The seminar was opened by the Director of the Croatian Statehood Foundation (ZHDZ), Srećko Prusina, the Director of the KAS Croatia-Slovenia Office, Dr. Norbert Eschborn, and the Mayor of Novska, Marija Kušmiš. In their welcoming remarks, they emphasized the importance of continuous political education, democratic dialogue, and the encouragement of young people who are expected to take on responsible roles in politics, public administration, and society in the future.
The academic programme began with a lecture by Croatian Member of Parliament and former Minister of Labour, Pension System, Family and Social Policy, Marin Piletić on “Language and the Cultural Identity of a Nation.” Piletić underlined that language, traditions, and cultural identity are essential pillars of social cohesion and national stability, particularly in times of major global change and increasing migration.
The second day of the seminar focused on Croatia’s current political and economic challenges, with special attention given to demography, housing policy, migration, and the labour market. Representatives of several ministries presented concrete policy measures and engaged in discussions with participants on long-term solutions.
Željka Josić from the Ministry of Demography and Immigration addressed Croatia’s demographic challenges and stressed the need for sustainable family and population policies. Tonči Glavinić, State Secretary at the Minister of Physical Planning, Construction and State Assets, presented measures aimed at ensuring affordable housing for young people, emphasizing the strategic importance of this issue for the country’s future development. Ivan Vidiš, State Secretary at the Ministry of Labour, Pension System, Family and Social Policy, spoke about the impact of migration on the labour market and highlighted the importance of a balanced labour-market policy within the broader European context.
In addition to the lectures, the programme also offered insights into the regional development of Sisak-Moslavina County. During visits to the Lonjsko Polje Nature Park and the Gaming Centre in Novska, participants gained first-hand insight into how regional identity, environmental protection, innovation, and modern economic development can successfully complement one another. Mayor Marija Kušmiš presented the cultural identity of the region as well as the development strategy of Novska, which is increasingly positioning itself as a modern hub for the gaming and IT industries.
The third and final seminar day focused on political communication. Communication expert Prof. Dunja Lakuš and Prof. Dr Ivan Tanta from the University of Dubrovnik provided participants with practical knowledge on persuasive presentation techniques, political argumentation, and the importance of public image and media presence in modern political communication. Through interactive workshops, participants analysed their rhetorical skills and received professional feedback on public speaking, argument structure, and media performance.
Once again, the Political Academy confirmed its role as one of Croatia’s leading programmes for the education and promotion of young political leaders. By combining theoretical knowledge, practical training, and direct dialogue with political decision-makers, the Academy provides a valuable platform for politically engaged young people and contributes to strengthening democratic leadership for the future.
