Ivo Josipović (born in Zagreb in 1957) is a composer and lawyer, a university professor who served as the President of Croatia from 2010 to 2015. As a politician, he actively promoted reconciliation in Southeast Europe, human rights, and the fight against corruption. Currently, he holds the position of Professor Emeritus at the
University of Zagreb-Faculty of Law and is a member of numerous national and international organizations.
During his presidency, Ivo Josipović played a crucial role in promoting reconciliation in the region, fostering improved relations between states that had been at war just a few years earlier. Notably, he worked towards better relations between Croatia and Serbia and Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. He also strongly advocated for the rights of war victims and held individuals accountable for war crimes. Throughout his political and professional career, he supported transitional justice and international law, particularly the work of the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia. Additionally, Josipović was a vocal supporter of Croatia’s path to the European Union, significantly contributing to the country’s successful accession to the EU during his tenure. He also championed justice and the fight against corruption, with a focus on holding accountable those who profited from the war and engaged in criminal activities during the transitional period in Croatia.
Before becoming President, Ivo Josipović was a university professor specializing in International Criminal Law and Criminal Procedure. He served as a member of Parliament and is also an accomplished composer. He has authored several books and around 100 scientific papers on topics related to international criminal law, criminal procedure, and human rights. He holds a Ph.D. in Criminal Sciences from the University of Zagreb.
In addition to his academic and political pursuits, Josipović taught harmony at the Music Academy and has composed approximately 70 pieces for orchestra and soloists, including opera Lennon (2023). Many of his compositions have been performed by prominent artists and recorded on about 30 CDs. He held the position of
director at the Music Biennale Zagreb, one of the world’s largest festivals of contemporary music, and was the secretary-general of the Croatian Composers’ Union.
Ivo Josipović has been awarded honorary doctorates from Immanuel Kant University (Kaliningrad), Istanbul University, the Mediterranean University of Albania, and Alfa BKUniversity Belgrade. His work in the fields of human rights, ecumenicalism, and art has earned him prestigious domestic and international awards. Notably, he received the European Medal of Tolerance from the European Union, the Premio Galileo 2000 Award for art, and the Grand Prix of the European Broadcasting Union. Moreover, he has been honored with high decorations from several European countries, including Denmark, Poland, Norway, Sweden and Italy.
Josipović is an esteemed member of various organizations, such as the Nizami Ganjavi International Center, Club de Madrid, World Academy of Art and Science, and Patron of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts, among others. He remains actively involved in artistic, legal, and human rights organizations in Croatia and abroad.
