Opening Key Topics of Geopolitics, Security, Trust, and Responsible Information

In an era of deepening polarization and rising insecurity, where words become both weapons and defenses, the KOMferencija 2025 gathers the most important regional and domestic figures to discuss what it means to communicate in times of crisis. From November 6 to 8 at the Croatian House in Split, the 24th edition of the KOMferencija will be held, organized by the Croatian Public Relations Association (HUOJ), with the theme ‘Communication on the Front Line – Security in Times of Crisis’.

The program, which features over 30 lectures, panels, and workshops, will open key topics of geopolitics, security, trust, and responsible information over three days. More than 500 communication professionals, journalists, leaders, and students from Croatia and the region will participate in the conference.

The Biggest Names – The Most Important Topics

The KOMferencija opens with a lecture by Dr. Boris Jokić titled ‘Love Each Other, Cannibals’, which addresses polarization, outbreaks of hate, and the loss of dialogue in public space, exclusively presenting data from the latest research. This will be followed by discussions on artificial intelligence, information warfare, populism, and protests.

A special interest is generated by a conversation with four students from Serbia – Doroteja Antić, Anja Pitulić, Branislav Đorđević, and Jovana Dražić, members of the STAV group – who will publicly speak for the first time in Croatia about persecution and freedom of speech after finding themselves on the so-called ‘Vučić’s wanted list’ due to their support for civic protests in Serbia.

In the social and political context where protests are spreading across the region, while rifts and divisions are increasingly smoldering in Croatia, with the latest case occurring in Split, the KOMferencija becomes a place for necessary dialogue.

One-on-One Conversations: Security, Mandatory Military Service, Digital Risks

Through one-on-one conversations, some of the most important political figures in Croatia and Serbia will share their views on security, communication, and social changes:

• Ivan Anušić, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense – on the introduction of mandatory military service and public communication of defense policies,
• Davor Božinović, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior – on the topic of Chat Control and the fight against sexual predators on the internet,
• Boris Tadić, former President of Serbia – on the security architecture of the region, relations with Russia, and citizens’ trust in times of global tensions.

The Most Attractive Speakers: Rajović, Sviličić, and Jokić

Three exceptionally attractive speakers whose lectures leave no one indifferent:

• dr. Ranko Rajović – on the impact of technology, environment, and stress on the development of the child’s brain and the formation of young people’s attitudes,

• dr. Nikša Sviličić on the art of reading people and the power of communication,

• and the aforementioned dr. Boris Jokić on the psychology of conflict and the need for communication to connect rather than divide.

What Does a Journalist’s Work Look Like When News Comes Faster Than Fact-Checking?

The panel will gather leading editors of national television – Damira Gregoret (RTL), Katarina Periša Čakarun (HRT), and Ivana Petrović (Nova TV) – who will discuss how to make responsible editorial decisions in times of crisis, faced with misinformation, institutional pressures, and high responsibility to the public.

the!award: The Best Communication Projects in the Region

The conference will conclude with a ceremonial award of the regional communication award – the!award, which will be held on Thursday evening, highlighting excellent PR practices from Croatia and the region.

– Communication has become a matter of security. It is no longer just about conveying information, but about understanding its impact on trust and stability. HUOJ, through the KOMferencija, aims to be the first to open discussions on emerging topics, as we try to anticipate the crises that will shape our reality, “said Mario Aunedi Medek, President of HUOJ.

Program Director Jerko Trogrlić adds: ‘Although we have been planning the KOMferencija for almost a year, it seems we have chosen the most current topics and interlocutors. This is an opportunity for our profession not to observe from the sidelines but to get to the core, to connect the different, and to engage in dialogue with those who politically, educationally, security-wise, and socially shape reality. We want to discuss what is very likely coming with a lot of understanding, but without any hidden agendas.’