Bosnian Senior Fellow Discussion Event on the Adopted UN Srebrenica Resolution: Next Steps

On July 10, 2024, at Europe House in Sarajevo, a Senior Fellow titled “The Next Steps after the Adopted UN Resolution” was organized by Senior Fellows Maida Zagorac (2022 Copenhagen Fellowship), Isa Zuhrić (2023 Copenhagen Fellowship), and Kerim Hodžić (2020 John Lewis Fellowship). This event aimed to facilitate dialogue and promote a better understanding of the challenges faced by the Bosnian-Herzegovinian society, with a focus on the implications of the UN resolution on the genocide in Srebrenica and the next steps for young people in supporting the processes of transition, dealing with the past, raising awareness, and educating the youth.

The event brought together several Humanity in Action Fellows and Senior Fellows, young people from various NGOs, and a representative from the German Embassy in Sarajevo. The Senior Fellows guided an open discussion where everyone had the opportunity to contribute their thoughts and ideas.

Key Conclusions from the Discussion:

1. Understanding the UN Resolution: Participants agreed that it is crucial to gain a deeper understanding of the UN resolution on the genocide in Srebrenica and its implications for Bosnia and Herzegovina.
2. Media Literacy: A significant focus was placed on the importance of media literacy in the context of increased amount Srebrenica genocide denial in the media and online space. The ability to distinguish between factual information, propaganda, and hate speech is essential. Participants discussed strategies to effectively counter and deal with harmful media content.
3. Education and Memorialization: There was a consensus on the need for more comprehensive education and memorialization of war atrocities and genocide. This includes incorporating these topics into school curricula and organizing educational programs and memorial events to ensure that the younger generations are informed and aware of the historical realities.

Additionally, participants took part in creating a video for The Bosnian American Genocide Institute and Education Center (BAGI), a nonprofit organization dedicated to research and education pertaining to the genocides that occurred in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Balkans. In the video, participants read the names of 100 victims of the Srebrenica genocide. This video will be livestreamed on BAGI’s platforms after July 11th.

Moving Forward

By bringing together diverse voices and perspectives, this event underscored the collective effort needed to build a better future through reconciliation, education, and awareness. The Senior Fellows and participants are committed to continuing this vital work and fostering dialogue within the community.