From 21st to 31st of August, in Banja Luka was held the 13th Summer School of Peace. The Summer School was held in collaboration between Youth for Peace, Caritas Banja Luka and Caritas Vittorio Veneto from Italy.
The Peace Summer School gathered 25 young people, coaching staff and members of Youth for Peace - coming from different cities in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Italy. This year's theme of the school was "The issue of peace in Europe", where participants, through discussion, short lectures, simulations, role plays, and workshops, which were weakened by the learning experience, and learned through examples to talk about topics related to peace, but also conflict in Europe.
"We have decided to dedicate this Summer School to the topic of peace in Europe, because we believe that this issue is extremely important for young people, with all the turbulence that is currently shaking the European Union and other countries on the continent of Europe. We addressed topics such as extremism and its causes, hate speech that relies on xenophobia, racism and nationalism, and the risks that threaten peace. What we were particularly trying to point out, and what we did through simulating the pre-World War II situation, is to draw a parallel between what Europe went through 70 years ago and what it is going through now, and to tell young people how important it is to talk about the above topics and not allow prejudice and stereotypes to grow into discrimination. " - said Youth for Peace facilitator and member Emina Frljak.
In addition to quality education and discussions, the youth also marked this summer peace school with volunteer activities in Banja Luka, which included painting and cleaning houses, painting a fence in the cemetery and around the Caritas building, cleaning the riverbeds of the Vrbas river, arranging the Mladen Stojanovic park and finally, cleaning yards and painting the table and bench of the Day Care Center for the old people.
About his experience on this camp, participant Samir Salkic from Cazin written: “In the last 10 days I could write a lot, but I don't think that would be enough either, I met many new friends, many people who will remain in my heart, with whom I will always remain friends. It was a lot of time to laugh, to make friends, to love, but a little time to forgive.
I had the most wonderful moments of the summer with you, the most peaceful but the best. Thanks to the whole organizational team for doing something like this because it connects us young people, gives us new friends, best friends, teaches us something about this, and on this occasion I want to thank you and hope that you will do this for many, many years, and continue to make new friends and new people. There was plenty of time, but little left for forgiveness. "
Also, another statement by Edin Topovcic, a participant from Teslic, points to the atmosphere that prevailed during the summer school: “10 beautiful days spent with wonderful people. Some new friendships and memories have been made that will be hard to forget and will always be remembered. Thank you to the Youth for Peace organization for hosting such a school that has taught us a great deal but also extended our perspectives to other nations. In addition to the workshops we taught about peace in Europe, we also conducted volunteer activities to help people in need. A lot of laughter, fun, tiredness, but in the end we turned that tiredness into a laughing stock and leaving fond memories. Thanks for the wonderful memories of those 10 beautiful days. "
