Panel Recap: Exploring Solutions to Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Brain Drain Crisis
In a thought-provoking panel at the International University of Sarajevo, students tackled Bosnia and Herzegovina’s escalating brain drain, discussing whether foreign workers could be a remedy for the country’s ongoing emigration of skilled youth. The event, titled “Youth Perspectives on Brain Drain and Brain Gain: Are Foreign Workers the Solution to Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Emigration Challenge?”, was part of a broader initiative supported by Sarajevo Canton’s Ministry of Science, Higher Education, and Youth to investigate the integration of foreign workers.
Moderated by Karla Wagner, the panel featured Ajna Mešić, Benjamin Ahmedbegović, and Lamija Beširović, who each offered perspectives on brain drain causes, the role of foreign workers in the economy, and solutions to slow the exodus of young talent.
Ahmedbegović highlighted the economic and political roots of emigration, pointing to issues like high corruption and weak job prospects that prompt Bosnian youth to leave. "To understand brain drain," he noted, "we need to ask what our state lacks compared to the destinations our youth choose." He called for a strategic policy overhaul to address these core issues.
Mešić discussed the public's mixed reaction to foreign workers. Although they address key labor gaps, she questioned why these roles aren’t attracting local talent. Citing Adis Kečo from the Association of Independent Trade Unions, she emphasized that poor working conditions and low wages discourage young people from pursuing these jobs. While some worry about Bosnia becoming a gateway for foreign workers to the EU, she argued that security risks could be managed with proper regulatory oversight.
Beširović offered a personal perspective, discussing the reasons some young people choose to stay in Bosnia and Herzegovina, from the comfort of familiar surroundings to the affordability of local education. “Leaving would mean stepping out of our comfort zone,” she noted, while also suggesting that young people could play a crucial role in driving positive change within the country.
The panel delved into the complexities of the brain drain crisis, recognizing that while foreign labor may temporarily address shortages, systemic issues like corruption and poor job conditions persist. As the project continues to assess best practices from EU countries on integrating foreign labor, the panel underscored that Bosnia and Herzegovina’s future will hinge on multi-layered reforms to make staying a viable choice for its youth.
