First seminar of this year’s APD’s educational programme, entitled „The Citizen, Society and Politics in a Modern Democracy“, was held in Crikvenica from 20th to 22nd March 2009. Dominant themes of the seminar included contemporary politics, political ideologies through history, political parties and their activities, and the role of the civil society in liberal-democratic political system. The focus of interest was also on current status of Croatia’s accession negotiations.
The seminar was opened by Nevena Crljenko, Executive Director of the Academy of Political Development, followed by the introduction of the participants.
The first working session started with prof. dr. Žarko Puhovski from Faculty of Philosophy (Zagreb), giving a lecture about the traditional political ideologies, followed by a lecture on political institutions. Dr. Ana Matan from Faculty of Political Science delivered a lecture on democratic procedures, and the programme of the first day was concluded with a lecture about changes in electoral system by dr. Robert Podobnjak from the Faculty of Law (Zagreb).
The second day of the programme started with a workshop „Political Parties and their Programmes“, moderated by APD’s alumni Tedi Chiavalon and Đivo Đurović. The aim of this workshop was to introduce participants with electoral process, creation of party programs and the complex procedure of forming post-election coalitions and government.
The development and functioning of the civil society was the topic scheduled for Saturday afternoon. Participants had the opportunity to see the documentary '' Vragovi crveni, žuti i zeleni'' directed by Martina Globočnik, produced by Fade In, about the civil society in the 90s, and programme was continued with the round table about the civil society during process of democratic transition, taking place since the year 2000. on. Professional and personal experience was shared by panellists Andrijana Parić (Center for Peace Study), Andrija Rudić (Baraka and various youth initiatives in Kutina), Igor Bajok (GONG Rijeka) and Tin Gazivoda (Human Rights Center) who moderated the discussion.
Last day of the seminar, dr. Davor Božinović, State Secretary for the European Integration, presented the current status of Croatia’s EU accession negotiations, which was followed by a series of questions and a lively debate among participants.
Seminar was concluded with an oral and written evaluation, and announcement of the future Academy’s activities, including the following seminar in May. |
