Military training or civilian service. Although mandatory military service is long gone in Bosnia and Herzegovina, there are promoters of the idea that it would be good – in the form of a man who himself has never undergone either military or civilian training. Banja Luka Mayor Draško Stanivuković sent an invitation to the citizens, although it is not known who supported the project, nor from which budget it would be financed, so the public is now wondering not only who will pay for it, but also whether the proponent even knows what civil service entails.
Young people aged 18 to 25 covered by public invitation
“Push-ups, sit-ups, running, so that young people are strong, not shriveled.” This is how the mayor of Banjaluka explained his initiative for civil service for the first time. The supreme commander of the city is now turning the idea into action. He decided that he would no longer be a general without an army. After the idea of restricting social networks to young people, Draško Stanivuković now proposes civil service. The call is officially open.
“This means that we teach our people how to be a members of a responsible society,” says Banjaluka Mayor Draško Stanivuković.
The public invitation includes young people aged 18 to 25. The training lasts 4 weeks, and the City of Banjaluka provides them with accommodation and food for all days of their stay in the camp, transport to the camp, insurance, as well as the necessary equipment. Admittedly, he did not receive support from the City Assembly for this idea, funds were not approved, but he announced the invitation anyway.
Saša Čudić, vice-president of the Banjaluka City Assembly, stated that the funds will probably be provided by redirection from other budget items, including those intended for parks and similar projects.
Civil service practice
However, does Stanivuković know what civil service means and what it looks like in practice? In countries where military service is mandatory, it represents an alternative due to conscientious objection to those who do not want to undergo military training.
“It is one of the civil rights in the modern world and to say that they will serve their community, but in a different way. We had that about 20 years ago. I met three young men. Two of them served in a partner, one in an institution for dystrophies,” explains journalist Milkica Milojević.
Interesting, but the idea of civil service seems interesting to many young people and they approve of it.
In the survey, some interlocutors said that such a form of service would be useful, pointing out that young people are “too soft” and that they would apply themselves if there was a possibility. Another respondent stated that he had heard of similar programs, such as civilian military service in Krupa on Vrbas, and assessed that such an idea was “not bad”.
With promotion on social networks
How civilian service in the camp near Banjaluka will look like in practice will be known after June 24, when the application deadline officially expires. From the initial paramilitary plan, to training for civil protection, of course, with promotion on social networks.
However, the politicians we asked would not go to such camps themselves, however, they have other ideas.
“But he would suggest that all councilors pass a psychotest and that they pass a psychiatric test. I would suggest that for all politicians,” adds Saša Čudić.
In order not to end everything at the camps, Stanivuković has already announced another initiative, school uniforms. He even promoted the appearance of those uniforms, so that young people would learn to dress uniformly in time, when such behavior is already required.
