Event Reports

Canadian-Croatian Scientific Exchange

Prof. Dr. Daniel Stockemer, former KAS scholarship holder and holder of the Konrad Adenauer Research Chair in Empirical Democracy Studies at the University of Ottawa, visited the KAS Office Croatia-Slovenia in Zagreb. During his stay, Stockemer met with representatives of Croatian universities as well as migration and security experts to exchange views on current political developments in Croatia.

Political Analysis and Communication ZHDZ

2nd-4th Workshop

The workshops "Political Analysis and Communication" in Sisak, Varaždin, and Dubrovnik represented an additional step in the further education of the HDZ's political youth. These events aimed to provide participants with concrete knowledge and skills necessary for better political analysis and communication. Through the workshops, participants were able to learn how to analyze political situations, develop effective communication strategies, and apply these skills to real political challenges. The participants had the opportunity to strengthen their communication abilities and gain a deeper understanding of political processes and analysis. This events were part of a broader initiative by the Croatian Statehood Foundation (ZHDZ) and the KAS Office Croatia and Slovenia to strengthen political leadership through education and the practical application of political skills, thereby improving political dialogue across all parts of Croatia.

Private Security 2025

International Conference

Zagreb: The International Conference "Private Security 2025," organized by the Croatian Security Association and the KAS Office Croatia-Slovenia, brought together experts, representatives of private security companies, and academics to discuss the future and challenges of private security. In Croatia, the state of private security forces has evolved through changes in regulation and the market but remains affected by challenges such as a shortage of skilled labor, competition, and the need for continuous education and adaptation to new threats. A key topic was improving security in educational institutions, particularly the protection of students and teachers by private security forces. It was emphasized that close cooperation between schools, the police, and security services is necessary to effectively counter potential threats. Additionally, the integration of new technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence and modern surveillance systems, as well as the need for better training and international cooperation to address threats like cyberattacks and terrorism, was discussed. The conference highlighted the importance of a harmonized legal framework and the continuation of cooperation among relevant institutions to advance standards and best practices in the private security industry.

Political Academy of the NSi

Seminar

The "Political Academy" of the party Nova Slovenija (NSi) has been continuously organized since 2015 by the NSi Institute "Dr. Janez Evangelist Krek" (IJEK) in collaboration with the KAS Office Croatia and Slovenia. The goal of this educational programmes is to promote political knowledge and engagement among participants, with a particular focus on Christian-democratic values, political responsibility, and active citizenship. As part of the event in Ptuj, the NSi party leadership, led by party president Matej Tonin MEP, together with representatives of the NSi Youth Organisation and the participants, addressed a variety of relevant topics. These included the fundamentals of Christian Democracy, the functioning of political parties, the characteristics of local electoral campaigns, the role of the state in a market economy, and the importance of public relations and social media for the success of political parties. Ultimately, the "Political Academy" provides a valuable platform for learning about political philosophy, legislative processes, communication between party representatives and the media, and the successful leadership of political campaigns.

Building a philanthropy and fundraising culture in Croatia

Conference

In Zagreb, numerous organizations and experts from the fields of philanthropy and fundraising gathered on the occasion of the conference "Building a Philanthropy and Fundraising Culture in Croatia”. The event was organized by the Foundation Žuta Točka and the KAS Office Croatia and Slovenia. The goal was to promote the importance of philanthropy and fundraising in societal development, as well as to train and network participants from various sectors. Speakers emphasized the importance of building a strong philanthropic culture in Croatia and the need for closer collaboration between civil society, the private sector, and government institutions to create a sustainable and efficient fundraising community. These experts highlighted the insufficient understanding of the importance of transparency in the fundraising process and the lack of long-term planning as current challenges in fundraising. In line with this, the importance of digitalization and the use of new technologies in fundraising was highlighted, as well as how philanthropy can be better integrated into local communities. In workshops, participants were able to learn concrete tools and strategies for effective fundraising. Based on all the presentations and discussions, it was concluded that building a philanthropy and fundraising culture in Croatia is a long-term process that requires systematic education, transparency, innovation, and a collaborative approach among all sectors of society.

Building a Philanthropy and Fundraising Culture in Croatia

Conference

In Zagreb, numerous organizations and experts from the fields of philanthropy and fundraising gathered for the conference "Building a Philanthropy and Fundraising Culture in Croatia." The event was organized by the Foundation Žuta Točka and the KAS Office Croatia and Slovenia. The goal was to promote the importance of philanthropy and fundraising in societal development, as well as to train and network participants from various sectors. Speakers emphasized the significance of building a strong philanthropic culture in Croatia and the need for closer collaboration between civil society, the private sector, and government institutions to create a sustainable and efficient fundraising community. These experts highlighted the insufficient understanding of the importance of transparency in the fundraising process and the lack of long-term planning as current challenges in fundraising. In line with this, the importance of digitalization and the use of new technologies in fundraising was pointed out, as well as how philanthropy can be better integrated into local communities. In workshops, participants had the opportunity to learn concrete tools and strategies for effective fundraising. Based on all the presentations and discussions, it was concluded that building a philanthropy and fundraising culture in Croatia is a long-term process that requires systematic education, transparency, innovation, and a partnership approach between all sectors of society.

"Smart Solutions" for Sustainable Urban Development

Smart Cities 2025

Zagreb hosted the international conference "Smart Cities 2025," organized by the business magazine Lider and the KAS Office Croatia and Slovenia. The event brought together leading experts, innovators, as well as local and national decision-makers to exchange ideas and experiences about the future of Smart Cities. This year's theme focused on the implementation of smart solutions that will shape the future of cities, including digital transformation, green energy, transport infrastructure, and the improvement of citizens' quality of life. In this context, discussions were held on the challenges and opportunities of implementing these technologies, as well as how they could improve quality of life, reduce ecological footprints, and enhance the efficiency of urban services. In this regard, collaboration between the private and public sectors in creating sustainable and technologically advanced cities is of great importance. Overall, the event provided a platform to promote sustainable development and support the use of smart technological solutions in urban areas.

Political Analysis and Communication ZHDZ

1st Workshop

The workshop "Political Analysis and Communication" is another element of the collaboration between the Croatian Statehood Foundation (ZHDZ) and the KAS Office Croatia and Slovenia, and for several years has been serving to train young HDZ officials on the local and regional levels. Through theoretical lectures and practical exercises, they work on improving their political skills. Ante Sanader, the Chairman of the HDZ County Association and a member of the Croatian Parliament, also participated in this edition of the workshop. Along with the participants and communication experts, topics such as "The Importance of Political Communication", "Political PR", "Public Communication of Politicians", "Structure of Public Appearances", and "Features of Appearances on Radio, Television, and in Print Media" were covered.

Neue geopolitische Realität

16. Jože Pučnik-Symposium

Aktuelle geopolitische Veränderungen standen im Mittelpunkt des 16. Jože Pučnik Symposiums, das in Slovenska Bistrica stattfand. Experten, Politiker, u.a. auch der SDS-Parteivorsitzende Janez Janša und Vertreter der slowenischen Zivilgesellschaft kamen zusammen, um über die veränderte Weltlage und deren Auswirkungen zu diskutieren. Das Symposium, das vom KAS-Auslandsbüro Kroatien und Slowenien und dem Institut Dr. Jože Pučnik organisiert wurde, beleuchtete neben globalen Machtverschiebungen, wirtschaftlicher Stabilität und internationaler Zusammenarbeit auch neue Herausforderungen wie die Rolle der Trump II-Administration bei der Gestaltung eines „neuen“ globalen Systems, die Reaktion der EU auf die globalen Veränderungen sowie die Strategie zur Schaffung eines dauerhaften Friedens im Nahen Osten und Osteuropa. Darüber hinaus wurden Fragen der Meinungsfreiheit, des Aufstiegs des Rechtspopulismus und der zunehmenden Medienregulierung in Europa thematisiert. Das Symposium endete mit einer Verleihung des Pučnik-Preises für die Entwicklung der Demokratie in Slowenien.

New Geopolitical Reality

16th Pučnik Symposium

Current geopolitical changes were the focus of the 16th Jože Pučnik Symposium, which took place in Slovenska Bistrica. Experts, politicians, including the leader of the SDS party Janez Janša, and representatives of Slovenian civil society gathered to discuss the changed global situation and its implications. The symposium, organized by the KAS Office Croatia and Slovenia and the Dr. Jože Pučnik Institute, addressed, in addition to global power shifts, economic stability, and international cooperation, new challenges such as the role of the Trump II administration in shaping a "new" global system, the EU’s response to global changes, and the strategy for establishing lasting peace in the Middle East and Eastern Europe. Furthermore, issues such as freedom of speech, the rise of right-wing populism, and increasing media regulation in Europe were discussed. The symposium concluded with the awarding of the Pučnik Prize for the development of democracy in Slovenia.