Academician: Croatia Still Doesn't Understand Its Diaspora

Academician Jasna Čapo, a distinguished member of the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts (HAZU) and a leading ethnologist, asserts that Croatia has yet to fully grasp the significance and potential of its diaspora. Speaking on the Cronnect podcast, Čapo, the first ethnologist elected to HAZU's Social Sciences department, highlighted her extensive international academic career, which spans institutions in Zagreb, Berkeley, France, Austria, and Germany.

Čapo's perspective underscores a perceived disconnect between Croatia and its global expatriate community. Her international experience provides a unique vantage point from which to observe and critique the nation's engagement with its diaspora.

The academic's remarks suggest a missed opportunity for Croatia, implying that a more strategic and understanding approach to its diaspora could yield substantial benefits, whether through economic investment, cultural exchange, or intellectual capital. The call for better comprehension and engagement points to a need for policy and societal shifts within Croatia.