The Fourth International Conference
Education for a culture of peace
Sarajevo: 20.06. - 22. 06. 2003 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".
Opening Ceremony
Details from Opening CeremonyDay 1: First Working Session
Day 2: Film
Day 3: Music as a tool of peace
Day 4: Student Workshop Lebanon - BIH
Speakers
- Michael HUMPHEREYS
- Albania MEVLAN SHANAJ (Tirana), Film Director
- Afganistan Homayun Morawat
- Belgium Profesor Mieke Ropke-de Vreede, NGO "Singing Bridge"
- Germany Ingrid Halbritter M.A.
- Qatar Dr. KHALED HOROUB, Editor of the AL-JAZERA SAT TV Doha
- Jordan Mr. Taha Ali Suleiman, Profesor
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Kuwait
- Thuraya Al Baqsami, Formative artist, writer
- Fatima Al-Qadiri (Musicolog)
- Iran SHAMIN BERQAH, Film Director
- Tunisia Loutfi Bousniak, singer
-
Morocco
- Karima Skalli, singer
- Ahlam Lamseffer, Adviser of the Ministry for Education of Morocco
- Pakistan Suraiya Multanikar, singer
- Lebanon Student's leaders from Universities of Lebanon Amal Dibo, Professor, American University, Beirut
- Malaysia Mohd Shariff Ahmad Director general of The National Film Development Corporation of Malesya
- Palestine Sobhi al-Zobaidi, Film Director Aman
- Kosovo ISA QOSJA (Pristina), Film Director
- Croatia MARIO KOPIC, Philosopher
- Slovenia Metod Pevec, Film director Slovenia
- France , NGO representative Christiane Tartarat
- Turkey Serdar Akar, Film director Turkey
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- CSSR, Prague, Radio Europa, Brano Likic
- Gregor Vidovic, Pianist
Moderators:
- Dino Mustafic
- Benjamin Filipovic
- Lejla Jusic
- Gregor Vidovic
- Amal Dibo
- Zdravko Grebo
- Miodrag Zivanovic
Moderators and Coordinators:
- Maja Anzulovic
- Amina Siljak-Jesenkovic
Special Guests:
- Danis Tanovic
- Lamija Tanovic
- Loutfi Bosniak
- Suraya Multinakar
Press: Aida Salcinovic
Secretary: Emina Sabanovic
Media Coverage: BHTV1
Newspaper Articles
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