OREANDA-NEWS. On 05 February 2009 was announced, that in the end of January Petrozavodsk hosted expanded session of the working group for organization and carrying out of the International Finno-Ugric Students' Conference (IFUSCO) in May, 2009 in the Republic of Karelia. Such youth conference is to be held in Karelia for the first time (of Finno-Ugric regions of Russia it has already passed in Syktyvkar, Izhevsk, Ioshkar Ola, Saransk). It is a tribute and recognition of the republic for its contribution to development of science, culture and traditions of all the Finno-Ugric world. The conference was included into the list of events of the Second International Decade of the World's Indigenous People and is supported by the Head of the Republic of Karelia S.L.Katanandov.

This January members of the working group discussed subjects of the conferences' workshops. Now the working group should consider the project of circulars and discuss the plan of preparation and carrying out of the event, which defines participation of each of the organizations ready to hold the conference.

It is especially necessary to note, that on the eve of the session the Ministry on National Politics and Relations with Religious Associations negotiated with its social partners - Petrozavodsk State University and Karelian State Pedagogical University - on the conference. It is nice, that both institutes of higher education being centers of Finno-Ugric studies are ready to be the IFUSCO cofounders and co-organizers, as the conference was always held under the students' initiative and organized by the students. It is especially important for them, as they learn to hold scientificand international forums.