Authored on

CUC to Host the 2026 FUCE General Assembly

The General Assembly of the Federation of European Catholic Universities (FUCE) was held from 4 to 6 June 2025 at KU Leuven and UCLouvain in Belgium. The Catholic University of Croatia was represented by Rector Prof. Željko Tanjić, Vice-Rector for International Cooperation Prof. Jasna Ćurković Nimac, and FUCE Board member Prof. Hrvoje Štefančić.

.

The Assembly addressed the theme proposed by the host universities: “One Health – Spiritual Dimensions of a Holistic Approach to Health: A Possible Contribution of Catholic Universities.” This topic sparked strong interest among participants, combining theological, philosophical, and practical perspectives.

.

During the Assembly, Prof. Hrvoje Štefančić stepped down from his position on the FUCE Board. The outgoing Board expressed deep gratitude for his contributions and commended his presentation of new project ideas to be developed within FUCE in the coming years. The Assembly elected a new FUCE leadership: President: Prof. Elena Beccalli, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan, Italy and Vice-President: Prof. Dermot Nestor, Mary Immaculate College, Limerick, Ireland

.

Other FUCE Board members include:

  • Prof. Taras Dobko, Rector, Ukrainian Catholic University, Lviv, Ukraine
  • Prof. Heinrich Hanenberg, Vice-Rector for Research, Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Lisbon, Portugal
  • Prof. Carlo Gallucci, Vice-Rector for International Relations, Ramon Llull University, Barcelona, Spain
  • David Koonce, Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs, Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum, Rome, Italy
  • Rony Darazi, Vice-Rector, Antonine University, Hadath-Baabda, Lebanon
  • Prof. Franc Violet, Vice-President for International and European Cooperation, Catholic University of Lyon, France
.

At the conclusion of the official programme, Rector Željko Tanjić presented the Catholic University of Croatia’s candidacy to host the 2026 FUCE General Assembly. The proposal was unanimously accepted by the Board and members. The next General Assembly will take place in Zagreb from 20 to 22 May 2026, marking the lead-up to the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the University’s founding.

Founded in 1991, the Federation of European Catholic Universities (FUCE) supports the renewal of a European-wide network of Catholic universities in the context of European integration. Today, FUCE unites 58 Catholic universities across Europe and Lebanon.