ŠIBENIK – Organized by the Ministry of Demography and Immigration, a professional conference titled “From Croatian Diaspora to the Croatian Labor Market” will be held from September 28 to 30 at Amadria Park (Hotel Jure). The event is dedicated to strengthening ties between homeland and diaspora Croatia, creating concrete opportunities for return, and integrating returnees and their descendants into Croatian society and the economic system.
The core working session of the conference is scheduled for Tuesday, September 29, featuring a rich multi-hour program under the slogan “People • Knowledge • Opportunities”, which encompasses three thematic panels, keynote lectures, and conversations with returnees from all over the world.
Creating Opportunities and Returnee Experiences
The official opening will begin with introductory remarks and the Croatian national anthem performed by Jelena Kordić, moderated by Sandra Križanec, spokesperson for the Ministry of Demography and Immigration.
The first panel, “How Croatia Opens Opportunities for Return and Inclusion Today,” will focus on public policies and measures implemented by state and local authorities. Panelists include Mladen Barać (State Secretary at the Ministry of Demography and Immigration), Ivan Vidiš (State Secretary at the Ministry of Labour, Pension System, Family and Social Policy), Božidar Kutleša (Director of the Tax Administration), Blaženko Boban (Prefect of Split-Dalmatia County), and Josip Zaher (President of the Croatian Chamber of Economy – Zagreb).
Continuing the morning session, the second panel—moderated by Antun Krešimir Buterina (President of the Meeting G2 Association)—will feature successful entrepreneurs and returnees sharing their practical experiences: Denis Rubić, Joško Lokas, Dr. Dino Ivan Dogan, Anthony Lozančić, and Ante Lučić. The morning block will conclude with a keynote presentation by Michael Murgić, Director of Victuspak.
The Impact of Artificial Intelligence, Language, and Education
The afternoon session opens with John Gasparac (Burai Software d.o.o.) addressing how global knowledge and artificial intelligence technologies shape the modern labor market. The third panel, led by Dr. Ana Grgić (Head of Croaticum), is dedicated to the role of language, education, and qualifications in the integration process, featuring experts from academia, the public sector, and returnees.
The experiences of descendants of Croatian emigrants in South America will be presented during a session on the Croatian diaspora in Peru, as well as through an informal conversation titled “Ćakule: From Family Roots to Life in Croatia,” where participants from Chile, Argentina, and Bolivia will share their motivations for coming, learning the language, and building careers in Croatia.
Field Program: Tour and Introduction to the Innovation Ecosystem
The final, third day of the conference—Wednesday, September 30—will focus on hands-on exploration of the local entrepreneurial and innovation environment of Šibenik-Knin County. Conference stakeholders will visit the Trokut Centre for New Technologies and Entrepreneurship (Ul. Velimira Škorpika 7/a) to learn about the infrastructure capabilities and support this modern incubator offers to new investments and entrepreneurial projects.
Participants will be welcomed at the Trokut Centre by Director Diana Mudrinić with a presentation on the centre’s work and vision. This will be followed by a showcase of successful local initiatives and practical examples featuring Ivana Vudrag (Head of Department, Šibenik-Knin County), Ivan Knez (Mayor of Biograd na Moru), and Stanko Gojević (Owner and Director of Karl Dietz d.o.o.), offering participants a first-hand look at the potential for investment and work in this part of Croatia.
