BSC organized panel in recognition of BiH Statehood Day
As Bosnia and Herzegovina marks another Statehood Day on Monday, 25 November, the Balkan Studies Center (BSC) – in cooperation with the Department of Social Sciences from the International University of Sarajevo (IUS), organized a public session titled “Budućnost mladih u jedinstvenoj, suverenoj i multikulturalnoj Bosni i Hercegovini” [eng. The future of youth in united, sovereign and multicultural Bosnia and Herzegovina]. Panelists were students from the IUS: Edis Kulo, Hena Begović, Selma Ibrekić, and Amar Karađuz. The moderator was Mr. Amar Buljubašić.
The panelists talked about the historical significance of this Day, the Euro-Atlantic integration of BiH, needed reforms, and the main challenges that BiH faces. The event was attended by IUS staff, professors and IUS students.
In an interview for the Balkan Studies Center, the panelists stated:
MR. AMAR BULJUBAŠIĆ: I am really glad that we have organized such an event. It's really important always to be aware of our history, especially because of many wrong interpretations that we can hear today. The November 25th is one of the two most important dates for the sovereignty of Bosnia and Herzegovina from the historical point of the view. It's also important to discuss current issues and the future of our state, and especially it is of massive importance to do it with young people, as they are those who will be decision-makers in the nearly future. I think we are aware what our priorities are, and we need to work altogether towards these goals in order to protect and strengthen independence and sovereignty of Bosnia and Herzegovina. This event today helped us to raise awareness of it.
MR. EDIS KULO: It is important that November 25th is honoured and celebrated as the Statehood Day of our homeland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, because by doing so we acknowledge and perpetuate the millennia old concept of independence and indivisibility of our country. This date has great symbolism, and it represents the culmination of everything that the leaders of our county have stood for ever since its establishment over one thousand years ago. Without these historical facts of sovereignty and national unity, the existence of an independent Bosnia and Herzegovina would be hard to achieve.
MRS. HENA BEGOVIĆ: 76 years ago, on November 25, Bosnia and Herzegovina laid its first foundations for the statehood. It is a reminder on the anti-fascist history and adopted resolution that declared Bosnia and Herzegovina as an equal community of Serbs, Bosniaks and Croats. Even though we have some scars from the past, Bosnia and Herzegovina remains unbroken. This day shall and will be celebrated in every institution, in every home. The Statehood day reminds us that we have to work together for more democratic and prosperous Bosnia and Herzegovina. Happy Statehood Day to my beautiful country!
MRS. SELMA IBREKIĆ: The statehood day is important for every citizen of the Bosnia and Herzegovina. Events on this day can be very useful if they include young people in order to create the sense of duty to become an active member of the BiH society who participates and contributes to creation of brighter future for all of us. It is a good chance to emphasize the importance of not only solving the existing problems in our society but also to talk about potentials, resources and uniqueness of our country that can be the foundation of development and prosperity in the following years.
MR. AMAR KARAĐUZ: Day that we are celebrating on this occasion is a great opportunity to remind ourselves about uniqueness of the country we live and study in. This uniqueness should not only be reflected in recent war, continuous inter-ethnic tensions and political stalemate. Geography, history, multi-cultural setting, multiplicity of religious communities which historically cohabitated peacefully, alongside with values that were promoted through institution of ZAVNOBiH are truly unique attributes worth of celebrating and promoting. Moreover, social plurality was present in B&H in times when Europe, as leading entity which promotes diversity in modernity, was deeply in religious turmoil. I think that we should be reminding ourselves of these progressive moments of our history.
