Introduction It was a true privilege to welcome the Lehigh University Martindale Center for the Study of Private Enterprise representatives to Croatia during their 2025 research program. Returning to work once again with Lehigh as a proud Global Village for Future Leaders of Business and Industry alumnus (2011) made this experience especially meaningful. It was a privilege to reconnect with the faculty and staff who make the Martindale program so impactful and to meet another outstanding group of talented, curious, and highly engaged students. Over the past 15 years, my relationship with Lehigh has extended far beyond my time as a Global Village student. Through many years of continued collaboration, the Lehigh campus has truly become my second home. My study at Lehigh followed by many years of working with the university on the campus gave me a deep understanding of what makes the Martindale program unique: Students are not simply visitors; they are researchers, eager to engage with people, ask thoughtful questions, and better understand the forces shaping a country’s future. With that perspective in mind, I helped provide content and connections for the program and field immersion that gave students meaningful access to Croatia’s institutions, businesses, and innovators. During their journey from Zagreb to Dubrovnik, they met with government leaders, the Ministry of Economy, innovation agencies, universities, technology and production parks, entrepreneurs, and companies representing a wide range of industries. My hope was that these conversations would allow them to experience Croatia well beyond its remarkable natural beauty and rich history, encountering a country increasingly defined by innovation, resilience, entrepreneurship, and international collaboration. Croatia is often recognized for its stunning coastline, cultural heritage, and tourism but is also a country undergoing an economic and technological transformation. As a member of both the Schengen Area and the eurozone, Croatia is strengthening its position within the EU while investing in digitalization, advanced manufacturing, renewable energy, life sciences, and research-driven entrepreneurship. Across the country, a new generation of innovators is building globally competitive companies while preserving the values and traditions that make Croatia unique. The research presented in this volume reflects the curiosity, dedication, and depth of analysis that define the Martindale program. The students explored topics central to Croatia’s continued development, examining opportunities and challenges across the economy, technology, sustainability, public policy, education, health care, and society. Their work demonstrates not only careful research but also a genuine effort to understand Croatia through conversations with the people shaping its future. What impressed me most during their visit was the students’ willingness to listen, ask the right questions, and engage thoughtfully with every person they met. Whether speaking with government officials, university researchers, startup founders, business leaders, or locals, they approached every discussion with intellectual curiosity and an openness to different perspectives. Those qualities produced insightful analyses and thoughtful recommendations that I hope will contribute to future dialogue between Croatia and the US. Lehigh University has long demonstrated the value of immersive international learning through the Martindale program and other global learning initiatives. As a Lehigh Global Village alumnus and through many years of working with the university, I have seen firsthand how these experiences shape future leaders by encouraging critical thinking, cross-cultural understanding, and lifelong relationships. It was an honor to help create an environment where the students could fully engage with Croatia, its institutions, and its people. I sincerely hope this journey marks only the beginning of the students’ connection with Croatia. May they return often—as researchers, business partners, policymakers, investors, or simply as friends—and continue strengthening the lasting relationship between Croatia, Lehigh University, and the US for many years to come. Dario Zoric, Global Village '11 Senior Advisor, City of Bjelovar Former COO, Smion x doi:10.18275/pbe-v044-001
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