The Fifth International Summer School "Practicing Resilience – Preparing for Recovery" Successfully Concludes

The international Summer School "Practicing Resilience – Preparing for Recovery," organized by the Catholic University of Croatia in cooperation with the Nanovic Institute for European Studies at the University of Notre Dame (USA), the Ukrainian Catholic University, and the Catholic Universities Partnership, has successfully come to an end. The program took place in Šibenik from June 12 to 21, gathering 40 students from ten countries: Croatia, Slovakia, Poland, Hungary, Ukraine, Portugal, Italy, Georgia, France, and the United States of America, with the primary goal of jointly exploring and applying the concept of resilience through theoretical lectures and practical workshops.

Alongside a rich academic program and expert lectures covering topics from the application of resilience frameworks in helping relationships to business model innovations, the students actively participated in creating Capstone projects. Through these projects, participants had the opportunity to apply their acquired knowledge to real-world challenges, developing practical solutions to strengthen the resilience of individuals, families, and communities. The project work significantly contributed to their professional development and enhanced their capacity for interdisciplinary reflection on contemporary social issues.

The Summer School program was also enriched by a series of cultural and social activities that allowed students to get to know Šibenik and its surroundings. Participants visited the Cathedral of St. James, St. Nicholas Fortress, the Veterans' Center, and the island of Prvić. These activities, along with the official reception hosted by Mayor Željko Burić, further encouraged intercultural dialogue and the exchange of experiences, especially with young people from Ukraine, highlighting the importance of solidarity and international cooperation in building more resilient societies.

The solemn closing ceremony of the Summer School was attended by the Vice-Rector for University Quality, Identity, and Mission of the Catholic University of Croatia, Professor Ante Crnčević. In his address, Vice-Rector Crnčević pointed out that the Summer School was much more than just an academic program, emphasizing its role as a place for forging new friendships, exchanging ideas, and fostering hope. He highlighted the importance of such initiatives which, alongside the transfer of specific knowledge, successfully build bridges of understanding and support, preparing younger generations for future challenges with an emphasis on resilience and recovery.