text:
Bosnian-Herzegovinian Talent on the ‘Emerald Isle’ | Balkan Diskurs
Amir Barleci
October 30th, 2023
Fedja Zahirovich, a talented Bosnian-Herzegovinian performer, has been involved in acting since his early childhood and pursuing this passion professionally for a decade. He completed his studies in screen acting at the Bow Street Academy – the National Screen Acting School of Ireland, where he had the opportunity to learn from distinguished Hollywood professionals such as Gerry Grennell as well as Oscar and Golden Globe nominated directors and writers. In addition to acting, Fedja’s interests include writing poetry and screenplays and studying psychology, which has fascinated him for years.
He was inspired to pursue acting by his grandmother, Viktorija Stefanović, who was an actress at the local National Theatre. Along with his early exposure to the profession, he developed a love for films as a way to escape the realities of growing up in a post-war society.
His childhood role models were characters from Batman, X-Men, Star Wars, The Lord of the Rings, as well as animated series like Batman, Samurai Jack, The Powerpuff Girls, and Dexter’s Laboratory. He also drew inspiration from actors such as Jack Nicholson, Jim Carrey, Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, and Joaquin Phoenix.
“All of these characters left such a strong impression on me that they greatly shaped my personality. Because of that, I could easily hear my calling and I wholeheartedly knew what I wanted to pursue in my life,” said Zahirovich, who now lives in Dublin.
He explained that moving to Ireland was no easy feat. He had to leave everything behind and start a new life and career in a different language and on the other side of Europe. However, considering the structure, system, and development of the film industry in Ireland, he was offered a job in an American/German/Irish film by Amazon Studios even before he left Bosnia and Herzegovina. This opportunity made it easier for him to adapt to the lifestyle and professional environment.
“The Irish love their country and cinematography, so there’s an atmosphere of enthusiasm, optimism, and support in the air. Here, everyone cheers each other on,” Fedja emphasised, noting that the atmosphere in Bosnia and Herzegovina is not quite the same.
He describes Dublin, a European hub for major tech companies, as culturally diverse, advanced, and highly digitalized. All paperwork is electronic, so there’s no need to wait in lines. While Ireland, like any country, has its share of problems, he highlights that he adapted to life there relatively quickly.
Fedja says that he auditions for roles nearly every day, which has been challenging. As for his current projects, he explained that he has acted in several short films as well as an RTÉ/BBC docu series that are currently in post-production and performed at the Smock Alley Theatre 1662 in a play developed by the Gaiety School of Acting. Right now, he is shooting a feature-length film in Ireland – a social comedy called “Love Lane United” as a supporting lead. On top of that, he’s preparing for an American/Italian action-adventure production being shot on the island of Sardinia, where he plays one of the leading roles.
“I’m excited and inspired by these projects because I have the opportunity to work on something I haven’t encountered before”.
In addition to acting, Fedja describes music as a part of his daily life. He practices guitar and piano every day and is planning to get more involved in this field, as well.
When it comes to advice for aspiring artists, he stressed that the path to becoming an artist is highly personal and different for each individual. There is no one particular path that everyone should follow. He advises young people to attend courses, workshops, and masterclasses led by reputable professionals and institutions.
Fedja explained that some of today’s most prominent actors graduated from the same school he attended, and the courses typically last no longer than a year. “Here, from day one, without much theory and talk, they put a camera in front of your face, and everything is focused on practical work,” he stated.
Furthermore, he encouraged young people to work to develop their own brand and expand their professional networks, which are crucial for generating new opportunities. Fedja also emphasized the importance of remaining authentic by preserving your own truth and nurturing a connection with yourself.
“Who am I? What do I want? This is exactly what makes us special, interesting, and inspired.
Stella Adler used to tell her students that she couldn’t teach them to act, but she could teach them how to be human. One of the first books she gave them to read was The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran, and I would recommend it to everyone,” said the actor from Bosnia and Herzegovina with an Irish address. He also highlights that learning languages, using the internet and social media for growth and education, and continuous self-improvement are equally important.
Comparing the acting scenes in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Ireland, Fedja noted that the actors in Ireland dwell less on their mistakes and imperfections. They aren’t afraid to try or to make mistakes, and they have ample self-confidence.
“There’s no ridicule and there’s less nepotism,” he added. He acknowledged the unfairness of comparing these two scenes directly because the industry in Ireland is more developed and prosperous overall than that of Bosnia and Herzegovina. In addition, the Irish government recognizes the potential of the film industry and has made great strides, even changing certain tax laws to make it easier to attract foreign productions. This significantly bolstered the country’s economy, with large financial investments from America, Canada, and Europe over the last two years.
If he had the opportunity to change the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, he said that he would first work on fostering a healthier mindset and growth mentality. He would encourage young people to express their attitudes and opinions as well as transform the education system to focus more on practical study in the curricula and pay more attention to film acting.
He concluded with a strong message to aspiring actors and younger generations at large: “Albert Camus says that meaning is found in rebellion. So rebel, take risks, be bold, believe in yourself, and go all in for yourself. Everything you imagine is possible if you align your desires and feelings. Have faith, dream, visualise your desires and ambitions, articulate them, write them down on paper, and all the doors of the world will open to you. Take risks and most of all, escape from your comfort zone – it is the death trap of artists.”

created: October 30th, 2023

author: Amir Barleci


text:
Jasmina and Siniša: “When Certain Things Click, There’s Not Much More to Think About” | Balkan Diskurs
Balkan Diskurs
November 2nd, 2023
Jasmina Alić-Zec and Siniša Zec met through Facebook. By the end of their first coffee date, which lasted for five or six hours, they realized they have a lot in common, from their clothing style to the kind of music they listen to and their love for nature. Although society defines them as Bosniak and Croat, they don’t identify that way. Their different ethnic backgrounds did not stand in the way of their love story, which culminated with their marriage in Tuzla, where they now live with their daughter Iris.
Siniša’s first message to Jasmina was “Hello.” Jasmina, having already heard from a relative how kind and wonderful he was, replied. They arrived at their first date dressed almost identically. “Both of us wore red converse sneakers and jeans,” recalled Jasmina, emphasizing how much she and Siniša have in common, including their likes and dislikes.
One of the things they share is a love for nature, and Jasmina describes how they can spend all day or night outdoors, talking about nature, or looking at photos. This is why they use almost every weekend to connect with nature.
“When certain things click, there’s not much more to think about,” said Siniša, describing his love with Jasmina, who he characterizes as an amazing and emotionally sensitive young women who is very caring and requires little to be happy.
Describing her husband, Jasmina says that he’s not a typical “Balkan man” in terms of his mentality. He is very dedicated and hardworking, and at the same time very intimate and close to his family. “At first, he seems rough, macho, but he’s so kind—a great parent. He changes diapers, bathes the baby, and she’s  a real daddy’s girl,” Jasmina remarks.
Jasmina was born in Tuzla and earned her degree in technology, while Siniša was born in Sarajevo and works in graphic design. When they met, they didn’t care about their ethnic differences because they had both been raised in families where they were taught that the only thing that matters is whether or not a person is good.
Jasmina quoted her parents: “If it’s good for you and if it’s your choice and if it’s what you need, want, go ahead. It doesn’t matter whether someone is a Muslim, a Serb, a Catholic, a Bosniak, a foreigner, whatever they are, as long as they’re a good person.”
When their daughter was born and they applied for her birth certificate, they were completely taken aback by the clerk’s question: “And how does the baby declare itself?”
Jasmina and Siniša live in Tuzla, where, as she describes, multi-ethnic couples are viewed a little differently. “We’re used to it, my group friend consists of Darija, Vlasta, Nikolina, Jadranka, Ljubica, Marin, and Tea. We don’t care who you are, and I have a lot of friends from mixed marriages because it’s totally irrelevant to people,” said Jasmina.
Jasmina finds it fascinating that young people who are born in 2000 are arguing about the war on Facebook, and in her opinion, this shows that they had to learn this behavior at home.
“It’s simply not a topic for us. We celebrate Easter, Christmas, and Eid. It’s more of an occasion for us all to get together and have a good time,” Jasmina continued.
When asked about the effect of politics on the perception of multi-ethnic relationships and marriages, Jasmina replied that it’s not in politicians’ interests to promote diversity and the things that unite people, culturally and in every other sense. She believes that it’s more convenient for them if people are divided rather than caring towards each other or inclined to help and take care of one another. The more people are cut off from each other, the more alienated they are from one another, the better off the politicians are.
“Every time you don’t know what to do, what kind of economic plan or socioeconomic reform to implement, how to save the economy or improve health care, then you just have to start talking about the secession of the RS (Republika Srpska), joining Serbia, or possibly Herceg-Bosnia. And then there’s the SDA (Democratic Action Party), they’ll say that they’re the pillar of the state, they’re building Bosnia, the Federation… Sabers start rattling. So many years after the war, the themes of the war come right back. And we’re all toiling to earn minimum wage,” explains Jasmina.
Siniša doesn’t think that things will ever get better in Bosnia and Herzegovina: “When you look through history, there’s never been good times, that’s the kind of people we are.”
“How much our salaries are, how, for example, diapers are more expensive in Bosnia than in Germany…these are things that bother me more than the ethnic, national, religious context,” added Jasmina.
They celebrate every holiday and never miss out on any delicious cuisine. “For Easter, we were all at our house, for Christmas at my mother-in-law’s, and for Eid we visit all my relatives, we go to my mother, my grandmother, my aunts. Sometimes we meet with our best man and his family, or they visit us for Eid. We’re all together and we love it,” said Jasmina.
They plan to explain multiethnic identity to their child, just like their parents explained the concept to them.
“It should be said spontaneously and naturally, children learn from what their parents say,” said Siniša. Jasmina agreed: “That’s right, if you don’t swear, you’re cultured, polite, surely your child won’t be any different either.  If you teach your child to be good, not to beat other children, not to be violent, that it’s nice to share, your child will share…and the same goes for everything else. It’s important that you teach your child that the important thing is that someone is a good person, that they are comfortable with that person. They’ll be guided by an appreciation for good people, and not to classify someone by what’s written on their [ethnic] declaration or judge by that.”
Jasmina states that they’ve only felt the segregation in society when they were asked questions like “What will your child’s name be?” or “If it’s a boy, will he be circumcised?”
“From when we wake up, the baby’s eyes are this big,” says Siniša, gesturing with his hands. “She’s in bed with us, she pulls our hair, our noses. We wake up, I cuddle with the baby, I cuddle with Jasmina. Then I change the diaper, the morning diaper change is my job. Then I go to work, I get at least 15 pictures to see what the baby is doing, is she nervous, is the baby talking, is she doing anything new. I come home, cuddle with the baby again, go outside for a walk, visit both grandmas. In the evening, we bathe her, we watch a show, the baby sleeps,” he continues, describing an ordinary day for the Zec family.
When Siniša isn’t working, they go to the mountains and usually spend the day in a cottage. “The baby was in the forest for the first time at 22 days old, we broke the 40-day rule about not going out,” said Siniša.
Everyone warned Jasmina that she wouldn’t even have time to watch television because of the child. “People generally have problems because they don’t share responsibilities,” said Siniša. “When the baby falls asleep at night, we watch a series, drink tea. A completely ordinary and cool day, where we have time for each other and for the baby… it’s nice and fulfilling,” Jasmina confirmed.
Jasmina asserts that the most important thing in a relationship is to be best friends, to have good communication and to be with someone you can trust. Siniša highlights trust as the most important element of a relationship.
Jasmina also emphasizes the importance of respect, willingness to accept someone with all their virtues and flaws, and the ability to compromise. For her, the meaning of love is to warm your heart. Pointing to their little daughter, Siniša responded, “Here’s the meaning.” Jasmina continued that love is “having a reason to get up in the morning, having a reason to strive to be a better person.”
It’s important for them that their child is hardworking, diligent, and curious, and that when they tell her something, she doesn’t just take it for granted. They want her to investigate, doubt, not simply accept other people’s narratives but live for her own goals, to be educated and literate. They point to illiteracy and a lack of critical thinking as major problems today. As Jasmina noted, she doesn’t want her child to be burdened by the opinions in her environment.
“If some people are from the city but live in a closed-minded environment, pack your bags and get as far away as you can. You can’t set a crooked river straight,” Siniša concluded. “True,” added Jasmina, “but you can encourage yourself not to be affected by what those around you think.”
This story is part of the “Love Tales” project implemented by the Post-Conflict Research Center (PCRC) with a group of Balkan Diskurs youth correspondents. The project is implemented with financial support from the VII Academy, the BOLD program of the US Embassy in BiH, and PCRC’s core grants, with the aim of challenging the common narrative that real connections between Bosnia’s different ethnic groups are unattainable by documenting stories of successful interethnic relationships across the country.

source: news-balkandiskurs

created: November 2nd, 2023

license: Creative Commons - Attribution - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

author: Balkan Diskurs


text:
Blue Telephone: Surge in Reports of Alleged Violence | Balkan Diskurs
Amir Barleci
November 5th, 2023
The Plavi Telefon [Blue Telephone] counseling helpline was established by the Nova Generacija association primarily to provide psychological support to children and young people in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Over the course of a decade, they have received approximately 60,000 calls, most of which have come from children and teenagers between the ages of ten and 18
Maja Kovačević, the helpline operations coordinator, reported that they have also received around 6,000 e-counseling inquiries, where clients and counselors correspond via e-mail, online chat, or social networks.
“More than 210 reports of suspected violence have been sent to the competent authorities,” explained Kovačević. Highlighting the annual increase in call volume, she noted that the helpline has received twice as many calls this year compared to last year. In the first half of last year, she recalled that they received 15 reports of suspected violence, whereas this year, there were 40. On a monthly basis, they receive roughly 1,500 calls. The majority of callers are children and teenagers aged ten to 18, with girls aged 14 to 18 and women aged 18 and above being the most frequent callers. Boys and men call the helpline less frequently.
Jelena Zelić, a consultant working on the Plavi Telefon helpline, says that callers usually just want to be heard, to be given space to express their thoughts and emotions.
“For them, Plavi Telefon represents a safe place where they can either get short-term relief or come to some important realizations and insights about themselves. At the same time, they expect support and specific guidance from us as advisors, if we can give them that in accordance with the situation. Major emphasis is placed on the relationship of trust between the client and the advisor,” explained Zelić.
In addition, they receive requests to report violence, to intervene and mediate between users and institutions, for referrals to mental health and psychotherapy centers, as well as centers for free legal assistance to solve their problems.
The citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina are aware that Plavi Telefon exists, Kovačević says, which is proven by online promotional activities, which showed that 1,300,000 citizens were aware that this free advisory assistance exists. Comparing the current call volume to that of a decade ago when the helpline was established, she notes that they are now receiving 15 times more calls. Kovačević says that these figures show that citizens have confidence in Plavi Telefon’s services.
The Plavi Telefon helpline was launched in 2013 by the Banja Luka-based association Nova Generacija. Their team consists of psychologists and social workers focused on promoting and protecting human rights, particularly those of children, and implementing programs to protect vulnerable groups. Their activities include a day care service for at-risk children, a counseling center for children and young people, and a reception center for children found to be without homes or panhandling. Noticing the absence of a counseling helpline, they established Plavi Telefon, which offers counseling and consultation services as well as information related to legal rights in the realm of social protection.
Plavi Telefon’s primary goal is to provide psychological assistance and support to children in crisis and hardship, particularly in cases of violence and exploitation. However, according to Kovačević, children recognize Plavi Telefon as a safe place where they can talk about a variety of topics that are important to them. They have also gotten involved in working with young adults, expanding their focus to include mental health, family relationships, friendships, and sexual and reproductive health.
“Plavi Telefon is currently the only counseling helpline offering assistance to help children throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina, regardless of the nature of the hardship for which they are seeking help,” Kovačević pointed out.
Maja and Jelena began working with Plavi Telefon as volunteers, later transitioning to full employees. Both emphasize that their work has provided them with an opportunity for both personal growth and professional development. They underscore the capacity to empathize with the various situations they encounter in their work, holding the opinion that without compassion, it’s impossible to effectively provide these services. One of their main challenges is establishing clear boundaries with clients in order to remain within the domain of their advisory roles.
Discussing efforts to reduce the prejudices and taboos surrounding mental health topics, Zelić references their promotional activities on social media, including texts, TV shows and podcasts featuring knowledgeable guests, and other means of disseminating information. She says that these initiatives have great potential to break down taboos, bringing the discussion of mental health closer to the general public which might be ill-informed about these topics.
“We had one user who gave us positive feedback in response to our posts about mental health on social media. The user told us that this post influenced her awareness of the problem and helped her find a solution. It’s certainly one of the useful ways to show people with real-life examples that asking for help isn’t out of the ordinary and doesn’t need to be a terrible and shameful experience,” explained Jelena.
She emphasized the importance of taking an individual approach to each person and being willing to deal with certain problematic topics. Additionally, Zelić asserts that professionals should make themselves available to the general public and “dispel myths about these topics using simple and understandable language for people of different age groups.”
As a counselor at Plavi Telefon, she clarified that users are aware of the helpline’s range of services, including guidance and counseling.
Concerning future plans, Kovačević shared some of the upcoming initiatives intended to enhance their services and increase customer satisfaction.
“The projects and activities that we’re working on are focused on improving our services. Customer satisfaction with our services is important to us. In the near future and in the long-term, our goal is to make the Plavi Telefon helpline available 24/7, as well as to ensure institutional recognition and long-term system support. Our current working hours are from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. every weekday,” she explained.
Additionally, they are working to obtain the unique European number 116111, shared by most helplines for children and young people across Europe. In practice, this would that when a child or young person from Bosnia and Herzegovina travels to another European country, they could easily call and access these services. “We are actively in the process of working on this, together with our partner UNICEF in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which supports our activities,” concludes Kovačević.

created: November 5th, 2023


text:
The International Commission on Missing Persons: The Search for Bosnia’s Missing is Key to Positive Peace | Balkan Diskurs
Annabelle Werner
November 9th, 2023
On July 11th, 2023, thousands of mourners arrived at the Srebrenica Memorial Center in Potočari to commemorate the 28th anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide. This ever-expanding cemetery serves as a final resting place for many of the approximately 8,000 Bosniak men and boys who were killed in the civilian massacres of 1995. Although nearly three decades have passed since the genocide, 30 victims were buried this year, the youngest of whom was a 15-year-old boy. Additionally, the year witnessed 71 re-associations, referring to the burial of newly found remains of victims who have already been identified and partially interred.
The International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP) facilitates these burials by finding and identifying victims’ remains. The organization was created after the war to help families discover the fates of their loved ones. Peace agreements don’t simply instill social cohesion because the ink is dry. However, the ICMP faced the formidable challenge of gaining the trust of former warring parties while avoiding perceptions of bias towards any particular nationality.
The bloody conflict in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH was mainly fought between the country’s three major ethnic groups, resulting in the deaths of over 100,000 people. The genocide perpetuated by Bosnian Serbs forces against Bosniak civilians in and around the town of Srebrenica constituted the largest massacre in Europe since the Holocaust. Despite the fact that this area was a designated UN “safe zone” at the time of the genocide, the international community failed to respond to the Bosnian Serb advance. After this army declared their intention to capture the town, Dutch UN peacekeepers abandoned the unarmed and vulnerable population to these hostile forces. The women, children, and elderly were separated from the men and boys, and the latter were systematically executed.
The work of the ICMP includes assisting the Bosnian authorities in locating the mass graves where Srebrenica’s victims were secretly buried as well as finding missing persons from all sides of the war. They conduct or facilitate exhumations to return victims’ remains to their loved ones for burial, acting as an impartial actor in the rule of law process.
The ICMP has faced numerous and horrifying challenges in fulfillment of its mission. During the late 1990s and early 2000s, political challenges were compounded by the limiting technology of the times. DNA analysis was just starting to be used in forensic investigations, so the earliest victims found were identified via “visual forensic methods”. This process entailed families identifying the personal belongings discovered alongside sets of remains. Not only was this deeply traumatic for the survivors, it also inevitably led to a new horror: misidentifications. Some victims might never be identified because they were buried under the wrong name.
Considering the gravity of these challenges, the ICMP worked tirelessly to pioneer and implement the emerging technology of DNA identification. For the first time, the organization used reference samples and began identifying missing persons with a 99.95% accuracy rate. They gained trust from people on all sides of the conflict and have collected approximately 100,000 reference samples from across the Western Balkans.
Even with the vast technological advancements over the past two decades, the ICMP’s work in Bosnia continues. For Srebrenica alone, the ICMP reports that they are still looking for 700 – 1,000 individuals yet to be identified, meaning there will “most definitely be more mass graves containing 10 plus individuals…” to be identified and reassociated. Furthermore, there are still 396 pending reassociations connected to individuals already identified and buried in Potocari. This is largely due to the horrifying attempts of the perpetrators to conceal their crimes.
After the signing of the Dayton Peace Agreement, it became clear that military leaders were going to be prosecuted. The subsequent attempts to prevent investigations from taking place only underscored the gravity of the crimes themselves.
Primary burial sites from the mass executions throughout eastern Bosnia were disturbed and robbed by genocidaires. Satellite images show construction equipment being used to excavate skeletal remains of victims and disperse them in more hidden “secondary mass graves.” This means the bones of victims were intermixed and scattered across the region.
According to the ICMP, “The most recent grave that was found containing Srebrenica victims was found here in Kalinovik, which is closer to Sarajevo…which is 100, probably even more than 100 km away from Srebrenica itself.” This scattering of remains is why the process of reassociation exists. When new skeletal components of an identified victim are found, families often decide to inter them alongside the victim’s previously buried remains at that year’s commemoration, thus “reassociating” them to their burial site. Some families make the painful choice to delay burying their relatives in order to see if more remains are uncovered. However, the ICMP encourages the burial of identified remains as soon as possible.
Another reason that exhumations are still occurring decades after the war is that mass graves are often concealed in dangerous and remote areas. Many burial sites were mined in order to obstruct the search for Srebrenica’s victims. Other persons were buried in unmarked graves in existing cemeteries, necessitating the disturbance of pre-war graves to find missing persons from the war. Additionally, there are victims whose remains will never be found because were burned, buried in inaccessible locations, or deposited into what is known as the largest cemetery in Bosnia—the Drina River.
These challenges in the identification process are objectively harrowing, but ICMP representative Nihad Branković emphasizes that “the families that are still here, still alive.”
“They are survivors that are still searching for their missing relatives…and if we don’t provide them the answers that they deserve, if we don’t provide them with the access to justice that they deserve, we are not really building solid foundations for any kind of future of our society in Bosnia and Herzegovina or in this region,” stated Branković.
With their unwavering commitment and the unprecedented support of survivors, the ICMP managed to secure the necessary access across political borders.
“…Once they [politicians] would see a Bosniak, a Croat, a Serb, a Kosovo Albanian family member together, sitting across from the politicians, the politicians then started thinking okay we also need to…do the same,” explained Branković. As the public pressured politicians, the ICMP was able to establish itself as an efficient and impartial international community actor and later transitioned to integrating their forensic efforts with those of the national government.
The ICMP also expanded their support for survivors beyond the identification of victims by empowering survivors in the judicial accountability process. Branković notes that “clandestine gravesites are treated as crime scenes, all evidence is treated in line with…chain of custody procedures that can later be used in a credible way at courts, in any potential war crimes prosecutions, hearings.” This is contribution continues to be of immense value as war crimes cases from the region are still being tried today. The Kosovo Specialist Chambers in the Hague is currently trying the former Kosovo leader Hashim Thaçi and three others on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
While some claim that the search for the missing is a priority of the past, the process continues to be supported both locally by survivors and internationally through initiatives such as the Berlin Process. In recent conversations about pathways to EU ascension for BiH, lingering issues like missing persons remain just as important as infrastructure and investment debates. “You cannot really ignore the difficult narratives that pop up from time to time and then talk only about highways,” observed Branković.
Reinforcing the view of historical issues as intertwined with future peacebuilding, Kathryne Bomberger, the Director General of the ICMP, visited Srebrenica this July.
Bomberger declared that the ICMP “stands in solidarity with the families of those who have disappeared in conflict and will continue steadfastly to implement its mandate to help them secure truth, justice and reparations.”
Understanding the intricacies of the ICMP’s operations and the obstacles they face in the Western Balkans sheds light on the horrific crimes committed in this region and underscores the importance of ending decades of agonizing uncertainty for survivors. Confronting the dark realities of the past, as painful as this process may be, is critical to promoting truth and combatting historical revisionism, bringing BiH closer to sustainable and positive peace.

created: November 9th, 2023

author: Annabelle Werner


text:
Alma and Mara: Breaking Down Prejudices in Post-War Society | Balkan Diskurs
Elma Hasanspahić
November 12th, 2023
Alma Numić and Mara Milanković-Daradan are peace activists who have shared their wartime stories with others and, by listening to the stories of other survivors, they promote the idea of peace among young people. For years, they have been working to build sustainable peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina. They are an example of multi-ethnic friendship that breaks down the prejudices of post-war society.
Before the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Alma and Mara lived in families that didn’t know the differences. Alma describes her childhood as beautiful and happy. She grew up in a working-class family that was full of love, attention, and understanding. In school and outside of it, she shared this happiness and beauty with her peers, up until the moment when the war forced her to leave her home and she became a refugee. At the age of 14, she was wounded during the bombing in Tešanj.
In Mara’s family, issues of religion and nationality were not important. She emphasizes that her parents raised her to see people as either humane or inhumane. The war found her in Sarajevo, where she was studying. She returned to her hometown of Derventa and joined the Army of Republika Srpska (VRS). She was wounded and is now an 80 percent disabled veteran.
Alma has been involved in peace activism for the past 13 years, since attending an educational program on peacebuilding in Bosnia and Herzegovina as a member and volunteer of the Mother Women’s Association for the Affirmation of Family Values. Through this organization, she shared her experiences from the conflict in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Mara has been involved in peace activism for 20 years, and she has been giving public speeches for the past ten years. She said, “It took a lot of strength and courage to speak about my experiences in front of unknown people throughout the region, to spread the idea of peace among young people who are already poisoned by hatred at home.” She added that the most challenging aspect was gaining acceptance for her work from her former friends.
She highlighted the dozens of peace projects that she has implemented in her hometown and other cities. Through these projects, she connected 12 local communities, sports teams, cultural and artistic associations, as well as associations that emerged from the war. She noted that she organized many events on the occasion of the International Day of Peace and had conversations with hundreds of young people, urging them to “cherish peace as the apple of their eye.”
Alma was wounded on October 8, 1995, during the bombing of Tešanjka in Tešanj, while she was in a refugee house. She recalled that it was a sunny, peaceful October day, but that something was different, as if it foreshadowed something ominous. During the bombing, nine people were killed and several others wounded.
“That afternoon, I felt the most terrifying impact, as if the earth was collapsing and I was sinking into it. With God’s help, I’m alive today, a witness to the cruelty of one human being towards another. To this day, no one, not even myself, understands how I survived,” said Alma, adding that the first victim she saw was the daughter of her next-door neighbor, a cheerful, blonde girl named Lejla, who was only seven years old.
Alma recounted that Lejla passed away in her father’s arms, and that she was the last one to have hugged and talked to her in front of the house. Afterward, Alma went into the house, and Lejla stayed to wait for her mother, whom she never saw again.
“Since then, no one has been held accountable for the atrocities committed against civilians in the Tešanjka area of Tešanj,” Alma lamented, adding that justice is slow but attainable.
Mara’s war story begins when she left her studies in Sarajevo to return to Derventa, where she encountered barricades set up by the Croatian Defense Council (HVO). “I was a student when the war began on the territory of the former Yugoslavia. Suddenly, I became an enemy to all my friends and acquaintances, just because I’m a Serb,” Mara said.
Mara said that they let her pass the barricades but told her that it was because she was a woman, and that she should never set foot in the place where she grew up again. When she arrived at her family home, it was empty. Everyone had already fled as refugees, except for Mara’s father and brother, who were drafted. Wanting to try to protect her loved ones, she also joined the VRS. Her father and brother were wounded, while her sister was killed by the same grenade that injured Mara.
“The war devastated our homes. It destroyed not only mine but countless families as well. It brought no good to anyone,” Mara asserted.
When she first shared her story and heard the stories of other survivors, Alma said that it inspired and motivated her to engage in peace activism. “We felt like human beings. There was empathy and understanding regardless of our ethnic backgrounds. I saw that together, we could preserve peace, foster communication and dialogue with all social actors for a safer future, implement projects, and do good in our communities,” stated Alma.
She said that she’s proud to be in the service of peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina, to live and work in her homeland without harboring an ounce of hatred towards others who are different.
“Through peace activism, I opened my soul and met many good people. I now have friends from all over Bosnia and Herzegovina, from Mostar and Sarajevo to Prijedor. In this way, I’ve escaped being held captive by the distant war-torn 1990s,” Alma reflected.
They describe the secret of friendship as a true source of happiness, a gift from God which they consider inevitable. Some friends meet as children, some meet later in life, and some meet purely by chance. Alma and Mara met by chance, and their friendship continues to this day.
“Our accidental friendship, now a true friendship, began with a phone call that I made to Mara. That’s when we first met. We agreed to meet up at a gas station and go together to the first educational program on the war and post-war activities in terms of peace activism,” Alma recounted.
She explained that their first encounter was superficial, yet there was a mixture of emotions and it felt as if they had known each other their entire lives. From their initial meeting to the present day, she says that they’ve been open with each other and time has revealed their similarities, humanity, and a shared zest for life. From the educational program, they progressed to the point where they got to know each other’s families, worked on joint projects, went out together, traveled, shopped, talked for hours on the phone, laughed, grieved, and celebrated together, all with the desire to stay healthy.
Describing Alma, whom she came to know through their work, Mara, characterized her as “a wonderful woman.”
“Alma is a civilian war victim. She was a child when she was wounded. You know that feeling when you instantly click with someone and you want that person to be your friend for life. That’s how the two of us clicked. We support each other with a lot of love. I see Alma as family,” said Mara, a mother of two. She emphasized that she has raised her children just as her parents raised her – to love their own and respect others, and to recognize the value of diversity.
For Alma and Mara, as they explain, there are no “imposed” norms.
“We live our dreams by building peace and unity in our homeland, Bosnia and Herzegovina,” Mara concludes.

created: November 12th, 2023

author: Elma Hasanspahić


text:
Volunteer Firefighters: Courage, Leadership, and Unity | Balkan Diskurs
Amel Zolota
November 16th, 2023
The Turbe Fire Department in central Bosnia and Herzegovina proudly stands as a pillar of the community. Its 50 members, including 28 young volunteers, are unwaveringly dedicated to the protection and safety of their fellow citizens.
Under the motto “Our free time for your safety,” they embody commitment and willingness to sacrifice in order to provide protection to those in need.
Turbe’s roots date back to its founding in 1922 by the former Ugar company. Their rich historical legacy continues to shine through, even today.
Director Kenan Zahirović bears a significant responsibility towards the firefighters, most of whom are passionate young people, as well as towards the community and society. Seven years ago, when he assumed his leadership position, he faced considerable challenges as the fire department was on the verge of closure. However, today he proudly enumerates a series of successful operations and projects.
He highlighted “Open Door Days” when elementary school students visit the department to gain basic knowledge about how to react in case of a fire. Students are introduced to the firefighters and the equipment they use, and they also have the opportunity to witness demonstrative exercises performed by firefighters.
Thanks to the support of local authorities, which Zahirović says has been impressive over the past five years, the Turbe Fire Department has received a set of Motorola devices that have proven extremely useful in their work. They have also installed a hydrant, significantly facilitating their rapid response to fires.
In addition to the partnerships they have already established, Zahirović notes that several other projects are underway in collaboration with the authorities aimed at improving the local community. “All of these efforts demonstrate their support and commitment to achieving the community’s goals, and we’re extremely grateful for that,” said Zahirović.
Alman Hrustanović, the commander of the firefighting unit, explained that a commander’s greatest responsibility is to maintain order within the unit and avoid unnecessary conflicts and disputes. He emphasized that Turbe is a volunteer department, and everyone is there because they are passionate. “It’s difficult to tell anyone to do something because we’re all here voluntarily,” Hrustanović said.
When asked how one becomes a volunteer firefighter, Hrustanović replied that anyone aged 18 or older can begin the necessary training to meet the requirements for the volunteer firefighter exam, which is also a prerequisite for responding to fires. He also added that special training sessions are held in advance.
“The training our firefighters conduct every year takes place in May, the fire protection month,” the commander explained.
Additionally, during the summer, they conduct training sessions to better familiarize themselves with equipment, tactics, and safety assessment. Volunteer firefighters also participate in other training programs and seminars, and additional lectures are held by the honorary member and firefighter Nesib Mehić, who has over 50 years of experience.
“We conduct training where firefighters swap roles to ensure that in the event of a fire, there is someone capable of assuming the appropriate role if a person trained for that specific role is unavailable,” Hrustanović said.
As Zahirović explained, the department is funded through the Municipality of Travnik, with an annual budget of 10,000 BAM. The management is entrusted to the Administrative Board of the fire department, which makes decisions pertaining to vehicle procurement, registration, equipment, and similar needs.
The Trube Fire Department has also been recognized abroad, including by those from Switzerland, Denmark, and the Netherlands, who have contributed to their operations through donations. “We can proudly say that we haven’t bought any equipment in the last seven years, but we’ve received a lot. Most of our equipment has been donated by our friends from Switzerland, who even donated a fire truck. From our friends in Denmark, we received Viking suits, which are very high quality,” Zahirović stated.
According to the director, the fact that most of the fire department’s has been donated indicates the level of appreciation for their work.

created: November 16th, 2023

author: Amel Zolota


text:
Climate Change Demands Greater Attention in Bosnia and Herzegovina | Balkan Diskurs
Franziska Fischer
November 19th, 2023
Climate change is becoming increasingly evident in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). Four activists from Sarajevo, Tuzla, and Zenica are tirelessly working to raise awareness about the need to address environmental issues: Samir Lemeš from Eko Forum Zenica, Edna and Meliha from the Youth Movement Revolt Tuzla, and independent activist Layla Jusko.
Lemeš, the president of the Eco Forum Zenica, founded in 2009, explains that global climate activism began in 2019, while in Bosnia and Herzegovina, environmental awareness has a longer history. He considers environmental activism “a calling” that permeates every aspect of his life. In Zenica, advocacy for better air quality dates back to the 1950s, when there was a significant expansion of steel production. At that time, Lemeš explained, the steel industry was generally regarded as a driver of economic growth, and its workers were seen as heroes in society.
The increasing levels of air pollution did not go unnoticed; however, given the lack of sustainable solutions available at the time, people had to deal with the consequences. This led to the introduction of taxes in the 1960s, with coal and steel factories paying the city for pollution.
In later years, technical plans were drawn up to prevent air pollution, but these were not fully implemented before the breakup of Yugoslavia. After the steel plant’s privatisation, promised improvements failed to materialise, prompting citizens to form Eko Forum Zenica.
When asked about the active participants in their organization, Lemeš said that they are mainly older individuals with various professions, including engineers, journalists, and doctors. “It’s still challenging to engage younger people to join us,” he acknowledged, adding that the fight for better air quality requires time, which young people often don’t have.
In 2019, the youth of Bosnia and Herzegovina began participating in the ‘Fridays for Future’ movement. Although these protests continue to happen in many countries, they have ceased in Bosnia and Herzegovina. While seeking out young people involved in the movement, we found Layla Jusko on Instagram. Her experience in environmental activism is similar to that of Lemeš. She emphasized that climate change is a problem that demands greater attention, not only among young people but in Bosnia and Herzegovina generally.
“There is awareness of climate issues here, I can’t say it doesn’t exist, but it’s still not at a satisfactory level, which is concerning. We have only a few people who are actively working on it,” she noted, adding, “Young people are aware of this problem, but there is a lack of willingness for action.”
She explains that the issue seems distant for many because its consequences aren’t readily visible in daily life; we only know it will affect us in the future. Additionally, economic insecurity, distrust in the political system, and a lack of faith in the possibility of change deter people from taking action.
Layla herself became involved in the climate movement after completing an internship at the Red Cross, where she worked on issues related to public health but also learned about the devastating effects of climate change. “It all happened by chance, to be honest. I wasn’t an activist before Covid-19.” She previously volunteered with Let’s Do It, an organisation engaging young people in all parts of Bosnia in clean-up and tree planting initiatives. Layla participated in one of these campaigns and was amazed when she learned how much care is needed for a small tree to survive. She started researching on her own and attended educational seminars. She realized that she could combine her passion for public health with climate activism and began educating people about climate change, both within Let’s do it BiH and the Red Cross. “I just found my calling. I always say, for me it isn’t activism, it’s literally a way of live.”
Meliha from Revolt says that her first encounter with activism was on March 8th, International Women’s Day. After a protest, she contacted Revolt, the group that was organizing the march, met with them, and eventually became a member.
Revolt Tuzla was established in 2005, following student protests, and consists of 20-30 members between the ages of 17 and 25. The group addresses a wide range of local issues and lately has increasingly focused on climate change. Their activities include street initiatives on significant occasions, informing the public on local issues, and organizing workshops. They also hold a summer school on political activism and public discussions with local political candidates.
Asked about their activism, Edna explained that the reactions are mainly positive.
“Some people take an apathetic stance, which is really common in our society, where they tell us that we’re doing this for nothing – ‘You’re not going to change anything.’ But most are really proud that a group of young people is coming together and at least trying to make a change. And I think we are, at least in some areas.”
Referring to the range of activities used to lobby for environmental protection, Lemeš explained: “We used all of the forms of activism that we could think of.” When Eko Forum was founded, they first focused on collecting information about the steel plant, researched laws and healthcare issues, and most importantly, produced visuals to make the information easy and accessible to citizens. They also organized protests to attract the attention of local and international media.
Eko Forum established contacts with other organizations in Bosnia and Europe fighting for similar goals. A Czech grassroots organization shared their experience fighting air pollution and helped them file a criminal charge against ArcelorMittal for endangering public health. . Eko Forum’s experience shows the challenges faced by local groups confronting large corporations. These companies disregard local concerns and the fines imposed for exceeding limit values, as they find it more economical to pay these fines than to install effective filter systems. The lawsuit, however, gave Eko Forum’s demands more weight and demonstrated their seriousness. They also approached international banks funding the plant, which wield considerable power given that the company is dependent on loans.
Recent protests against small hydropower plants have shown that awareness is growing. Protest proved to be an effective tool, resulting in the passing of a law which banned new small hydropower plants in the Federation.
This topic of internationalising the fight against the climate crisis also arose in conversations with the other activists. While acknowledging the importance of local-level activism, they also noted that that many climate-related challenges are similar across capitalist systems.
For this reason, joining forces with others facing these challenges can be an effective way of addressing them. It’s a way to amplify their message and make their voices heard on a global scale. As climate change is a global issue, internationalising the struggle, finding allies, and standing together in solidarity is central to the success of the movement. This is also the idea behind the newly formed Cooperation and Development Network Eastern Europe, which connects youth green movements across Eastern Europe and the Caucasus Region, including Revolt Tuzla.
Connecting various interrelated struggles is another strategy employed by climate activists, recognizing that the climate crisis intersects with feminist, anti-capitalist, and other social movements. Edna highlighted the importance of bridging social and ecological issues, noting how Revolt has tried to link workers’ rights with the green movement. Recent years have shown that the climate crisis is first and foremost a social crisis. Over the past decade, rising temperatures have caused heat waves, forest fires, droughts, and floods, such as the devastating floods in BiH in May 2014. These events have dire consequences, as people have lost not only their homes but even their lives in floods or wildfires. There have also been heavy high harvest losses and water shortages, affecting people, agriculture, and hydropower plants that generate electricity. As a result, the climate crisis has led to higher prices for food and electricity, thereby worsening social inequalities.
Recently, there has been a growing focus on intersectionality and climate justice, two concepts that identify climate change as a symptom of unjust economic, social and political conditions and recognizes that not every country, community or individual has the same resources to fight the climate crisis. While there are individual actions everyone can take, such as recycling, using public transport or using less plastic, these are not sufficient to tackle the scale of the problem. It is the responsibility of politicians and big corporations to end exploitative practices, making advocacy one of the most effective tools for ordinary citizens to combat climate change and fight for better environmental regulation.
This injustice is not just at the individual level but also at the global level and between richer and poorer countries. Lemeš highlighted the problem of an “unjust green transition”, where wealthier countries can afford more expensive technologies due to their exploitation of other countries’ resources.
“A just transition is a distant goal. At the moment, it’s not just because rich countries like Germany, the US, and Sweden can afford more expensive technologies, because they use their resources and those of that used to belong to other countries. They’re rich now because of their past exploitation of resources. Poorer countries like ours still don’t have that level of development, and now we see this as a burden.”
In Zenica, steps have been taken to link the social and environmental dimensions of the green transition by establishing an IT department at the local university to train young people in software engineering. This initiative aims to retain the city’s younger population and eventually attract outside companies to Zenica, thereby reducing the city’s dependence on polluting industries.
Lemeš pointed out another aspect of a just transition, related to lithium mining, which is needed to build electric cars, among other things. the topic of lithium mining, which is for example needed to build electric cars. “Lithium is one aspect of the green transition. With the mining of lithium in Serbia and Bosnia, we see that we will have the consequences of mining, but we cannot afford to buy electric cars. This is an unjust transition. We will have the lithium mines and the pollution, while rich countries will use the electric cars,” he explains. Lemeš added that he is not overly optimistic that ecological standards would be met, citing high levels of corruption and the ease of ‘buying’ politicians.
Lemeš says that it is more important to have civil society as a corrective mechanism for the government. Layla also emphasized the importance of the NGO sector in Bosnia in tackling the climate crisis, as politicians often fail to follow through on promises of a green transition.
All four activists expressed pessimism regarding the country’s compliance with international climate commitments, such as the 2015 Paris Agreement or the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans, which aims for Bosnia to be carbon neutral by 2050.
“It’s basically just ink on the paper. They say they will enable a green transition, but in reality, they won’t. They just want to stay in power. Everything depends on the NGO sector,” Layla reflected.
Edna added that “governments try to push older narratives to conceal the work they’re not doing. Bosnia is among the countries that signed the Paris Agreement, and part of the agreement is that all coal power plants would be closed, but I don’t have high hopes for that. To conceal that, they focus on national tensions instead.”
Climate activism in Bosnia faces unique challenges stemming from the country’s political and social history, which, as Layla observed, makes being an activist here difficult, Layla reflected. The word ‘activist’ has a different connotation in Bosnia. The protest culture lacks vitality and people feel uncomfortable disagreeing with authorities, as it can lead to problems.
“Whenever you hold a demonstration or a protest, it’s a double-edged sword,” Edna said.
Edna believes that many people in Bosnia, and in the wider Balkan region, share the opinion that just because something bad is happening, you shouldn’t be vocal about it because then you can get targeted, called out in your community, or risk losing your job. “That’s because people don’t engage in the public side of activism. But a lot of young people do, as they don’t have that much to risk.”
Given the difficulties of mobilizing people in the streets, all of the activists agreed that education is the key to raising awareness about the future impacts of climate change. “Entering the sphere of activism, it’s good find an organisation that interests you. For every issue, there are usually like-minded people, it’ just a matter of finding and connecting with them,” Edna suggested.
Layla recommended joining a local organisation, as motivating to be surrounded by people who support you and share your values. “One major thing that I would recommend to everyone is to start with something that can be done easily, that doesn’t need funding. Find something in climate activism that suits your profession. If you’re an engineer, see if you can invent something to help to clean the air. If you’re a medical student, concern yourself with public health, educate people about what air pollution does to them. If you’re a political science student, go out and advocate. Do something in the field you love. Climate can be connected to any sphere, from languages to engineering.”

created: November 19th, 2023

author: Franziska Fischer


text:
Bosnia and Herzegovina at a Crossroads for Strengthening Cybersecurity | Balkan Diskurs
Maria Thornton
November 23rd, 2023
In today’s interconnected world, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence have become critical concerns. Yet, Bosnia and Herzegovina finds itself inadequately prepared to confront these growing threats.
Darko Brkan, co-author of the policy brief “Cybersecurity in BiH: Progress, Potential, and Unfinished Business,” warns of the pressing cybersecurity challenges facing Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) today. The brief highlights shortcomings in legislation, public awareness, and coordination, emphasizing the need for swift political action in order to protect national security, stability, and peace processes in the country.
Brkan, who identifies several key issues affecting BiH’s cybersecurity readiness, states that one of the most challenging and urgent aspects to consider is disinformation.
One of the critical issues Brkan identified is the absence of adequate legislation and a strategic framework for cybersecurity in BiH. While cybersecurity laws exist at the state and entity levels, they fail to sufficiently address all relevant aspects. Additionally, although BiH has committed to implementing international agreements and conventions, further aligning with European Union (EU) cybersecurity standards is necessary to fortify the country’s cyber defenses.
Brkan acknowledges the recent establishment of a Computer Incident Response Team (CERT) for BiH institutions is a positive step, but he says that’s just one piece of the puzzle.
When asked about the broader solution, Brkan states, “To effectively tackle cyber threats, BiH needs a robust cybersecurity strategy encompassing various areas, including public-private partnerships, regional and international cooperation, and investments in IT infrastructure.”
Cyber threats have transcended borders to become a global issue, and BiH is no exception.
However, the political climate in the country tends to downplay the gravity of cybersecurity. “This lack of political will and interest has hindered the formulation and implementation of effective cybersecurity policies, ultimately failing to keep our citizens safe,” says Brkan.
In a separate report, the Cyber Security Excellence Centre writes, “Bosnia and Herzegovina finds itself in a disadvantaged position, being the last Western Balkans country without a functioning all-encompassing CSIRT [Computer Security Incident Response Team]. This leaves BiH, its government, economy and citizens exposed to cyber harm to such an extent that it may jeopardize the potential benefits of digitalization for the economy and society and make the country more vulnerable to malign external influences in the cyber domain.”
Despite these concerns, BiH has been relatively spared from major cyberattacks compared to other countries such as neighboring Montenegro, which suffered a major cyber-attack in August 2022. Nevertheless, Brkan warns that this should not create a false sense of security.
In an article on the August 2022 incident, AP news stated, “The coordinated attack that started around Aug. 20 crippled online government information platforms and put Montenegro’s essential infrastructure, including banking, water and electricity power systems, at high risk.”
In a world facing a growing number of cyber-attacks which pose serious security concerns for infrastructure and citizens, Brkan says that the attack in Montenegro should serve as a grave warning to BiH policymakers about the dangers of neglecting cybersecurity.

While network security focuses on protecting an organization’s internal networks from unauthorized access and cyber threats, internet security concentrates on safeguarding users and their data online. The broader concept of cybersecurity encompasses both network and internet security while also addressing threats to critical information systems, data, and infrastructures.
In a nation that is still healing from the scars of the 1990’s war and navigating a delicate peace process, Brkan says that cyber threats intersect with ethnic and political divisions.
Recent amendments to legislation in BiH have limited public knowledge about domain ownership which is now posing significant challenges in identifying the perpetrators of cyber-attacks and disinformation campaigns.
According to Brkan, it was once possible to trace the owners of domains, creating greater accountability for individuals and companies spreading disinformation online. However, the recent legislative changes make it difficult to trace the origins of these attacks.
“This lack of transparency complicates issues of liability and accountability, leaving companies and individuals to independently investigate and mitigate cyber incidents,” says Brkan.
“This creates incentives for individuals to spread disinformation with little risk of any repercussions.”
Furthermore, Brkan underscores the unregulated nature of internet in the country, which makes it more susceptible to disinformation campaigns that undermine the public’s trust in institutions and deepen ethnic divides. Digital disinformation campaigns are being exploited to fuel tensions and destabilize the fragile peace that currently exists in BiH.
“The lack of robust legislation makes digital hate speech a bigger threat, a threat which undermines social cohesion and hinders any serious efforts on national peace processes,” Brkan warns.
Certain sectors in BiH are particularly vulnerable to individual cyber-attacks, with financial scams and identity theft targeting citizens, especially those with limited digital literacy.
“Educational institutions do not prioritize comprehensive cybersecurity awareness programs,” says Brkan. “This leaves young people ill-prepared to navigate the digital landscape safely, leaving them more susceptible to digital disinformation campaigns.”
Unfortunately, the topics of cybersecurity and digital literacy often receive minimal attention in political discussions and formal educational settings. In fact, he says, policymakers in BiH do not prioritize cybersecurity initiatives at all.
The absence of formal education on cyber issues leaves the younger generation unwittingly susceptible to becoming purveyors of disinformation. To combat this, institutional changes must be pursued through responsible policymaking, and digital literacy in formal education settings should become a key focus for lawmakers.
Additionally, Brkan highlights a deficiency in ICT literacy among the population, both elderly and young, which renders them more susceptible to falling victim to cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns.
One promising initiative in this regard is the forthcoming digital media literacy app being developed by Zasto Ne, an organization co-founded by Brkan that focuses on political accountability mechanisms. The app, scheduled for launch in September, is designed for the youth of BiH, aiming to equip the younger generation with the necessary tools to critically evaluate online information, recognize disinformation, and navigate the digital landscape safely.
“By empowering its youth with these skills, BiH can fortify its cybersecurity resilience and protect the ongoing peace processes,” says Brkan.
Brkan emphasizes that strengthening cybersecurity measures, enhancing legislation, and fostering effective coordination are crucial steps in ensuring the safety of the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Additionally, raising awareness about the importance of cybersecurity must be made a top priority. Institutional changes are also necessary to ensure that digital literacy becomes an integral part of formal educational settings, empowering the younger generation to navigate the digital realm safely.
BiH finds itself at a critical turning point that demands decisive action to bolster its cybersecurity resilience, protect the national peace process, and safeguard its citizens. By combining political will, legislative improvements, and strategic investments in education and technology, Brkan believes the country can emerge as a more cyber-secure nation according.
Through collective efforts, both domestically and internationally, BiH can secure its digital assets, protect its citizens from cyber threats, strengthen national security and peace processes, and ensure its safety in an increasingly digitized world.

created: November 23rd, 2023

author: Maria Thornton


text:
The Library Knight: Protecting Libraries in the Digital Era | Balkan Diskurs
Selma Mašić
November 27th, 2023
Mašo Mehmedović, who holds a Master of Arts in Comparative Literature, works at the Zenica City Library, where he has elevated his community engagement as the ‘Library Knight.’ Through his unconventional approach and dedication, this unique and inspirational mascot has become a symbol in the fight to preserve culture and education in the digital era.
Mehmedović is also the founder of the Movement for People’s Liberation Librarianship and the creator of the documentary film “Library Knight: Through Peaks and Wilderness,” which was released on his YouTube channel four years ago. This ‘knight’ captures public attention by participating in marathons, clad in his distinctive and improvised uniform – a red cape and a silver helmet made from a basket.
Beyond running marathons, Mehmedović serves as an ambassador for books and libraries, championing their ideals. He uses his indomitable optimism and positive energy to instill the love of libraries and books across generations. This represents a noble and heroic quest in the era of ChatGPT, Google, and other 21st-century conveniences.
In his self-employment journey and professional path, intertwining marathon running and marathon reading, the stories he tells are just as eccentric, creative, and chivalrous as his uniform.
The knight’s adventures began with his degree in Library Studies at the University of Sarajevo Philosophy Faculty. It was during this time that Mehmedović personally witnessed the devaluation of library studies in Bosnia and Herzegovina as well as the marginalization of the country’s libraries, which are frequently shuttered, and the public’s lack of awareness regarding their significance and social role.
Driven by dissatisfaction and a desire for change, he decided to create the documentary “Library Knight.” The film features 27 interviews, with the whimsical knight character playing a special role, injecting action, dynamism, and entertainment throughout the narrative. Mehmedović notes that this documentary made the knight the mascot of the Movement for People’s Liberation Librarianship, proving to be an effective tool in attracting public attention. After film screenings throughout the region, invitations followed for the Library Knight to give lectures to children in several libraries and schools. Thus, the knight stepped out of the film and ventured into the world of community engagement.
He describes the Movement for People’s Liberation Librarianship as a campaign to raise awareness about the important role of libraries in society, emphasizing its innovative, unusual, and whimsical approach.
“The movement’s mission is to advocate for libraries to assume their essential and inherent role as liberating institutions for the people. Why do I claim they are liberating? Primarily because they provide us with free access to information and knowledge through which individuals can liberate themselves. They give us the opportunity to liberate ourselves from dangerous misinformation, simplifications, stereotypes, and prejudices through verified information, learning, and knowledge,” said Mehmedović.
His documentary film focuses on the challenges faced by libraries and librarians in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Although four years have passed since its filming, Mehmedović says that there have been no systematic changes. The law governing library activities, which has not been amended in the last 20 years, serves not as a means of regulation so much as a source of problems, creating chaos in the field of librarianship.
Seven years ago, the ‘Library Knight’ and several colleagues, with the help of a political representative and the media, initiated a proposal to amend a provision of the Law on Library Activities in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH). This proposal aimed to ensure fair employment opportunities in an environment where individuals with a university degree in librarianship are often passed over for those with political connections and only a 10-day course certificate.
While the draft was adopted, it has yet to reach the agenda for final approval. In pushing for its adoption, Mehmedović turned to the Institution of the Ombudsman for Human Rights. After four years of correspondence and meetings, the Parliament of FBiH was urged to promptly initiate procedural actions and make legal changes within 30 days, but nothing has been done yet.
Despite recognizing that his struggle may resemble fighting windmills, this knight believes that fundamentally, it is different. In his words, “The fight for justice and positive changes cannot be meaningless.”
Mehmedović describes his journey from a self-employed ‘Library Knight’ to an employed librarian as difficult and filled with disappointment. “It wasn’t so much that I couldn’t get a job, but that alongside me and my colleagues, unqualified people were getting librarian positions through political connections… candidates from all possible professions were ending up in libraries—institutions that, in Bosnia and Herzegovina, are still ideal places for accommodating political cronies and non-cronies. So, it wasn’t easy to witness all of those rigged job competitions,” he stated.
Like a character straight out of Marvel, the ‘Library Knight’ was born. “I decided to ‘self-employ’ as the Library Knight. I took an old basket and a rusty sword from the basement, borrowed a blanket from mom for a cape, my father lent me his camera, and my neighbor Nedim provided a tripod. That’s how I put together the equipment and started filming the movie ‘The Library Knight.’”
His hands were full because he did everything himself. Not only did he play the knight, he was also the director, scriptwriter, editor, main cameraman, lighting technician, and sound engineer. He did all of it alone, but it paid off. After posting the first clips on social media, he received numerous positive reactions and invitations to appear in libraries. This is how he gained a certain popularity as the library knight.
Fortune smiled upon him in Zenica when a job opening was announced at the Zenica City Library. For the first time, he experienced a fair competition, where all of the interview candidates held degrees as librarians, as did the committee members and the library director himself.
“It seems that everything had to align for me to fairly secure the position I had been educated for,” said Mehmedović.
He doesn’t want to speculate about the future of Bosnia and Herzegovina but believes that without well-equipped and functional libraries, the future cannot be bright.
“Without libraries, it is impossible to build a healthy democratic society, which depends on well-informed and educated individuals. We shouldn’t worry about the future of libraries but about a future without libraries because these institutions are capable of adapting to any era while preserving their fundamental mission that has remained unchanged throughout history – to provide access to information and recorded knowledge for those in need,” concludes the ‘Library Knight.’

created: November 27th, 2023

author: Selma Mašić


text:
Healing the Past, Building the Future: One Volunteer’s Mission in Srebrenica | Balkan Diskurs
Dennis Miskić
November 30th, 2023
Imagine you sit in front of a world map and get to pick any place in the world. That’s where you will go and live for a year. Harun Čandić sat at home one day and looked at that map showing the 60 countries where he could go volunteer for a year, including such places New York, Cape Town, and even New Zealand. However, with the world at his fingertips, he chose the Srebrenica Memorial Center.
Instead of living in an exotic place or working for a large institution, he committed himself to learning about the Bosnian genocide—the genocide from which his own family had fled.
Čandić grew up in Austria, a place familiar to many families from the former Yugoslavia. During the 1960s, the country concluded labor agreements with Yugoslavia and Turkey to help with economic and infrastructural reconstruction. As a result, many Yugoslav citizens, often referred to as “Gastarbeiter” or guest workers, came to Austria to work in various industries, including construction, manufacturing, and agriculture.
This arrangement lasted for several decades and had a significant impact on the economies and societies of both countries. Later, during the 1990s, Austria was among the nations that offered asylum and assistance to those fleeing the war in former Yugoslavia.
Yet, even though in some Austrian classrooms students whose parents are from the former Yugoslavia comprise a majority, the breakup and the wars which followed find almost no mention in the school curriculum.
Čandić himself was fairly well-informed about the Srebrenica genocide and had even attended the July 11th commemoration. However, when he heard about the opportunity to go and work with the Memorial Center, he saw a unique chance to broaden his knowledge.
He and hundreds of others were able to volunteer abroad thanks to the Austrian Service Abroad. The organization was founded in 1992 with the goal of sending young Austrians to different Holocaust memorials as an alternative to mandatory military service. In this way, not only would they represent their country, but they would develop an understanding of Austria’s role and responsibility in the Second World War.
Initially, this idea was met with criticism, as prominent politicians and academics at that time still claimed Austria was the “first victim” in the War, and therefore couldn’t have played any malign role in Hitler’s Germany. Today, however, the organization is internationally recognized, funded by the Austrian Ministry of Social Affairs, and has even expanded its scope to the genocides in Rwanda and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
When the then 18-year-old Čandić applied to the Austrian organization, his motivation was clear from the start. “I believe that divisions based on ethnic, racial, national, and religious grounds should belong to the past. And yet, we live in a world where hatred is increasingly prevalent,” he says. “I would love for as many people as possible to be involved in creating a better future for all of us—otherwise, we return to the darkness of hatred and divisions”.
Part of his initial motivation was also to join the fight against genocide denial. “History is the teacher of the future,” he contends, “and so we should learn from it.” Nevertheless, despite the many living witnesses and international verdicts, there are still policies and individuals today who deny genocide.
As a volunteer, the young Austro-Bosnian dedicated himself to the Oral History project. The team behind this project is led by Hasan Hasanović, who survived the genocide by escaping through the woods in July 1995. Over the past few years, they have managed to interview more than 400 survivors and produce two exhibitions.
However, this kind of work also exacts a heavy mental toll. “You sit and listen to the most traumatic stories, it’s difficult to handle, and then you imagine how it must have been for the person who experienced it,” Čandić reflects. “It’s really hard to put those kinds of emotions into words, but sadness, pain, and helplessness are probably the most apt.”
He will never forget the story of Zlatija Mujanović, who survived the mass killing of her closest family members. In her village of Glumini, where 36 people were killed, she was wounded in both the arm and the leg while trying to save one person during her escape.
For the young volunteer, she is an inspiration.
“It’s an incredible act of selflessness to try to save someone under those circumstances. She also enlisted and fought in the army,” he recalls with admiration. “Unfortunately, today, she lives in very difficult conditions and continues to struggle for her life,” he continues, referring to the hardship faced by Bosniak returnees in the Republika Srpska (RS) entity.
For Čandić, the most fulfilling job was working as a translator. In this capacity, being multilingual – speaking German, Bosnian, and English – proved useful. “Helping people from abroad better understand what happened in 1995 and expanding their knowledge about the crimes committed in Bosnia and Herzegovina is what I find most fulfilling,” he adds.
Even though the young Čandić never experienced war, he has felt the atmosphere of the frozen conflict that grips Bosnia and Herzegovina and the wider region.
In his view, the hostile political climate accompanied by historical revisionism “sows the seeds for future conflicts.” Advocating for the truth is his solution for the never-ending question of reconciliation. “Even though it can sometimes taste bitter, it’s undoubtedly healing for everyone.”
Now back in Vienna, he wants to appeal to his generation – the youth. “They say the future belongs to the young, so it’s our responsibility to work towards a better future for all of us. Let’s be builders, not those who destroy what has been painstakingly built over the years.”

created: November 30th, 2023

author: Dennis Miskić


text:
The Roma Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina: Marginalized and Disenfranchised | Balkan Diskurs
Emina Alilović
December 2nd, 2023
Roma villages have existed in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) since the 19th century, and today, this population constitutes the largest minority in the country.  Nevertheless, they are among the most marginalized, disenfranchised, and discriminated against communities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and are tirelessly seeking basic human rights.
Estimates of the number of Roma in Bosnia and Herzegovina varies from source to source. According to the 2013 population census, the number is approximately 13,000. However, data from Roma associations suggests that the number is significantly higher—between 80 and 100 thousand—while institutional data indicates a population of between 40 and 50 thousand. International estimates also differ from the aforementioned figures, reflecting the systematic inconsistency regarding this community as well as the lack of will and effort to address the daily challenges faced by the Roma in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Regionally as well as in Europe, Bosnia and Herzegovina stands out for the number of international human rights declarations to which it is a signatory, as well as for the number of laws, action plans, and other legislative measures it has adopted on this issue. However, the implementation of these plans and measures remains an issue. Initiatives such as the Strategy for Resolving the Roma Problem, the adoption of the Action Plan for Resolving the Roma Problem in Employment, Housing, and Healthcare, and the 2021-2025 Action Plan for the Social Inclusion of Roma and Roma women have considerable potential, but their realization falls short.
Nedžad Jusić, president of the Euro Rom Roma association, believes that allocating funds to Roma communities is crucial for their prosperity.
“With the 1.3 million budget foreseen for 2023 by the Ministry of Human Rights and Refugees, it’s impossible to work toward preserving Roma cultural identity, employment, and housing in the two entities and the Brčko District. Millions should be set aside, but unfortunately the funds are decreasing year by year, and the needs are growing,” said Jusić.
The insufficient allocated funding and the lack of will among authorities are compounded by the fact that 95% of the Roma community does not have a monthly income. This gives rise to numerous problems, including unemployment, limited access to education and healthcare, absence of official documents, and discrimination in all spheres of life.
Indira Bajramović, president of the Bolja Budućnost Roma Women’s Association, expressed concern about the situation and unfavorable living conditions in Roma communities.
“The situation in Roma communities is still very bad. A small number are employed in utility companies or perhaps similar positions, while the majority are unemployed, and live by collecting secondary raw materials. Unfortunately, we still have families that are not in the health care system, there is still discrimination and prejudice against the Roma population, as well as domestic violence. When you look directly at Roma settlements, they are places without infrastructure, some don’t have electricity or water, and the households are not connected at all. Most of these settlements are illegal, but although there has been talk of legalization for years, nothing happens,” said Bajramović.
The lack of initiative among the authorities has contributed to the subordinate status of the Roma in Bosnia and Herzegovina. While every major change starts with education, support for education is needed at both the state and local levels. In the absence of alternative options, members of the Roma community are often forced turn to activities like begging and crime in order to survive.
The tragic reality is that those in positions of authority, who have the power to ease the lives of the Roma community through legalizing their settlements and supplying them with basic necessities like water and electricity, are doing the exact opposite. One example is the “relocation” of the Roma settlement in Ilidža at the end of 2021, an action that left several families homeless and stripped of all that was familiar to them. As compensation for being evicted from their homes, the families were accommodated in container housing in the Rakovica settlement near Sarajevo, without water, electricity, and basic necessities.
Unfortunately, the problems faced by the Roma community in Bosnia and Herzegovina are not limited to the absence of initiative among the authorities. One of their most significant and painful challenges is discrimination by their fellow citizens. Due to the anti-Roma prejudices ingrained in our society, members of this community encounter discrimination in all aspects of their lives, from school and social interactions to employment and relationships with colleagues and peers. There are few Roma people who have not experienced numerous terrible instances of the inhumane treatment in our society.
Sandra Džemaili, a law student in Bihać, attests to the discrimination that exists in all spheres of society in Bosnia and Herzegovina. She personally experienced discrimination while pursuing her education, seeking employment, and serving as the president of the Young Anti-Fascists branch in Bihać and Bosnian Krajina.
“I was the president of the Young Anti-Fascists branch of Bihać and Bosnian Krajina, which I successfully led for 5 years. However, starting in May, individuals appeared who publicly presented themselves as members of the SDP and NiP parties of Bihać, and they asserted that the city’s Young Anti-Fascists association could not to be led by a ‘gypsy woman,’ alleging that there were ‘our own’ children in Bihać capable of holding that position,” explained Džemaili.
Džemaili noted that the OSCE and OHR in BiH intervene after noticing racist insults on social media, ordering an investigation into the alleged racist attack on a person from a national minority. The Ombudsman’s office based in Banja Luka has also taken an interest in this case, and the final court ruling is much anticipated.
Numerous international and domestic organizations deal with the issue of the Roma community’s status in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Among these, the OSCE in BiH stand out for its activities in the country, which include producing regular reports on the position of minorities, promoting human rights, providing scholarships to Roma children, working to improve institutions, and cooperating with competent authorities and non-governmental Roma organizations.
Notable contributions also come from domestic Roma associations such as Kali Sara Roma Information Center, Euro Roma Association, Bolja Budućnost, and numerous others. Without their commitment to the well-being of the Roma community and their efforts in communication with authorities, media, and the international community, the progress achieved by the Roma in Bosnia and Herzegovina would not be possible.
These organizations launch initiatives, collect funds, invest in Roma education, draw attention to their problems, and organize educational and other proactive activities. A central focus for them is the introduction of Romani language, traditions, history, and culture into schools, which represents an important stride in improving the circumstances of this community. This would lead to a better understanding of the Romani people among the Roma themselves and the broader population. Understanding the unknown is the first step in accepting it.
Education is an essential component of the quest for positive change. Through the efforts and dedication of Roma organizations, collaboration with the international community, and the implementation of action plans by competent institutions, strengthening the Roma community and improving their position in Bosnia and Herzegovina becomes very possible.

created: December 2nd, 2023

author: Emina Alilović


text:
The Sniper Alley Project | Balkan Diskurs
Nedžada Avdić
December 8th, 2023
Džemil Hodžić was just a child when his brother Amel was tragically killed by a sniper during the siege of Sarajevo. Driven by a desire to find photos of his brother, he established the Sniper Alley platform in 2019, with the aim of collecting photographs, particularly those of children who lived through the Sarajevo siege. However, the Sniper Alley project is more than a mere collection of photographs, it is a testimony to survivor resilience.
The project began rather by chance, without much prior planning, rooted in Hodžić’s deeply personal quest for pictures of his brother, his family, or himself. In the years after the war, while scouring the internet for glimpses of the past, an inner turmoil began to stir within him. Persuaded by a trusted friend, Hodžić decided to put his story down on paper and to embark on the project. “I didn’t know I had that in me – that love, that anger, that desire. It’s all a mix that makes Sniper Alley,” reflects Hodžić.
He had long been held back by thoughts that his own individual story was irrelevant, a sentiment that still haunts him when he introduces the project, refraining from speaking in the first-person singular. Growing up as a child affected by the war, no one ever asked him about this experience or about his brother. This muted existence fueled a desire to break the silence and lend a voice to his story.
“I believe that, through inertia, I’ve created a platform for myself and others to give a voice to those who have none,” he notes, underscoring the collective nature of the Sniper Alley project.
Indeed, the project is not only about Hodžić’s personal journey. Beyond his love for his slain brother, his vision encompasses all the children of the Sarajevo siege—both those whose lives were tragically cut short and those who survived the siege in all its brutality.  Over time, the personal as well as shared motives behind the project multiplied. Numerous new opportunities presented themselves and as the project branched out in multiple directions, it became challenging to articulate a rigid definition. Hodžić describes it as “an archive, a database of photos, experiences, and testimonies from all of us who lived through the horrors of war, siege, and genocide.”
Hodžić observes that the general public has to fully grasp the true significance of the Sniper Alley project. In an effort to illustrate its profound impact, he draws on a simple analogy which underlines the value of a single photograph, not to mention the hundreds or thousands compiled in this unique archive. In his analogy, Hodžić likens the collection of photographs to the study of mushrooms from the same war-torn regions. Just as such an endeavor would hold immense importance for Bosnia and Herzegovina as a nation, offering insights and utility for future generations, the photographs from the war similarly possess a unique value. They serve as a window into the harsh realities endured during the conflict, offering a visual testimony to the lives affected by the siege.
“It’s important for the living and even more important for those who are no longer alive, for whom only the living can speak,” explained Hodžić. Recently, he received, for the first time, pictures from an elderly woman’s private collection, which was the initial idea behind the project.
To keep the project going and to archive and document its content, Hodžić relies on the expertise of a diverse group, including historians, journalists, photographers, and activists. Their contributions are pivotal, as they collectively transform the Sniper Alley project into an extensive platform of historical value. In this way, Hodžić aspires to facilitate the work of future researchers and journalists, recognizing the project’s potential as an invaluable resource for those seeking to explore or shed light on past atrocities, events, or daily life during the Sarajevo siege.
Each image has its own story, weight, and meaning that might not be clear now, but will be revealed in time. Whether it’s an architect or someone searching for a single photograph of a lost relative or a familiar street, these images may hold profound meaning, underscoring the relevance of this project.
To date, Hodžić has managed to upload 113 galleries on the project’s website. His network now extends to 170 other photographers, many of whom have agreed to contribute their images, promising a significant addition to the project’s ever-expanding archive. Hodžić remains patiently optimistic, awaiting their submissions. The response from these photographers has been remarkable, revealing the enduring vitality of their images even after the passage of many years. In general, the photographers’ reactions have been marked by gratitude, kindness, and enthusiasm. Sniper Alley stands as a profound tribute to their work, representing an opportunity for them to share their experiences in ways that may not have been possible during the war.
In terms of expanding the project’s collection of photographs, Hodžić acknowledges that there is still much work ahead. According to him, he has 350 photographers on his contact list, and he is not even halfway through. This figure alone offers a glimpse into the potentially vast reservoir of images yet to be discovered, underscoring the continued growth and significance of the Sniper Alley project.
It is remarkable how the Sniper Alley project connects the victims, survivors, and photographers. Hodžić, explaining this dynamic, says that the voices of victims are often forgotten, their memories lost upon their passing. Many were left without a single photograph, a visual testament to their existence, or even a pre-war memento. The siege and war erased these links to the past, as countless families lost precious images to fire or theft. It is the photographers present during those days who managed to capture the only images of these children. Tragically, these photographs often show children who had already fallen victim to the relentless violence of war.
Thus, the sole physical evidence of their existence lies in those pieces of paper. Each photograph has its own story from an often overlooked, photographer. Hodžić emphasizes that these photos did not simply appear out of thin air, and the circumstances of their creation deserve recognition. Through the Sniper Alley project, Hodžić not only seeks to honor the memory of the victims but also to thank the brave photographers who risked their lives to capture these priceless glimpses of history. “To me, photojournalists are truly unsung heroes, and I hope I have at least paid them back a little,” says Hodžić.
However, Hodžić acknowledges that he is constrained by both time and financial resources. Lacking institutional donors, the project relies on Hodžić’s own dedication and recent donations from some individuals through a PayPal campaign initiated by Hodžić. The urgency of his mission is further highlighted by the unfortunate passing of four photographers in the course of his collaboration with them, prompting him to realize the need to progress faster.
Hodžić’s vision for the future is full of plans and ideas. However, time is always an obstacle. Even after four years of tireless dedication, he continues to be frustrated by the fact that although countless possibilities for the project exist, there is not enough time to realize them. The people who witnessed the war are slipping away. “The untold dies with them, their testimonies, evidence, experiences, and in many cases, their photographs,” laments Hodžić. Despite these challenges Hodžić remains hopeful. For him, the project is a lifelong mission, a relentless quest to preserve history and uplift voices.

created: December 8th, 2023

author: Nedžada Avdić