COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION OF CROATIAN DEFENDERS TREATED from post-traumatic stress disorder REPUBLIC OF CROATIAN

Dana 21. February 2020 in the premises of the Association of Volunteers and Veterans of the Homeland War of Croatia (UDVDR) a meeting was held with the participation of Mr.. Tomo Medved, Minister of Croatian defenders, g. Birger Hansen, chairman of the Standing Committee for European Affairs of the World Veteran Federation, General Djuro Boy President UDVDR, g. Tihomir Trešćec president of the Association of Croatian war veterans treated for PTSD Croatia (ZUHBL PTSP RH). The meeting was attended by Ms.. Mirela Buterin, Head of Department of the Sector for the Association of the Homeland War, control and analysis projects of the Ministry of Croatian Defenders, g. Vladimir Bergman, Sector Head of Administrative and Legal Ministry of Croatian defenders and g. Ivica Turić Secretary General ZUHBL PTSD RH. The theme of the meeting was to organize a meeting of the Standing Committee for European Affairs of the World Veteran Federation and conference on the refugee crisis and migration to be held in Zagreb 4. do 6. June 2020. The. It is particularly emphasized the importance of membership in the World Federation veteran and unique opportunity that it provides organizations to share knowledge and experience in working with veterans. Tihomir Trešćec presented the plan of the conference and said that the organization of such an event of great importance and that will gather in the same place the representatives of associations of veterans from all over Europe. He also took the opportunity to point out that the Association and Ministry of Croatian defenders cooperate very well and expressed his gratitude for all that the minister and the ministry seemed to veterans. Duro boy thanked the minister that despite numerous commitments found time to participate in the meeting and pointed out that the association headed by the first association that gathers Croatian Homeland War Veterans, which became a member of the World Veteran Federation after which the organization members joined other veterans' associations from the Croatian. Birger Hansen said that active participation in the World Veteran Federation and organization of such meetings helps all those involved and that he was honored by the fact that the Minister Tomo Bears agreed to participate in this meeting and that he hoped that the Ministry of Croatian defenders to support the organization of such a gathering organizations from throughout Europe that have the same goal, and it is working with veterans and veterans. The minister is above all thanked for the invitation and said he was proud of the cooperation that has with associations related to the Homeland War. He pointed out that Croatia is unique among all the States of the European Union as the only member who led a defensive war within its borders and to support the organization of such an event is an excellent opportunity to share knowledge and experiences and to Croatia that has a lot to offer. He also referred to the theme of the conference and pointed out that it is a topical issue that represents a security issue for the whole of Europe. After the meeting we have also met with the President of the World Veteran Federation, g. Dan-Viggo Bergtun an informal meeting.

Dana 15. February 2020. held a regular meeting of the local association ZUHBL PTSD Croatia and in Krizevci and Ogulin. The President and Secretary of the community participated in the meetings.

Dana 9. February organized by the Association of Croatian veterans treated for PTSD Croatia held a protest "Stop the hate speech and mutual intolerance" in Samobor. The aim of the protest was to raise voice against hate speech and mutual insult, regardless of political connotations and worldview of those who suggest such insults. At the protest was attended by around 700 people, and on stage were, among others addressed the crowd Tihomir Trešćec, dr. Herman Vukusic, Joseph Mahović, Rosalie Bartolić , Zeljko Kekić, Zeljko Baca, Anto Kovacevic and others.

Representatives ZUHBL PTSD Croatia led by the Secretary General of the association participated 6. December 2019. year at the Day of Defenders of the city of Dubrovnik. Laid wreaths and lit candles at the cemetery Baninovo in Dubrovnik and then attended prayers on Srđ led by Don Marin Lucic. During his stay in Dubrovnik secretary took the opportunity to visit the Association of Croatian defenders treated from PTSD Dubrovnik-Neretva County and the City of Dubrovnik and with the president of the local association conducted a meeting.

Within the EU project in the implementation of the Ministry of Croatian defenders entitled "Strengthening the capacity of professionals who provide psychosocial care for Croatian war veterans and victims of war - Phase 1", from 14. do 20. December 2019. was held a study visit to the State of Israel. On a study tour whose aim was to raise the level of knowledge, awareness and skills of experts, participated and employee ZUHBL PTSD RH. the delegation of 16 members led by Secretary of State Mrs. Nevenka Benic. The study tour was conducted in cooperation with the Ministry of Defense of the State of Israel and the meetings were held in the Department of Family and commemorations and the Department of Rehabilitation of the Ministry of Defense of Israel, as well as visiting Rehabilitation Center Marguza and veteran center Beit Halochem. Were visited and some of the most memorial sites, muzej Palmach, Yad La-Shiryon, National Memorial Hall for the fallen soldiers of Israel and Yad Vashem. Study tour received the quality exchange of experience and the acquisition of new knowledge and learning about the different approaches when helping groups that are differently affected by war.

29. November 2019. It was organized by State 9. Knowledge Center organized a conference: War veterans and victims of the Homeland War - yesterday, today, sutra. The conference was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Croatian Defenders, National Foundation for Civil Society Development and the Committee on Veterans of the City of Zagreb. As part of the conference veterans' associations members of the Center Knowledge, as well as organizations that are recipients of the institutional support of the National Foundation for Civil Society Development presented their work and their plans for the period 2020-2030. She stressed the need for additional networking and cooperation among organizations. Once again, Dr.. Kojic all present present the results of research on the quality of life of Croatian defenders and stressed that action is needed to assist in those segments in which such associations can.

Members of the Association of Croatian defenders treated from PTSD and the Croatian participated in the celebration of the Day of Remembrance of the sacrifice of Vukovar and Skabrnja. Members who were in Vukovar with dignity marked the Day of Remembrance for the victims of Vukovar participating in the column memories and lighting candles for all the dead. In Skabrnja members lit candles for all the murdered civilians and veterans and pay tribute to all victims of war. We are glad that we have with the help of the Ministry of Croatian Defenders their members could facilitate the departure in Vukovar and Skabrnja that with a large number of Croatian citizens who are this year come from all over Croatian, participate in the commemoration of this sad day for all of Croatia.