Conference on the challenges and future of Christian democracy in Croatia and Europe held at the Catholic University of Croatia

The scientific and professional conference “Challenges and the Future of Christian Democracy in Croatia and Europe” was held on September 24, 2026, in Zagreb, organized by the Catholic University of Croatia and the offices of Members of the European Parliament Davor Ivo Stier and Karlo Ressler. The conference brought together scholars and practitioners from Croatia, the Czech Republic, Austria, Belgium, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, with discussions divided into four thematic blocks.

The participants discussed the relationship between Christian democracy and liberal democracy, Christian anthropology, and Catholic social teaching. The need to distinguish liberal democracy from liberal individualism and to maintain a focus on the common good was emphasized. The historical roots of Christian democratic thought were also presented, along with the example of Pier Giorgio Frassati.

Participants analysed the future of the European and international order, the relationship between sovereignty and supranational institutions, as well as the challenges posed by technological development and artificial intelligence. The need to overcome divisions between Europeanism, conservatism, and nationalism, while strengthening dialogue and social cohesion, was highlighted.

The third thematic block focused on Croatian politics, the economy, and social policy. The programmes of the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) and the tradition of the Croatian Peasant Party (HSS) were analysed, along with the application of the social market economy model in Croatia. Particular attention was given to the development of the Croatian social model.

The final block addressed identity, demography, migration, and the public sphere. Demographic decline, emigration, and population ageing were highlighted as long-term challenges, with particular emphasis on the importance of family, dignity, solidarity, and subsidiarity. Media narratives of Croatian Catholic news portals and differences in their approaches to political and social issues were also analysed.

Conference participants included Davor Ivo Stier, Assistant Professor Jakov Žižić, PhD, Professor Marián Sekerák, PhD, Federico Ottavio Reho, PhD, Anamarija Maksimčuk, MA in Communication, Domagoj Račić, MSc, Professor Jerko Valković, PhD, Assistant Professor Stephen Nikola Bartulica, PhD, Assistant Professor Tomislav Sokol, PhD, Professor Zdenko Babić, PhD, Ante Zrile, MA in Political Science, Professor Dražen Barbarić, PhD, Associate Professor Tado Jurić, PhD, Assistant Professor Luka Šikić, PhD, Lukas Mandl, MA, and Marijana Petir.

The conference provided an interdisciplinary overview of the past, present, and possible future directions of Christian democracy in Croatia and Europe, with an emphasis on the common good, human dignity, social cohesion, and responsibility in addressing contemporary challenges. A booklet containing abstracts of the presentations is available HERE.