BLACKSBURG, Va. April 18, 2002--H.E. Dr. Ivan Grdesic, Ambassador of Croatia returned to Virginia Tech to give a lecture on Thursday, April 18.
On Grdesic's previous stay in Blacksburg he was a Fulbright Visiting Professor at Virginia Tech during the 1999-2000 academic year in which he taught a course in Post-Communism. He returns to the university as the Ambassador to the United States.
Friend and former colleague Dr. Charles Lewis Taylor, Professor of Political Science at Virginia Tech welcomed the Ambassador to his Comparative Politics and Government course to speak about recent changes in Croatia's political history.
Taylor’s students, in addition to other members of the Virginia Tech community attended the lecture held in one of the largest classrooms on the university’s campus, 2150 Torgerson Hall.
Grdesic spoke about Croatia’s recent political history and current changes to make Croatia an increasingly democratic and open market. Other points addressed included Croatia’s aspirations of joining NATO and the European Union and the steps the country is taking in that direction.
"It is important for students of politics and history to understand Croatia’s place in an ever-changing world. Croatia has come a long way from where we were 10 years ago and every day that passes brings new and welcome democratic changes and market reforms. Croatia is a case study for students seeking to understand how democratization and free market economies can operate efficiently and effectively in Southeastern Europe", Grdesic said.
During his stay at the Virginia Tech, Grdesic also met Charles W. Steger, President of the Virginia Tech Polytechnic Institute and State University.