Alma Mater Europaea University

in cooperation with the Co-Organisers

Croatian Chamber of Economy
The Chamber of Craft and Small Business of Slovenia
Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Primorska
Chamber Of Commerce And Industry Of Štajerska
Economic Chamber of North Macedonia

and with the support of:

ZICER – Zagreb Innovation Centre
Sveučilište Sjever/ University North, Koprivnica
Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Primorska
Komunikacija i kultura online / Communication and Culture Online, Belgrade
Acta graphica, Zagreb
Media, Culture and Public Relations, Zagreb
Croatology: journal for Croatian culture, society and history, Zagreb
Journal of Migration and Ethnic Topics, Zagreb

cordially invite you to the
30th International Scientific Conference

SOCIETY AND TECHNOLOGY 2026:
Technology and Media as a Transformative Force of Economic Development in the Context of Contemporary Global Trends

Zagreb, Croatia, ZICER – Zagreb Innovation Centre, 21–22 May 2026

Invitation to Participate

We warmly invite you to actively participate in the 30th International Scientific Conference “SOCIETY AND TECHNOLOGY 2026″ by submitting scientific papers that fall within the conference’s defined subtopics.

Main Theme and Objectives:

The central theme of the 2026 conference is: Technology and Media as a Transformative Force of Economic Development in the Context of Contemporary Global Trends.

This year’s conference focuses on the following thematic areas:

1. MEDIA and Media (Re)Presentation of Global Mobility Processes

• Media and the (re)presentation of the role of the economy in processes of social integration.
• Local media and their role in the development of identity-based economic activities.
• Media and the connection between science, technological innovation, and the economy.
• Disinformation and propaganda in public communication on migration and other forms of mobility (tourism, emigration, labour migration, knowledge exchange, and international project cooperation, etc.).
• The role of digital media and social networks in advancing sustainable and socially responsible economic development.
• Artificial intelligence and the quality of information.

2. ECONOMY – Innovative and Business Challenges and Opportunities

• Free movement and migration of knowledge (know-how), capital, labour, goods, and services: experiences, opportunities, and challenges.
• Economic strategies for addressing labour shortages through digitalisation and artificial intelligence applications.
• The role of media in linking innovation, the economy, and consumption.
• Market economy and economic democracy.

3. GEOPOLITICAL Challenges of Global Mobility and Emigration: (In)Security Aspects

• Geopolitical trends as drivers of social and migration movements.
• Security implications of migration: real and perceived threats.
• Cybersecurity and digital surveillance of migration flows.
• National and European legal aspects of migration and asylum.
• Topics from the field at the author’s discretion.

4. HEALTHCARE – Global Social Mobility and Migration Processes

• Access to healthcare for migrants and emigrants.
• Digitalisation of healthcare services and telemedicine for migrants.
• Healthcare provision for returnees: support systems and specific needs.
• Topics from the field at the author’s discretion.

5. DEMOGRAPHY, Social Mobility, and Migration

• Population, demographic, social, and cultural policies.
• Economic development policies, internal and external migration (emigration).
• Climate change, armed conflicts, and economic crises as drivers of migration.
• Emigration of young and highly educated professionals (the so-called “brain drain”).
• Topics from the field at the author’s discretion.

6. TECHNOLOGY and Social Mobility: Innovations and Digital Solutions – AI Applications

• Digital platforms and artificial intelligence in migration management.
• Online services and applications supporting migrants and emigrants.
• Social networks as tools for connecting diasporas and facilitating migrant integration.
• Topics from the field at the author’s discretion.

7. SCIENCE, Knowledge, Innovation, and Technologies

• Aspects of the practical internationalisation of knowledge and science through various formats: Erasmus programmes, international conferences, and other mobility-related activities.
• Visa regimes: techniques, technologies, and visa policies of states and international organisations in the field of science.
• Topics from the field at the author’s discretion.

8. TOURISM – Circular Travel or a Form of Incomplete Migration

• Health, cultural, economic, and security aspects of travel and residence outside one’s place of domicile.
• Technology: digitalisation and AI applications in blurring the boundaries between migration, emigration, and tourism.
• Trends in the travel industry: technological, social, and economic perspectives.

Mobility has become one of the most dynamic global phenomena of the 21st century, reshaping labour markets, identities, economies, and communication systems. At the same time, rapid technological advancement – especially artificial intelligence, digital platforms, and new media – deeply influences how societies understand, manage, and experience mobility.

The conference aims to:

* analyze the dynamic interactions between technological innovation, media systems, and global mobility processes as key drivers of contemporary economic and social transformation;

* explore how digital technologies, datafication, and artificial intelligence shape public perceptions, policy responses, and lived experiences of migration, social integration, labour mobility, and economic development;

* Examine the political, cultural, ethical, and communication dimensions of mobility and migration, with particular attention to media representations, public discourse, and power relations;

* Discuss emerging opportunities and critical challenges for economic systems, public policies, labour markets, and local communities in an era of accelerated digitalization and intensified global mobility.

Micro-credential:

As part of the DiT 2026 conference, participants will have the opportunity to obtain a micro-credential.

The micro-credential is awarded within the thematic framework entitled:

Deliberation – Challenges of Contemporary Political Communication and Local Self-Government.

This micro-credential recognises the acquisition of targeted academic and professional competences related to deliberative processes, modern political communication practices, and the role of local self-government in contemporary democratic systems.

General Information:

Conference Dates: 21–22 May 2026

Conference Location: ZICER – Zagreb Innovation Centre
Zagrebački Velesajam, Avenija Dubrovnik 15, Zagreb, Croatia

Participation Fee:

Registration fees for ACTIVE PARTICIPANTS are charged per accepted paper, for up to three authors. Participation is possible in person or online.

1. In-Person Participation

2. Online Participation

Payment for the active participation on the conference must be completed by 10 April 2026.

Registration fee for PASSIVE PARTICIPANTS: 40 € (covers both conference days)

For all on-site passive participants, attendance will be officially recorded for the purpose of awarding professional development credits by relevant professional chambers. Participants are kindly requested to bring their professional chamber membership card.

Payment for the passive participation on the conference must be completed by 10 May 2026.

Contact: dit@almamater.si
Website: https://dit.almamater.si

Payment Information:

Payment details are as follows:

Sanoterapija d.o.o.
Slovenska ulica 17
2000 Maribor
Slovenia

Tax number: 42694710
Company registration number: 8006229000
IBAN: SI56 0400 0027 8416 519
BIC (SWIFT): KBMASI2X
Bank: OTP banka d.d.

Key Dates: