Respect in Action at RIT Croatia

RIT Croatia has launched a powerful, proactive initiative titled "Student Conduct and Values: Respect in Action," running from November 3 to December 6, 2025, across both the Dubrovnik and Zagreb campuses. Led by Antonija Granić, Academic Support Coordinator and Ombudsperson, the campaign focuses on embedding respect, empathy, and inclusion into the daily lives of the entire community. It is executed through a series of "Respect in Action: Building an Inclusive Campus" workshops and dedicated Student Values Awareness Weeks on both campuses.

The driving force: Commitment to community well-being

The campaign is one of the many activities Antonija Granic creates to nurture a positive and productive learning environment.

"Every day, we witness individuals who are struggling because of hurtful behavior that could have been prevented with empathy and awareness," Granić shares. "We wanted to open this topic with our students, and work on visible reminders of the values we stand for, moving beyond reactive solutions."

This desire to strengthen the culture of respect, empathy, and inclusion that defines RIT Croatia led directly to the "Respect in Action" campaign, reinforcing the supportive environment for every community member.

Respect in action: Translating values into behavior

The title "Respect in Action" emphasizes a core philosophy: values must be practiced, not just known.

"While awareness is important, it is only the first step," Granić explains. "The emphasis on action highlights our goal of translating values into everyday behaviors. Simply knowing what respect means is not enough."

In the multi-session workshops, the focus is on practical application. Participants explore real-life scenarios—from dismissed ideas to exclusion—and actively practice respectful and inclusive responses. This process turns awareness into tangible skills, building empathy and stronger collaboration.

Shaping future leaders: ethics and success

For an institution educating future leaders, this campaign is vital. Granić emphasizes the direct link between ethical behavior and professional success:

"In today’s corporate world, respect, integrity, and empathy are essential skills, just as important as technical knowledge," she states. "By encouraging respectful communication and inclusion on campus, we are helping students develop the mindset and habits that make them effective collaborators and responsible leaders."

Visible commitment and lasting impact

To ensure the message is internalized, the campaign mobilizes the entire community. During the Awareness Weeks (Zagreb: November 24–29;  Dubrovnik: December 1–6), every member is invited to wear badges with powerful messages reflecting the values.

"As people walk across campus, they read and share these messages, creating ongoing, visible interactions that spark conversation," Granić says.

The visual identity for the badges was created by students from the New Media Design Club, Sofiia Kotkova and Tomislav Grdijan.

To ensure longevity, the campaign is designed to become a permanent and sustainable initiative, repeating regularly with updated materials. Continuity will be secured through the involvement of faculty, staff, student organizations, and the Ombudsperson office, who will "carry the torch."

Granić's final message is that everyone has a role to play. "This campaign succeeds not because of one person, but because students, faculty, and staff actively participate. Every small action matters," she urges.