(From L-R) Vjeko Saje and Youth Ambassador Fathima Begum join me in a Sarajevo Synagogue in 2012
One-hundred years ago, the horror and destruction of the First World War began. Now the city of Sarajevo in Bosnia and Herzegovina, where the assassination of the heir to the Austro-Hungarian Empire triggered the conflict, is marking the centenary with “Peace Event Sarajevo,” looking towards building a more peaceful future. The event will take place June 6-9.
A delegation of Young Leaders Program (YLP) members from URI Europe will be heading out to represent our movement, meeting other peacebuilders from all over the world, leading workshops and sharing experiences with members of URI in Bosnia. They will also be planning future youth activities for URI in Europe, stepping into roles as trainers and mentors to other young people.
Joining with trainers such as Elisabeth Lheure, current GC member, and Deepak Naik, member of the URI Europe Board, they will initiate intergenerational dialogues about the needs and opportunities for interfaith and create plans for the future together. Vjeko Saje, leader of the "Balkans as a Soul Bridge" CC, will also be lending his leadership and training.
Also leading is Europe's Assistant Regional Coordinator Lejla Hasandedic, a former Youth Ambassador. The trainers plan to support local young leaders like Lejla, following up on her incredibly successful "Bosnia Pot" project, so that URI's work in Bosnia can continue to grow from strength to strength.
