On 2 March 2016, the EU Info Centre in BiH, in co-operation with the Academy of Fine Arts in Sarajevo, organized an exhibition of students’ artworks and a panel discussion on the topic of human rights. Opening the exhibition, Marina Finci, Dean of the Academy of Fine Arts in Sarajevo commended the students’ creativity noting the challenging task the selection committee has had in selecting the 12 best artworks.
Addressing the audience at the panel discussion, Massimo Mina, Head of Operations Section for Social Development, Civil Society and Cross Border Co-operation in the EU Delegation to BiH noted that the EU has been financially assisting BiH in many areas of human rights. “Youth and students, in particular, are one of the EU priorities as well as the development of democracy and respect for human rights, not only in the EU Member States, but in all other countries as well,’” Mina said, adding that the EU will continue to support both the institutions and civil society organisations promoting respect of human rights.
Suzana Jašarević, Director of Hilfswerk Austria in BiH presented the project ‘ROMA ACTION’ dealing with socio-economic inclusion of Roma population in BiH through provision of housing and socio-economic measures which has assisted around 150 Roma families in resolving their housing problems.
Sanela Bešić, Executive Director of Kali Sara Association spoke about the project “United for inclusive and non-discriminatory education of Roma children in Sarajevo Canton” illustrating the everyday struggle of Roma kids in the education system in BiH.
Saša Gavrić, Executive Director of Sarajevo Open Centre, presented the project “Enhancing Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans rights in BiH in line with EU standards” currently committed to developing the Action Plan for improvement of LGBT people’s rights.
The EU Info Centre has invited four Academies of Fine Arts in BiH to create artworks on the topics of cultural and natural heritage (Trebinje); water and environment (Banja Luka); human rights (Sarajevo); and children and education (Široki Brijeg). The final exhibition of the 48 students’ artworks from all four academies will be held in Banja Luka at the end of March. A selection committee consisting of representatives of the four art academies will award one winner from each fine art academy with a study visit to one of the best European art academies, the Brera Fine Arts Academy in Milan.
The EU Info Centre is the project funded by the European Union with aim to increase the knowledge of citizens of BiH on the EU, its programmes and policies, as well as on relations between BiH and the EU.
