Title: Youth of Bosnia and Herzegovina: searching for their identity after the war
Introduction:
After more than 30 years since the end of the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the country’s youth are trying to find their place and build a common future despite persistent ethnic divisions. In this article, we explore the challenges facing young Bosnians and their quest to unify a country marked by a tumultuous past.
The persistence of ethnic divisions:
In Bosnia and Herzegovina, ethnic identity is deeply rooted and often associated with religion. Orthodox Serbs, Catholic Croats and Muslim Bosnians make up the country’s main ethnic groups. School curricula differ between the two entities, the Croatian-Muslim Federation and the Serbian Republic, which prevents a common understanding of history and fuels divisions.
A quest for identity:
Bosnian youth face the complexity of managing a divided identity. Many of them feel torn between their ethnic heritage and their desire to live in harmony with all Bosnians. Some, like Selma and Danilo, are determined not to repeat the mistakes of their elders and to build a united and peaceful country.
The responsibility of political leaders:
Political leaders play a crucial role in building a collective identity and unifying Bosnian youth. Unfortunately, many politicians still exploit ethnic divisions to gain power and maintain their influence. They manipulate history and collective memory, which fuels hatred and distrust between communities.
The will to stay and fight:
Despite the challenges, the youth of Bosnia and Herzegovina express their desire to stay in the country and work towards its transformation. They reject the idea of leaving their country like their parents did and instead want to find solutions to overcome divisions and build a better future.
Conclusion:
The quest for identity and the desire to build a united nation are the challenges facing the youth of Bosnia and Herzegovina after the war. Although ethnic divisions still persist, young Bosnians express their determination to be agents of change and create a harmonious society. It remains to be hoped that political leaders will follow their example and work towards unity rather than division.