The Economic Diplomacy Seminar was a necessary outgrowth of ROM (Renewing our Mind): a more specialized program for young professionals and students entering economic and political life. In order to deal with peace and reconciliation in three weeks, ROM could not take a step into the professional, and in this case, the economic sphere. With this extension young leaders have exchanged ideas centered around economic diplomacy, become equipped practically for professions related to economics, international trade and business, political economics and economic diplomacy, while also receiving essential training based on the principles applied at ROM, the principles of Jesus of Nazareth.

The background of economic problems in the Balkan region demands the application of these same principles. Principles like integrity, moral leadership, service to the community, a focus on the poorest and their needs, faith, good economics, transparency and others, will combat corruption, lies, selfishness, youth hopelessness, debilitating high unemployment, and even abject poverty among some ethic and former refugee groups. Our hope is that when these experiences and principles are applied, they will end up changing and developing this region, not just in terms of economic growth, but through the creation of whole leaders in areas of economic diplomacy, international trade, peace building, and friendship.
The objectives are:

• Train leaders through the model of Jesus for the successful elimination of the problems mentioned
• Equip leaders with practical skills in the areas related to economic diplomacy. Skills such as conflict resolution and negotiations, project management, development of a business plan or grant application, communication across cultures
• Network leaders: connect leaders who are working or interested in the area of economic diplomacy or interested in combating the problems mentioned. These leaders can then resource each other for projects and help each other as friends

The program exists of speakers and seminars, small groups and mentors, workshops, a trip to a disadvantaged region and social events for fun and recreation.

The program will be under the umbrella of the organization Life Center International, a registered non-profit organization in the Republic of Croatia with a working team with Justin Kagin, co-director of the economic diplomacy project and PhD candidate for agricultural economics at UC Davis, Milan Pavlović co-director of the economic diplomacy project and graduate of Economics in Serbia, Tihomir Kukolja general director of ROM, and other leadership from previous EDS or from ROM.
The program will be held in Hope House, Fuzine, Croatia from the 10th of August until the 24th, for a total of two weeks. Participants will be chosen based on recognized leadership in their communities and recommendations of those involved with the seminar.

From the ECPM, Leo van Doesburg, Representative South East Europe joined in 2006 and will join in 2008 as trainer.

EDS Leadership team in 2006

For more information about the EDS, please contact Milan Pavlović (Economic Diplomacy Seminar Program Co-Director) Mobile: +381 63 71 850 71. E-mail him using this link. Or contact Justin Kagin (Economic Diplomacy Seminar Program Co-Director) Mobile:1 415-367-5152. E-mail him using this link. Website: www.romexcel.com and http://eds2007journal.blogspot.com.