OSCE encourages youth initiative and involvement in Bosnia and Herzegovina

SARAJEVO, 12 September 2001 - "We can do it!" This is the slogan of the youth campaign that the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina has launched yesterday, inviting young people to join in for the next three months. The aim is to encourage active youth involvement in Bosnia and Herzegovina's civil, economic and political life, and to make young people aware that the future of their country depends on their personal commitment and vision.

Three young citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Marijana Mikic, Samir Omerefendic and Vlatka Simanic, are spearheading the campaign. They are among the growing number of young people who have decided to take matters into their own hands by actively launching political initiatives and participating in voluntary social work. They want to leave behind the tired thinking of the past. Marijana, Samir and Vlatka have chosen to look to the future and are ready to make their personal contributions to the development of Bosnia and Herzegovina as a peaceful, democratic and multicultural community. For them, Bosnia and Herzegovina must be a place where young people have a chance to enjoy a high level of education and where opportunities for the professional careers of their choice exist in abundance.

The Head of the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Robert Beecroft, strongly supports the goals and activities of these young people: "Youth is the richest resource of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Most young people in this country want to look ahead, not to obsess over the struggles of the past. They are fed up with old-style political attitudes that emphasize differences at the expense of common goals and interests. It's time for the young people of Bosnia and Herzegovina to change the nature of the debate - by seizing the opportunity to play an active role in politics, economics and the building of a civil society."

The OSCE's campaign is interactive, providing young people of this country with a platform to make their voices heard. On the Internet, they can seek information, speak out on current issues and participate in discussion panels. What's more, OSCE, in co-operation with SFOR, is launching a contest with the theme "My world - My BiH," open to all young people from 16 to 25 years of age. Contributions are invited in the fields of music, essay, comics and photography and the prizes are worth competing for - ranging from digital cameras to a song production and a trip to France.

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For further information, please contact the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina Spokesperson, Ms. Urdur Gunnarsdottir, tel.: +387 33 292 222 or +387 66 144 311.