When Science Becomes Both the Impetus to Depart and the Rationale to Return

Abstract

The CONNECT 2025 conference, held in Neum between August 24 and August 30, was conceived as a scientific platform to enhance cooperation among Western Balkan countries. Its overarching aim was to strengthen regional integration through science and to align researchers and policymakers with the European Research Area (ERA). The conference facilitated interdisciplinary dialogue, professional networking, and thematic sessions on Open Science. Presentations emphasized transparency, accessibility, and inclusivity in scientific inquiry, while participants engaged in discussions with distinguished European scholars. The discourse on Open Science emerged as the most impactful theme, highlighting its role in democratizing access to data, publications, and educational resources. This model was recognized as a catalyst for accelerating research processes and fostering collaboration. The Ubuntu philosophy: “I am what I am because of who we all are” underscored the collective progress, linking dimension of scientific individual achievement to societal advancement. CONNECT 2025 demonstrated that science functions both as a vehicle for mobility and as a rationale for return, bridging nations through shared knowledge. For young researchers from the Western Balkans, the conference provided critical opportunities to establish networks, broaden perspectives, and cultivate collaborations essential for sustainable development.