No two wars are alike. However, the haunting images of Kyiv’s siege have instantly triggered countless traumatic memories among the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina, particularly those in Sarajevo. The scenes evoke dark recollections of the besieged city between 1992 and 1995, notably in places like Srebrenica, Prijedor, Sarajevo and many others.
The recent massacre in Bucha, the mass destruction of Mariupol, and the plight of numerous cities in Ukraine have inevitably stirred deep emotions, resonating with the suffering experienced by citizens across Bosnia and Herzegovina. The echoes of the past, intertwined with the present, raise questions about the impact of concepts like “safe areas,” “no-fly zones,” or “humanitarian aid and corridors” on people who have witnessed their effects in the Balkans in the 1990s and are witnessing them again today.
In examining ongoing conflicts globally, there are crucial lessons to be learned from Bosnia and Herzegovina. However, the focus of the 2024 Humanity in Action Sarajevo Fellowship is not on the features of conflict itself, but rather on the post-conflict reconstruction process and its intricate dynamics. The fellowship delves into topics related to local leadership, the role of the international community, the responsibility of neighboring countries, power-sharing schemes, legal reforms, and various aspects of localized post-conflict peace operations.
*Due to COVID-19, we reserve the right to modify or cancel the program for reasons beyond our control.