"Croatia Connects": Diaspora is an important part of Croatia's future

The Minister of Demography and Immigration, Ivan Šipić, officially opened the conference "Croatia Connects – From the Croatian Diaspora to the Croatian Labor Market," which is being held in Šibenik with the aim of connecting diaspora Croats with the homeland.

Welcoming participants who arrived from all over the world, Minister Šipić emphasized that the conference was not designed merely as a place to discuss return, but also what comes after it – integration, employment, and staying. "Croatia needs people. But we don't just need numbers," the minister stated, adding that the knowledge, experiences, and international connections that returnees and emigrants bring with them are equally important to the Croatian economy, according to a press release from the Ministry of Demography and Immigration, the conference organizer.

Minister Šipić emphasized that the Croatian diaspora is not only a part of Croatia's past, but also an important part of its future. "It is not enough to enable the return. We must make it possible to stay," said the minister, adding that the Ministry's success will be measured by the number of people who returned and decided to stay, found a job, or started their own business in Croatia.

Addressing Croatian emigrants around the world, the minister concluded: "Croatia sees you. Croatia wants to hear you. Croatia counts on your knowledge, experience, and connection to the Homeland."

In the introductory part of the program, addresses were also given by Nenad Tisaj, Deputy Prefect of Šibenik-Knin County, who pointed out that Šibenik-Knin County, steeped in the history of Croatian kings and rich tradition, is the ideal location for such a conference. Zdeslav Milas, Director of the Croatian Heritage Foundation (Hrvatska matica iseljenika), emphasized that culture is an integral part of the return of emigrants and announced even stronger cooperation with the Ministry of Demography and Immigration. Davor Ivo Stier, Member of the European Parliament, speaking from his own experience as a returnee, said that the entire system working on return is doing a good job and that the situation has changed, with Croatia offering numerous economic opportunities today. Hrvoje Zekanović, Member of the Croatian Parliament and envoy of the Speaker of Parliament, described demographic challenges as a civilizational problem, rather than an exclusively Croatian or European one, stating that alongside encouraging birth rates and the return of emigrants, Croatia also needs a change in mindset.

The conference was also greeted via video message by Dubravka Šuica, the European Commissioner for the Mediterranean, who highlighted that the European Commission has recognized demographic challenges and that during this Commission mandate, special attention is being paid to attracting talent from third countries, including nations with significant Croatian diaspora communities.

Following the formal opening, the morning program continued with three panel discussions. The first, "How Croatia Opens Opportunities for Return and Integration Today," was dedicated to public policies and measures through which Croatia encourages the return of the diaspora and its integration into Croatian society and the labor market. The second, "Returnees – People Developing Croatia with Their Knowledge and Experience," brought together returnees and entrepreneurs who shared their personal return experiences. The third, "Identity, Language, and Competencies – The Path to Integration," dealt with the role of the Croatian language, education, and competencies in integrating returnees into Croatian society. As part of the morning and midday program, two "Croatia Connects" sessions were also held, featuring presentations by Michael Murgić (Victuspak) and John Gasparac (Burai Software).

The "Croatia Connects" conference, held in Šibenik until September 30 under the motto "People Knowledge Opportunities," brings together representatives of state institutions, local and regional self-government, the economy, the academic community, as well as numerous returnees and descendants of Croatian emigrants from all over the world.

During the conference, a Cooperation Agreement was also signed between the Ministry of Demography and Immigration and the Croatian Employment Service, with the aim of promoting active employment policy measures related to return, immigration, and employment.

Source: HRT