Office for Diaspora of Sarajevo Canton to be Established: Cooperation of Businessmen, Tourism Promotion, and Return

(Patria) - The Government of Sarajevo Canton adopted the Regulation on the Establishment of the Office for Diaspora on Thursday. The regulation defines the scope of work and jurisdiction of the Office, as a professional service of the KS Government, and other issues of importance for its organization and functioning.

In April this year, the Government adopted the Initiative of the Speaker of the KS Assembly, Elvedin Okerić, for the establishment of the aforementioned Office, and the Ministry of Justice and Administration of KS was tasked with undertaking the necessary activities and preparing a draft act for the establishment of the Office.

As stated, in order to strengthen cooperation in the fields of education, science, culture, and sports, the Office for Diaspora, in cooperation with the relevant ministries, universities, and other competent bodies and institutions in Sarajevo Canton and local self-government units, will perform professional and administrative-technical tasks in order to connect with institutions, organizations, and individuals from the diaspora in the aforementioned fields.

The goal is also to encourage and create joint programs, engage in the design and implementation of projects for participation and cooperation of youth, exchange of students and pupils, as well as scientific and professional staff between Sarajevo Canton and the countries where the diaspora lives.

The Office will, among other things, work on informing the diaspora about the opportunities and conditions for employment in Sarajevo Canton, encouraging the connection of businessmen and associations of businessmen from countries where the diaspora lives with business entities in Sarajevo Canton, initiating the establishment of dedicated financial funds or foundations in cooperation with the diaspora, supporting the work of innovators and innovations from KS and the diaspora, and encouraging the participation of the diaspora in promoting the tourism potential of Sarajevo Canton, etc.

The Office's tasks will also include encouraging enrollment and study of diaspora members under the same conditions as students from Sarajevo Canton, developing opportunities, i.e., establishing a scholarship fund for students from the diaspora, establishing regular educational visits for young people from the diaspora to Sarajevo Canton, through the organization of mutual projects, summer schools, and youth gatherings...

Activities will also include encouraging and simplifying the process of diaspora return to Bosnia and Herzegovina, and providing administrative and technical assistance, services, and information on various procedures related to administration in different segments of life, as well as providing information necessary for exercising the rights of the diaspora in Sarajevo Canton.

The Office will also establish and maintain a Register of diaspora associations and organizations.

The Office will be managed by the Head of the Office, who will be appointed by the Government, in accordance with the law governing the appointment of civil servants. The next step is to announce a competition for his appointment, as well as to capacitate the Office.