The political environment in Bosnia and Herzegovina is systematically shaping generations of young people who, faced with distrust in institutions, lack of opportunities and a sense of hopelessness, are increasingly choosing to leave rather than engage, the message from the session of the Krug 99 Youth Forum dedicated to political culture as a key cause of social apathy and loss of potential was conveyed.
The session’s keynote speakers were the president of the Krug 99 Youth Forum Muhamed Hamzić, president of the Citizens’ Association ‘Oštra Nula’ Milica Pralica, project coordinator of the Center for the Development of Youth Activism CROA Adna Jeleč, and psychologist and member of the Krug 99 Youth Forum Nejra Tinjić.
They pointed out that in a society marked by the continuous departure of young people, a decline in trust in institutions and growing passivity, political culture is a key factor in shaping the attitudes, behavior and expectations of generations.
They emphasize that political culture as a framework of behavior in a theoretical sense encompasses the values, beliefs and patterns of behavior of citizens towards the government. Citizens do not participate actively, but react. They do not shape the system, but adapt to it.
Pralica pointed out that young people in BiH face a number of systemic obstacles that limit their social and political engagement, but also shape their decision to seek a future outside the country. Although often perceived as passive, the interviewees indicate that these are generations that lack the space and support to express their full potential.
“The problem is not with young people, but with the system that marginalizes and discourages them – she states and adds that these are lost generations, not because they lack competence, but because they do not have the opportunity to show their potential.
She points out that young people are interested in politics, but that they face humiliating roles within political parties, which is why they give up active engagement.
She sees a particular problem in the education system, which, instead of developing critical thinking and shared values, deepens ethnic divisions through segregation and uneven curricula. Such an environment further contributes to the departure of young people from the country.
Adna Jeleč also points to the broader social context, reminding us that political culture and historical heritage influence the current situation. She emphasizes that young people are disappointed with the entire system.
According to her, the recent protests in Sarajevo, although they show the present dissatisfaction of citizens, were more a reaction to a tragic event than an expression of organized resistance to the political system, which raises the question of their long-term strength and effect.
An additional dimension of the problem is highlighted by Nejra Tinjić, emphasizing the influence of social narratives on young people’s perception of themselves and their future.
“Young people do not trust institutions and associate politics with crime, corruption and nepotism,” Tinjić emphasizes.
She warns that young people are often forced to believe that knowledge and education are not crucial for success, but rather social connections and belonging, which further deepens the feeling of hopelessness. In such an environment, leaving the country is increasingly being imposed as the only solution.
Hamzić points to a deep crisis of trust – young people do not trust institutions not because they are apolitical, but because they are disappointed. Abstention from elections, he says, is both silent resistance and a form of capitulation.
He sees a particular problem in the lack of political literacy, due to the fragmented and ideologically colored education system. Young people do not understand how the system works, so they cannot change it, and in a society where connections are more important than knowledge, they are faced with a choice – adapt or leave.
“The mass departure of young people, he adds, is the clearest indicator of the failure of political culture – they do not leave only because of the economy, but because of the belief that change is not possible. At the same time, divided narratives maintain a closed circle in which new generations grow up in parallel realities,” Hamzić says.
The result of such a system is political apathy, social fragmentation and the loss of the highest quality personnel – the state is losing not only its population, but also its potential.
“The political culture in Bosnia and Herzegovina not only reflects the crisis of the system – it is its cause and its guardian. It produces generations that do not trust institutions and increasingly choose to leave instead of fighting,” Hamzić concluded.
