By Asim Sahinpasic
SARAJEVO - World Vision has organised
the first "Children's Peace Building Initiative", to bring together
returnees and local residents from different ethnic groups who participated
in integrated return and child focused programs in Bosnia and Herzegovina
(BiH).
Through common team based activities such as sports and games, the children got the chance to meet each other and establish initial relations and thereby took the first steps to overcome stereotypes and prejudice. The initiative took place in the village of Podzeplje where World Vision, has helped fifty families from Bosniak minority return to the village.
The activities were an important example of the holistic approach taken to assist minority returns. World Vision helped them rebuild their homes, find work, and to develop community social services that will give them tools they need to manage thier future.
"World Vision strongly believes that the re-integration of returnees through peace building and reconciliation activities such as this is crucial to generating sustainable return and stability in whole country." said Barbara Rambousek, Team Leader for World Vision's Sarajevo program. "The promotion of dialogue and reconciliation between children is particularly important in laying long lasting foundations for ethnic tolerance."
Email newsvision@wvi.org for more information.