16.06.2025 Commitment to Peace, Justice, and Inclusive Societies as a unifying mission: University of Sarajevo hosts EUPeace Alliance delegation

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A steadfast commitment to peace, justice, inclusive societies, democratic values, and inter-university cooperation lies at the core of the EUPeace Alliance’s mission. Continuing its dedication to these objectives, the University of Sarajevo hosted a series of working meetings on 3 June 2025 with Prof. Dr Evelyn Korn, Chair of the EUPeace Governing Board and Deputy President of Marburg University, alongside Steering Committee members Petra Kienle, Head of the Department of International Affairs and Family Services at Marburg University, and Prof. Dr Thorsten Bonacker from the Centre for Conflict Studies at the same university.

The visit was organised as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen cooperation and deepen strategic objectives within this significant European university network, in which the University of Sarajevo plays an active role.

During their stay, Prof. Dr Korn and members of the Steering Committee held meetings with the University of Sarajevo’s leadership, including Rector Prof. Dr Tarik Zaimović and Vice-Rectors, as well as with leaders of the work packages within the EUPeace Alliance. Representatives of the University of Sarajevo presented key activities and achievements, as well as current challenges. Discussions also focused on further modes of collaboration, and enhancing institutional engagement with the strategic goals of the EUPeace Alliance.

The visit also included an open meeting with students from the University of Sarajevo involved in EUPeace initiatives. In a constructive discussion with the delegation, students shared their experiences and ideas for the further development of peace education, the promotion of human rights, and the advancement of intercultural dialogue.

A central focus of the discussions was the upcoming signing of the Students Peace Declaration, being prepared by the EUPeace Alliance Student Parliament, scheduled to take place in Sarajevo in September 2025. The Declaration is a collective document that both symbolically and programmatically affirms the commitment of students and universities to the promotion of European values of peace, justice, and inclusive society. The planned peace conference and signing ceremony will bring together representatives of all member institutions of the Alliance, as well as over 40 universities from the region and the European Union, giving the event considerable international significance.

As part of the visit, the EUPeace Alliance delegation also visited the Catholic Faculty of Theology, the Faculty of Islamic Studies, and the Institute for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology of the University of Sarajevo. These visits provided further opportunities for exchanging experiences and establishing new forms of academic cooperation.

On this occasion, the University of Sarajevo reaffirmed its active role within the EUPeace Alliance and its commitment to the Alliance’s core values and to promoting education that contributes to building open, inclusive, and peaceful societies. Opinions were exchanged on future priorities, and the meetings concluded in a spirit of constructive cooperation and a shared vision of the European Higher Education Area.