Community

Community Initiatives & International Engagement

Dr. Grgić has consistently prioritized community development throughout his career. He has facilitated the skill enhancement of numerous individuals, enabling them to drive positive change in their communities. This is evident from the numerous non-governmental organizations (NGOs) he’s been instrumental in forming, many of which remain active today.

His early engagement included associations with the European Movement, Paneuropa, and the Young European Federalists (JEF). As JEF’s inaugural national president, he was present at the pivotal European Council Meeting in Maastricht in 1991, where he engaged in discussions with Mr. Jacque Delors, the then President of the European Commission. The following year, representing JEF, Dr. Grgić was at the UN Charter Review Conference in New York, interacting with Mr. Boutros Boutros-Ghali, the Secretary General of the UN at the time. Recognizing the significance of the UN, he founded the Croatian Club for the UN, which evolved into the Croatian Club for International Cooperation. This organization earned the distinction of being the first NGO from Croatia to be accredited at the UN Secretariat in New York.

Further, Dr. Grgić’ dedication to fostering leadership among the youth was evident when he set up the Junior Chamber International in Croatia, assuming the role of its first local president in 1995 and subsequently becoming a JCI Senator in 1997. He inspired many young individuals to establish their NGOs, encompassing diverse fields from local dance to international affiliations.

In a crucial period of Croatian history, just before the onset of the Homeland War (1991-1995), Dr. Grgić, alongside Serbian peers, founded the Croatian-Serbian Friendship Society. This was an endeavor to advocate for peaceful resolutions to Croatian-Serbian disagreements. The effort received backing from Croatian President Dr. Franjo Tuđman, who later supported several other initiatives of Dr. Grgić, including the forward-looking project “Croatia beyond 2000.”

Over the years, Dr. Grgić has cultivated relationships with notable individuals, offering counsel to various leaders, both within Croatia and abroad. The Croatian Parliament recognized his contributions by unanimously appointing him to the Board of Croatian TV and Radio, where he served as Vice-President for several years. He also founded Croatian Exporters, an active business entity, and initiated the Competitiveness Council, which positioned Croatia on the Davos Global Competitiveness Index.

A hallmark of Dr. Grgić’ commitment to community development was the organization of the 50^th Anniversary of the EU in Croatia at the Concert Hall “Vatroslav Lisinski”. This event, financed by Dr. Grgić, witnessed the congregation of about 1,800 guests, including eminent public figures, symbolizing Croatia’s dedication to the EU accession process.