Sarajevska Tribina

INTRODUCTION

Bosnians are descendants of a people who inhabited this region for thousands of years.

They left behind a rich ancestry and a set of political values, which helped the Bosnians throughout The centuries of aggression and suffering, especially during the 92-96 aggressions. Bosnia and Herzegovina was, since the Middle Ages, an independent, ethnic cultural and political entity. It had its own cultural-political development, which resulted in the genesis of many authenticities in the fields of spirituality (the Bogumile faith), of culture (a unique alphabet, the building of 'Stecci' - Bosnian tombstones), and of politics (the existence of ruling dynasties and Kingdoms).

Bosnia developed into a strong state with many typical Bosnian characteristics, known around the world. In the middle ages, Bosnians practiced three religions: Catholicism, Orthodoxy and the Bogumile faith. When the Ottomans came to the Balkans, a new faith was introduced - Islam. The development of the State Dom followed the cultural development of Bosnia. The arrival of the Ottomans, Jews and Romans, additionally enriched the cultural context of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Bosnia and Herzegovina, throughout the centuries, existed as an independent, ethnic and cultural oasis, which faithfully preserved priceless cultural treasures. Bosnia and Herzegovina, with Sarajevo, as its capital, in our opinion, is a global place for cultural exchange between the East and the West. Sarajevo earned this privilege historically through its tolerance towards all religions, its openness towards all peoples, and its democratic determination. Sarajevo, with its churches, mosques and synagogues, is the heart of multiethnic and multireligious Bosnia and Herzegovina. It's courageous battle to preserve Bosnian integral values should be a model for Europe and the world. We wish Sarajevo to become a global Centre for open dialogue in cultures and peaceful resolutions

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The Fourth International Conference:

Education for a Culture of Peace

Sarajevo, June 20th-22th 2005, UNITIC Center

The three-days-lasting, 4th International Conference "Education for a Culture of Peace" was held in Sarajevo, capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Nearly 300 participants and guest speakers from 28 countries discussed about national and cultural identity, the role of cinema, as well as the influence of music and its contribution for a culture of peace.

The Conference was opened by the Minister of Civic Affairs BiH, Safet Halilovic, and Ambassador of European Commission in BiH, Michael B. Humphreys. The Mayor of Sarajevo, Semiha Borovac, also saluted the Conference participants and the guest speakers.

In her introduction speech, Sabiha Hadzimuratovic, Director of Sarajevo Tribune and the main organizer of this great event, emphasized the importance of such meetings for youth and civic society, and said that art is the one that makes the world more beautiful and builds the bridges of peace between people.

She sent the special regards for the guests of honour: Lamija Tanovic, professor in Sarajevo University, for the first day of discussion about the youth, Danis Tanovic, Oscar-awarded film director and the guest of honour, for the second day of discussion on the cinema influence on education for peace, and Loutfi Bosniak from Tunisia, the guest of honour for the subject of music in service for connecting people and education for peace.

The fact that the representatives from four countries participated on the 1st Conference, which increased to 28 countries this year, proves that this manifestation is becoming more and more important cultural and educational world meeting.

Besides a large number of important scientific, cultural and public workers from the host country, the representatives of Kuwait, Albania, Afghanistan, Jordan, Lebanon, Malaysia, Morocco, Qatar, Pakistan, Palestine, Iraq, Czech Republic, Tunisia, Croatia, Serbia and Monte Negro, Slovenia, Syria, Canada, Turkey, France, Germany, Hungary, Belgium... also participated and worked on this Conference.

The organizer of the conference is Nongovernmental Organization "Sarajevo Tribune", in cooperation with several other nongovernmental corporations.

A great number of local politicians, representatives of cultural and public life, as well as representatives of youth and woman organizations, gave their important contribution for successful, already traditional Conference.

Youth meetings are held traditionally during the Conference. This year, there were students of University in Beirut, Sarajevo, and Banja Luka. Their three-days lasting meeting was held just before the Conference, from June 17th to June 20th, on Olympic mountain Bjelasnica, near Sarajevo. They represented their conclusions and opinions on this subject on the Conference.

"We think that every effort to educate youth and elderly for a culture of peace is successful and brings something new and something better than the present situation", said Sabiha Hadzimuratovic, Director of "Sarajevo Tribune".

Then we talk about cinema, it is concluded that more and more people are interested only in fun.

Human community, unfortunately, also consists people who are incommunicative, anti-civilisation and anti-intellectual for every spiritual matter. The audience is, as it was said, necessary to educate.

In order to succeed, artists should educate each other. Off course, we cannot forget the fact that television takes more and more important, but not successful role in education. Therefore, it is obligation to change the things. Also, when we talk about the influence of music on the culture of peace, it is confirmed that a popular culture missing education has been idol for generations. The fact that ideas are easier to sell to those whose objective is fun, and not thinking, proves that this is what's dangerous for a culture of peace. However, since the music language is universal, participants agreed and obligated themselves for planting the seeds of good where evil already exists.

Several special activities were presented on the Conference. The film directed by Oscar-awarded Danis Tanovic, who lives and works in France, "No Man's Land" was shown, as well as the film installation of Damir Niksic If I wasn't Muslim, remarked on the recent Documentary Film Festival in Italy. There was also the concert with music stars, Conference participants - Kerima Scalli (Morocco), Loutfi Bosniak (Tunisia), Suraiya Multanikar (Pakistan), Lejla Jusic (BiH), Gregor Vidovic (Germany) and Brano Likic (Czech Republic).

Every night, participants of the Conference were having fun with the young, talented Bosnian DJ Valida, who has lived and worked in Los Angeles, U.S.A. for eleven years.

Over 1000 accredited participants from different countries participated on four conferences by now. Of all the subjects discussed, we will mention: General peace projects in BiH and world (2002), Human rights (2003), War and peace, literacy and media in the service of peace (2004).

Sabiha Hadzimuratovic, Director of Sarajevo Tribune, answered the question of a large number of people already interested in holding the next, 5th International Conference "Education for a Culture of Peace": theatre will be one of the possible subjects. She saluted the participants of this Conference: "See you in Sarajevo next year in the same period".

OBJECTIVES OF THE "SARAJEVO TRIBUNE"

The main objective of the Sarajevo Tribune, will be the continuity of historic tolerance between religions, the embracing of all nations, the introduction of other cultures and their interactions, and the development of democracy and the furthering of peace and love between nations. The goal of the culture is to ease the maintenance, continuation and improvement of a race in total. Since the war started in Bosnia, its people gave a new dimension to the culture, which is a spiritual resistance to the destruction and the horrors of the war crimes All this, has to be preserve and offered to the world. It will facilitate cooperation between the most influential voices in the field of culture. The Sarajevo Tribune will not be under the influence of any political party. The Tribune's goal will be to reaffirm the values set forth by the Bosnian constitution. The Centre will cooperate with all who are interested in preserving peace and dignity, and all who are interested in building a better future for the generations to come, regardless of their differences. The Tribune will hold open dialogues in the following fields: music, the arts, literature, fashion, religion, politics, economics etc.