The 2025 International Summer School of Bioethics and Human Rights was a huge success! Held in Šibenik, Croatia this summer, participants from around the world were brought together for a week of intensive learning, dialogue, and community. Despite a rainy start that altered the opening ceremony, participants engaged with excitement and enthusiasm—essentials for their advocacy training. Through lectures, debates, and communications training, participants tackled pressing bioethical issues, including assisted suicide and reproductive health, building the skills needed to speak clearly and act courageously in defense of human dignity.
A common thread throughout the ISSBHR: anthropology matters. The way we understand and talk about the human person shapes our approach to every ethical question—from the beginning of life to its natural end, with an understanding of how our society’s culture developed into what it is today. As one participant remarked, “most importantly, I learned about the history of human rights and that their foundation is in bioethics.” In this way, the International Summer School of Bioethics and Human Rights is not about abstract ideas but examines real and personal challenges faced by society today.
As our global WYA community knows best, no one—regardless of country or continent—is immune. Speakers offered rigorous evidence and experience, equipping participants to articulate and defend the dignity of the human person. Mislav Barišić, Director for Policy and Research, explored the rising tide of totalitarian ideologies, while other presentations from Dr. Michael Bauwens, Dr. Dan Đaković, and Luka Poslon examined the history of ideas and the philosophy of gender ideology. Additional speakers offered insights from the fields of law, policy, and ethics.
If the goal of WYA training is to equip and empower young people to understand challenging issues in order to advocate for the dignity of the human person, then the International Summer School continues to be a resounding success: “I learned a lot about the global dimension of bioethical issues, which go beyond the scope of just my local community, as well as critical argumentation techniques which helped develop my critical thinking skills,” said one participant, Eva-Maria Barrett from the United States. “I am going to use what I learned at ISSBHR to start a WYA chapter at my college,” continued Barrett.
The deeply held belief in the human person and respect for the intrinsic worth of every human life drives our WYA members, including Croatia Chapter Coordinator, Mislav Krstulović, who opened the ISSBHR by stating, “I am looking forward to knowing each of you and seeing what makes you infinitely valuable.” The ISSBHR inspires a deep respect for the human person and offers rigorous intellectual training, all the while fostering meaningful community and friendship on the beautiful Croatian coastline. Živjeli to the International Summer School of Bioethics and Human Rights 2025!
Stay tuned for the next round of applications for the ISSBHR. In the meantime, make sure you’re up to date and have completed the WYA Certified Training Program and Advocacy Academy.
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