗻 𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗼𝗿𝗰̌𝗶𝗰̌. They also presented their attachment to Slovenia. Many of them are active in the functioning of Slovene societies and communities and Slovene language schools already in their hometowns around the world, and all of them get to know Slovene culture more closely and learn Slovene during their visit.

The reception was also attended by three ASEF mentors, who presented their perspective on the mentoring they offer to this year’s generation. Facilitating valuable experience and cooperation with ASEF scholarship holders, 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗳. 𝗱𝗿. 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗮 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗻𝗶𝗸, full professor and dean at the Faculty of Slovene and International Studies at the New University, 𝗦𝗮𝘀̌𝗼 𝗦̌𝗺𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗰́ from the company Generali Investments, and 𝗱𝗼𝗰. 𝗱𝗿. 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗮𝘀̌𝗮 𝗚𝗹𝗶𝗵𝗮 𝗞𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗰, a research associate at the Institute for the Slovenian Language of Fran Removš at ZRC SAZU