01.12.2015

I feel proud of my Bosnian origin. I feel love too because there are my family and friends. Sometimes, I feel a certain nostalgia, like when you look at old pictures.

The beginning of master studies in Switzerland was a big life-changing moment for me. I was not ready for cultural differences and most of all I was missing the social life as I know it from Bosnia. Coffee, laugh and spontaneous socializing.

A complicated administration that does not keep up with modern technologies.

I would like to see Bosnia as part of the EU and with better living standards. I hope that there will be a trend of people returning to Bosnia.

2012

Love. Pride. Peace. Sadness. Nostalgia. Fear. Anger.

Coming to Switzerland for my master degree. I was really shocked by the cultural differences when I started to live in Switzerland. I missed my rich social life that I had in Bosnia. But I found in Switzerland what I missed in Bosnia, and I found in Bosnia what I missed in Switzerland.

I would change the authority and environment so that it could enable progress for all its citizens. I would raise the level of ecological and geographical awareness and make people realize and see the cultural beauty and richness of our country.

As a modern European country with an adequate economic status of its citizens and (with more) young and satisfied people.

October 2016

I have to admit that my emotions are a bit mixed. I feel sadness that I had to leave Bosnia in the age of 10 due the last war that happened in 1990s and that I feel very sad that I lost contact with many peers, but I have to admit that I feel overwhelmed when I establish connection with my friends from childhood via social media or when I see them after so many years and when I reconnect with them. These interactions are mostly positive surprises, so I have a lot of anticipation and joy. I would say that I feel some kind of optimism when these situations occur. I feel happiness as well, each time when I have a single thought about Bosnia and Herzegovina and I feel excitement. I feel love. Nature and people are amazing. I am fascinated with history, from cultural and anthropological aspect of view. My heart is big and sweet as a watermelon when I am in Bosnia. From other side, I feel fear as well, as I am afraid that history will repeat and that we will have violence in upcoming decades, similar to the ones that happened in 20th century. Actually I can say that my emotions are like a some kind of roller coster, in every single meaning of that word. I feel so many diverse emotions that it is so hard for me to describe them with these single words.

After Gymnasium (2000) I had no an idea what might be my professional orientation so I decided to make a small break and to work and travel a little bit. In meanwhile, after two years (2002), I realized that I want to work on my personal and professional development, so i started to study Environmental engineering on Faculty of technical science in Novi Sad, Serbia. I wanted to do "something important and significant" in my life. I knew that I always liked to help to people so I thought that I could help to mankind if i could work in field of environmental protection. Those were my motives and I had no clue where those studies might take me and how far away. Since first year of studies, I was involved and engaged in many local initiatives and projects (student radio station, student cultural center and some other student associations). After 4 years of studies, I completely abandoned University (2006), unconsciously, and I started to work so much, like never before. Whole my engagement was in fields that I liked a lot as well (culture, event management) so I didn't have feeling how fast time was flying by. In one moment, I realized that I completely lost myself and in 2008 I decided to do a civil service, in Center for social work (again driven by need to help to others) and to reconsider my options and to check further possibilities. I knew that I will finish Faculty one day, but after months and year(s) I ended up on projects which were promoting lifelong, non-formal education, and I was involved in organization of many training, seminars, camps and what was even more problematic for me, I co-founded in meanwhile an IT company with friends of mine. Most people around me told me that they saw a pattern and pathology in my behavior. It seemed like I was running away from Faculty, and not coming closer to it. As more as I wanted to finish Faculty, more other projects I had. I was engaged in politics, in public campaigns, and while I "woke up", it was already 2013. Alarm was ringing. And in that moment of my life I've heard about YES *Youth encounter on sustainability* Summer academy. It was a collaboration between ACTIS - spin off organisation from ETH Zürich and Environmental engineering group from Novi Sad. I knew that I had to have big impulse from outside which could return me on right track, so I decided to attend this summer academy and to hopefully regain motive, inspiration and stimulus to return to University. From this time and space distance, I can guarantee and I can state publicly that YES course was a change maker in my life! After unforgettable 3 weeks of seminar, in amazing environment, I found myself again. I had so many insights that I am still reflecting and digesting what actually happened to me during those 3 weeks. Immediately after YES course, I closed my IT company, I finished all projects I had, and I returned to "school". It wasn't easy in beginning, as most of my colleagues from Faculty became docents and assistants in meanwhile, on the same department, and most professors knew me very well. I have to be honest and to say that they were encouraging me. They were giving me support to continue where I stopped, but being for such a long period hyperactive, and suddenly surrounded with students 10 years younger than me, and going each day in library, to study silently, hum. I can only say that it was quite challenging for me. Anyway, immediately after enrolling for the second time in formal educational system, I started to feel satisfaction and purpose in my life. I realized what would I like to do in future and I volunteered in several local initiatives which were promoting sustainability. Today (2018), I can proudly say that I obtained diploma (Bachelor with honors - 242 ECTS) in Environmental engineering and my life again has meaning and sense, thanks to YES course where I, by the way, met so many great people, from lecturers, staff, participants. I am still with many of them in contact, and with some of them I even became very good friend. So, one big Thanks to YES course team from my side and warm recommendation to all of you, undecided, to enroll in such an unique and unforgettable program.

It is hard to say what would I change, but I would like to encourage people to regain trust in themselves, in each other, in their power, potentials and capability, so that they are able to tackle challenges in their everyday life. In that sense, I would like if I could change the atmosphere of learned helplessness. Changes are possible, changes on better as well. I would like if I could bring hope to people, motivation, inspiration and willingness to work on creation of their reality, so that they are able to take the things in their own hand. I wouldn't want that people wait for a change that should come from above, in top down approach, but I would like to see more local initiatives and grassroots movements. I would like to see energy among the people and bottom up approach, more self-organisation and more self-empowerment. That is something that I would like to change, that people take active role in everyday life and become participants and not only observers and passive witnesses of these changes.

I would like to see Bosnia and Herzegovina in peaceful environment, above all, where national and religion tensions are far past and only a bad memory. I would like to see more sustainable initiatives, environmental, but economical as well. I would actually like to see holistic political and social transformation, regenerative culture and healthy patterns of behaviour, which would be oriented to all-present human wellbeing. I would like to see confederation of autonomous small scale local projects and initiatives, based on cooperation and collaboration, and not on competition and rivalry. I would like to see society based on basic, direct democracy, economy for common good, mutual aid, solidarity, tolerance and mutual understanding, equity, where global index of happiness would be measured and where citizens of neighbouring countries would be able come and learn how multicultural and multiethnic society and diversity brings prosperity and wealth, social and cultural one. I would like to see happy inhabitants, who build a system, where each human being is appreciated and recognised, respected and treated with manners. I would like to see Bosnia flourishing and thriving.

1995

I feel warmth, tenderness and nostalgia towards my country, especially towards my hometown Cazin. There is a need I have to return to my roots every couple of months, inhale the Bosnian air, feel our mentality and our way of life.

Arrival to Switzerland and the realization that as a child of 13 I should take my life into my own hands and fight for my goals, and breaking the ice during growing up and schooling, of course with the full support of my parents.

Health institutions, which are in a disastrous state, and medical staff who need to have better access to patients.

As a country built for tourism, where young people are employed and have a prospect, a simpler bureaucracy and ecologically-conscious citizens.

1991

I do not feel anything special when I think of Bosnia and Herzegovina right now, or to say it with other words: I look at Bosnians and see Germany.

Babel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFJT_aDa9ew

I want to look at Bosnians and see Bosnia and Herzegovina.

As a country where the number of migrants from Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Sweden and the United States (not people, who were born in BiH and emigrated to those countries, but "real foreigners") has grown for 30%.

1987

Love and nostalgia.

In my life? The birth of my sons.

I would strengthen the economy, open new companies, develop the production and improve the health care. I would also foster the return of young people to Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Among the developed democratic countries.

2013

Mom, dad, family, friends, coffee, ćevapi, folks :)

Realizing that the world does not revolve around us in BiH, but that it is much bigger.

The educational, social, health and political system.

In the EU and with a better infrastructure.

the end of 1991

Happiness, longing, sadness and pain.

When I had to leave my home town because of the war and when I realized here in Switzerland that I had lost everything and that I have to start from the beginning. That was the hardest time for me.

I would abolish the Republika Srpska and Federation so that BiH could become a unit and good for everyone. A country for all people and nationalities. I would change the government and nominate honest people who would give their best for the nation and country. I would fight against corruption. I would improve the social and health system, the education and culture. And I would prohibit the import and therefore foster and support the domestic production.

As a unit, without the current divisions (RS and Federation BiH). As a progressive, secure and successful country so that I individually, but also big foreign investors could invest in it. I would like to see it as a modern country with freeways, railways, new hospitals and schools, universities and companies. And much, much more...

1993

Nostalgia.

My arrival in Switzerland.

I would extinguish nationalism.

In the EU.

2013

I feel proud and love. BiH is my home country and I always carry it in my heart.

Starting my own business in order to improve the current situation with humanitarian work and the promotion of products made in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

I would love to change young people's mentality and way of thinking. In my opinion, we do not cooperate enough in general. We could achieve so much more if more individuals, more companies and more organisations would join and start working together.

As a stable country which is part of the EU and a coveted travel destination.

23.04.1992

I feel everything from nostalgia, sadness, happiness, anger to joy, lethargy and hope.

As a child I noticed that some Swiss people have an aversion towards Bosnians and Herzegovinians. Everything I did privately aimed to change this existing negative perception of Bosnians and Herzegovinians. These private efforts fostered also the ambition to connect my two countries professionally by creating mutual trust and showing that a cooperation based on fair play is absolutely possible.

I would surely change the current mood or moral state of Bosnia and Herzegovina's citizens. I would try to bring back self-confidence and the belief that the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina are very diligent and that you can trust them if you appreciate their values. I want people to realise that it is only possible to create something together if the majority holds on to some moral, economic and political rules. It is necessary to appreciate individuals as people and to look progressively towards the future instead of negatively and pessimistically as is the case now. A nation that does not appreciate itself cannot expect to be appreciated by others.

I would love to see that Bosnia and Herzegovina has finally found its own way. Furthermore, it is also important to realise that some problems cannot be solved, but that it is nevertheless possible to look towards the future and keep going step by step for the benefit of all people in this country. I would love to see Bosnia and Herzegovina as a positive, progressive and tolerant European country.

1992

I feel proud and sad. After staying for 18 years in Switzerland, where I also studied, I returned to my home country Bosnia and Herzegovina. I have been living here for six years now and I feel sad seeing that crucial changes are not in sight.

My return from Switzerland to Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Politics, definetly. I would appoint people who would work for the society and the country and not for their own interest.

I want to see Bosnia and Herzegovina where Switzerland is now.

1992

I think about returning, definitely.

To be a part of your home country even though you're far away from it.

I would improve the educational and health system, the society, politics and way of living.

In an ordered system where the human has priority.

1992

Often sorrow (or rather sevdah?). Occasionally bewilderment. Increasingly defiance, in my dreams at least ("...prkosna od sna").

Anti-war protests in downtown Sarajevo, early April 1992. We went there to stand up for peace. The square in front of the Parliament building was full of people. But it was too little, too late. At some point we heard the shots and the crowd dissolved. I went home, nearby, and left the city a few days later. I returned, for a quick visit, more than five years later. Everything was the same. Everything was different.

The consociational institutions, based on ethnic quotas, are a disaster. A constant deadlock. An agony. The country needs institutional reforms that allow true participatory democracy from the bottom, not ethnic paternalism from the top. Without reforms, a social revolution will happen sooner or later (see Spring 2014 protests).

In peace with its neighbours, with Europe, with the world. But first and foremost with and within itself.

1992. godine.

Često tugu (ili bolje rečeno sevdah?). Povremeno zbunjenost. Rastući (sve veći) prkos, bar u mojim snovima ("...prkosna od sna").

Antiratni protesti u centru Sarajeva početkom aprila 1992. godine. Otišli smo tamo da se zauzmemo za mir. Trg ispred zgrade Parlamenta je bio pun ljudi. Ali to je bilo premalo, prekasno. U jednom trenutku smo čuli pucnje i masa se razišla. Otišao sam kući, koja se nalazila u blizini, a napustio sam grad nekoliko dana kasnije. Vratio sam se, u brzu posjetu, više od pet godina kasnije. Sve je bilo isto. Sve je bilo drugačije.

Konsocijacijske institucije, zasnovane na etničkim kvotama, su katastrofa. Konstantni zastoj. Agonija. Zemlji su potrebne institucionalne reforme koje omogućavaju istinsku participativnu demokratiju "odozdo", a ne etnički paternalizam "odozgo". Bez reformi, socijalna revolucija će se dogoditi prije ili kasnije (vidi proteste u proljeće 2014. godine).

U miru sa svojim susjedima, sa Evropom, sa svijetom. Ali prije svega sa sobom i unutar sebe.