Welcome to Economic Diplomacy and Integrity Forum

Photo: Boriana Staykova from Sofia, Bulgaria speaks at EDI 2012 in Fuzine, Croatia.

Justin Kagin, EDI Forum Director, writes about successfully completed Economic Diplomacy and Integrity Forum seminar this August held in Fuzine, Croatia

Welcome to EDI! This is what I felt God wanted me to say not only at the beginning but to the participants at the final banquet, the last night of the Economic Diplomacy and Integrity Forum. Welcome to the EDI/EDS/ROM Jesus loving community!  At that moment, I did not feel that it was just the end of an incredible 12 days but rather the beginning of a network of deep friendships and followers of Jesus. 

Already participants of EDI can reconnect at the end of September in Ohrid, Macedonia at the ROM Regathering which will include not only Renewing our Mind (ROM) alumni but Economic Diplomacy Seminar (EDS – a predecessor to EDI), past participants as well.   Additionally, one of our speakers, Leo van Doesburg, Eastern European Representative for the European Christian Political Movement (ECPM), has invited participants to join in ECPM events as well.  Not to mention student groups in Serbia (Evanđeosko Udruženje Studenata -  EUS), prayer and relational gatherings around the region, and invitations by the many speakers and leadership that are passionate to be mentors and resources to the participants throughout their lives. So, I am excited and happy to say that the care and passion for Jesus and his principles will not stop when EDI finished but only just began.

Overall, I am extremely impressed and thankful for the quality of the leadership team and speakers, and their dedication to each other and the participants. Truly there was an atmosphere of love and respect that permeated the gathering, touched the participants and made EDI successful. I am equally impressed by the attentive and engaging participants that did not sit passively by but actively engaged in lectures, small groups, workshops and individual discussions to get the most out of their experience. 

The Economic Diplomacy and Integrity Forum

During EDI around 30 people gathered to engage in an intense, but also enjoyable, series of lectures, small groups, workshops and activities where the speakers and leadership poured not just their wisdom and knowledge but their entire lives into their time at EDI.  EDI was truly a relational gathering where not one of the speakers or leaders came without leaving their imprint on the participants. 

Leo van Doesburg helped start EDI by explaining the history behind Economic Diplomacy in Europe and some key features that would provide a foundation for the days ahead.  Justin Kagin complemented this by introducing Jesus as the best economist in his lecture “the Love Economy.”  He explained how Jesus taught key principles, like paying taxes even to corrupt governments, not charging interest to the poor, giving freely, and loving one another, that when applied can actually benefit the economies of our nations.  After a series of group games to get to know each other better and a relaxing boat ride in the cool beauty of Fuzine lake, EDI launched into the Trinity Forum with moderator and speaker Jack Fallow, Founder and Director of the Center for Organizational Effectiveness. Readings from Ayn Rand, Tolstoy, Greek and Hebrew literature among others, explored different approaches to life and challenged participants to lead meaningful lives and lives of integrity.  Normally reserved for top-level CEOs and politicians, EDI had the honor and benefit of having this curriculum for our young leaders.

This first part of the forum also included insightful principles for leaders to follow by Samuilo Petrovski, Director of EUS.  He explained how good character and humility are central to leadership and that Jesus exemplified leadership. Samuilo later led a workshop on applying these principles to your life while Jack led a parallel workshop on business complexity.  Jack also gave insights into examples of people choosing an abundant life where Religion, Science, and Art interact in their lives to produce amazing outcomes.  Boriana Staikova, working on anti-corruption in the Bulgarian Government, talked to the participants about the complexities surrounding corruption; its definition and examples of how it happens in practice.  She challenged us to think about the ways in which we personally might be tempted to be corrupt and how we might fight it.

Some of the speakers enriched EDI by bringing their families with them.  Robert Maricak, Business Investor and Executives' Consultant, brought his wife, Karmela, and two kids.  In the second week of EDI, Robert and Karmela spoke on the difficulties and joys of managing a career and a family.  How together they complemented each other and contributed to a successful enterprise without succumbing to corruption or tax evasion.  Robert elaborated on these experiences speaking of the different forms of corruption in Croatia and how through listening to God he was able to overcome them.  Dražen Glavaš, founder of ET!K-Education, Training and Kommunication, brought Jodi and his three sons and he contributed by speaking to participants on their goals and aspirations. He challenged them to think about things that make their heart hurt, their passions and dreams.  His “Love Revolution” lectures were some of the many seeds that he helped plant during EDI. Finally, Tihomir Kukolja, director of ROM, came with his wife Christine and their son.  He taught on the importance of following Jesus and not religion as an idol.

EDI was further enriched by Mihaela Kovacs, Founder and Director of Fundatia Baraca Sighisoara, who introduced problems in the region in gender and ethnic discrimination.  In the evening, through drama, she led a practical demonstration of the effects and negative feelings generated by prejudice.  It caused many of us to think on what we might be doing to propagate this and how we might fight against it.  As a complement to these lectures, Eunice Dugalescu, General Project Assistant for ECPM, spoke about the human dignity movement in Europe and around the world and which applied many of the principles of Jesus to politics.  She talked about the advocacy of the movement and the promotion of the concept of human dignity in protecting life from inception to natural death.  Finally, Justin spoke this second week on Jesus and banking and Leo spoke on the vision for the future of the EU (which complemented an earlier parliament game he simulated with participants) and the role model of Nehemiah in carrying out one’s vision.  Having these lectures toward the end provided a sufficient platform for the participants to think and plan their own visions.

After participating throughout EDI, listening to lectures, expressing their stories through interviews, engaging in small groups, and giving us their music, drama and even martial arts talents, participants were asked to give presentations of their own visions to fight corruption in society using Jesus’s principles.  They were excellent and we are confident that many of these visions will be born out.  We are also especially grateful for the participants that volunteered to aid in many aspects of the forum; from putting up decorations, to music, to engaging with speakers during their time at EDI.  Hristina Runceva, a teaching assistant at the Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje and a participant, particularly contributed in that she taught a well-received workshop on economics and conflict resolution.

Overall a successful and fulfilled EDI, to which everyone contributed and hopefully enjoyed.  The seeds for better nations are planted and watered and growing, and I say again at the end here to everyone involved, Welcome to EDI!

Justin Kagin, Director, Economic Diplomacy and Integrity Forum 2012