The first exchange in Bosnia and Herzegovina focused on exploring the connection between democracy, remembrance, and reconciliation in a recent post-conflict society. By exploring how conflict and reconciliation have shaped Europe, the project encouraged young people to reflect on the foundations of democracy, human rights, and civic participation. Bosnia and Herzegovina, with its complex history and profound memories of war, provided a powerful space for learning, one that demanded sensitivity, openness, and care.
Throughout the exchange, participants engaged with difficult histories and personal testimonies while reflecting on the role of memory in building peaceful and democratic societies. The programme included visits to the Srebrenica Memorial Centre and the War Childhood Museum, meetings with democracy and human rights activists, and workshops on truth, reconciliation, and youth participation.
The exchange also created space for intercultural dialogue and personal reflection, encouraging participants to connect their own experiences and perspectives with broader European discussions on democracy, human rights, and collective memory. Through these encounters, participants explored how young people can contribute to reconciliation processes and strengthen democratic resilience across Europe.
As part of the programme, participants also began co-creating a light and sound installation on human rights and democracy, the LightLab Democracy: Europe's Role in the World, which was later presented during the second exchange in Germany.
