At the first “State of Peace Youth Academy “, organized by the European Union in Bosnia and Herzegovina (EU BiH) in cooperation with the Center for Post-Conflict Research, 50 young people from the Western Balkan region will learn about the state of peace and democracy building through cultural visits and workshops between 18 and 31 August in Sarajevo, Tuzla, Vitez and Brčko District.
At the first “State of Peace Youth Academy “, organized by the European Union in Bosnia and Herzegovina (EU BiH) in cooperation with the Center for Post-Conflict Research, 50 young people from the Western Balkan region will learn about the state of peace and democracy building through cultural visits and workshops between 18 and 31 August in Sarajevo, Tuzla, Vitez and Brčko District.
The European Union in Bosnia and Herzegovina, through various youth projects that are implemented throughout the BiH, aims to encourage young people to take proactive role in building society, and to get involved in reform processes on country’s path towards the European Union. Through a unique program of activities, the “State of Peace Youth Academy” will provide young people with a platform, not only to acquire new skills through a series of workshops and study visits, but also the opportunity to create new friendships with peers from the region.
“Reconciliation programs that unite youth across Western Balkan countries are not just bridges to the European Union integration, but foundations for lasting peace, shared prosperity, and a brighter future for the region. Programs like the ‘State of Peace Youth Academy’ empower the next generation to overcome historical divisions, fostering mutual understanding and collaboration. I truly hope this will be a life changing experience for all who join this programme.”, said Johann Sattler, Head of the Delegation of the European Union in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Special Representative of the European Union in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Velma Šarić, president and founder of the Center for Post-Conflict Research, stated that the goal of the “State of Peace Youth Academy” is to jointly contribute to a more prosperous future and the process of dealing with a past through a two-week program for young people from the Western Balkans region, based on inter-ethnic dialogue, learning about tolerance and socializing with their peers.
“Young people from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro and Croatia, who applied and were accepted to the academy, in this way show their willingness to build a democratic society in the Western Balkans”, explained Šarić, pointing out that the mission of the Center for post-conflict research, among others, is peace education.
During the two-week program, participants will take part in a series of workshops, study visits and get the opportunity to talk with over 30 individuals, including decision-makers, activists, representatives of religious communities, non-governmental organizations, international communities, human rights fighters both in Bosnia and Herzegovina and in the region. The “State of Peace Youth Academy” started on Friday, 8thAugust with a program in Tuzla, after which the participants will visit Brčko, Sarajevo and Vitez.
