Over a Hundred European Universities Sign Student Declaration for Peace in Sarajevo

(Patria) - The Student Declaration for Peace, a document by which over 100 universities from Europe, ten university alliances, and several student organizations have jointly committed to strengthening the values of peace and cooperation, was ceremonially signed today in the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Students of the University of Sarajevo, as a partner university in the EUPeace alliance, hosted and initiated the signing of this declaration. The declaration will serve as a platform for dialogue with EU institutions, governments, and international organizations, positioning students as active participants in peacebuilding and democratic resilience.

“EUPeace program students have drawn our attention to an important aspect: peace is not just the absence of military force; peace encompasses the opportunity for every individual and society to grow, develop, and transform. We all have a responsibility to ensure that students have the opportunity to realize their dreams of a future worth living by seeing themselves as part of the European community,” said Prof. Dr. Evelyn Korn, President of the EUPeace Alliance.

Prof. Dr. Tarik Zaimović, Rector of the University of Sarajevo, stated that peace cannot be taken for granted, nor is it given forever.

“It is something we must work on daily, through respect, dialogue, and responsibility towards each other. At the University of Sarajevo, we believe that peace is more than the absence of conflict; it is an opportunity for every person to learn, grow, and dream of a better future. It lives in our classrooms, in our research, and in the way we choose understanding over division,” said Zaimović.

Imran Pašalić, President of the Student Parliament of the University of Sarajevo, emphasized that Sarajevo, a city once ravaged by war, now stands as a powerful symbol of resilience and reconciliation.

“The Student Declaration for Peace, created by young voices dedicated to harmony, reflects Sarajevo's message that peace must be protected and nurtured through dialogue and empathy. Students from all over the world continue to gather there, learning from its history to promote global cooperation. Together, Sarajevo and the declaration remind us that peace begins with education, courage, and the will to connect across differences,” Pašalić stressed.

“At a time when peace is spoken of too often, but practiced too little, we as students stand behind the idea that it must live in the hearts of our youth and universities. Through the declaration, we, united students across Europe, can take a concrete step, given the tools and voice we possess,” concluded Sibel Alara Tasa, President of the Student Council of the EUPeace Alliance.

The ceremonial signing of the Student Declaration was the central event during the five-day stay of representatives from all EUPeace alliance member universities in Sarajevo. After the signing, the student delegation took a tourist tour of the city with a symbolic ride in a branded tram.