Name of Organization:
Youth for Peace
Description of Organization:
Youth for Peace is operated and was founded by a group of young people from diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds with the aim of promoting dialogue, interfaith and interethnic cooperation as well as a youth culture of peace, justice and nonviolence. The mission of the organization is to share experiences, provide positive example of coexistence and spread the spirit of unity among young people through non-formal education and activism.
Context:
Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia are neighbouring countries that share a troubled history. Young people in both countries continue to live under the influence of past grievances, harmful stereotypes, and deeply entrenched prejudices about one other that lead to the frequent outbursts of hate speech motivated by long-held misperceptions about ethnicity and religion. Religion historically has been and continues to be important to people in both countries, especially as an identity marker. Since both countries are multi-religious and multi-ethnic and given the deteriorating social situation in both countries, bringing people together to deconstruct compelling yet partial and biased narratives about the “other” is essential.
Proposed Project and Expected Results:
The project aims to contribute to increased awareness about the dangers of hate speech, the imperative to counter it and the importance of promoting and protecting freedom of religion or belief among young people. The project also strives to enhance social cohesion among youth from Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia, both within their communities as well as across their borders, and strengthen bonds among young people on both sides by focusing on peace education and freedom of religion and belief and creating spaces for safe interaction, open dialogues and improved relations.
Project Coordinator: Emina Frljak
Website: http://youth-for-peace.ba/bhs/