The 2nd World Congress of Etnic Religions was held from the 16th to the 19th August 1999 in Telsiai, Lithuania.

Telsiai is situated in the province of Samogitia, in Western Lithuania.

Samogitia was, for several centuries, at the frontline of resistance against the Christian crusaders (the Teutonic knights).

The conference itself took place in a house in the outskirt of the city, built and decorated in traditional Lithuanian style by its owner, Adolfas Gedvilas.

A sacred fire has been maintained in the house since 1994.

You may visit the Manor of King Ringaudas website to learn more about this wondeful location.

At the end of the first day, participants took part in a fire ritual situated a ceremony on the nearby Satrija Hill.

The ceremony was organised by Romuva, with active participation of the Greek representatives.

The meetings took place in the main hall, and ended with a dance evening offered by the local traditional music ensemble.

The next day, participant were invited to a excursion to the nearby city of Klaipeda and the Baltic coast.

Speeches were made to that effect by:
* Koenraad Logghe, Traditie, Belgium
* Jean-Lionel Manquat, Groupe Druidique des Gaules, France
* Kostas Kehagias, Diipetes, Greece
* Jörmundur Ingi, Asatrufelagidh, Iceland
* Surinder Paul Attri, India
* Matheusz Piskorski & Sashko Potrebowski, Rodzima Wiara, Poland

Some of these speeches will be available on the WCER Web site

* How can we plan our activities?
We have to get close connections with religions of different countries. Before the congress started, a lot of Hindus contacted us to support our initiative. It is necessary to intensify these contacts through specialists like Surinder Paul Attri, Dr. Koenraad Elst, and others. They agreed on this point. Also native Indians and Sami should be contacted. This can be done indirectly by official organisations such as KWIA, Unesco, etc. It is interesting to know that, some years ago, Unesco had proclaimed the Year of indigenous people. Surely, there must be something written left about it. It was stressed that each group should follow up religious development in their own countries and report it to the WCER Head Office in Vilnius. We should also support major events by exchanging folkgroups, folk artists, artefacts, addresses, and by promoting traditional culture in our own countries. We should try to influence projects in our own way.

* How do we pressure governments for religious tolerance?
The pressure on governments can only become real if the Head Office writes a letter and also if each member group supports this pressure by individual actions. Pressure should only be used on special occasions depending on current events. Jonas suggested sending a letter to the council of Europe1 to urge protection for ethnical religions. Vlasis Rassias suggested founding an office of International relations and propaganda. We could have more influence if we were recognised by the UNESCO, but don't forget that the recognition procedure is extremely difficult. Perhaps it would be better to concentrate on empowerment of the WCER before urging recognition.

* How can we give financial help to members?
The same thing can be said about the financial aspect. Perhaps we could get some support if we were recognised by the UNESCO, but it us, in the beginning, almost impossible to get this recognition. So let's concentrate on the money received from the members. Let us create 2 funds: a working fund, and an emergency fund.

* How do we extend our contacts with other native cultures and religions?
We should have relations with true native religious groups, which have a cultural and traditional basis for their movements.

We should not support, accept as member or have relations with newly invented hybrid, non-traditional religious groups.

We may have friendly relations and selective contacts with other organisations such as the Pagan Federation, but make it clear that we are different organisations with different views and goals.

Expansion of the WCER will consist of attracting other, non-European ethnic religious groups such as Hindus in India, Samis and Finno-Ougrians in Northern Europe, Native Americans in North and South America, Shinto in Japan and others.

We will contact the above groups and develop relations systematically, as to ease any distrust these groups may have towards Europeans.

Each member group should seek out closer contacts with potential future members of the WCER. The above activity should not resemble missionary work.

We should utilise databases and programs offered by UNESCO and KWIA to find other ethnic religious groups.

Our purpose is NOT to mix different religions, but to find our common interests and defend them.

* Newsletter.
Who has the right to write in it? Editorial committee and policy to accept articles. An editorial committee will control the content of the Newsletter.

* Internet
The WCER site will be expanded, particularly the Hindu pages. New members will have their own page, and this Congress report will be added, as well as the new constitution. The WCER Web site will be fully updated latest in October 1999. The Webmaster (Denis Dornoy) apologises for the delay due to heavy professional workload.

Diipetes

Greece

Kostas Kehagias

The following Steering committee was elected :

* Jörmundur Ingi
* Denis Dornoy
* Koenraad Loegghe
* Jonas Trinkunas
* Kostgas Kehagias

The committee will elect the WCER chairman
(later, Jonas Trinkunas was elected Chairman by a majority vote of the committee)