CUC professors participated in a program with Croatian members of the European Parliament

Assoc. prof. Petra Palić from the University Department of Sociology and Assoc. prof. Davor Trbušić, Assoc. prof. Luka Šikić and Assoc. prof. Jakov Žižić from the University Department of Communication sciences of the Catholic University of Croatia, at the invitation of the Office of the Representative Karl Ressler, participated in the program of the visit to Brussels on 25 and 26 March 2025.
 

During the two-day program entitled “Europe at a Turning Point – Strategic Priorities in a New Context”, participants had the opportunity to intensively discuss the key challenges and priorities facing the European Union in the current geopolitical moment. Through dialogue with MEPs, participation in panels and interactive discussions, numerous issues of strategic importance were raised, such as the future of European security and defense policy, demographic trends, the role of the European Union in the green and digital transitions, and the necessity of strengthening the democratic legitimacy and transparency of European institutions.
 

The position of small and medium-sized member states such as Croatia in shaping common policies and the protection of national interests within the European framework were also discussed. The program was designed to provide participants with a deeper understanding of the functioning of the European Union institutions and to encourage the exchange of views among representatives of the academic community, political institutions and civil society.
 

At the European Parliament, participants spoke with Croatian and foreign MEPs, including Karlo Ressler, Tomislav Sokol and Stephen Nikola Bartulica, as well as MEPs from Estonia, Slovenia, Romania and the Netherlands.
 

They also participated in a panel discussion with representatives from European institutions, including representatives of Commissioner Dubravka Šuica's office and the Wilfried Martens Centre. The programme included a visit to the House of European History, a lecture on the functioning of the European Parliament and a tour of its premises. This visit was a valuable opportunity for networking, strengthening institutional cooperation and actively involving the academic community in reflecting on the future of Europe.