The World Academy of Arts and Science (WAAS), one of the most prestigious global academic institutions, has elected the rector of Alma Mater Europaea University and former rector of the University of Maribor, emeritus prof. Dr. Ludvik Toplak, as a member.
Awards for outstanding merits at home and abroad
Dr. Toplak has received numerous awards in recent years. Among other things, he became a professor emeritus at the University of Maribor, an honorary doctor of the University of Mostar on the proposal of the Croatian Rectors' Conference and the Rectors' Conference of Bosnia and Herzegovina for the reintegration of Western Balkan universities into the European academic space, he received the Golden Order of Merit from the President of the Republic of Slovenia Borut Pahor for his exceptional contribution to the democratization and independence of Slovenia and its international and academic recognition. He is an honorary citizen of the Municipality of Maribor and the Municipality of Juršinci, an honorary member of the Knightly Order of St. George for his contribution to the development of cultural cooperation in Central Europe, and a recipient of the Rotary International Paul Harris Fellow recognition for humanitarian work.
It's about the human being: A meeting point of top science and humanitarian values
The professor was admitted to the World Academy of Arts and Sciences due to his outstanding work in the health and especially humanitarian field and the organization of international scientific conferences It's about the human being, which connect top scientists and academics from Slovenia and around the world.
In March 2024, under his leadership, the conference It's about the human being was held, dedicated to current challenges of social and technological development to serve security and dignity.
Maribor as a new center of peace scientific cooperation
The European Academy of Sciences and Arts (EASA) and the World Academy of Arts and Sciences (WAAS), at the initiative of Prof. Dr. Toplak, signed a historic document in October 2024 in Maribor called the Global Peace Offensive – a global peace initiative that calls on scientists, artists, decision-makers, and religious leaders from around the world to actively work for the preservation and establishment of peace in the world.
Subsequently, in March 2025, EASA, WAAS, and Alma Mater signed the Call to Action document in Maribor, which specifically urged the global public towards strategic pacification, building trust, and promoting dialogue, especially through education, research, and various forms of cultural and scientific diplomacy.
At the proposal of the World Academy of Arts and Sciences, the World and European Academies and Alma Mater agreed to establish a joint Center for the Global Peace Initiative (Global Peace Offensive Center) headquartered in Maribor, which will begin operations on September 1, 2025. Professor emeritus Dr. Ludvik Toplak was appointed director of the center.
The establishment of the Center for the Global Peace Initiative and the election of Dr. Toplak to WAAS represent a special opportunity for the Republic of Slovenia, a new challenge for the global academic community, and an important step towards the international affirmation of the development of cultural and scientific diplomacy for peace.
