From the 10th to the 12th of March 2025, Dubrovnik hosted the Professional Conference for Primary School Principals, organized by the Croatian Association of Primary School Principals (HUROŠ) and the Agency for Education and Training (AZOO). This three-day event at Hotel Valamar Lacroma brought together around 600 principals from across Croatia, providing them with the opportunity to participate in a rich program of lectures, panels, and discussions on current educational topics.
Celebrating the 30th Anniversary of the Croatian Association of Primary School Principals
The conference was officially opened on Monday, the 10th of March, with welcome speeches from distinguished guests, including Dubrovnik Mayor Mato Franković, Dubrovnik-Neretva County Prefect Nikola Dobroslavić, and Minister of Science, Education, and Youth, Prof. Dr. Radovan Fuchs. Minister Fuchs also delivered a keynote lecture on the latest developments in the education system, emphasizing the importance of continuous improvement of the school system.
A significant highlight of this year’s conference was the 30th anniversary celebration of HUROŠ, recognizing the association’s long-standing contribution to the development of Croatia’s education system. On this occasion, HUROŠ President Antonija Mirosavljević, Acting Director of AZOO Tomislav Paljak, and former HUROŠ presidents addressed the audience.
Inspiring Lectures on the Relationship Between Parents and Schools
The conference focused on the relationship between parents and schools, with participants attending a series of insightful lectures from leading experts. One of the most notable speakers was Dr. Boris Jokić, Director of the Institute for Social Research in Zagreb, who presented a lecture titled “Mom, Dad, Dog, and Tie – Parents and Schools in Croatia.” His talk analysed the modern challenges in the collaboration between families and educational institutions.
On the second day, Prof. Dr. Darko Marčinko, Head of the Department of Psychiatry and Psychological Medicine at KBC Zagreb, spoke on “The Psychodynamics of Violence and Dialogue,” emphasizing the need for a safe and supportive school environment. Additionally, Ana Babić Pezo, Advisor to the Ombudsperson for Children, held a lecture on challenges in protecting children's rights through parent-school cooperation.
On the final day of the conference, Renata Buzdovačić, a social pedagogue from Don Lovre Katić Primary School in Solin, presented ways to improve parent-school collaboration. Meanwhile, Olivera Marinković, LL.M., addressed the legal aspects of handling written parental complaints in schools.
The conference concluded with an evaluation of the program and discussions on pressing educational issues. Participants highlighted the importance of interdepartmental cooperation and parental support for teachers, emphasizing their shared goal: quality upbringing and education for young people.
Once again, Dubrovnik proved to be the perfect location for such events, seamlessly combining professional development with cultural experiences.