The Humanity in Action journey begins with a rich summer experience of inquiry, debate, and community building rooted in trust and empathy.
June 5 – 28, 2024 | hybrid Fellowship*
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Unraveling Trauma: Kyiv’s Siege Echoes Painful Memories of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Past
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.
The International Program | June 3 and 4, 2024 (virtual)
We will virtually join the entire international 2024 Human in Action cohort of about 100 Fellows to get to know Humanity in Action and your whole cohort.
The Sarajevo Fellowship | June 5 – 28, 2024 (hybrid (online & in-person in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina) 16 Fellows from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Denmark, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Poland and the US will gather online (June 5-12, 2024) and in-person (June 14-28, 2024) to learn from local experts, community members, and each other.
Action Projects and Community Support Hubs | September 2024 – May 2025 (virtual)
From September 2024 to May 2025, Fellows work on their independent Action Project. They meet virtually for the Community Support Hubs, an online program designed assist Fellows implement their projects and to keep in touch with the community.
Our renowned speakers come with a wide range of backgrounds and love to share their knowledge and perspectives with our Fellows and community.
After one-month long Sarajevo Fellowship, our Fellows develop impactful Action Projects in their own communities.
For the eleven months following the Sarajevo Fellowship, Fellows work on their Action Project: an independent venture focused on promoting democratic values in their own communities. Action Projects are as diverse as Humanity in Action Fellows. Fellows apply their new knowledge and perspectives to the communities they impact—in whatever format they find meaningful. Past Action projects have been documentaries, arts festivals, and new organizations that serve a public good. Planning for the Action Project begins in Sarajevo.
2018 Sarajevo Fellowship
We thank our supporters and partners, hosts, Senior Fellows and friends of Humanity in Action. Their contributions allow us to prepare outstanding student leaders for a lifelong commitment to civic responsibility and respect for human rights.
Every year, new Humanity in Action Fellows come together in five cities across Europe and the United States to study how and why people confront intolerance and protect democratic values.
