National EU Accession Forum entitled “Vocational Education Reform within the Context of Harmonisation with the EU” held in Makarska

The 16th meeting of the National Forum saw the participation of Director of the MFAEI Diplomatic Academy Mladen Andrlić and the State Secretary for Secondary Education at the Ministry of Science, Education and Sports, Želimir Janjić, with speeches held on behalf of the county and the city by Deputy County Head Luka Brčić and Deputy mayor Ivan Ivanda.

In his speech, the Diplomatic Academy’s Director Andrlić reviewed the importance of a comprehensive and life-long education, as well as vocational education as one of its components, for the overall development of society, stressing that a society based on knowledge has been recognised both in Croatia and the EU as a priority and one of the preconditions for improving competitiveness.

The participants in the Makarska meeting also discussed Croatia’s qualification frameworks and strategy of vocational education development. Other dominant topics included the setting up of an information system for vocational education management, as well as the legal and institutional adaptation of the vocational education system to the guidelines and recommendations of the EU. The discussion also emphasised the importance of harmonising vocational education with the demands of the job market.

The National EU Accession Forum is an initiative by the MFAEI whose aim is to raise the Croatian public’s familiarity with Croatia’s EU accession process and spark a public debate on the subject in all parts of the Croatian society. Participating in its activities are representatives of the state administration, local government and self-government, academic community, non-governmental organisations, private sector, media, and all other interested groups.