Conference „Demography in focus: Exploring Local and Regional Perspectives” held in Sisak

Today a conference called „Demography in focus: Exploring Local and Regional Perspectives” was held in Sisak and gathered experts, representatives of institutions and local communities with the aim of exchanging knowledge and experience concerning key challenges of demographic development in central Croatia. The conference was also attended by Director of Directorate for Housing Policy Implementation, Housing Quality and Public Utilities Economy Tomislav Jukić.

The conference was opened by State Secretary at the ministry of Demography and Immigration Željka Josić. In her introductory speech, she said that housing policy, support to young families and revitalisation of rural areas are among key topics that shape contemporary demographic makeup of Croatia. She highlighted the importance of a coordinated, comprehensive approach to demographic policies and of creating an enabling environment for the return of immigrants.

Challenges and possibilities of developing affordable housing

As part of the conference, two panel discussions took place. The first discussion, moderated by Petra Palić from the Catholic University of Croatia, was held between Ivana Mehle, the Deputy Director of the Croatian Employment Service, and Vlado Vujica, the Head of the PISMO business incubator’s Department for Investments. The participants discussed demographic measures, including the Biram Hrvatsku programme (“I choose Croatia”), and other initiatives focused on the return of immigrants and revitalisation of rural areas.

The second panel discussion was dedicated to “Affordable Housing as a Prerequisite for Demographic Renewal” and it gathered Tomislav Jukić, authorised to perform the duties of the Director of Directorate for Housing Policy Implementation, Housing Quality and Public Utilities Economy, Tea Rambovsek Aleksić, the Deputy Mayor of the City of Petrinja, and Frane Tokić, the State Secretary at the Ministry of Demography and Immigration. The panellists discussed challenges and possibilities of developing affordable housing as a key element of demographic policy.

Importance of joint action in the field of demography

State Secretary at the Ministry of Demography and Immigration Mladen Barać presented current activities and strategic guidelines of the Ministry, thereby highlighting the importance of cooperation between state bodies and regional and local levels in order to ensure more efficient implementation of demographic measures and to respond to specific needs of certain areas.

Tomislav Bralić from the Catholic University of Croatia talked about demographic trends, offering an overview of key demographic indicators of central Croatia’s regions. His analysis showed that negative trends continue in most counties, but it also emphasised examples of local communities which managed to mitigate or stop the demographic decline.

Nika Đulo Vulin talked about unused demographic measures in the region, presenting research results that indicate that numerous state and local measures often remain insufficiently used due to low awareness of citizens, administrative obstacles or mismatch with specific family needs. Petra Palić further highlighted key potentials and weaknesses of central Croatia and gave recommendations for future activities focused on improving the demographic situation.

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