The President of the Republic of Slovenia: Study what interests you. Only by studying what interests you, will you be able to develop into professionals with a creative personality, and only creative personalities have the ability to adapt to circumstances and even help create them.

The President of the Republic of Slovenia, Borut Pahor, today hosted a discussion on the topic of "Knowledge without Borders", which was also attended by Slovenian students who study abroad. The discussion was followed by a reception at the Presidential Palace.

This event, which was hosted by the President in cooperation with the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts, the Ethics Institute and the Slovenian World Congress, offered an opportunity for a meeting and discussion with Slovenian students, researchers and scientists working abroad. It was attended by approximately 130 representatives of the younger generation who live and work all over the world. It was the first meeting of Slovenian students studying abroad to be hosted by the President of the Republic.

In his opening address on today's Independence and Unity Day, President Pahor recalled the historic event which took place 23 years ago when France Bučar, the President of the Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia, announced the results of the plebiscite in which the people of Slovenia had voted for independence and sovereignty. "It was a very bold, historic decision," the President said and congratulated everyone present on the occasion of today's holiday, expressing his wish that "you too could do your best to help your country become even better, more just and more successful".
The President also expressed his belief that it was useful and right that for young people to pursue their studies abroad. "If these are your dreams, then turn them into reality. Go and seek fresh ideas, knowledge and new answers to satisfy your curiosity abroad. You are not bound to return back home. Your country is privileged to have you as its citizens. It is the duty of the Government to do its best to make Slovenia a modern, open, tolerant, competitive, united and attractive country to which you will return with your vast knowledge and start your families."

President Pahor concluded by wishing everyone present a merry Christmas and all the best for the coming New Year: "Study what interests you. Only by studying what interests you will you be able to develop into professionals with a creative personality, and only creative personalities have the ability to adapt to circumstances and even help create them."

The opening addresses were followed by an animated discussion of "Knowledge without Borders" in which five participants each described their living and working environments and explained why it was more stimulating than the one they had left behind in Slovenia. The participants in the discussion were Alma Mozetič (University College London), Peter Verovšek (Harvard University), Sara Cesarec (Imperial College London), Sara Kališnik (Stanford University) and Sebastjan Glinšek (Brown University). They also gave their evaluation of Slovenia's competitiveness in particular professional areas and the possibilities of continuing their work in Slovenia in the future.


Photo: Nebojša Tejić/STA