Junior Diplomatic Academy students had the opportunity to meet Ms. Anica Djamić, Ambassador of Croatia.

2. Junior Diplomatic Academy students from the Kyiv Palace of Children and Youth visited the Embassy of Croatia, where they met Ambassador Anica Djamić. The meeting had a warm and engaging atmosphere, offering students a valuable chance to learn more about Croatia today, its history, and its diplomatic experience.
   
   

The Ambassador set the tone by sharing a few of her favorite Ukrainian words, creating an immediate connection with the audience. She spoke in English, and thanks to the students’ strong language skills, the conversation flowed naturally without any barriers.

She also reflected on her first impressions of Ukraine in 2019, highlighting the country’s high level of education and intellectual culture. In a candid and personal way, Ambassador Djamić shared stories from her time in Ukraine — from the quiet streets of Kyiv during the COVID period to the early months of the full-scale invasion, when she lived and worked in Lviv for several months.

1. She noted that she does not consider herself a “friend of Ukraine,” but rather a “friend of truth,” emphasizing the importance of self-confidence, honesty, and dignity with which every diplomat should act.
   
   

Students of the Junior Diplomatic Academy who had already visited Croatia shared their own impressions of the kindness of the people, the beauty of nature, and the warmth with which the country welcomes Ukrainians.

The Ambassador also spoke about important historical processes: the diplomatic settlement of Croatia’s territorial issues with Slovenia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as the war with Serbia and the breakup of Yugoslavia. The young participants heard how Croatia united in the face of aggression and what distinguishes that war from the one currently taking place in Ukraine. In particular, that there were no child abductions and many of the modern war crimes that Ukraine is experiencing today.

2. She also highlighted Croatia’s involvement in the first successful UN peacekeeping mission, where Ukrainian “blue helmets” served alongside international forces. Students learned about the country’s post-war reintegration, the diplomatic conditions it faced, and how these shaped its political development.
   
   

Equally fascinating was the story of Croatia’s recognition by the Vatican and the unique role of the Pope, who symbolically carries “two hats” — both religious and political authority. Croatia marks January 15, 1992, as the day it was recognized by the European community.

The Ambassador spoke about Croatia’s path to joining NATO and the EU, as well as its support for Ukraine following the full-scale invasion — from hosting displaced Ukrainians to providing demining equipment and collaborating in veteran rehabilitation programs.

She was also impressed that the students had already visited Scandinavian countries where she had previously served as ambassador. Encouraging them to explore further, she recommended visiting Croatia’s islands and expressed confidence that one day Junior Diplomatic Academy students might return to Croatia as part of a diplomatic mission.

2. At the end of the meeting, Junior Diplomatic Academy students presented Ambassador Anica with a meaningful symbolic gift — a painted trophy shell casing created as part of a Kyiv Palace of Children and Youth project, along with two co-authored books about the war. In return, she offered traditional Croatian heart-shaped gingerbread cookies and invited the students to a small reception, where conversations continued in a warm and relaxed setting.

The meeting became a valuable milestone in the students’ development, offering a rare chance to experience real diplomacy through the personal stories, insights, and openness of someone working at the crossroads of cultures, politics, and nations.