Economics, Diplomacy and Integrity 2026
Diplomacy and Peace in a Divided World
Zagreb, Croatia, 4th July - 11th July 2026
EDI IN CROATIA IS DEDICATED TO DEVELOPING LEADERS OF INTEGRITY IN DIPLOMACY, ECONOMICS, BUSINESS, AND POLITICS
2026 Croatia Theme:
Diplomacy and Peace in a Divided World
Peace and Prosperity Is Not Only Negotiated by Governments.
It Is Practiced by People.
One Personal Flourishing at a Time.
EDI 2026 is a one-week summer school in Zagreb for students, young adults, and emerging leaders who want practical skills in reconciliation, conflict resolution, ethical leadership, diplomacy, and peace-building.
Learn how peace is built in real life - in families, churches, student communities, ethnic relationships, civic institutions, business, and public leadership.
Through lectures, workshops, mentoring, dialogue, and project work, you will explore how integrity becomes the moral infrastructure of peace.
Peace Is Not Abstract Here
In the Balkans, and unfortunately in the world today, division is not a theory.
It lives in family stories, ethnic memory, political distrust, church conflict, economic frustration, migration, corruption, and the quiet suspicion that nothing can really change.
Peace is often spoken about as something far away - negotiated by governments, diplomats, and international institutions.
But the work of peace also begins much closer to home.
It begins when someone chooses truth over manipulation.
Dignity over contempt.
Dialogue over accusation.
Responsibility over cynicism.
Reconciliation over inherited resentment.
Service over self-protection.
That is why EDI 2026 brings diplomacy down to earth.
This year's theme, Diplomacy and Peace in a Divided World, asks how peace can be practiced not only between nations, but also in communities, churches, families, student groups, public institutions, businesses, and cross-border relationships.
At the center of the program is one conviction:
Integrity is the moral infrastructure of peace.
Without integrity, diplomacy becomes image management.
Without integrity, economics becomes exploitation.
Without integrity, leadership becomes performance.
Without integrity, religion becomes a label.
Without integrity, peace becomes a slogan.
EDI 2026 is built for students and young leaders who do not want to merely talk about peace, but learn how to practice it.
Learning Objectives
Participants will have the opportunity to:
- Understand the conflicts shaping Europe and Southeast Europe
Explore real diplomatic, political, social, economic, and security challenges facing the region, with guidance from scholars and practitioners. - Practice the skills of peace-building
Learn and practice negotiation, mediation, strategic communication, consensus-building, and difficult conversations through interactive workshops and simulations. - Learn how to lead when trust is low
Reflect on how integrity, dignity, transparency, courage, and accountability shape decisions in complex situations where there are no easy answers. - Connect economics with peace
Examine how poverty, corruption, exclusion, unemployment, trade, entrepreneurship, and economic diplomacy affect the stability and dignity of communities. - Move from concern to action
Design a small but meaningful leadership or community-impact project connected to a real need in your own context, with mentoring on how to move from idea to implementation. - Build a network for the long work ahead
Form relationships with peers, mentors, practitioners, and leaders from different countries, sectors, and generations who care about reconciliation, dialogue, and transformation.
A Selection of the Relevant and Engaging Lectures and Workshops:
EDI 2026 will combine engaging lectures with practical workshops on diplomacy, security, entrepreneurship, communication, negotiation, artificial intelligence, and moral leadership in divided societies.
Dr. Trineke Palm, Director of a Christian political think tank in the Netherlands and lecturer at Utrecht University, will lead sessions on Ethics and Security and Europe as a Peace Project, exploring how values and institutions shape peace and security.
Jacques Bazen, senior lecturer in Innovative Entrepreneurship and International Economics at Saxion University, will lead Conflict and Consensus and a Negotiation Simulation, helping participants practice leadership, compromise, and decision-making.
Dr. Noemi Mena Montes, a Spanish journalist, researcher, and political communication expert, will lead From Polarization to Dialogue: Beyond Us vs. Them, focused on communication that builds trust instead of division.
Igor Mateski, entrepreneur, theology graduate, and advocate for the Faith and Work movement, will lead AI, Conflict, and Hope for the Future?, exploring how technology can shape society, leadership, and reconciliation.
Dr. Justin Kagin, Founder and Director of EDI and Founder/CEO of Kagin’s Consulting, will lead EDI and Building Prosperous Nations, connecting economics, diplomacy, integrity, and moral leadership.
Participants will also join Zagreb: European Parliamentarian for a Day, an interactive simulation where they negotiate, debate, and experience democratic decision-making in practice.
Integrated Learning Approach
To support these goals, the Summer School combines academic insight, practical training, mentorship, and intercultural exchange through an integrated learning model:
Expert Lectures
Diplomacy, conflict transformation, social entrepreneurship, economic diplomacy, international business, ethics and integrity
Applied Workshops
Negotiation and mediation practice, project design, leadership exercises
Mentorship
Individual and small-group coaching with experienced professionals and practitioners
Field Engagement and Fun
Institutional visits and dialogues with diplomats, policymakers, civil society actors, and innovators. Excursion to the Croatian Coast. Hikes around Sijeme
Intercultural Community
Cross-generational living, dialogue, and shared learning experiences across cultures and backgrounds
Register NOW!
A limited number of scholarships are available, covering accommodation and reducing the program fee from €600 to €250.
Apply early, as scholarships are awarded on a rolling basis.
Join a cohort of selected young professionals and advanced undergraduate and graduate students working in or preparing for careers in diplomacy, public leadership, economics, business, law, politics and social impact. Apply now to secure your place.
Important Notice: We are unable to provide travel assistance.
Have a question? Need assistance? Feel free to send us a message: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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“Great speakers, with valuable lessons. Amazing moments, filled with blessings and thoughts. I found here the motivation to go on, to bring a change in me and in society.”
- From the EDI Evaluation Form
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"A place to believe, create, love. A place to smile at every sunshine and to fill ourselves with hope and wonders. A place where friendship is a "must have"...!"
- Georgiana Bighescu from Romania
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“This experience was amazing, I learned about leadership, about personality, politics, and friendship.”
- From the EDI Evaluation Form
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"Thank you a lot for your friendships, trust in us. Thank you that you encouraged me with good teachers. . .We as a family had a very good time together and to be involved in the team to help! Hope for next year to be here!"
– Natasa Orescanin from Serbia
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“EDI is a reunion of warm people - this is why this forum is so special. I was blessed to be a part of this experience, all of the participants and team members helped me to gain confidence in myself. High professionalism and friendly environment.”
– From the EDI Evaluation Form
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“Before I came here, I was upset, but I have met now friends.
I have a new vision for my life and integrity.”– From the EDI Evaluation Form
Please note that there may be others present who hold very different opinions from yours on a number of important issues. We require that all who participate in EDI in whatever capacity treat one another with respect at all
EDI is sponsored by the ECPP, Vacaville Rotary, Lake Forest Rotary and other private donors.
