Dr. Joseph Molitorisz Joins Adriatic Institute as Senior Fellow

Think Tank Announces New Initiatives Highlighting Ethics and Culture and a Strategic Outreach to the Academia and University Students

Rijeka, Croatia, November 20, 2009 -- The Adriatic Institute for Public Policy's leadership is pleased to announce that Dr. Joseph Molitorisz, has joined the SE European independent think tank as Senior Fellow, Ethics and Culture.  The new initiative focusing on ethics and culture will include a strategic outreach endeavor to university students, aspiring young leaders and members of academia.

The Adriatic Institute intends to engage academicians, students and emerging leaders on the issues of advancing liberty, justice, economic freedom and prosperity with an emphasis on addressing the twin legacies of the region - decades of communism and the recent Balkan wars that created a nexus of corrupt politicians and organized crime that undermine freedom and security.  Through the direct engagement of Dr. Molitorisz, the Adriatic Institute will expand its online initiatives targeting the youth and host local and regional conferences and seminars.  A platform for debate and discussion will provide opportunities to present principled solutions and for the youth to be inspired and empowered to support the region's new movement for reforms.

Dr. Joseph Molitorisz was born in Budapest, Hungary and his father was a Hungarian Freedom Fighter during the Revolution of 1956.  The family emigrated to the US and Dr. Molitorisz grew up in the University towns of East Lansing, Michigan, Riverside, California and Seattle, Washington.   As an undergraduate, Molitorisz studied in Paris, France, Braunschweig, Germany and as a graduate student in Bochum, Germany.  Later, as a university professor he coordinated student exchange programs between American colleges and the Universitaet Osnabrueck, Germany for 15 years. 

Throughout his 22 year career Molitorisz has taught courses on European Literature, Literary Translation, and Continental Philosophy.  Dr. Molitorisz has lived, worked and lectured in America, Britain, Germany, France, Hungary and Croatia.  His publications include articles on German and French Enlightenment, Literary Translation and other relevant topics.  Dr. Molitorisz received his B.A. in Philosophy with Honors and magna cum laude and obtained his doctorate in Comparative Literature from the University of Washington, Seattle, Washington.  He is Professor of German and English at the Poslovna Akademija Rijeka in Croatia and previously served for 17 years in capacities as Associate Professor of German and International Studies at Southwestern University, Georgetown, Texas and Chair, Department of Modern Languages and Literatures, Southwestern University.

Dr. Molitorisz's unique strengths include his clear understanding of how to communicate between both worlds - through his professional career as a professor of European background in American academia for nearly 20 years and his commendable contribution as an American professor in European higher education.

"We are honored to have Dr. Molitorisz join Adriatic Institute's distinguished group of scholars and partners. His experiences in the higher educational arena, prudent insights and in-depth knowledge of the Balkan region will most certainly augment the think tank's new strategic initiatives," said Natasha Srdoc, Co-Founder and President of Adriatic Institute for Public Policy.  "Dr. Molitorisz's leadership and his strategic outreach efforts through the Adriatic Institute to academic circles and the region's youth will have a profound impact in the dedicated work of establishing the rule of law and advancing freedom in this difficult part of the world. We welcome Dr. Molitorisz to our organization and look forward to his important contribution to the region."

"The Adriatic Institute for Public Policy under the leadership of Natasha Srdoc and Joel Anand Samy is a public policy think tank that will continue to impact the future of Croatia and the Balkan region in a major way," said Dr. Joseph Molitorisz, professor at the Poslovna Akademija Rijeka in Croatia and senior fellow of Adriatic Institute.  "Anyone who aspires to be on the right side of history will want to partner with them because of their principled leadership, clearly articulated vision and determination to make Croatia and the region a better place to live. It is an honor to be aligned with them and their associates. I look forward to setting and pressing an agenda of optimism, prosperity, freedom and liberal-mindedness. The youth of Croatia especially deserve better than what they have gotten. We dedicate ourselves to ensuring that the best American and European traditions, combined with Croatian values, native intelligence and reinvigorated intellectual curiosity will serve them well into the future."

The Adriatic Institute for Public Policy was founded in 2004 in Rijeka, Croatia, to build a movement for justice and economic reforms in Croatia and the Balkan region.  The think tank is dedicated to strengthening the rule of law, protecting private property and promoting classical liberal ideas with an emphasis on advancing economic freedom.  The institution is committed to a free, just and prosperous society that benefits individual taxpayers and citizens.  The Adriatic Institute for Public Policy's leadership is comprised of principled reform leaders that serve on its executive advisory board and a group of senior fellows that address key issues impacting the Balkan region's citizens and taxpayers.