From October 16 to 18, 2025, a seminar titled “Digitization and green transition – opportunities and challenges to achieve social justice” was held in Zagreb / Croatia. The seminar was organized by the Croatian Cultural Society Napredak (HKD Napredak), with the support of the European Centre for Workers’ Questions (EZA) and the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Croatia. The event was funded by the European Union. Representatives of workers’ organizations from seven different countries participated in the seminar.
At the opening of the seminar, Goran Štrbac welcomed all participants and introduced the planned program. He emphasized his great satisfaction that, once again, the seminar brought together representatives of various workers’ organizations, members of the large EZA network, European experts from different institutes, chambers of trades and crafts, employer representatives, government officials, university professors, and other specialists working on labour rights, social dialogue, equality, digitalization, and the green transition.
Following this, Nikola Čiča, President of HKD Napredak, delivered an opening speech highlighting how HKD Napredak contributes to achieving social equality. He emphasized that digitalization and the green transition affect not only the work environment and education but every segment of social life, thus officially commencing the seminar program.
The first topic of the seminar focused on the importance of social dialogue and the establishment and preservation of social justice. The session was opened by Mr. Neven Kos, representative of the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Croatia and Director of the Directorate for EU Programs and Projects, European and International Affairs, followed by Mr. Guglielmo Borri, Vice President of the Christian Workers’ Movement (MCL) from Italy. After their presentations, a discussion followed, generating a range of reflections, conclusions, and questions.
Social justice is one of the fundamental pillars of every democracy. In the modern era, characterized by rapid technological advancements, accelerated digitalization, and the green transition, the concept of social justice assumes greater significance. Changes in the labour market, modernization, automation, and the shift toward sustainable energy systems raise numerous questions concerning labour rights, financial and social security, and equality for all. Social dialogue is a crucial factor in establishing and maintaining social justice. It is achieved through open cooperation and communication between employers, trade unions, public institutions, and civil society. Such dialogue can ensure fairness and inclusiveness during any transition — including both digitalization and the green transition. This raises the question: how can the principles of social justice be adapted to new social and technological conditions?
The emergence and application of new technologies are transforming the way people work, organize processes, and perform tasks. Various cloud systems, digital platforms, automation, and the rise of artificial intelligence are creating a new work environment characterized by flexibility and accelerated workflows — but also by varying degrees of uncertainty. The issue of constant availability also arises, as employers may expect employees to remain accessible beyond working hours, blurring the line between professional and private life. While digitalization and technological change can enhance efficiency, they also raise concerns regarding workers’ rights and personal protection. It is therefore necessary to establish clear frameworks to ensure that workers’ dignity, privacy, and safety are protected in the digital environment. The topic of the impact of digitalization and new technologies on the formation of new work environments was discussed by Professors in the field of computer science, Vjeran Bušelić from the Zagreb University of Applied Sciences (TVZ), Damir Krešić, Managing Director of the Institute for Tourism and Vice President of HKD Napredak, and Ivana Mehle, Deputy Director of the Croatian Employment Service (HZZ).
Today’s technologies permeate numerous aspects of life and work, which is why the ethical challenges of technological application were discussed by Dražen Vikić-Topić, President of the Board of Directors of the National Foundation for Civil Society Development; Goran Krstačić, the Director of the “Srčana” Polyclinic and Full Professor at the Department of Clinical Medicine at the Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health in Osijek; and Vlatko Rosić, Director of the Catholic School Centre “Sv. Josip” from Sarajevo. New technologies should serve as tools that help people perform their work duties more efficiently — not as substitutes for human labour. Thus arises a crucial question: how can we ensure that technology remains in the service of humanity, and not the other way around? Technology is reshaping power dynamics in society and media. Major tech corporations and techno-managers wield enormous influence over public space, political processes, the media, and the everyday lives of citizens. There is a significant risk that democratic values could be replaced by economic interests. It is therefore essential that transparency, accountability, and fairness guide the development and application of technology. In healthcare, technology can greatly improve and facilitate diagnosis and treatment; however, machine autonomy and the integration of artificial intelligence in medicine must remain under human supervision. Neglecting the humanities and focusing solely on technical and natural sciences would be a major mistake. Education on digital ethics is a key instrument for safeguarding social justice. Technological progress, digitalization, artificial intelligence, and the green transition must be directed toward the common good, the protection of human dignity, and the preservation of all living beings on our planet. The ethics of technology should not be limited to technical standards — it must form part of a broader vision of a society that fosters solidarity, equality, safety, and trust. Every form of progress, including technological, must have a clear ethical foundation.
Climate change has been identified as one of the greatest contemporary challenges. Beyond its impact on the environment, climate change also affects the economy, labour markets, and social structures. The green transition is therefore becoming an inevitable response to climate-related issues. The shift towards an economy based on renewable energy sources, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and energy efficiency brings with it changes in working conditions and social policies. These topics were discussed by seminar participants guided by presentations from meteorologist and weather forecaster at the Croatian Air Traffic Control Nikola Vikić-Topić, Senior Lecturer in Nature Protection at the University of Karlovac, Marko Ožura, and Professor Emeritus of Geophysics and Atmospheric Physics at the Faculty of Science and Mathematics, University of Zagreb, Branko Grisogono. The concept of a just transition, central to both European and global policy frameworks, implies that the move toward a green economy must be socially balanced. The seminar emphasized the key role of trade unions, civil society, workers’ associations, and local authorities in shaping fair and inclusive labour policies through social dialogue.
The synergy between digitalization and the green transition is often presented as a pathway towards sustainable development, but it also brings numerous challenges. Digitalization carries a considerable environmental footprint, requiring vast amounts of energy, rare metals, minerals, and natural resources. Data centres consume increasing amounts of electricity, and the issue of electronic waste — only 20% of which is currently recycled — is becoming one of the fastest-growing forms of pollution worldwide. It is essential to recognize that if digital development relies solely on the continuous production of new devices and consumer-driven economic growth, the green transition risks remaining merely nominal, without real impact. Digitalization and the green transition must therefore be mutually supportive processes, rather than allowing digitalization to become another form of resource-consuming dependence. These issues were discussed by Diana Kobas Dešković, Director of Spona Code d.o.o., Nikola Čiča, President of HKD Napredak, and Felicia Mihai, President of the Trade Union of the National R&D Institute for Nuclear Physics and Engineering “Horia Hulubei” - IFIN-HH Union,
The concluding session of the seminar featured presentations by Boris Marđonović, Executive Director of the Montenegro Chamber of Skilled Crafts and Entrepreneurship; Vjekoslav Špoljarić, Advisor to the Minister at the Ministry of Labour, Pension System, Family and Social Policy of the Republic of Croatia; and Josip Milić, President of the Union of Independent Trade Unions of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. They presented successful examples of digitalization in practice (in economic, IT, and educational systems) and concluded that digitalization and the green transition have become necessities for any society striving for sustainable and competitive development. Although both transitions carry numerous risks and challenges, it is essential to ensure they serve humanity — and not the other way around. Digitalization and the green transition must be implemented in a way that guarantees social justice and equality. At the end of the seminar, following a brief discussion, participants agreed that while not all problems can be solved immediately, new insights can be shared, perspectives broadened, and innovative ideas and reflections on digitalization and the green transition exchanged. It is essential to remain aware, to think actively, and to contribute, step by step, within our own capacities, to the processes of digitalization and the green transition.
All participants agreed that the topics covered were in line with EU strategies on digitalization and the green transition and that the seminar successfully opened key questions regarding the effective implementation of these processes, which will certainly contribute to the future work of all participants in this field.