17 Jul HKLD Summer School of Ethics: Dubrovnik, August 9 to 16, 2025

Dear young people,

The Croatian Catholic Medical Association (HKLD) was founded in 1991 and brings together over 1300 doctors, dentists, pharmacists and other highly educated health care professionals whose goal is to promote Christian ethical principles in medical practice and education of health professionals.

This year, HKLD is organizing the first Summer School of Ethics of HKLD! The school will be held from August 9 to 16, 2025 in Dubrovnik. The Summer School of Ethics of the Croatian Medical Association will cover various topics related to some of the most challenging areas of the health profession, such as conscientious objection, reproductive medicine, artificial intelligence, addictions, ethics in pharmacy and nursing, and other areas of medicine.

The school will be held in the premises of the ancient Jesuit College (Collegium Ragusinum), which was attended by many famous Dubrovnik citizens, including Ruđer Bošković, after whom the Diocesan Classical Gymnasium in Dubrovnik is named, which operates in the same building. The program includes lectures by experts from the Croatian Catholic Medical Association and recognized experts in medicine and bioethics, group work, a spiritual program, shared meals and free time. For all mentors and students of the school, joint accommodation is organized in the building of the Jesuit College, on the basis of full board (overnight stay and three meals a day for 7 days). The rooms are multi-bed (4-5 beds) with the use of a shared bathroom upstairs (separate for women and men).

The Summer School is intended for students and younger employed doctors, dentists, pharmacists and other health professionals (aged 18 to 35). Priority in applying is given to members of the Croatian Catholic Medical Association, especially the Youth Section.

We invite interested persons to fill out the application form for participation as soon as possible (no later than July 1) because the number of places is limited.

For more information, please contact us by email or phone:

  • Slavica Grubišić: tajnistvo@hkld.hr (095 5538685)
  • Marko Skender: skender@hotmail.com (091 3655263)
  • Rok Čivljak: predsjednik@gmail.com (091 4012547)

Download the Schedule Table in Excel HERE!

PROGRAM OF THE SUMMER SCHOOL OF ETHICS OF THE CROATIAN MEDICAL SOCIETY

Day 1 is intended to understand the concept of medical ethics, distinguish it from the concept of bioethics and its relationship to Christian ethics. It will include lectures by one doctor and one theologian-priest, and participants will be given the opportunity to share their own experiences (presentation of personal cases through work in small groups) in which they faced the dilemma of whether they are acting correctly – professionally and ethically. At noon, we will participate in the mass in the Congregational Church of St. We will be greeted by the Rector and Vicar General of the Diocese of Dubrovnik, Mons. Ivica Pervan. After a joint lunch in the Collegium, there is time for rest (beach). After dinner, free time or a joint trip to an event as part of the Dubrovnik Summer Festival.

Day 2 will be spent first considering the issue of conscientious objection in medicine: the boundary between freedom and responsibility (the rights or obligations of health professionals). After the afternoon break, it is the turn of the topic of ethics and conscientious objection in pharmacy. As it is the memorial day of St. Clare of Assisi, a fellow citizen of St. Francis, we will celebrate Mass in the Franciscan Monastery of the Friars Minor on Stradun. On this occasion, we will visit the pharmacy of the Friars Minor, which has been operating within the monastery since 1317, is the third oldest pharmacy in Europe and the oldest pharmacy in Europe that is still in operation. After dinner, free time is provided for socializing and sightseeing (it is possible to organize sports and social activities in the Collegium as well).

Day 3 will begin with a presentation of ethical issues related to vaccination, which can also be seen as an intervention between an act of love and an appeal to conscience. The afternoon break will be followed by the testimony of the Mlakar couple (doctor and nurse) who will open a discussion on the topic of ethics in reproductive medicine from the perspective of family medicine, but also personal life. We will end the day with a mass in the chapel of the Collegium, followed by a free evening with dinner in our own arrangement.

Day 4 will begin with an overview of different forms of addiction with a focus on addictions among healthcare professionals and how to approach them. School participants are encouraged to prepare and present examples of acquaintances who struggle with different types of addiction – from hard drugs, cannabis, gambling to the Internet. The afternoon will be followed by a discussion of moral dilemmas in gynecology and obstetrics from the perspective of a specialist in gynecology and obstetrics

After the working part, there will be a mass in the nearby Church of St. Nicholas. Ignatius and getting to know the members of the Society of Jesus who founded the Dubrovnik College. After dinner, the participants of the School are invited to organize a joint concert with socializing in the monastery garden/playground.

Day 5 will open with a presentation and discussion on the post-abortion syndrome, which is little talked about even in professional circles, and which affects not only the people involved in abortion, but also all those who later deal with its consequences. The closest associates of doctors are nurses whose profession is marked by additional professional and ethical challenges, which will be the topic of the afternoon workshop. We will celebrate the Mass in the Church of St. After the mass, those interested can listen to the concert of the Croatian Baroque Ensemble in the atrium of the Rector’s Palace.

Day 6 will begin with a review of the application of artificial intelligence in medicine, which carries not only professional but also many ethical challenges. As artificial intelligence brings revolutionary changes to the field of medicine, it is important to preserve human dignity during its application. Addressing the ethical challenges posed by AI requires a nuanced understanding of technology, as well as the inherent value of each patient. By preserving transparency, inclusiveness, and compassion, the healthcare community can positively harness the potential that AI brings, while maintaining the dignity of the people it serves.

In the afternoon, the final discussion and evaluation of the School will follow, followed by participation in the solemn mass celebration in front of the Dubrovnik Cathedral on the occasion of the Feast of the Assumption. After dinner, those interested can take the opportunity to listen to and see the music and dance pearls of the Lado ensemble at the Revelin Fortress.

Day 7 will be used for a farewell gathering with the Bishop of Dubrovnik, Mons. Rok Glasnović (with name day congratulations) and slowly head home.

You can apply at the following link: https://forms.gle/adEmfuc9BYvrc4C99

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About the association:

The Croatian Catholic Medical Association (HKLD) is a Catholic professional non-governmental organization, which brings together doctors of medicine, doctors of dental medicine, masters of pharmacy, masters of medical biochemistry and other highly educated workers in healthcare. Read more…

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