"Leadership Conference: Follow Your Calling", organized by the Center for Spirituality and Culture Ignatius, brought together prominent speakers from the worlds of business, sports, journalism, science, and the Church. This conference on Christian leadership featured, along with the keynote speaker, Zlatko Dalić, the coach of the Croatian national football team, eleven speakers who shared their experiences in leadership and management, highlighting the importance of ethical and courageous leadership for the development of both business and society.

The keynote speaker, Zlatko Dalić, revealed how to walk proudly and humbly through successes and failures.

"I joined the national team as a man without a great career. I was aware that I could not build my authority in the wrong way, but on knowledge and by giving my team support and faith to be even better at what they do. I approached the team with great respect, which they wanted and needed, and I was an example to them on how to behave and act. They received authority from me, but the authority of knowledge," said Zlatko Dalić at the conference, reflecting on leading the Croatian national football team.

Inspiration and Encouragement for Social Change

The Apostolic Nuncio to the Republic of Croatia, Monsignor Giorgio Lingua, also shared his thoughts on Christian leadership with the participants, speaking about servant leadership in his speech titled "Jesus as the Leader." The conference was opened by entrepreneur and founder of the portal Mojnovac.hr, Kristina Ercegović, and other speakers shared their thoughts on leadership and development: Ivana Petrović, journalist for Nova TV; Antonia Hrvatin Roth, editor and journalist for Croatian Radiotelevision; Krešimir Ćosić, tenured professor and lieutenant general; Matija Kopić, entrepreneur and co-founder of Gideon Brothers; Aleksandar Stanković, editor and host of the show on Croatian Radiotelevision; Ivan Gadže, entrepreneur and partner at Kaizen Institute; Ana Ljubas, assistant director for nursing and head nurse at Clinical Hospital Center Zagreb; Ivana Kalogjera, founder of the association Nismo same, and Andrej Grubišić, consultant and economic expert.

The idea originated from Father Tvrtko Barun, a Jesuit, founder and head of the Center Ignatius and the Academy for Christian Leadership.

"There is a lack of quality leaders iIn society, competent, fair, and ethical individuals who serve and burn for the common good. The Leadership Conference is another contribution to such a commitment of the individual, guided by Christian values. With this, we want to inspire and encourage everyone to take responsibility, empower them for growth, to be readier and braver for changes in society, business, and the Church," said Father Barun.

Center Ignatius and the Academy for Christian Leadership

The main goals of the Academy for Christian Leadership program are the education and promotion of leadership within Christian communities and the formation of young leaders to be ready for the challenges of reforming and renewing the world and the Church. As part of the program, the Center Ignacije organizes educational sessions on Christian leadership led by Croatian and international experts, public forums aimed at promoting prominent individuals who live Christian values and leadership through their work, and numerous one-day workshops for developing specific leadership skills.