4.10.2013
Today, the sixth T-HT Conference "Growing through Knowledge" was held in Zagreb, where Alain de Botton, one of the most renowned European philosophers of the younger generation, the world's bestselling author, visionary and entrepreneur, spoke about development of emotional intelligence in work and life. He pointed out the importance of lifelong learning and acquisition of additional knowledge and skills which are crucial for success.
Alain de Botton held his lecture in front of almost 800 invited guests who learned from this inspirational and provocative speaker to what extent work can really offer life fulfillment, how to pick a spirit-refreshing profession and what skills are required for success in view of the ever-growing private and business challenges to live a purposeful, wise and quality life.
In his lecture, he pointed out: „The essence of education is not to develop excellent employees, but to develop excellent people. It is education which plays a crucial role in the recognition of a quality environment in modern society.“
In the introduction to the Conference, Ivica Mudrinić, President of the Management Board of HT, pointed out: “I am proud that, for the sixth time in a row, we are presenting the world's most renowned thinkers, experts and speakers at the T-HT Conference. For us to be a society ready for future challenges we have to work today on establishing a culture of lifelong learning and encouraging knowledge as modern society's most important resource. Knowledge is the key motivation, the key benchmark of the individual's and society's performance. Environments that have recognized that fact have advanced. Because knowledge is not exhausted by sharing; this way it can only grow.”
The lecture was followed by a round table where leading experts will discuss the topic: " Does our current education system prepare us best for the challenges of everyday life?" At the round table, Alain de Botton and Ivica Mudrinić were joined by Prof. Neven Budak, Ph.D., Special Advisor to the Prime Minister on Science and Head of the National Council for Adoption of a Strategy on Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Saša Zelenika, Ph.D., Assistant Minister of Science, Education and Sports, Prof. Vedran Mornar, Ph.D., Professor at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing, University of Zagreb, and Prof. Melita Kovačević, Ph.D., Vice-Dean for Research and Technology of the University of Zagreb. In an interesting debate, the experts discussed education strategy in Croatia, current difficulties and various possibilities of educational development. In the course of the discussion, Alain de Botton highlighted Croatia's big potential and expressed his hope that recent efforts could, in two years already, result in recovery on all levels, from education to economics. In his opinion, Croatia, being a small country, can quickly react and adjust during implementation of changes on its way to progress.
The guests of the Conference will receive a gift from HT, i.e. Alain de Botton's book „The Pleasures and Sorrows of Work“ in electronic form on Planet 9, the reading platform on computers and devices running Android OS and IOS-u (iPhone and iPad) and on e-readers – devices providing the best experience of reading electronic publications.