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Sport i jedinstvo – ,,Dva grada, jedan san”

Evropski omladinski olimpijski festival (EYOF), koji se održao prošle sedmice u Bosni i Hercegovini, spojio je dva grada - Sarajevo i Istočno Sarajevo u pozitivnom duhu jedinstva i kolektivnog ponosa kao domaćine ovog izvanrednog događaja.

Piše: Paraskevi Peglidou

„Dva grada, jedan san” - ovogodišnji moto EYOF-a, nosi dublje značenje za ove lokalne zajednice. To nije bio samo jedan sportski događaj, već prilika za saradnju između dva grada i dijeljenje zajedničkih vizija koje stvaraju nadu za izgradnju održivih odnosa.

EYOF je također bio odlična prilika za podizanje svijesti u oblasti koja predstavlja endemski problem u Bosni i Hercegovini (BiH) - pušenje. Prema izvještaju Svjetske banke ,,Vrijeme je za prestanak pušenja: Povećanje poreza na duhan i dobrobit domaćinstava  u Bosni i Hercegovini” (januar 2019.), više od 8.500 ljudi umire svake godine od bolesti povezanih s duhanom. To je zapanjujući broj smrtnih slučajeva koji se mogu spriječiti promovisanjem važnosti stvaranja okruženja bez duhanskog dima.

Švicarska agencija za razvoj i saradnju pridružila se Svjetskoj zdravstvenoj organizaciji i Svjetskoj banci kako bi radili zajedno na ohrabrivanju građana u BiH da usvoje zdravije životne stilove i propise u područjima koja utiču na faktore rizika za zdravlje (duhan i alkohol). „Klima Bez Dima” je službeni naziv inicijative pokrenute u okviru projekta „Smanjenje faktora rizika za zdravlje u BiH”, a veliki dio inicijative je stvaranje okruženja bez duhanskog dima u BiH. Prošlog četvrtka, volonteri „Klima Bez Dima” inicijative pridružili su se EYOF-u tokom hokejske utakmice između Češke i Bjelorusije. Razgovarali su sa građanima, informisali ih o inicijativi i zamolili ih da daju svoju aktivnu podršku.

Inicijativa je privukla mnogo interesa i pozitivnih povratnih informacija od ljudi, što je obećavajući korak ka dobijanju podrške potrebne za usvajanje i implementaciju efektivnih politika za zabranu pušenja na javnim mjestima. Video sa događaja možete pogledati ovdje. 

Željko Kajtaz, pripadnik Oružanih snaga BiH koje su obezbjeđivale EYOF događaj, rekao je: ,,Ja čvrsto vjerujem i podržavam ovu inicijativu. Kao prvo, pušenje na javnim mjestima treba zabraniti jer utiče na naše zdravlje, a kao drugo, dim nas spriječava da provodimo kvalitetno vrijeme na javnim mjestima.”

Saša, koji je prisustvovao hokejskoj utakmici, kaže: ,,Nedavno sam bio u Njemačkoj gdje je pušenje na javnim mjestima zabranjeno i, iskreno, sada se nekako osjećam bolestan kad sam se vratio u Bosnu u ovo okruženje ispunjeno dimom. Tek sam sada primjetio koliko okruženja ispunjena duhanskim dimom štete mojim očima i mom disanju. Moramo zabraniti pušenje u javnim prostorima za dobrobit svih ljudi.”

Ove godine na EYOF-u preko 1.500 mladih i talentiranih sportista iz 46 evropskih zemalja doputovalo je u BIH kako bi se takmičili. Od skijanja i hokeja do klizanja i curlinga, širili su vrijednosti poštovanja, tolerancije i prijateljstva. Značaj ovog događaja je još veći, budući da su mladi vodeća sila napretka za sve, uključujući i inicijativu poput „Klima Bez Dima”.

Pozitivan uticaj sporta i njegove moći u okupljanju ljudi naglasio je i Josef Liba, predsjednik Koordinacione komisije Evropskog Olimpijskog Komiteta: „Od samog početka, glavni cilj za dovođenje EYOF-a u Sarajevo i Istočno Sarajevo je bio da se pokaže stanovništvu da postoji sreća u svijetu, a to je nešto što možemo postići sportom.”

Ujedinjujuća snaga sporta i njegova sposobnost da premosti praznine i okupi ljude iz različitih zajednica dokazana je u više navrata od Svjetskog prvenstva u ragbiju 1995. godine koji je okupio duboko podijeljenu Južnu Afriku na 23. Zimske olimpijske igre u Pjongčangu, Južnoj Koreji. Sportisti iz Sjeverne i Južne Koreje zajedno su marširali na ceremoniji otvaranja.

Prošlo je više od tri decenije kada je olimpijski ,,plamen mira” posljednji put zapaljen u Bosni i Hercegovini na Zimskim olimpijskim igrama 1984. godine. Od tada, ova nacija je prošla kroz niz brutalnih sukoba i ratova 1990-ih godina koji su ostavili dubok jaz među različitim etničkim zajednicama koje se još uvijek pokušavaju izliječiti od ožiljaka i gledati pozitivno na budućnost.

Na ceremoniji kada je BiH ponovo dobila olimpijski plamen, 31. januara 2019. godine, Nenad Vukovi��, gradonačelnik Istočnog Sarajeva, izjavio je: ,,EYOF 2019 šalje poruke dobre saradnje između dva grada i predstavlja projekat koji pokazuje da možemo sarađivati na osnovu interesa kada procjenjujemo da će projekti imati koristi za oba grada”. Gradonačelnik Sarajeva Abdulah Skaka je istom prilikom rekao: ,,Ovim projektom uspjeli smo okupiti politiku, ekonomiju, kulturu i sport”.

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Sport and Unity – “Two Cities, One Dream”

The European Youth Olympics Festival (EYOF) that took place last week in Bosnia and Herzegovina, joined two cities - Sarajevo and East Sarajevo in a positive spirit of unity and collective pride to host this remarkable event.

Written by: Paraskevi Peglidou

“Two Cities, One Dream” – this year’s motto of the EYOF, had a deeper meaning for the local communities than simply a multi-sport event. It was an opportunity for cooperation between the two sides and the sharing of a common vision to create hope for building sustainable relationships. 

The EYOF also presented the opportunity to gain support and momentum in an area that constitutes an endemic problem in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH); smoking. According to The World Bank’s report: Time to Quit: The Tobacco Tax Increase and Household Welfare in Bosnia and Herzegovina (January 2019), over 8.500 people die every year from tobacco-related diseases. This is a staggering number of deaths that can be prevented through the promotion of a smoke-free environment in the country. 

The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, the World Health Organisation and the World Bank are working together to encourage citizens of BiH to adopt healthy lifestyles and develop regulations within areas influencing the health risk factors of tobacco and alcohol. ‘Klima Bez Dima’ is the official name of the initiative launched in the framework of the project “Reducing Health Risk Factors in BiH.” A major part of the initiative is a pledge of support for a smoke-free environment in BiH. Last Thursday, ‘Klima Bez Dima’ volunteers joined the EYOF at the ice hockey finals between the Czech Republic and Belarus. They spoke to the public, informed them about the initiative and asked them to actively show their support by signing the pledge.  

Overall, there was substantial interest in the initiative and positive feedback. The event was a promising step towards gaining the support needed for the adoption and implementation of effective smoke-free policies. A short video from the event is available here. 

Željko Kajtaz, a member of the Armed Forces of BiH who was securing the EYOF event said: "I strongly believe in and support this initiative. Firstly, we should ban public smoking because it affects our health. Secondly, because it affects the environment and stops us from having a good time in public spaces." 

While, Saša, a visitor attending the hockey game said: "I was recently in Germany where smoking in public spaces is banned and, truthfully, now being back to Bosnia makes me ill. I've noticed how much environments with smoke affect my eyes and breathing. We need to ban smoking in public spaces for the wellbeing of all our people."

This year at the EYOF, over 1,500 young and talented athletes from 46 European countries travelled to Bosnia to compete in sports ranging from alpine skiing and ice hockey, to figure skating and curling. Their presence in the city spread the values of respect, tolerance and friendship. The potential of youth as a leading and influential force of progress make the significance of this event even greater. Initiatives like the ‘Klima Bez Dima’ are of immense importance as they aim to create a healthier environment for the country’s youth. 

The positive impact of sport and its power in bringing people together was echoed by Josef Liba, Chair of the European Olympic Committee CoCom for the Winter EYOF 2019 in his statement: “From the beginning, the main goal behind bringing the EYOF to Sarajevo and East Sarajevo was to show the local people that there is happiness in the world, something we can achieve through sport”. 

The unifying power of sport and its ability to bridge gaps by bringing together people from different communities has been proven throughout history. Two recent examples of this were the 1995 Rugby World Cup that brought together a deeply divided South Africa to the 23rd Winter Olympic Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea where athletes of North and South Korea marched together in the opening ceremony. It has been over three decades since the Olympic “flame of peace” was last lit in Bosnia and Herzegovina at the Winter Olympics in 1984. Since then, the nation has been through a series of brutal conflicts and war in the 1990s that have left a profound chasm across the different ethnic communities that are still trying to heal from the scars and look forward. 

At the ceremony on January 31st when the city received the Olympic flame, Nenad Vukovic the Mayor of East Sarajevo said in a statement to the Balkan Investigative Regional Reporting Network: “EYOF 2019 sends a message of good cooperation between the two cities and is a project that shows that we can cooperate on the basis on interests when we estimate that projects will benefit both cities”. While, Abdulah Skaka the Mayor of Sarajevo said: “With this project we have succeeded in bringing together politics, economy, culture and sports”.

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Memorialization in Achieving Restorative Justice

By: Alev Kayagil

On March 21 PCRC organized a field visit for students from the Danish Institute for Study Abroad at the International Committee for Missing Persons (ICMP) in Tuzla, Srebrenica Genocide Memorial in Potocari and the town of Srebrenica.

Dragana Vucetic has been working at the ICMP as a  forensic anthropologist for twelve years after graduating from university. With 31,500 missing persons, Dragana describes the complex process of identifying individuals that have been found in mass graves across the country. As the biggest ICMP office in Bosnia, thousands of body bags have passed through with, in some cases, more than one victim in each.

The discovery of mass graves through satellite images in 1995 prompted the establishment of the ICMP in 1996 to handle the issue of missing persons through DNA testing, identification and conversation with victim’s families. Through the ICMP, approximately 70% of reported missing persons have been accounted for. The process involves two main teams the first being the individuals that collect and identifies the bones and the second team that works with the prosecutor, conducts DNA tests and contacts the families.

For Dragana, every case is just bones. She receives a bag with bones, sometimes along with personal items, and conducts her routine examination process. This limits the emotional and personal attachments that can occur with each case. She says that the case managers are the ones who, in her opinion, have the hardest job interacting with families while supporting them during the burial and funeral and providing constant updates on potential discoveries.

Many field teams discover the remains of one individual in various locations therefore one person’s case can go on for months or years. This challenge is compounded with the fact that it is more difficult to identify individuals who are very young or very old. The youngest victim found in one of the Srebrenica mass graves was 13 years old. Unfortunately, aside from mass graves, it has been very difficult or impossible to find individuals who had perished in the forest or on the road as they tried to escape from Srebrenica.

The Srebrenica Memorial in Potocari consists of the museum building, housed in the old UN Dutch base, together with the battery factory and the cemetery located across the road. Recently renovated, the museum consists of an interactive multimedia exhibition on information regarding trials, war criminals and a historical timeline of the war. The cold and eerie battery factory next door housed various photographs from the war. This building was the location where a limited number of 5,000 refugees and displaced persons from Srebrenica and the surrounding community gained entry. More than 20, 000 people were kept outside the UN base and more than 8,000 young men and boys fell victim to the Bosnian Serb forces surrounding the area. As of July 2014 6,241 victims have been buried at the mass cemetery in Potocari with yearly exhumations and re-burials during the July 11 anniversaries. Last year marked the 21st anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide where Bosnian Muslims paid tribute to 127 individual burials that took place.

Following this visit, the group visited the town of Srebrenica. As we drove through the town’s main road, I was immediately struck by the nature and vast mountains surrounding it with the smallest white church at the top illuminated by the setting sun. Wandering through the town we passed by many abandoned houses and buildings arriving at the main supermarket in the main square. Looking up at the hills I saw a mosque and a church sitting almost side by side and reflected on how the lives of its inhabitants must be like today. As the sun was setting we slowly made our way back towards our bus until we noticed a small tipi constructed in the middle of someone’s yard with a man sitting on his porch smoking a cigarette. Noticing our interest in the tipi, he quickly introduced himself as Irvin Mujcic and told us of his work on sustainable tourism, ecology and local community development in Srebrenica. Pointing to the tipi he told us that a North American indigenous tribe member had visited him this past winter and built this tipi, illustrative of his culture and traditional dwellings.

He talked to us of the concept of sustainable tourism in Srebrenica which offers an alternative viewpoint on the town aside from its international recognition of a place where genocide and war crimes took place. His project currently consists of a crowdfunding platform to support the inhabitants and returnees in Srebrenica. Irvin pointed to the abundant natural valleys, canyons and waterfalls in the area and his hopes of building a Nature House, as a type of hostel, to bring tourism to Srebrenica through reinvesting all funds back into the community.

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Travelling back in time to Yugoslavia: Tito’s Nuclear Bunker

Some 70km away from Sarajevo, hidden in the Zlatar Mountain near Konjic, lies Tito’s bunker. In the heat of the Cold War nuclear deterrence, the late President of the former Yugoslavia ordered the construction of this mega military facility aimed at his safeguarding in case of nuclear attack. PCRC’s intern crew, Alev(Turkey), Lukas (Slovakia), Myles (United States) and Isabel (Spain) visited the place, now turned into a touristic attraction.

Corridor leading to fresh water tanks. This water is drawn from natural wells in the mountain. Filters would clean the water at a nuclear catastrophe.

Despite the location’s dimensions -6,500 sq. m-, only few generals knew about its existence, successfully keeping its building in secret for almost 26 years. For that purpose, workers would always be driven there blindfolded and they would be replaced every 15 days since the very beginning of the works in the early 1950s, so they would not know what they were actually constructing. The shelter is located at an underground depth of 280m and it was supposed to endure an atomic bombing of about 25 kilotons, much more outreaching that the one dropped on Hiroshima.

Gas tanks. “Material value of laziness” can be read on the tanks, as part of the contemporary art exhibition now on display.

The whole complex is divided into 3 visible houses and 12 underground blocks which harbor meeting halls, bedrooms, kitchens, water cistern, fuel tanks, generators, communications room, a small clinic and Tito’s separated apartment -where he would live with his wife, Jovanka-. The space wasthought to accommodate around 350 people of the country’s elite, who would be able to live underground for a period of 6 months without requiring external contact.

Coded communication machines.

The fortified structure is filled with Tito’s portrait and simple Yugoslav furniture. Yet, this project is considered to be one of the most expensive across the old republic, built at a cost of $4.6 billion. Ironically enough, after the disintegration of Yugoslavia, the shelter fell in Bosnian government hands now unable to upkeep its high maintenance costs. Mainly due to this, the once state’s top secret, is today open to the public and also hosts a biennial of contemporary art on war effects.

Construction works were finished in 1979, just one year before Marshal Tito passed away and there is no evidence that he ever visited the place. Hence,the ARK-D0 never served its function as the 1992-1995 Bosnian War was not the kind of warfare it was designed for. On the contrary, Yugoslav command orders were given to completely destroy the facility during this war, which was used before 1953 as JNA military training center.

Tito’s private block. It consists of his office, his secretary office, visitors’ waiting room, and his personal residence –en-suite toilet and bedroom-. 

Thanks to the disobedience of the soldiers deployed in the base, it was not destroyed and today we can all be witness of its history. Nevertheless medical and food supplies as well as most of the files and information on the “bunker’s guest list”it contained were allegedly stolen at the last conflict.

PCRC’s intern crew and other visitors. From left to right, Alev, Myles, Lukas and Isabel.

Photos by Eva Lozano Text by Isabel Alonso

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Regionalni konkurs za dostavljanje radova

Centar za postkonfliktna istraživanja i Balkan Diskurs vas pozivaju da učestvujete u regionalnom konkursu za dostavljanje radova na teme izgradnje mira, moralne hrabrosti i međuetničke saradnje. Želimo da inspirišemo mlade ohrabrujući ih da preuzmu aktivnu ulogu u promociji pozitivnih primjera ljudi koji svojim postupcima mijenjaju živote drugih.

Uslovi za prijavu:

- Osobe u dobi od 15 do 30 godina.

- Osobe sa državljanstvom Srbije, Hrvatske, Makedonije ili osobe sa prijavljenim prebivalištem u navedenim zemljama.

Format prijave:

- Podnošenje eseja je obavezno. Esej može imati najmanje 700, a najviše 1000 riječi.

- Osim eseja, preporučljivo je, ali nije obavezno, da učesnik dostavi neke od sljedećih popratnih materijala:

1) Fotografije koje su relevantne za poslanu priču. Fotografije moraju biti djelo učesnika.

2) Video ili audio zapisi intervjua sa osobama koje su relevantne za priču.

KREATIVNOST je dobrodošla!

Sadržaj prijave:

Eseji i prateći materijal moraju se uklopiti u jednu od tri dole navedene kategorije:

KATEGORIJA 1: Pojedinac ili grupa pojedinaca, uključeni u kreativne napore za mir, izgradnju zajednice, međuetničke saradnje, pomirenja, pomoć ugroženim članovima društva.

KATEGORIJA 2: Pojedinac koji predstavlja primjer moralne hrabrosti. Ljudi koji su moralno hrabri rade ono što je ispravno, čak i ako postoje rizici. Neki ljudi izražavaju moralnu hrabrost, pomažući ljudima, ustajući za nekoga osim za sebe i ne idu zajedno sa drugima samo zato što žele da se uklope. Priča može biti o određenoj akciji koju je poduzeo neko kako bi nadahnuo druge da se bore za ono što je ispravno ili o određenoj osobi za koju vi smatrate da predstavlja primjer moralne hrabrosti.

KATEGORIJA 3: Pojedinac ili ‘spasilac’ koji je rizikovao svoj ​​život da pomogne pripadnicima druge etničke, vjerske ili društvene grupe.To je osoba koja je svjesno (bez obzira na posljedice za njega/nju) donijela odluku da pomogne drugoj osobi koju je/nije poznavala.

Svi učesnici moraju, kroz svoj esej, odgovoriti na sljedeća pitanja:

1.      Zašto ste izabrali ovu priču?

2.      Zašto mislite da je važno da ova priča bude ispričana?

3.      Kakav utjecaj može imati ova priča u vašoj zajednici?

Odabrani eseji i radovi će biti objavljeni na multimedijalnoj platformi Balkan Diskurs.

Prijave na konkurs, kao i sva pitanja i nedoumice šaljite na tatjana.pcrc@gmail.com sa naznakom ‘‘Regionalni konkurs za dostavljanje radova‘‘ do petka, 20. januara 2017. godine.

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#AHDA2016: Washington D.C.

As part of her fellowship at Columbia University’s Institute for the Study of Human Rights, PCRC's Founder and President Velma Šarić participated in a study visit to Washington DC.

            - 2016 Accountability and Historical Dialogue (AHDA) Fellows -

During the three-day trip, Velma visited various non-governmental organizations and centers working in the area of human rights, reconciliation, memory and historical dialogue, such as: Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights, IREX and National Endowment for Democracy (NED).

- NED: private, nonprofit foundation dedicated to the growth and strengthening of democratic institutions around the world -

Next to this, Velma and other Fellows had the opportunity to visit some of Washington’s most famous museums and sites, including the White House, US Holocaust Memorial Museum and The National Museum of African American History and Culture.

                                          - Inside the White House -

                       - Inside the US Holocaust Memorial Museum -

         - Never again begins with you, US Holocaust Memorial Museum -

        - Speak with a Holocaust Survivor, US Holocaust Memorial Museum -

During her stay, Velma also had the opportunity to visit the Embassy of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Washington and meet H.E. Ambassador Haris Hrle.

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The OSCE Youth and Security School: promoting inclusion and learning of the Bosnian defense sector

By Louis Monroy Santander

One of the most current issues on the investigative agenda of many Bosnian research organizations is that of the challenges to security in Bosnia-Herzegovina and the possibilities of dealing with problems such as youth radicalization, violent extremism and expressions of terrorism in the country.  Various international organizations with presence in the country as well as a wide range of NGO’s have begun to develop various approaches and methodologies both to understand and analyze these type of problems and also to find ways to counter and raise awareness of them.

Due to my research focus on terrorism and radicalization, I was kindly invited by the Bosnian mission of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) to participate in their “Youth and Security School”, which ran from the 16th to the 21st of October.   This 5 day course takes students from different Universities (Sarajevo, Banja Luka, Mostar, Bihać, Zenica and Tuzla) on a series of organized visits to various institutions dedicated to work around security and defense in the country. Among some of the institutions that were included in this educational tour were: the Ministry of Interior and National Assembly of Republika Srpska, the Training Center of the Intelligence Agency of BiH, the Manjača training and command center of the Armed forces of Bosnia-Herzegovina, the Ministry of Foreign affairs of BiH, the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH among others.

As part of my accompaniment I had a chance to join participants, about 44 university students, as they took part in various activities in Banja Luka, after which they moved on to Sarajevo and Konjic for the visit of institutions located in these two cities.  The event was inaugurated in the facilities of the Faculty of Political Sciences in the University of Banja Luka. In the words of Mr. Paul Martin, representative of the OSCE Security Cooperation Unit, through the Youth and Security School students were expected to learn “about the many pieces that make up security policy.  These include foreign policy, defense policy, internal security, education and gender considerations.”  In Mr. Martin’s opening speech he encouraged all participants to think about concerning issues such as individual and collective perceptions of security in BiH as well as current security threats such as terrorism, corruption in the security sector and the future of the Euro-Atlantic integration process.

One of the main topics of interest in Banja Luka was related to the Security Policy of Bosnia-Herzegovina. This was presented by Mr. Mijo Krešić, BiH Deputy Minister of Security and analyzed by Doctor Miloš Šolaja, professor of political science at the University of Banja Luka.   The security policy was presented as a strategy and policy framework for the establishment of all necessary structures and procedures for the functioning of the security sector. Students were introduced to its key elements: foreign, domestic, defense, social, human rights and financial policies.  

As the presentation focused on the need of full engagement of state bodies in order to develop an integral insight into all aspects of national security, questions regarding the relationship between political entities in Bosnia quickly emerged.  Students from different universities were curious about the impact of the Republika Srpska Referendum on the prospects for an integrated view of security in the country; others were concerned about the influence of political parties in this process and the obstacles present via nationalist political propaganda in these matters.  As a complement to these presentations, we had the chance to visit the National Assembly of Republika Srpska and the Training Center of the Intelligence Security Agency of BiH.  After doing a tour of these facilities, we attended various presentations on the way these particular institutions work and how security policy is discussed, implemented and monitored.

I also had the chance to speak and interview some of the students who were participating in the Youth School.  From different backgrounds such as Law, Philosophy, Sociology and Political Science, many were interested in the structures and underpinning ideas behind these policies and institutions.  Amer Kurtović and Haris Kalać, students from the International Burch University Sarajevo, told me how they had an interest in visiting and learning about the defense sector of BiH as they never had a chance to meet representatives of these institutions before.  Amer mentioned how terrorism and youth radicalization were rising topics in the political agenda in BiH and expressed his concerns over the influence of ethnic divisions into the way security and defense is understood.  For him, the ethnic divisions in Bosnia leave space for the alienation of certain individuals and communities who become targets to radicalization and can end up joining various radical groups in the country.  I also was able to speak to Aleksa Matić, a sociology student at the University of Banja Luka. As Aleksa is involved in NGO youth work in his city, for him the School provided for an opportunity to connect not only with people working in the security sector but also with students from other universities around the country and hear from them about what is being discussed in their faculties regarding security and defense as well as what are their views on the situation of the youth and education in the country. Aleksa insisted on the need for students to become more active and engaged in advocacy around the most pressing issues in Bosnian society and the need to counter apathy and indifference to the problems of the country.  

Another one of my interviewees in this process was Sabahudin Mujkić, from the University of Sarajevo.  Sabahudin helps coordinate the Erasmus Student Network in BiH and applied for the school both for the experience of visiting security institutions in BiH as well as a chance to do some networking with all participants of the school. Sabahudin, although somewhat critical of the political stance of some of the presenters of the event, admits that this type of experiences are needed in order for the student community in the country to understand and engage with elected representatives and find a space to influence decision making on the issues that affect Bosnian youth the most.

Personally, it was interesting to get a lot from students in talks and discussions after the event. Some mentioned how it was a chance to openly discuss some of the security problems in the country and the need to open the Bosnian understanding of security to issues such as youth unemployment, political and administrative corruption as well as the various obstacles to effective decision-making within the Dayton political structure. I think that what the OSCE has established with the Youth School is a much needed space for theory and practice to actually meet, for those with an academic interest in politics and policy-making to engage in critical and open conversations on the issues that affect the present and future of young people in Bosnia-Herzegovina.  The success of programs like these depends on students’ attitudes towards critical engagement and questioning when given opportunities such as these as well as the sustained interest by organizations like the OSCE and the participant institutions in welcoming students and guests, like myself, who can understand, observe and consider the implications of their work and their ideas on Bosnian society.

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One week @ PCRC: Blažka’s story

Through this week, we’ll be walking through the scenic town of Mostar, mostly known for its historic Stari Most (Old Bridge). Mostar is the fifth largest city in the country and was one of the most well documented places during the 1990s conflict, besides Sarajevo. Thus, it should come as no surprise that the destruction of the original Ottoman bridge in 1993 was caught on tape and broadcasted around the world. The video of the Stari Most falling down into river Neretva remains one of the most iconic images of the conflict which reached the hearts of the international community and spurred them to take action in peaceful resolutions in the Balkans.

This is the view from the restored Stari Most. The bridge has been rebuilt with the contribution of an international scientific committee established by UNESCO. The use of the original volumes, sites and building materials for each structure preserved the historic shape of the bridge. More importantly, the reconstruction of Stari Most and Stari Grad of Mostar can be seen as a symbol of gradual reconciliation, international co-operation and of the coexistence of diverse cultural, ethnic and religious communities. The newly restored Stari Most represents a new era of ‘bridging the gap’ between the divided communities.

As you walk through the Stari Grad of Mostar you will quickly notice the city is full of hidden messages of peace and non-conflict. This photo was taken at one of the numerous little shops along the Stari Most. The script ‘MIR’ (Peace) symbolises the wish for a peaceful future and reconciliation. If you visit Mostar be sure to look around and try to find more messages of peace!

Now we travel even further down south to Vrelo Bune the source of the Buna River, just outside the village of Blagaj. The spring is one of the largest and most beautiful in Europe, producing extremely clean and cold water. The Blagaj Tekke monastery was build next to the water source back in the 17th century, and sits tucked under the enormous vertical cliffs, creating picture-perfect scenery for visitors to enjoy. Vrelo Bune makes up just one side of the multicultural Bosnia.

These are UNESCO protected stećaks. A few of many monumental medieval tombstones near the town of Stolac. These tombstones lie scattered across BiH, and the border parts of Croatia, Montenegro and Serbia. There are various different and inconclusive theories on the religious and ethnic affiliation of the stećaks. Many of them refer to the common tradition amongst the Bosnian Church, Catholic/Orthodox. The statues remind us that due to the region's favorable natural environment Herzegovina and its area have been settled since ancient times by many different cultures, starting with the prehistoric man, and later the Illyrians, Romans and Slavs.

My name is Blažka Felicijan and I am a recent International Studies graduate from Leiden University. Through my three years of studies I have grown increasingly interested in conflict studies more specifically post-conflict reconstruction and transitional justice. In 2014 I attended a Summer university in Srebrenica where I participated in discussions of post-genocidal reconstruction, transitional justice, human rights. My ambition to expand my knowledge on peacekeeping in post conflict societies is a direct result of my experiences during this study tour. Having now finished my bachelor studies, I plan to do internships in international institutions before pursuing a Master’s degree.

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One week @ PCRC: Liska’s story

I’m Liska, a sociology student from Freiburg in Germany and since three weeks working at the PCRC. This week I will show you my soundtrack of Sarajevo and present you every day one picture of the city (of course) and one music group of the region. I hope you’ll enjoy the small musical excursus! The song for today is not yet in the topic but more a small Freiburg nostalgia… This is what is called “Balkan Beats” in Germany: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yrjg9nNeRuM The German music group “Dunkelbunt” featuring the orchestra of Serbian Roma Musicians Boban and Marko Markovic.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAMClna5m8k

A kod komse uvek pun frizider svega,

Mortadela i Nutela.

Cik pogodi sta imam za veceru,

Budjav lebac, budjav lebac.

(The neighbours fridge is always full of everything,

Mortadela and Nutela

Hey guess what I have for Dinner

Modly bread, moldy bread)

S.A.R.S. is an alternative Rock Band which was formed in Belgrade in 2006. They became famous in 2008, when a friend of the band started to put the song "Buđav lebac" with a simple video on YouTube and it started to spread all around the former Yugoslavian Countries. The first lineup of the band was quite critical: This song for example describes social contrasts and the difficult economic situation of ordinary people.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAMClna5m8k

Kazu nece nikad prestat' glave da nam pune

Sve dok je ovaca nece falit' vune

(They say, they'll never stop brainwashing us.

As long as there are more sheep, there won't be a lack of wool)

Dubioza Kolektiv was formed in Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2003. Since then they are singing, fighting, provoking, criticizing or like they say it: “kicking and screaming, presenting no-go topics front and center, and demanding to be heard”. A perfect example for this is their fourth album “5 do12” which can be downloaded for free, it’s their statement against “ultra-capitalistic music labels”. At the moment they are touring through Europe, so it’s worth to check their tour dates!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOMEacdfCMY

Ko sam ja da kradem tudju muku I sne,

Rekli su ko sam ja da kradem I ubili me,

A krali smo nas cetiri brata i bratski dijelili plijen...

(Who am I to steal someone's torment and dreams

They told who am I to steal and killed me,

And four of us brothers were stealing and shared our catch brotherly...)

The reggae group Zoster was formed in Mostar, 2000. The band is named after the virus “Herpes Zoster”, which appears as a cause of a low immune system. Also Zoster was built when the society suffered from a low immune system and came out to spread their ideas of peace, tolerance and progress. In their opinion a calm music like reggae is the only right tool at this time to talk to and educate people.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2T-zLIUpIQ&list=PLDQkdlhaGEbTZ4HOX9uQIxDB2uwAcM8Nr For the end of the week some traditional music from the Balkans: the group Divanhana was formed in 2009 from students of the Music Academy of Sarajevo. They are performing and interpreting traditional music in new arrangements and got quite famous with it: they had concerts all over Europe and in the USA.

Liska Beulshausen finished her Bachelor in Sociology at the University of Freiburg in spring 2016. She first got in touch with the West Balkan when she was involved in an organization dealing with the rights of Roma who flew from this region to Germany. Her interest deepened when she was traveling through the Balkans one year ago when she was doing an Erasmus exchange in Bucharest. Since she was focusing on theories of social inequalities, migration and discrimination during her bachelor, those are also the topics that she is interested in while doing the internship.

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One week @ PCRC: Gül’s story

Zdravo! My name is Gül. I'm currently doing my Master's in International & Global History at Aarhus University, Denmark, and I'm super exited to be a part of the PCRC team this fall!

Since arriving in Bosnia, I have heard a lot about the "Two schools under one roof" educational system, which refers to the ethnic segregation in the schools in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Basically, it means that children from two ethnic groups, Bosniaks and Croats, attend classes in the same building but are physically separated from each other and taught different curriculum. However, during my fieldwork in Travnik last week I saw the most bizarre example of this at Gimnazija Travnik. The gymnasium is divided in two; one half is completely renovated, while the other is old, damaged and covered with graffiti. Further, the building have two entrances, one for Bosniaks the other for Croats, and a fence is separating the two groups so they can't mix and have contact with each other in the breaks in between classes.

Ćao! Today I am at the International University of Sarajevo for a meeting with assistant Professor Dr. Joseph Kaminski. I'm currently working on a project analyzing the increasing Turkish interest and investment in post-conflict Bosnia and Herzegovina, and since loads of Turks are coming to Bosnia to study at the IUS, it was obvious to pay them a visit.

Have you met the iconic Yugoslav passport yet? Highly regarded during the Cold War, the Yugoslav passport was one of the most convenient in the world as it was one of few with which a person could travel freely through both the East and West. Probably due to this, it was also the most stolen passport of its time.

Dobro jutro from Baščaršija, the old town and cultural center of Sarajevo. Build in the 15th century as a kervansaray (a roadside inn where travelers could rest and recover from the day's journey), Čaršija is filled with historical buildings, bazaars, mosques, minarets and clock towers dating back to the Ottoman era. The golden period of Čaršija came in the 17th century, when it contained more than a thousand shops practicing over eighty different crafts. Even though it has lost its significance of being the most important center for trade in Bosnia over the years, Baščaršija and the Šebilj (the fountain on the picture) has gradually become the symbol of the city again. This morning I'm in Čaršija to do some interviews for my project. But to start my day on proper Bosnian way (which you do when in Bosnia), I will have to stop for a coffee at one of the many coffee houses and enjoy a Bosanska kafa (Bosnian coffee). Coffee is an essential part of Bosnian culture, and Bosnia is nothing less than heaven for coffee enthusiasts. Prijatno!

Throughout history, Bosnia have been under the rule of various kingdoms and empires. The Banate of Bosnia was established in the 12th century, which later evolved into the Kingdom of Bosnia in 1377. Ruled by the Ottoman empire from the 15th century, Bosnia came under the control of Austria-Hungary in 1878. Eventually with the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian empire in 1918, Bosnia was incorporated into the newly created Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes, and after World War II it became a constituent republic of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia . Following the disintegration of Yugoslavia in 1991, the majority of the population of Bosnia and Hercegovina voted for independence in March 1992. Standing at the "Sarajevo Meeting of Cultures" marker engraved on the pedestrian street, Ferhadija, you will clearly see the meeting of East and West, cause this is the spot where Ottoman architecture ends and Austro-Hungarian starts. On your eastern side you have Baščaršija with its oriental spirit, on your west you have the structure that was built in a more Western style. However, you don't have to look for the engraved marker to be aware of the culture meeting here - in Sarajevo you will see the meeting of cultures on every street corner.

Gül Üret is currently a student at Aarhus University and will graduate with a Master’s degree in International and Global History in June 2017. Completing her bachelor’s degree in History with focus on the history of the Balkans, the United Nations and the European Union, Gül has developed a great interested in the region once known as Yugoslavia. What brought Gül to the Balkans and the PCRC was her interest in human rights, transitional justice, and efforts on reconciliation and peacebuilding in post-conflict societies. She has a particular interest in how foreign states and international actors and organisations involves in conflicts, and what affect and consequences their involvement have for the conflict and the reconciliation process in the aftermath, and will do research in these fields during her stay in Bosnia.

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One week @ PCRC: Louis’s story

Hola amig@s!  My name is Louis Monroy, I am a Colombian PhD researcher studying the connections between statebuilding and reconciliation.  This week I will focus on places and issues that catch my attention as a researcher.

This is the memorial for the ICAR beef can, a memorial to the food aid that was sent during the Siege of Sarajevo.  The inscription reads "Monument to the International Community by the Grateful citizens of Sarajevo".

The Museum of genocide and war crimes, located in Sarajevo's city center, displays an exhibition of the mass crimes committed in Bosnia during the war and some information related to the process of transitional justice led by the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY).

An example of remembrance of the Siege of Sarajevo. This memorial called "Memorial plaque to citizens of Sarajevo killed in the massacre on 27 May, 1992". is located in Ferhadija 12, and commemorates the lives of 26 Sarajevans whose lives ended as they were queuing up to obtain bread.

This picture is taken in Brčko and it shows three memorials related to those who fought the war.Top: ARBIH (Bosnian) soldiers monument. Middle: HVO (Croat) soldiers memorial. Bottom: VRS (Serb) soldiers memorial.

These are pictures of Slana banja in Tuzla. Slana banja is a location that hosts various memorials like the Youth Arbor memorial cemetery (top left) as well as the Memorial to killed defenders of Tuzla (bottom left). Slana banja is located in the middle of a forest just uphill from the city center.

This is the Memorial for Civilian Victims of War in Brčko 1992-1995. The gravestone reads "And do not say about those who are killed in the way of Allah 'They are dead'. Rather they are alive, but you perceive it not"

I guided my visits and research with the information provided by the book War of Memories, edited by the Center for Nonviolent Action.

Louis Monroy is currently a student at the University of Birmingham in his third year of doctoral studies in international development.  His research focuses on the possible links between statebuilding and reconciliation work after more than 20 years of post-conflict work in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Read more...

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One week @ PCRC: James’s story

Zdravo, ja sam James. I have been living in Sarajevo for the last three months and working for the fantastic PCRC. I want to take you on a trip around the city by tram, showing you what we can learn about Sarajevo and BiH from Europe's oldest tram network. Enjoy the ride!

Since 1895, trams have rattled along the streets of Sarajevo. A place for a familiar commute to work, first eye contact with a future love or even as cover for sniper fire coming from the hills above. Often taken for granted by Sarajlija, trams have long played a vital role in the life of their city.

Ugly vandalism or character and personality? The debate is real! Regardless, since this Czech tram starting running in the early 70's, generations of young Sarailija have left their mark on it; writing the name of their football team, the girl/boy they like or just their favorite swear words.

Several cities have donated trams to Sarajevo over the past two decades. This spacious tram with many seats comes from Konya in Turkey - a symbolic gift from Bosnia's former ruler. Whilst passengers may not all agree on Turkey's increasingly assertive role in their country, they can certainly all appreciate finally having somewhere to sit on their way to work.

Just like the citizens of Sarajevo, the cities' trams can sometimes be seen wearing a small flower like symbol. #Srebrenica

Tram diplomacy. In 2005, Britain sponsored a Sarajevo tram to celebrate the UK's chairing of the EU presidency. Perhaps appropriately - it's no longer running.

Sarajevo tram depot- still in ruin. Sarajevo tried to keep its trams running during wartime. Seeing them pass by and hearing their familiar rattle offered hope to Sarailija that life would one day be normal again. For this reason they were increasingly targeted. Sarajevo lost 111 tram employees and 30 tramcars during the cities' 4 year long siege. The last official casualty of the siege, was a fifty five year old lady. She was riding a newly running tram when it was hit by a rocket from above.

James Hill is a graduate of History and Politics from the University of Leicester in England. His interest in the Balkan region, in particular Bosnia and Herzegovina stems from a visit to the country in his first years of study. On his return, he began to tailor his degree towards the study of BiH and the rest of former Yugoslavia. Read more...

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PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITION Njena Mudrost, Njena Krila. Her Wisdom, Her Wings. Review by Louis Francis Monroy On Saturday, August 27th, PCRC had the great opportunity of hosting the photographic exhibition “Her Wisdom, Her Wings” by U.S. researcher Jessica Smith. In Jessica’s own words, the exhibition “endeavors to invite the community into a different kind of conversation about social transformation, one which holds a space for reflection and promotes learning by using storytelling, photographs and research”. I was lucky enough to attend this exhibition and witness how through art, creativity and dedication, “Her Wisdom, Her Wings” presented various stories of resilience and strength, portraying women as decisive actors in the quest for peace in Bosnia-Herzegovina. The exhibition featured a collection of photographs taken by women across Bosnia-Herzegovina, each accompanied by a story capturing the perspective of the photographer. Titles such as “Different in Religion, Same in Love”, “Strong Woman, Strong Water”, “Longing for Loved Ones”, or “Hard Fought Victory”, already give us an idea of the level of empowerment and determination present in some of the works exhibited by Jessica’s participants. One piece that caught my attention in particular was Fata’s “Symbol of Endurance”, a close up of a scar, symbolizing both pain and endurance. The picture’s caption reads: “…I haven’t seen this scar in a long time. I have avoided looking at it because it reminds me of a time I was dead and woke up, a time of great suffering for me and my family. Looking at the scar now, I realize it is also a symbol of my strength and willingness to survive. I hope this picture will inspire other women to keep their heads up and to keep going forward…” While watching this exhibition very closely, and being a fellow researcher myself, I couldn’t help but wonder about Jessica’s research journey, her insight into this engagement with her participants and how, through visual projects, she explored the role of Bosnian women in grassroots peacebuilding. Luckily for me, Jessica was kind enough to accept my invitation for an interview and share with me some of her ideas, experiences and lessons learned in this process. This is a synthesis of this interview. LFM. How do you think your work, both your research and the exhibition, contribute to positive change? JS. I really believe that Bosnian women possess a lot of wisdom about how to create positive social change in their families and communities. This wisdom is incredibly beneficial not only for Bosnia, but also for other women who may find themselves facing similar challenges in other contexts. It is also helpful for international policy makers and program developers seeking to be helpful to women in post-conflict settings. I think there is a lot we can learn from Bosnian women’s experiences over the past 20 years. What is wonderful about this project is that it created a space for those voices to be elevated into the public sphere and into the community, providing a tool for women to tell their own stories, in their own voice, in a way that invited others to learn from them. LFM. How did you connect with and gain trust from your participants? JS. I think it is really important to partner with local leaders, organizations and community members, who know their communities. Especially as a foreign researcher, local partners are essential for understanding the context and really helpful in convening a group of people for a research project. Also, being flexible is key. I held my own research agenda loosely, allowing the project to unfold in a way that served the highest good of the participants. Showing up in a place and really being willing to learn and listen is also really important. I spent a couple of months, prior to implementing the project, talking to as many people in Bosnia as I could about my project, and what I was trying to learn and explore. Through these conversations I was able to figure out different places to run photovoice workshops, identify other people willing to talk to me and get an idea of which groups of women might be interested in participating in the project. I think the photovoice methodology also has something special—it’s fun, and participating in a photographic project has an added layer of interest for women. LFM. What were your main challenges and worries? JS. I was concerned about not having enough time. But the photovoice methodology is flexible, which allowed me to tailor the amount of time spent in each location based on the amount of time that women had to participate in the project. The other thing I was worried about was that people would not be interested in participating in the project, but this was simply not the case. I am overwhelmed by the generosity of spirit and time that everyone in Bosnia showed me and it really has been a privilege to have the opportunity to speak with everyone who participated in the project, not only in the photovoice portion of the project, but also in interviews conducted with civil society organizations, local leaders and individuals at institutional and government levels. I was so surprised at how willing people were to give their time to have a conversation and a cup of coffee. This reflects how generous Bosnian people are and the culture of hospitality that seems to be woven into all aspects of interactions I was fortunate enough to have. LFM. Both I and PCRC have an interest in projects that deal with reconciliation, pacific coexistence and interethnic dialogue. Does your work have a role in this respect? JS. I think I have to go back to this idea that Bosnian people are experts on their own experience. I believe peacebuilding efforts need to be led from the grassroots level and what I think could be helpful is to create spaces for people to have conversations with one another. It seemed that in some cases, the opportunities for people from different towns, ethnic groups or religions, to talk to one another, to have meaningful dialogue, were not so abundant. Using artsbased research in this project allowed the findings to be introduced into the public sphere in the form of an exhibition, which holds a space for people to come together and begin to have a conversation, one that originates out of a connection with mutually shared experiences of coming through the war, and everyday actions people take to try to move forward. In regards to peacebuilding, I believe in the power of art to serve as a platform for dialogue, one that is non-threatening, and allows people to engage with one another in a different kind of way. The potential for this sort of project to bring together people from different areas and different backgrounds is really wonderful and something I would be interested in looking more closely at in the future. LFM. Does focusing on women help us get a different view of peacebuilding? JS. I think women have found really wonderfully creative and strategic ways of maneuvering through gendered roles in Bosnia to create change, and this occurs in all regards of life, whether it is keeping their families fed during the war, or coming together with other women to get through times that were challenging, women continue to rely on one another for support. There is a strong sense of community among the women in Bosnia that I spoke to, and it is the women who, through seemingly ordinary actions, are making extraordinary contributions to positive social change. I believe true change will come outside institutional spaces, and I think women continue to have a huge role to play in peacebuilding efforts in the country. There are definitely some barriers to women taking on more formal roles in peacebuilding, and to frame oneself as a peacebuilder is something that seems to be very political, but I think that the role of women in peacebuilding efforts is critical and should be supported and encouraged in a way that is resonant with local understandings of social change and peace and efforts should be led alongside local actors, both men and women.

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SUPPORTING THE INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION FOR MISSING PERSON’S STREET ACTION

On August 30th, 2016 some of us at PCRC had the opportunity to volunteer for the street action in commemoration of the international day for victims of enforced disappearance. This event was organized by the International Commission for Missing People (ICMP).

The ICMP is a key organization in the post-conflict reconstruction process of Bosnia as it has focused on developing capacity to address the missing persons issue in the country via drafting legislation to safeguard families of victims, developing systematic forensic methods and work on judicial methodologies to ensure the provision of evidence to domestic courts as well as the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY).

The 2016 ICMP street action was aimed awareness at the challenges and difficulties faced by the families of victims of enforced disappearances as well as the achievements on this type of work. According to their information, more than 70 per cent of missing persons from the 90’s conflict have been found and identified (Around 23,000 out of the 31,500 reported missing). Despite this, around 8,000 persons are still missing; a law on missing persons is not carried out as a whole which has affected the completion of the Central Records of Missing persons and the process for establishing funds for the families of the missing.

For me joining this street action as a volunteer was part of my personal journey, being myself the son of a missing person. As soon as I heard about the call for volunteers I decided to join in, with a bit of a knot in my throat but knowing deep down that this would be of great help to both ICMP and myself. I helped organize what I would call their “shadows of the missing”, these medium sized figures that represented the void left by those who were forcefully disappeared. A lot of good things occurred during this street action. I started by talking to fellow volunteers who were very interested in meeting a Colombian. Then we all approached people walking by and gave them a pin representing the struggle of the missing as well as an information leaflet with information about Bosnia’s missing persons.

As I was standing there, admiring the shadows, a fellow volunteer came to me and told me how there was another Colombian in the street action. I walked fast to reach him and after confirming that he was Colombian we both smiled and realized that our struggle, as a nation in conflict, was somehow present here in Bosnia. I also had the chance to speak to Matthew Holliday, head of the Western Balkans Program for the ICMP, he asked me about the Colombian peace process and ended up talking about the advancement in the cause for the missing persons in Bosnia, of how despite funding and political obstacles Bosnia had made great advances in obtaining forensic and judicial evidence in favor of the missing.

It was an incredible day for me. I somehow felt that I was not alone in my personal struggle and that the connection that I have with Bosnia and its great people is now deeper than ever. I wrote a message and placed it on one of the shadows, and saw how symbolically my father was accompanying this struggle, this cause, one that although creates a lot of pain and difficulty, can also help create ties of humanity between human beings. Just as the many ties that I have created with so many incredible Bosnians and Herzegovinians during my fieldwork here.

By: Louis Monroy Santander

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One week @ PCRC: Cassandra’s story

Ćao from the cutest tea place in Sarajevo with my little mačka friend. My name is Cassandra and I’m a recent Stanford graduate who has worked in television production for the past year. I am excited to now work with the PCRC in the field of post-conflict research and peace building through multimedia platforms. I fell in love with the Balkans last year and am ecstatic to be back (and to be working with such a fantastic organization).

Bosnian coffee served in a džezva with a side of water, sugar cubes, and lokum. Never add the sugar directly into the coffee lest you feel like mixing it and drinking coffee grounds and sludge. Instead, dip a corner of the sugar cube in and take a small bite of it, letting it dissolve in your mouth as you enjoy your coffee

Polako, polako... The Bosnian lifestyle is one of slowing down enough to enjoy a game of chess with a beautiful view of the Serbian Orthodox Cathedral

Yugonostalgia is seemingly strong in parts of Sarajevo. This bust of Tito can be seen at the ever famous Tito Caffe and is conveniently located under my favorite museum.

While Sarajevo is beautiful, it is always exciting to explore other areas of Bosnia. So far our backyard in Bihać is stunning and we can't wait to see more. What a gorgeous country!

Cassandra Roulund is a recent Stanford graduate who has worked in television production in Los Angeles for the past year. She is excited to work with PCRC in the field of post-conflict research and is passionate about the endless possibilities that multimedia platforms have to offer in regards to post-conflict reconciliation. She fell in love with the Balkans last year on a Stanford seminar to Croatia and BiH and is ecstatic to be back (and to be working with such a fantastic organization).

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One week @ PCRC: Stone’s story

Hello! Hello! My name is Stone Kalisa, and I'm a rising sophomore at Stanford University studying economics and international relations. This stunning background is the National Theatre which is one of the venues of the Sarajevo Film Festival which will explore diverse themes including human rights, post-conflict reconciliation and resilience

Throughout my internship, I have been researching the role of education and potential reforms in Bosnia-Herzegovina and other post-conflict societies. This weekend, I was able to visit Mostar and see this Austro-Hungarian Era building whose particularly complex history led to its founding as the United World College Mostar in 2006.

UWC is an education network that places high school students from diverse backgrounds in their 16 campuses across the world and aims to promote cross-cultural understanding, academic excellence and compassion. Their mandate in BiH is unique among their campuses in that they bring together a cohort of diverse students, including those of all ethnic groups in Bosnia, to "bridge the still existing ethnic divisions and move [the] country" towards unification and modernity.

Two weeks ago, the international book festival Bookstan was in full swing in Sarajevo! My fellow intern and I had the opportunity to attend a reading by Bosnian-American author and this year's curator, Aleksandar Hemon.

Before coming to the Balkans, I read The Book of My Lives, a collection of pieces in which Hemon recounts his childhood and adolescence in BiH, migration to North America and his adult life in Chicago. In addition to his writing novels, Hemon has been a regular contributor to The New Yorker and BH Dani.

P-CRC staff and interns spent the evening at Sarajevo's Kriterion coffee shop and bar watching intern and musician Dani Mostarac give a riveting performance to an enthusiastic crowd of attendees and friends. Follow Dani Mostarac on Spotify, immediately

As my internship at the P-CRC brought me to Sarajevo for the summer, I couldn't resist attending the premiere of the 22nd Sarajevo Film Festival! The mood at the Open Air Cinema was effervescent as 3,000 cinephiles witnessed Robert DeNiro receive the first Heart of Sarajevo: Lifetime Achievement Award and saw a digitally restored version of Taxi Driver to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the legend's classic film.

I was blessed to attend the world premiere of Tarik Hodžić's Scream for Me Sarajevo which was the first full length film of the Festival's Documentary Competition Program. This powerful screening concluded with emotional remarks from the cast, crew and Festival officials. Magnificent!!

The Stanford University crew of P-CRC interns has been loving the Sarajevo Film Festival! Our favorite films have included Tarik Hodžić's Scream For Me Sarajevo, Hemal Trivedi's and Mohammed Naqvi's Among The Believers and Lidija Zelovic's My Own Private War!

My name is Stone Kalisa, and I am a student of economics and international relations at Stanford University in Palo Alto, California. I love being involved in the International Affairs community at my university, being a board member of the Society for International Affairs at Stanford and Stanford UNICEF as well as a member of the student advisory board for the WSD Handa Center for Human Rights & International Justice. This upcoming year, I begin pursuing a minor in Human Rights and further exploring applications of economics.

Originally from Salt Lake City, Utah, my interest in ethnic conflict and transitional justice began as I heard stories from my family members and friends about their experiences during the Rwandan Genocide. I am overjoyed  to be interning at the Post-Conflict Research Center and contributing to this organization’s work and multimedia projects which promote reconciliation and education.

While in Sarajevo, I have also been doing research under the direction of Dr. Sabina Čehajić-Clancy who specializes in the social and psychological aspects of post-conflict reconciliation. Additionally, I will be conducting interviews on perceptions of international and external actors in BiH, including the United Nations and Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe.

Outside of academics, I am devoted to watching Suits, I Love Lucy and classic cinema. I am also an avid lover of lyrical dance, French existentialism and fashion. After completing my undergraduate and graduate studies, I hope to attend law school and practice international and human rights law.

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CHILDREN OF PEACE: HOW BOSNIAN YOUTH TAKES A LOOK AT THEIR COUNTRY By: Louis Francis Monroy Santander One of the topics that comes up constantly in my PhD research and that is very present in the minds of many of my interviewees is that of the role that youth play in the process of reconstruction here in Bosnia. Concerns about how divided young people have become, about the impact of the education system in their beliefs and attitudes towards other ethnic groups as well as the perils of radicalized views and extreme nationalism in young people always come to the fore. Luckily for me, I had the chance to take a look at Bosnian youth from another perspective: from the voices of young people themselves. I was able to hear such voices via Emir Kapetanović’s Children of Peace, a documentary that takes a look at the post-Dayton generation in Bosnia, their concerns, their realities and perhaps more importantly their dreams. In the same manner as research requires studying an issue, plan specific questions and think about the participants in the investigative process, Children of Peace focuses on showing us what a group of youngsters in Bosnia assume and know about six particular areas: Tomislavgrad, Srebrenica, Zvornik, Mostar, Bijeljina and Sarajevo. Before engaging in a field visit to each of these places, the participants are asked about what they know, their assumptions and views on everyday life in these areas. Tomislavgrad appears an unknown area for most: “I don’t know anything about it. We should be ashamed of ourselves for this. It used to be called Duvno before the war. Srebrenica is only defined in terms of genocide and atrocious pasts but little seems to be known about its present, as one youngster relates it to “the 11th of July, Silence, Lethargy.” Zvornik is viewed as a place where “the locals are rather primitive, Mostar as a city of “Nationalism, Disagreement, of East versus West”. Bijeljina is related to “Floods, rain and cabbage whereas Sarajevo is linked to “The eternal flame, Miljacka and the future”. Yet, the interesting finding is not only in the study of these youngster’s assumptions, but in the experience of seeing them visiting these towns and putting their learning in creative contexts such as street art, drama and by simply having an open dialogue about what they assume and what they discover. In Tomislavgrad we see despair as young locals talk about how the town is dying and how people as young as 18 and 19 years old are trying to leave to Germany for a better future, one of them says to the camera “there is this idea that you cannot make it here, many don’t want to leave but can’t find work. In Srebrenica, the opening shot is not what one would assume, it is not Potočari, but instead of the Guber Health Resort, a spring of mineral waters, a great resource for the local community that simply has not been used for over 22 years. This for me was the saddest situation of it all, as a group of teenagers gathered in a classroom are asked what the most beautiful thing in Srebrenica is and a desolate silence takes over the room. The interviewees from Srebrenica described the place as a lonesome site, a place where there is no one to even have a coffee with: “People come and leave, no one stays in Srebrenica”. A similar atmosphere is presented in Zvornik, a place connected to the “shooting of that Emir Kostunica film with Angelina Jolie” but where everyone is just waiting to finish high school and leave. But the last three places seem to reflect other concerns and at times a glimpse of hope in the eyes of these youngsters. Mostar is shown as a place where divisions are more visible yet it’s the place where “everything can happen, the best and the worst, a town where people made survival a form of art. Bijeljina is described as a town of the young, an example of future and construction by one of its locals who takes pride in presenting it as an example of what Republika Srpska is about. And in the end, we are presented with Sarajevo: “The source of good and bad things” a place for joy as well as suffering. One of the critiques that caught my attention when viewing the Sarajevo scene is how a very young man recognizes in Sarajevo a problem with capitalism as it has led to a decay in the culture and spirit of what was once a great city. But for others Sarajevo is viewed as something special, a place where cultures mix together and where “the three ethnicities live in unity”. Regardless of whether we agree or disagree with what these young Bosnians have to say, it is quite important for them to have a voice and for us to hear them, to make their fears, assumptions and perceptions known to the rest of the country, not only to make reflections about what the future holds but to see in these young people’s dialogue a space for understanding what Bosnia is doing and needs to do to with its most important citizens. And luckily for me, Emir Kapetanović has allowed the start for the opening up of this space.