Economics, Diplomacy and Integrity (EDI) is an initiative designed to support the development of professionals and students in the areas of economics, business and politics with integrity based on the life and teachings of Jesus. We believe that the best way to fight against unhealthy rivalry among and within nations is to establish an Economics, and political community based on Jesus’s life and principles.
Principles like integrity, moral leadership, service to the community, a focus on the poorest and their needs, faith, and transparency can help combat corruption, selfishness, hopelessness, debilitating unemployment, and abject poverty. Our hope is that when these experiences and principles are applied, they will end up changing and developing the region, not just in terms of economics, growth, but through the creation of a community of leaders committed to good economics and politics and most importantly, to each other.
By taking part in EDI with a number of others from several countries you will undertake an intensive and inspiring journey that will enrich you emotionally, intellectually, relationally and spiritually, and motivate you to make a difference in your country and community.
Throughout these eight days you will engage in activities that will combine both theory and practice. Prominent speakers will lecture to you from fields related to economics, diplomacy and integrity.
In discussions you will synthesize these lectures with the help of the speakers and discuss them amongst your peers. In workshops you will apply principles to practical activities such as actualizing your business or political ideas, business plan writing, formation of political ideas and initiatives, etc. Additionally, teachers and other mentors will encourage you in your personal development and your visions for change. Combined with the academic element will be times of relaxation which will include a trip to the Adriatic Sea, music, sports, recreation, and much more.
EDI Croatia is part of the general EDI gatherings and a now widening movement for change. EDI has been in existence for over 16 years now, beginning as a seven day to two week forum for young leaders in Fuzine, Croatia (now in Crikvenica). Starting six years ago EDI has initiated weekend events on an annual basis for professionals and students in the area of business, politics, these have occurred in Romania, Albania, Serbia, Costa Rica, Israel and the US. Over 900 participants have now attended one of these gatherings over the years. We hope that you will want to join them!
The History of EDI
In 2006 EDI was established on the foundations of the 12 year peace-building initiative Renewing our Minds (ROM). ROM evolved out of the need to heal relationships among ethnic groups after the wars in Southeast Europe applying Jesus’ principles as a platform for establishing friendship, forgiveness, reconciliation and lasting peace in the region. From 2006-2021, the Economics, Diplomacy Seminar (EDS), now Economics, Diplomacy and Integrity Forum (EDI) and regional events hosted over 500 participants, continuing where ROM left off, by adding Economics, and diplomatic principles. Both EDI and ROM are programs under the non-profit organization, Forum for Leadership and Reconciliation (FLR).
Vision
The vision of EDI came about in the summer of 2005 in Fuzine, Croatia. Having been a part of a program there to promote peace and reconciliation following the Balkan war, now with relative peace in the Region, I and my friend from began wondering how to create a place where the principles of Jesus learned through this program could be applied in pragmatic ways. I was then living and working in Croatia and married into a Croatian family so it is interesting to note that this friend was Serbian, a natural enemy.
We were both part of a peace and reconciliation program and wanted to know how to strengthen the relatively new peace in the region and go further to bring an end to corruption, bring hope to youth who were fleeing the region because of high unemployment, and to serve the poor and excluded groups in the region. We wanted to connect young leaders to make a change, to follow Jesus in their life by serving the most needy, and construct a better future. We specifically wanted to do this in areas related to economic diplomacy and integrity; economics, politics, and business with integrity, friendship and peace. We also wanted to give them practical tools such as business plan writing, communications, negotiations, and practical advice and mentorship from local and international business people, lawyers, politicians and other professionals that operated with integrity. These practical tools were missing from their mostly theoretical academics (a product of their top-down communist past). Out of the ashes of war and the aftermath of conflict, EDI was created.
We were both part of a peace and reconciliation program and wanted to know how to strengthen the relatively new peace in the region and go further to bring an end to corruption, bring hope to youth who were fleeing the region because of high unemployment, and to serve the poor and excluded groups in the region. We wanted to connect young leaders to make a change, to follow Jesus in their life by serving the most needy, and construct a better future. We specifically wanted to do this in areas related to economic diplomacy and integrity; economics, politics, and business with integrity, friendship and peace. We also wanted to give them practical tools such as business plan writing, communications, negotiations, and practical advice and mentorship from local and international business people, lawyers, politicians and other professionals that operated with integrity. These practical tools were missing from their mostly theoretical academics (a product of their top-down communist past). Out of the ashes of war and the aftermath of conflict, EDI was created.
Values
Jesus’s principles like integrity, moral leadership, service to the community, a focus on the poorest and their needs, faith, and transparency can help combat corruption, selfishness, youth hopelessness, debilitating unemployment, and abject poverty. Our hope is that when these experiences and principles are applied, they will end up changing and developing the Region, not just in terms of economic growth, but through the creation of a community of leaders committed to good economics and politics and most importantly, to each other.
Network
In our EDI network we have over 900 people who have attended the EDI Forum in Croatia or the extended weekend EDI Forums in Romania, Albania, and Costa Rica. Those attending EDI in Israel would be integrated in our networks and would continue to positively influence family, friends and institutions/networks they currently lead or would create. Concretely they would hopefully start new businesses, have new insight on integrity in their current work place, make practical differences among the poor and needy, and have hope that they can make a difference in their country’s economic and political system.
Register NOW!
We have limited number of scholarships that cover accomodation costs and reduce conference fee form €750 to €250. Register now to get your scholarship!
Participants: 30 young professionals from the business world, the political sector and the field of social work. Register now to save your spot!
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.
For additional information about EDI and the history about the parent organization FLR Visit: www.forumlr.org
EDI is sponsored by the ECPM, Vacaville Rotary, Lake Forest Rotary, Zagreb Metropolitan Rotary and other private donors.
