Assistant Professor Peran and Teaching Assistant Kilijan presented at a conference in Durham

Assistant Professor Suzana Peran, PhD, and Teaching Assistant Hana Kilijan, MA in Communication, from the University Department of Communication Studies participated from Tuesday, April 14 to Thursday, April 16 in the 3rd International Franciscan Conference “Life and Love Transfigured: Exploring New Horizons in the Franciscan Tradition”, organized by the Centre for Catholic Studies at Durham University in England, marking the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis of Assisi.

As part of the conference, they delivered a presentation titled “Proclaiming St. Francis’ Message in the Digital Age: Croatian Franciscans as Digital Creatives on Instagram.” In their presentation, they reflected on the changes affecting consecrated life caused by the socio-cultural transformations of the digital society. In this context, they examined the Franciscan community and the ways in which it seeks to communicate its charism in the digital space.

They also analyzed and presented how Croatian Franciscans and their communities use Instagram to communicate their charism and for evangelization. Additionally, they examined the frequency and forms of communication, as well as the use of language and symbols, aiming to gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities that the digital environment brings to the Franciscan community.