US Embassy Supports Winter Debate Camp on Reconciliation

The US Embassy in BiH supported the Winter Debate Camp activity, organized by the Center for Dialogue Culture at Jahorina from January 10-14, 2016, reports the Patria News Agency.  

Young people from the following cities participated in this activity: Bijeljina, Banja Luka, Brčko, Čelić, Donji Vakuf, Gacko, Gradačac, Istočno Sarajevo, Kakanj, Kladanj, Mostar, Novi Grad, Odžak, Prijedor, Prozor, Sarajevo, Srebrenik, Tešanj, Tuzla, Usora, Visoko, Zenica and Žepče. The goal of the Camp was to educate young people on the importance of reconciliation, tolerance and mutual respect in the process of achieving positive changes in BiH society.

Through joint creative activities, young people explored the most sensitive social issues such as: segregation, two schools under one roof, minority languages, censorship, street language, hate speech, human rights, discrimination, lasting peace, sustainable peace, inter-ethnic reconciliation, the Dayton Peace Agreement... During the activities, participants emphasized that, although they come from different ethnic communities, they have similar problems and that it is necessary to create a basis for achieving lasting and sustainable peace in BiH through dialogue and respect.

Through both educational and competitive activities, young people were educated on various aspects for achieving lasting and sustainable peace in BiH. They underlined the importance of organizing joint meetings where participants from all over BiH can participate regardless of their ethnic and religious background, with a special emphasis on inter-entity meetings. They also stressed that differences should be the basis for mutual respect and appreciation.

Through debate, dance, music and art workshops, young people were strengthened to recognize human rights violations and initiate mechanisms to protect the human rights of others, with a special emphasis on the human rights of marginalized groups. The main motto of the Camp is “All different, all equal!”: This motto aimed to highlight the importance of mutual respect and cooperation, as well as the necessity of respecting the human rights of all citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina, it was announced from the Center for Dialogue Culture of BiH.  

During the competitive part of the Camp, the following results were achieved in the debate category:

Beginner Group - best individual speakers after qualifications:

Dženana Pedljić - MSŠ Srebrenik

Sofija Mijović - Gymnasium Banja Luka

Saša Drljača - SC “Đuro Radmanović” Novi Grad

Beginner Group - best mixed teams:

Darija Cvijić - SC “Đuro Radmanović” Novi Grad

Tarik Zaimović - Gazi Husrev-begova madrasa Sarajevo

Senad Bajat - Secondary Medical School Mostar

Milica Kulina - Gymnasium Istočna Ilidža

Dženana Pedljić - MSŠ Srebrenik

Naida Mlinarević - MSŠ Donji Vakuf

Sofija Mijović - Gymnasium Banja Luka

Amina Šabanović - Gymnasium Visoko

Lana Samardžija - Gymnasium Banja Luka

Advanced Group - best individual speakers after qualifications:

Bojan Belenzada - Gymnasium Banja Luka

Ahmedin Hurić - Gazi Husrev-begova madrasa Sarajevo

Jovica Jović - Gymnasium Banja Luka

Advanced Group - best mixed teams:

Hamza Marić - Karađoz-begova madrasa Mostar

Jovica Jović - Gymnasium Banja Luka

Amina Sinanović - Behram-begova madrasa Tuzla

Ahmedin Hurić - Gazi Husrev-begova madrasa Sarajevo

Harun Aldobašić - Gazi Husrev-begova madrasa Sarajevo

Ivana Franjić Tubić - KŠC Secondary Medical School Sarajevo

Ivan Ilić - KŠC Banja Luka

Edna Đuliman - Gymnasium Mostar

Bojan Belenzada - Gymnasium Banja Luka