Matjaž Kek

Head of Division for communication projects, Government Communication Office, Republic of Slovenia

Matjaž Kek was born in Ljubljana on 13 October 1955. After completing secondary school in Postojna, he continued his studies at the Faculty of Sociology, Political Sciences and Journalism of the University of Ljubljana, graduating in journalism in 1980. He was awarded the Preseren Student Award for his graduation paper. He was first employed by the then National Council of the Trade Unions of Slovenia, where he was responsible for the public information and communication system.

In 1987 he has been employed by Republic Committee of Slovenia for Information as Head of the Public Information Department. Within this committee, which later became the Ministry of Information, and later the Government Public Relations and Media Office, he has been successfully performing and managing various assignments.

The most challenging part of this work was in assisting to the foreign media on the events that occurred in Slovenia during its struggle for independence. When Slovenia became independent, he took over the Department for International Public Relations and in 1997 became Head of the European Affairs Department, where he successfully managed the Slovenian public information programme on the EU and on Slovenia's accession to the EU.

At present he is the Head of Division for communication projects within Government Communication Office also dealing with the development of the national brand I feel Slovenia.

Lecture & Panel: I feel Slovenia – is it only a game of words?