Introduction
The Youth Bridges Europe exchange is rooted in the idea that remembrance is about understanding how the past continues to shape our present and our democratic future. By exploring how conflict and reconciliation have shaped Europe, the project encourages 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.
The aim
This blog series is a space for individual remembrance. Here, participants are invited to share their personal reflections on what they encountered and learned in Bosnia, including deeply sensitive experiences such as visiting the War Childhood Museum and engaging with the memory of the Srebrenica genocide. These entries are not intended to speak for others, but to bear witness to moments of learning, discomfort, empathy, and growth.
At the same time, these blogs are a collection of lessons learned. They offer you, the reader, insight into the themes explored during Youth Bridges: how memory is preserved, the importance of remembering community and individuals that are often overlooked, how narratives are shaped, and why reconciliation remains essential for democratic societies. Together, these reflections invite you not only to remember, but to reflect, and to consider your own role in shaping a more just and democratic Europe.