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About Us
Croatian World Congress
uniting Croatian associations and institutions throughout the world
Established in July of 1993 as a non-profit, non-governmental and
non-party international organization, the Croatian World Congress (CWC)
aims to unite and network Croatian associations and institutions
throughout the world so as to assist in their successful functioning and
to promote the Croatian heritage world-wide. The CWC works
in the interests of both the Croatian Homeland and its Diaspora.
Being of a volunteer character and functioning
according to its statute and the mutual agreement of its member
countries, the activities of the associated institutions and
associations remain totally independent and function according to their
own rules and regulations.
The CWC membership
consists of national branches which have been established in countries
throughout the world. These national bodies function according to their
own needs, mainly through five working-portfolios:
- Humanitarian activities;
- Reconstruction and investment;
- The promotion of culture, education and relations with the
Homeland;
- Public relations and lobbying; and
- Issues relating to the youth.
The following are some of the aims, past achievements
and projects of the Croatian World Congress:
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The Croatian World Congress,
although a young institution, unites numerous Croatian associations
world-wide as no other Croatian body has succeeded nor attempted to
achieve to date. (4.5 million Croats and people of Croatian
heritage live outside of the Republic of Croatia and
Bosnia-Herzegovina). The CWC has been established
and functions on all continents and in all countries of the world
where there exist Croatian communities. The CWC is
growing in membership as new national bodies are constantly being
formed.
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Being a non-governmental and non-party
body, the Croatian World Congress has the right to a personal advisory envoy to the United Nations, and is an NGO in Special Consultative Status with ECOSOC since 1998.
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The Croatian World Congress
profiles itself as a unique Croatian organization which exists outside
the Homeland and can be described as the authentic voice of the
Croatian Diaspora, not only in Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina, but
also throughout the rest of the world.
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With more than two hundred working branch
offices operating on a voluntary basis throughout the world and with
the full cooperation and generosity of non-governmental organizations
such as the Croatian Information Centre, the Croatian World Congress
has employed eight persons who are full or part-time
professional activists. The CWC aims to
professionals in the future by establishing new branch offices and
employing five to six professional active members.
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The initiative of the CWC to spread the
word about the Diaspora in the Croatian National Parliament was made
possible with the appointment of a parliamentary representative and
with the election of parliamentary members from Croatian communities
abroad. The CWC President is also active in promoting
and presenting the Croatian Diaspora in the Parliament.
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The CWC proposed and
initiated the 42 million US$ ‘Island Connection’ (Otocna
veza) project for Dalmatia, which was established (on a business
basis) during the Homeland War. Investment in the project was
completed at the end of 1995. The CWC alone managed to secure for the
project approximately 1 million US$ in investments.
The CWC significantly influenced the Croatian
Government to establish The Ministry of Immigration Affairs.
The CWC established the
Student’s Fund of the Croatian World Congress. The fund
has provided twenty students in the country with scholarships. The
number of scholarships being offered is increasing.
A program of "sorority countries" has also
been established according to which Croatian communities from
prosperous countries "adopt" a community from the developing countries
(eg. Romania, Vojvodina, and some Latin-American countries). This
program ensures that no country is excluded from the Croatian unity.
Publishing activity of the CWC
commenced with the release of the World-Wide Directory of Croatian
Associations and Institutions’.
Although the CWC membership consists of
associations and institutions, individuals are also welcome to join,
no matter what affiliations they have with other associations and
institutions. Individuals can become a CWC friend, CWC Mecena or CWC
sponsor.
The CWC is a
publisher of 'CONGRESS'.
According to its statue, country members
of the CWC are obliged to hold at least twice a year
promotions of newly released books.
The CWC recommends to the
Croatian President foreigners who have greatly promoted and supported
Croatian interests, as well as Croats who have played a significant
role in Croatian communities, for the annual state decorations and
awards.
The CWC firmly believes that the Internet is a solid base
for lobbying and public relations.
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