Bosnian Regional Forums Held

Nataša Božanović, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Regional Forums of the European Parliament in Bosnia and Herzegovina were held In May and April of 2016 in four Bosnian cities – Sarajevo, Banja Luka, Mostar and Tuzla. The regional Forum, organized by the European Youth Parliament in Bosnia and Herzegovina, is a project based as simulation of European parliament. Content of Regional forum is similar to National session concept and it takes place in each Regional office of European Youth Parliament of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Main aim of Regional forum is to select the best candidates from local offices to participate on the National session Sarajevo 2016 happening from 18th to 22nd May.

This year’s regional Forum was based on a simulation of the European Youth Parliament. It gathered some 240 participants between 16 and 19 years of age, from various secondary schools. They had the opportunity to learn the basis of functioning of the European Parliament and to improve their public speaking skills. The participants also had the opportunity through the Forum to show openness to other participants, learn from each other and practice determination in expressing their attitudes and views.

Best delegates were awarded with a direct qualification to the national session that is taking place from May 18 to 22 in Sarajevo.

This regional Forum is an excellent opportunity for secondary schoolchildren and students to experience how it looks like to be the part of the European Parliament, to learn how it functions and to become more familiar with their country’s politics and international relations. The European Parliament in Bosnia and Herzegovina (EYP BiH) has been founded in 2013 as part of the network of non-profit and civil society organisations in 41 European countries. The primary goal of the organization is to inspire thinking about current social and cultural problems, as well as to promote democratic values and influence the youth through non-profit and innovative educational methods.