March the 12th, 2023 - TCN New York correspondent Srecko Mavrek, a man born in Varazdin who has spent his time living, studying and working around the world, gains recognition for his promotion of Croatian culture abroad.

Last week in Bad Homburg, Germany, the winners of the 17th Vecernjak’s selection of the most popular Croats in the diaspora were announced in the categories of sport, music, acting and showbiz for the 2023 Vecernjakova Domovnica Award. This year’s “Vecernji list” newspaper awards ceremony was also held under the sponsorship of the Minister of Foreign and European Affairs and the Croatian Heritage Foundation.

Srecko Mavrek, TCN correspondent from New York and one of the hosts of Croatian Radio New York "Voice of Free Croatia", also received special recognition.

Srecko Mavrek was born in Varaždin in 1969, and his origin is from Ivanec. He studied in Zagreb, Pecs, Graz and New York, and was one of the prominent student leaders at the University of Zagreb, where he was elected to the presidency of the Student Union and served as a representative for the social-humanistic-theological field in the university senate.

Before leaving for the USA, he worked as a researcher and lecturer at the University of Udine in Italy, the Karl-Franz University of Graz in Austria, the University of Augsburg in Germany and the University of Pécs in Hungary. He currently works as a swimming and physical education teacher for the New York City Department of Education.

He is also an adjunct lecturer at Hostos Community College, the City University of New York. As an internationally recognised expert in education, he was the official representative of the Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society in Education at the United Nations Department for Global Communications.

He received several prestigious professional awards and recognitions, such as the 2016 President's Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition Community Leadership Award. Mavrek sings tenor in the well-known New York klapa Astoria, which became famous by performing the American national anthem at the Croatian Heritage Night in Madison Square Garden on January 11, 2019. In Science of Music, he composes folk and world music and plays various instruments. He is also a correspondent for the Croatian Information Agency (HIA).

Srecko Mavrek is a highly respected Croatian lobbyist and promoter of Croatian national heritage and culture in America and around the world. For this reason, last Sunday he received one more recognition from the American-Croatian Congress at a ceremony held at the famous Dubrovnik restaurant in New Rochelle, New York, owned by Zeljko Tomic from the island of Lopud.

The ceremony was preceded by the premiere of the HRT documentary "Ana Mljecka", which promotes Croatia, the island of Mljet and the Mljet National Park around the world, and is dedicated to the traditional way of life on the Adriatic and the Croatian islands, showing the cultural heritage of the island through the biographical story of Ana Strazicic Rodriguez, a well-known Croatian expatriate who has been living and working in America for decades.

During his speech at the award ceremony, Srecko Mavrek thanked the entire American-Croatian Congress, which recognised his contribution to the Croatian community in New York, and he also said that it was a really great honor for him personally to be among other award winners such as Jere Kursar, Zvonko Crnogorac and all others who for many years have been contributing to the promotion and reputation of Croatia and the Croatian community in New York and New Jersey with their voluntary and humanitarian work.

As a respected member and journalist of the American-Croatian Congress, he also announced that after this recognition, he will become even more involved in a series of projects at the local community level and globally.

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November the 25th, 2022 - Croat Ante Delija is set to meet Matheus Scheffel soon...

The Professional Fighters League (PFL) is the first and only MMA league with a true sports-season format where elite fighters from around the world compete in a Regular Season, Playoffs and Championship. The four competitors in each division who earn the most points in the Regular Season advance to the win-or-go-home Playoffs, followed by the biggest night in MMA – the PFL World Championship – with each winner going home with the $1 million prize. The 2022 PFL World Championship, which is taking place at the Hulu Theater in Madison Square Garden, New York City today, November 25. The main card will include six championship bouts that will crown winners $1 million each. The main card will stream on ESPN+ PPV for $49.99 at 8:00pm, EST Time.

Croatian heavyweight MMA fighter Ante Delija will meet Brazil’s Matheus Scheffel for the heavyweight title in the featured bout. Originally from Dubrovnik, Delija has been training with Mirko Cro Cop Filipović and his team in Zagreb. At the pre-fight press conference on Wednesday, he reflected on last year's championship and the fact that he lost in the final - "I think last year I was at 50-60 percent of my capabilities. I consider the second place a failure, but this year I am ready to win, and I believe in it.'' He was also a special live guest at the Croatian Radio New York, which is organizing Ante Delija Watch & Meet Party at the Tracks Raw Bar and Grill across Madison Square Garden. “I am at 100% of my capabilities this season and I will win!” – said Ante for the Croatian Radio NY. After the press conference, the faceoffs followed. Delija and Scheffel handled the faceoff calmly, without any tensions. “Ante writes the new pages of the Croatian sports history. His achievements are amazing and inspiring. He is a favorite and the New York Croats expect his victory!” - said Srecko Mavrek, the Croatian Radio NY host.

You can watch the faceoff between Delia and Scheffel (starts at 48:00 min) in the YouTube video HERE.

Inside Look at PFL 2022 Championship Fighters

The PFL’s YouTube channel has released a Vlog Series for the 2022 PFL World Championship, which you can view HERE.

New York, October 4, 2022 - Srecko Mavrek, an internationally recognized educational expert, attended a reception on the occasion of the 25th Austrian American Day at the Austrian Consulate General in New York. In 1997, President Bill Clinton proclaimed September 26 as Austrian-American day in gratitude for the many gifts that Austrian Americans bring to the life of the USA. The event was hosted by the Austrian Consul General Ms. Helene Steinhaeusl. Attendees were honored and delighted by the presence of H.E. Karl Nehammer, Federal Chancellor of the Republic of Austria H.E. Alexander Schallenberg, Federal Minister for European and International Affairs, and Major General Jürgen Ortner from Permanent Mission of Austria to the United Nations in New York, with whom Mavrek had a long and interesting conversation about bileteral relations between Croatia and Austria and the current situation in Europe.

Mavrek’s connection with Austria dates back to the 2000s when he worked as a research fellow at Karl-Franz-University in Graz between 2001-2005. In cooperation with the Austrian-American Educational Cooperation Association, he was hired as an international teacher by the New York City Department of Education in 2005. Since then, he received numerous professional awards including President's Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition Community Leadership Award, SHAPE America Eastern District High School Physical Education Teacher of the Year, National Service Award from the Council for Aquatic Professionals of the American Association for Physical Activity and Recreation, etc. He also served as a professional representative of Kappa Delta Pi – International Honor Society in Education to the United Nations Department of Global Communications. Mavrek has been passionately preserving and promoting Croatian heritage and culture worldwide since the 1990s. and is currently one of the Croatian Radio New York hosts.

Srecko Mavrek with the young Austrian diplomats

Srecko Mavrek and the Austrian Consul General Ms. Helene Steinhaeusl at the Summer 2021 reception

August 24, 2020 - August 19 marks World Humanitarian Day. The Federation of World Peace and Love (FOWPAL) hosted a virtual event to commemorate World Humanitarian Day with Conscience, paying tribute to real-life heroes who help the needy, save lives, or promote human welfare. 

A reputable New York City Croat Srecko Mavrek, an official KDP International Honor Society in Education representative to the UN Department of Global Communications, delivered his message to recognize importance of humanitarian works. His well noted quote was posted by the International Day of Conscience on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. 

“Humanitarian assistance is badly needed in many countries due to lack of political commitment, media attention and international support. The pandemic has made the situation even worse. Humanitarian crisis have worsened due to medical supply shortages. It is especially meaningful and important that we commemorate this World Humanitarian Day today. I would like to pay my highest tribute and gratitude to the great jobs of aid workers who have risked their lives in the most difficult environment extending helping hands to the helpless. Conscience is the wellspring of love, and love is at the core of humanitarian spirit,” said Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze, President of FOWPAL 

In 2008, the United Nations General Assembly designated 19 August as World Humanitarian Day to raise awareness about humanitarian assistance worldwide and to pay tribute to the people who risk their lives to provide it. World Humanitarian Day was commemorated for the first time on 19 August 2009. 

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July 28, 2020 - The Federation of World Peace and Love (FOWPAL) hosted a virtual forum in celebration of the 1st anniversary of the United Nations’ adoption of the International Day of Conscience on July 25, 2020.

The president of FOWPAL, nine distinguished panelists and invited global citizens shared their thoughts about promoting the culture of peace with conscience. Among them was New York City Croat Srecko Mavrek, an official KDP International Honor Society in Education representative to the UN Department of Global Communications, who shared his uplifting message in recognition of the day. His well noted quote was posted by the International Day of Conscience on Twitter and Facebook.

Words of conscience from Srecko Mavrek, a Croatian international educational expert in New York City and an official KDP Representative to the UN Department of Global Communications.#InternationalConscienceDay #ChangetheWorldwithConscience pic.twitter.com/XQK7PJcpoA

— International Day of Conscience (@icday2020) July 25, 2020

Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze, President of FOWPAL, stressed that “Conscience inspires acts of kindness, makes us grateful for what we have and willing to give back to society, and makes us realize that it is better to give than take. Our time in this world is limited, but the value we can add to our lives is limitless. In this critical time, let us continue to work together. With conscience as the antidote to our hearts and love as the wellspring of life, we can unleash our potential to promote a culture of peace, create a new era of conscience for all humanity, and build an achievable and sustainable future for the Earth and future generations.” 

“I pray today and every day that the voice of conscience guides me to awaken me and that I’d be a benefit to others,” said Mr. Jonathan Granoff, President of Global Security Institute, adding, “Only if my heart is clear and good can I really be a benefit to others.” He also said that “This initiative that you’ve started of the International Day of Conscience is not an abstract lesson in a university. It’s a reality of the nations of the world brought to life through our individual efforts.” 

In July 2019, during the 73rd session of the UN General Assembly, the United Nations adopted a draft resolution submitted by the Kingdom of Bahrain and declared April 5 as the International Day of Conscience. The Assembly invited "all Member States, organizations of the United Nations system and other international and regional organizations, as well as the private sector and civil society, to build the culture of peace with love and conscience in accordance with the culture and other appropriate circumstances or customs or their local, national and regional communities, including through quality education and public awareness-raising activities, thereby fostering sustainable development." 

July 19, 2020 - Srećko Mavrek, a Croatian international educational expert based in New York, attended the 2020 Sphere Summit: Teaching Civic Culture Together, July 13-15, hosted by the CATO Institute, Washington DC (https://www.cato.org/).

Given the concerns related to COVID-19, the 2020 Sphere Summit was held as an online public policy and professional development seminar exclusive to educators and administrators.

“The most important goal of the Sphere Summit was to restore a spirit of civil, constructive, and respectful discourse and engagement. To that end, the Summit emphasized on the common values and objectives we hold as citizens. It is necessary to return facts, objective analysis, and independent research to primacy as the vehicles for discussion and academic, public and political debate. Discussing shared values is essential to a restoration of civic culture,” said Mavrek.

“The objectives of the Sphere Summit included civic culture, foundations, applications, understanding each other, and policy discussions. Participants explored and addressed the current state of public discourse, partisanship, and tribalism in America. They also shared tools and approaches for the classroom on current public policy issues from diverse viewpoints. Other topics included the U.S. Constitution, the rule of law, and freedom of expression. While some speakers were struggling with their own political biases during examination of the various political philosophies and understanding the viewpoints of audiences with diverse perspectives, it was really valuable to analyze key policy issues from diverse perspectives with an emphasis on shared values and common objectives,” concluded Mavrek.

The Sphere Summit featured presentations by leading policymakers, scholars, and academics, who discussed key public policy issues facing the US and Western countries today. The Summit also featured professional development workshops conducted by leaders in civic education. Featured speakers included: Anne Applebaum, Staff writer for The Atlantic and a Pulitzer‐​prize winning historian, Gary Colletti, Senior Manager, Teacher and Student Programs, Bill of Rights Institute, Chelsea Follett, Policy Analyst and Managing Editor of Human​Progress​.org, Cato Institute, Caroline Fredrickson, Senior Fellow, Brennan Center for Justice, Peter Goettler, President and CEO, Cato Institute, Jonathan Haidt, Thomas Cooley Professor of Ethical Leadership, Stern School of Business, New York University; and Cofounder, Heterodox Academy, Michael A. Lewis, Professor, Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College, CUNY, and others. Two House Representatives participated in the Keynote Address on July 14 - Rep. Kelly Armstrong (Republican-ND) and Rep. Ro Khanna (Democrat-CA).

July 12, 2020 - On Tuesday, July 7, the White House hosted a half-day Summit on Safely Reopening America’s Schools focusing on reopening America’s schools in safe ways that respect the holistic health and learning needs of America’s students. The Summit included state and local leaders, health professionals, teachers, administrators, parents, and higher education institution leaders from across the USA. The live broadcast of this event was attended by nearly 700 attendees. Among them was Srećko Mavrek, a Croatian educational expert based in New York, who has officially represented Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society in Education at the UN Department of Global Communications. Communications since 2016.

“In the weeks ahead, educators and government officials at the state and local level will have to make important decisions about when and how to safely reopen America’s schools. Therefore, it was very important to initiate the national dialogue about safe reopening. Everyone agrees that students should return to the classrooms as soon as possible, but there are also several main disagreements regarding the safety concerns, learning models and financial issues. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released detailed guidance to ensure school officials understand how to prepare for, prevent transmission of, and react quickly to coronavirus cases within an education system,” said Mavrek.

“President Donald Trump and the federal government demand that schools must reopen, and they must be fully operational, i.e. five days of classes per week. He added that America’s Coronavirus mortality rate is down tenfold from the peak of the crisis.  Education Secretary Betsy DeVos said the Administration expects children to be back in their learning environments this Fall and urged decision-makers to think practically about the consequences if children do not return to the classroom this year. She added that is best to leave to education and community leaders to determine how the schools will reopen.”

“Their opponents argue that premature full school reopening could lead to further spread of the coronavirus. They therefore support different models of blended learning, i.e. a few days at school plus a certain number of distance learning days. On Wednesday, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and Schools Chancellor Richard Carranza unveiled their "Blended Learning" plan for the city's 1.1 million public school students. The mayor noted that most schools will not be able to have all students in school at the same time. Classrooms will be limited to about nine to 12 students. That's instead of the average class size of 30 students. Chancellor Carranza said that the plan to bring students back into school buildings requires the use of PPE and social distancing. He added that parents can choose only distance learning and that later in the year they will be able to request a transition to combined teaching. Parents will have opportunities throughout the year to transition their child into one of the in-person models. If any family wants to switch from the "Blended Learning" to "All Remote Learning" they may do so at any time.That doesn't necessarily mean that schools will reopen because Governor Andrew M. Cuomo also announced on Wednesday that New York State will decide during the first week of August whether schools will reopen in the Fall. "

 “Distance learning was introduced because of the extraordinary circumstances and it was a big shock for students, teachers and parents to adapt to such a sudden hard situation. I think that students with learning difficulties lose the most because many of them cannot cope with distance learning or stay behind because of various factors. On the other hand, distance learning can be beneficial for students who can learn at their own pace. Some of my college students did very well last semester. In addition, the question is how further social isolation and lack of social interaction will affect students’ mental and social health. The situation is uncertain for now, but it is quite certain that the federal states and some large school districts will independently decide on the safe reopening of schools and learning models. I think there will be a lot of complications with the organization of the blended schedule because there are many unresolved issues, e.g. how to learn and teach while wearing face masks, how to effectively plan scheduling for the Fall, how will school districts handle the question of student transportation, and if there will be enough teachers needed for reduced classes," said Mavrek.

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