DIJASPORA JE AKTIVNO SUDJELOVALA-I DAN DANAS SUDJELUJE OSIM U ORGANIZACIJI HUMANITARNIH DOBARA I U PROMIĐBI TURIZMA!

Dijaspora je aktivno sudjelovala i dan danas sudjeluje-osim u organizaciji humanitarnih dobara i u promiđbi turizma!

Tekst:Josip Josef Mayer

U ovim kriznim i neizvjesnim vremenima nije lako predvidjeti kako će hrvatske iseljeničke udruge i društva funkcionirati u budućnosti. Ipak, naša sloga, zajedništvo i razumijevanje jedni drugih trebali bi biti temelj za kvalitetniju budućnost. To bi nam trebalo biti nešto poput svetinje.

Početkom 1991. godine, u vrijeme Domovinskog obrambenog rata, osim prikupljanja humanitarne pomoći, odigravali smo i ključnu ulogu u organiziranju različitih koncerata i zabava. Uz to, trebalo je informirati ljude o tome u kojim dijelovima Hrvatske se vodi rat i gdje mogu sigurno ići na godišnji odmor. Ministarstvo turizma, zajedno sa županijskim i gradskim uredima, tada je također više pažnje posvećivalo dijaspori. Bilo je to razdoblje kada se ulagalo više u promociju Hrvatske, kako kroz tiskane materijale, tako i kroz razne poklone za sudionike, poput opreme za folklorne skupine i druge sponzorirane proizvode.

Danas su, međutim, situacije nešto drugačije. Mnoge udruge, društva i zajednice Hrvatske Katoličke Misije koje su se uspjele održati, ojačale su kroz zajedništvo svojih članova i zajednički rad. Danas sve više njih posjeduje vlastite prostorije, kuće i domove, što im omogućuje lakšu suradnju i dugoročno održavanje svojih aktivnosti. Osobno to mogu potvrditi za Konzulat RH u Stuttgartu,Hrvatsku Kulturnu Zajednicu Stuttgart, Hrvatsku Katoličku Misiju Stuttgart, HKSU Zrinski Waiblingen i mnoge druge.

S druge strane, neke udruge i društva koja nemaju vlastite prostorije i dalje se snalaze, surađujući s udrugama koje iznajmljuju prostore. Nažalost, postoje i udruge koje su bile prisiljene zatvoriti svoja vrata zbog nedostatka logističke podrške, financijskih sredstava ili radne snage. U isto vrijeme, političke vlasti se mijenjaju, dok udruge ostaju i rade na dugoročne ciljeve.

Jedan od prijedloga za budućnost mogao bi biti izgradnja "Kuće znanja" u Baden-Württembergu-Stuttgart, s ciljem jačanja suradnje između turističkih zajednica i iseljeničkih udruga, te promicanja Hrvatske u inozemstvu

. Također, izgradnja stanova u ruralnim područjima Hrvatske, uz smanjenje poreza i kamatnih stopa za iseljenike i povratnike, mogla bi omogućiti bolji povratak u domovinu, osobito onima koji nisu u financijski povoljnijem položaju. Potrebna je posebna državna podrška za one slabije, kako bi se olakšala njihova reintegracija u društvo.

Vrlo je hvale vrijedno i uzorno povezivanje udruga pod jedan krov, kao što je to primjer "Marshallovog plana za Hrvatsku", koji uključuje suradnju dijaspore i domaćih zajednica, u cilju daljnje gospodarske i društvene stabilnosti. Ovaj plan podržava gospodin Zdenko Štriga, savjetnik Vlade Republike Hrvatske za društvena, iseljenička, gospodarska i turistička pitanja, koji je poduzetnik hrvatskog podrijetla iz Frankfurta. Osim što je osmislio ovaj projekt, Štriga je i 12 godina vodio konzultantsku tvrtku Coral Consulting Service, te Hrvatski poslovni centar u Frankfurtu.

Zajednička suradnja i ulaganje u društvene i kulturne infrastrukture u dijaspori, u skladu s idejama "Marshallovog plana", mogu biti ključna za dugoročnu uspješnost svih naših zajednica, te pružiti stabilnost i budućnost svim Hrvatima, bez obzira na to gdje se nalazili.

 Udruga Marshall plan Hrvatska, budućnost uz dijasporu

The diaspora has actively participated not only in organizing humanitarian aid but also in promoting tourism!

 

In these crisis-ridden and uncertain times, it is not easy to predict how Croatian expatriate associations and societies will function in the future. However, our unity, solidarity, and mutual understanding should be the foundation for a better future. This should be something like a sacred value to us.

At the beginning of 1991, during the Homeland Defense War, in addition to collecting humanitarian aid, we also played a crucial role in organizing various concerts and entertainment events. Along with that, it was important to inform people about the areas of Croatia where the war was taking place and where they could safely go for their vacations. The Ministry of Tourism, together with county and city offices, also paid more attention to the diaspora at that time. It was a period when more investments were made in promoting Croatia, both through printed materials and various gifts for participants, such as equipment for folk groups and other sponsored products.

However, today the situation is somewhat different. Many associations, societies, and communities of the Croatian Catholic Mission that managed to survive have strengthened through the unity of their members and joint efforts. Today, more and more of them own their own premises, houses, and homes, which enables easier cooperation and the long-term maintenance of their activities. I can personally confirm this for the Croatian Consulate in Stuttgart, the Croatian Cultural Community Stuttgart, the Croatian Catholic Mission Stuttgart, HKSU Zrinski Waiblingen, and many others.

On the other hand, some associations and societies that do not have their own premises still manage by collaborating with associations that rent spaces. Unfortunately, there are also associations that have been forced to close their doors due to a lack of logistical support, financial resources, or manpower. At the same time, political authorities are changing, while associations remain and work towards long-term goals.

One suggestion for the future could be the construction of a "House of Knowledge" in Baden-Württemberg-Stuttgart, with the aim of strengthening cooperation between tourist communities and expatriate associations, as well as promoting Croatia abroad. Additionally, the construction of housing in rural areas of Croatia, along with reduced taxes and interest rates for emigrants and returnees, could facilitate a better return to the homeland, especially for those who are not in a financially favorable position. Special government support is needed for the weaker ones to make their reintegration into society easier.

It is highly commendable and exemplary to unite associations under one roof, as in the case of the "Marshall Plan for Croatia," which involves cooperation between the diaspora and domestic communities to promote further economic and social stability. This plan is supported by Mr. Zdenko Štriga, advisor to the Government of the Republic of Croatia for social, emigrant, economic, and tourism matters, who is an entrepreneur of Croatian descent from Frankfurt. In addition to devising this project, Štriga also led the consulting firm Coral Consulting Service for 12 years and the Croatian Business Center in Frankfurt.

Joint cooperation and investment in social and cultural infrastructure in the diaspora, in line with the ideas of the "Marshall Plan," could be key to the long-term success of all our communities, providing stability and a future for all Croats, regardless of where they are located.