The World Jewish Congress (WJC), which was founded in August 1936, is celebrating its 80th anniversary in 2016. On August 21, the head of the Jewish community of Kazakhstan, Euro-Asian Jewish Congress Presidium and People’s Assembly of Kazakhstan Council member Alexander Baron spoke at the House of Friendship of the People’s Assembly of Kazakhstan before a gathering of 70. Baron informed the gathering about the history, activity, and achievements of the World Jewish Congress.

Community member Vyacheslav Breusov read the press release of the World Jewish Congress about its 80th anniversary, which included a statement by Acting President Ronald Lauder: “The founding of the World Jewish Congress put Jewish interests on the map of international diplomacy for the first time.”

The World Jewish Congress was officially founded in Geneva at a plenary assembly comprised of 230 elected representatives of Jewish communities in 32 countries to serve as an umbrella organization whose goal is to protect the rights of the Jews vis-a-vis with governments and international organizations.

Today the WJC has affiliate organizations in over 100 countries and remains the only truly global Jewish umbrella organization.