WE MAKE DEMOCRACY: A study visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina was realized
„I came to Zenica without too many expectations, but with the hope that, as always when it comes to this project, I will have fun, but also develop personally and professionally. And, of course, I was right! The group has had several opportunities to meet so far, but now I feel it as my own small community. And, for me personally, a sense of community is very important. So, when I arrived in Zenica, I felt like I was coming home, "said Nadica Banishka, a participant from Northern Macedonia.
During the visit, the young people got acquainted with the reality of life in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the situation of young people, the position of youth activism, but also the problems that BiH youth face. Through tourist walks in Zenica and Sarajevo, young people got acquainted for the first time with the historical story of these two cities. All these places and people they met, showed the participants how the creativity and ideas that our people live are actually a way to rise above the situation and reality.
„I want to learn more about the politics and history of Bosnia and Herzegovina because sometimes we in the region think we know a lot, but we actually know very little about each other and until you put yourself in other people's shoes you can't quite know some of the topics which are discussed. I believe that as a region we are very similar to each other, but we know very little about each other and experiences like these are very important for working on the future well-being of the region, "said Fiona Dinollari, a participant from Albania.
During the workshops, participants worked on thinking and answering the question: How to take advantage of life in the digital world? On the second day of the exchange, workshops on editing and editing video and audio materials were held, as well as workshops during which the participants created a strategy for social networks and designed a digital campaign. The participants worked intensively on designing activities within the project that they will implement together in the coming period.
Workshops in Zenica were held in the premises of the Association "Naša djeca" Zenica, where young people spent much of their free time.
"I was inspired by the strength of the Radio Active community. It is extremely impressive for me to see this common space for young people and everyone else who needs it, in a city that is not the capital "- added Nadica Banishka.
On the third day of the exchange, the young people visited Sarajevo, and the first stop was the Schüler Helfen Leben Foundation (SHL), where they learned more from Srđan Petković about the Foundation's mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina and its activities.
After a tourist walk through Sarajevo and a tour of some of the capital's most important landmarks, the young people headed to the Museum of War Childhood. Reading personal stories that marked someone's childhood was not easy, but it was important for remembrance and memory.
“I have really nice experiences from my study visit to Zenica. What remained particularly striking to me, in addition to the work in the premises of Radio Active Zenica, was a visit to Sarajevo. With a really great guide, we were introduced to the exceptional history and important sights, which absolutely completed my experience of this city. I am especially glad that we had the opportunity to visit the Museum of War Childhood, because the experiences and stories available in this museum are the best testimonies of the horrors and traumas that children experience during the war. I am glad that such museums exist as a reminder that similar things never happen to anyone again "- said Jelena Rakčević, a participant from Montenegro.
In Zenica, young people also visited the stadium "Bilino polje", as well as the Bosnian National Theater Zenica.
„Impressions are great, and the evaluation showed that the participants are satisfied with the program and hospitality. We managed to strike a balance between education, work on activities and getting to know the local community in Zenica and Sarajevo. We are glad that we presented our country, city and work in a good light. As a coach, I am looking forward to the final results of the activities that the participants are working on, which will be presented at the final conference in Switzerland, "said Aldin Vrškić, one of the organizers and trainers of the project.
After the exchange in Zug and Ljubljana, it was a great challenge to organize a study visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina. However, even those participants who did not have high expectations were positively surprised by the exchange. This visit convinced them that it is not important where we go or how long we stay, but what we manage to explore and experience in those few days. As always in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the participants were able to feel the good energy, the hospitality of our people, eat delicious food, combine work and socializing and create new memories.
In the coming period, participants will work on group activities designed in previous meetings. In May, another group of participants will be exchanged in Durres, Albania, to work on the problem of inclusion and address the question of how to directly influence exclusion in society?
The project "We make democracy" is another in a series of proofs of successful long-term cooperation between SAJV and the Balkan countries. The partner of the "We make democracy" project in BiH is the Association "Naša djeca" Zenica, and it is also supported by Movetia, the Swiss agency for exchange and mobility.
Photos: SAJV – Seraina Nadig
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