Graduated 1966 from the University of Ljubljana, Department of Social Sciences; Master of Social Science 2071, Institute of Social Studies, Den Haag, Holland (thesis: The Concept of Political Elite); PhD 1980, University of Belgrade, Department of Political Sciences (thesis: Economic Integration among Developing Countries).

Key positions

• Assistant Professor of International Economic Relations at the University of Ljubljana, Department of Social Sciences (1966-1969);

• Researcher and Director at the Centre for International Development and Cooperation, Ljubljana (1969-1987, director 1980-1987);

• Ambassador of Yugoslavia in Australia, Canberra, 1987-1991

• Ambassador of Slovenia in the EU and NATO, Brussels (1992-1996);

• Director Slovenian Business & Research Association (SBRA Brussels, 1997-2012);

• Board member, European Institute of Industrial Leadership, EIIL, Brussels (2005-2007);

• Founding Chairman, Knowledge Economy Network, KEN (since 2011);

• Full professor, UN University for Peace – European Center for Peace and Development, Belgrade (since 2006);

• Senior Adviser to Director of Slovenian Innovation Hub, Ljubljana (2016-2023);

• Founding member of Slovenian Academy for Sustainable Development (2023).

• First Dean of DOBA Faculty of Business and Social Studies (1997-2002) and Professor of Communication with Influential Public and Lobbying (2017-).

Main current activities

As chair of the Board of Directors of the Knowledge Economy Network in Brussels—now the Society for Knowledge Economy (DEZ) in Ljubljana—responsible for 3 periodic publications (Monthly Bulletin, Bi-Weekly Brief, and Occasional Bibliographic Bulletin) and coordinating other activities. The mission of the Society for Knowledge Economy is primarily to upgrade public awareness of the important role innovation plays in generating socio-economic development, stimulating governments to create an efficient innovation ecosystem, and proactively supporting all actors capable of innovation.

The Society for Knowledge Economy is also active on issues of the “Silver Economy,” where Prof. Boris Cizelj is doing research on policies applied by the governments of select countries (the Scandinavian 5, China, Korea, Singapore, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand) being successful in supporting their silver economies. The silver generations (20-25% of the total population in Europe and North America and 25-30% of the total population in Asia) are a great potential still very modestly utilized in most parts of the world.

As leader of the Program on Economic Diplomacy, Lobbying, and Negotiations (EDLN) at the European Center for Peace and Development (ECPD), established in Belgrade, Serbia, by the United Nations University for Peace from Costa Rica, Prof. Boris Cizelj is conducting training courses and consulting on lobbying and negotiation techniques and lecturing at the postgraduate course on economic diplomacy. He is also mentoring numerous MA, MSc, and PhD students there.

As a professor lecturing at DOBA Business School and Alma Mater Europaea—both in Maribor—as well as at Ljubljana University—Faculty of Administration Sciences. He holds subjects of “Interest representation and lobbying” (at DOBA) and “European institutions and lobbying” (at Alma Mater Europaea)—in both cases focusing on competencies and skills in the area of communication—which still receives insufficient attention at most universities around the world.

As adviser to the secretary general of the Slovenian Engineering Academy, Ljubljana, Prof. Dr. Stane Pejovnik—Prof. Dr. Boris Cizelj—is organizing the Slovenian Senior Expert Network (SSEN). In close collaboration with the Austrian Senior Expert Network, SSEN is inviting senior experts in Slovenia to join the network in order to advise and consult companies and other interested organizations facing some problems and dilemmas and appreciating advice from experienced and knowledgeable senior experts.

Publications

Four books, co-authored many studies and articles (128 bibliographic units in COBISS Base), and chief editor of KEN periodic publications covering various aspects of knowledge economy and regional development (Monthly Bulletin—10 editions annually and KEN Bi-Weekly Brief—about 30 editions annually).

Areas of interest

Sustainable innovation ecosystem, regional development, business-academia collaboration, interest representation & lobbying, and economic diplomacy.

Currently, two subjects receive primary attention: the functioning of the innovation ecosystem and the role of senior generations—the silver economy.