Today, the city of Banja Luka hosted the third Welcome to Electionville in Bosnia and Herzegovina. After the events were successfully organized in Mostar and Sarajevo, young people from Banja Luka had the opportunity to be responsible for the city’s processes.
The event in Banja Luka was officially opened by John Skoglund, Deputy Head of Mission of the Swedish Embassy in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Milada Šukalo, Social Affairs Advisor to the Mayor and Jasmin Bešić, Director General of the Institute for Youth Development KULT.
“The Electionville game, developed by the Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions, was originally intended to be played on a table, after which students had the opportunity to play it in schools. Prior to Electionville’s arrival in Bosnia and Herzegovina, a large number of children in Sweden had already played this game. It gave young people in my country the opportunity to see, through the game, what it is like to be a city councilor, how to go through the democratic process, how to make compromises, but also to make decisions. We are happy because young people in Bosnia and Herzegovina have the opportunity to play this game, and especially due to the fact that today we have representatives of the mayor’s office with us from which young people can learn the most. Finally, I must thank our partners, the Institute for Youth Development KULT and LDA Mostar, who helped engage young people, organize events, but also provided training for game masters and assistants. In addition, special thanks go to the organization Zdravo da ste, which is our host today“, said John Skoglund, Deputy Head of Mission of the Swedish Embassy in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“I think that the City of Banja Luka is a very good example of the importance of young people – our mayor and the president of the Assembly still belong to the group of young people. It is truly an invitation for all of you to be active participants in your local communities. Why be just someone who plays this game, when you can be someone who makes decisions in local assemblies and councils. I hope that through everything you learn today you will dare to take such steps, because we want everything you want to have in the local community to be created just by you to stay here, plan your future and lives. I hope you will enjoy, and I will take the opportunity to invite you to a big ceremony on Monday to reopen our Youth Center, a place for all of you,” said Milada Šukalo, Social Affairs Advisor to the Mayor.
“Board games are interesting because they teach us in a different, interactive way how democracy works. All of us in education go through basic democratic principles and decision-making processes, but by learning in this way we remember better and apply what we have learned more easily. The Institute for Youth Development KULT will continue to support programs of young people and youth organizations that work to strengthen organizations and individuals themselves. We want young people to have the opportunity to participate in the decision-making process, especially those that directly affect them. We were guided by this in drafting the laws intended for young people that we have in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Young people have a responsibility to take the initiative and decide which problems they want to solve. I am extremely glad that the initiative for this game came from the Swedish Embassy in Bosnia and Herzegovina, considering that Sweden is the best example of such an arrangement based on the democracy index. I believe that in the future we will have the opportunity to develop similar projects in cooperation with LDA Mostar and the Swedish Embassy in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In the end, I would also like to thank the organization Zdravo da ste for their assistance in the past few days,” said Jasmin Bešić, Director General of the Institute for Youth Development KULT.
For a few hours, twelve young people performed the duty of city councilors, and faced many challenges and obstacles. Throughout the game, the participants relied on the basic principles of the democratic process, respected different opinions, but also fought for the beliefs and programs of the imaginary political parties to which they belonged. After the game, the participants had the opportunity to meet and talk with decision makers and representatives of civil society organizations in Banja Luka, who, citing examples from practice, described in detail the work process itself, but also the challenges they face every day.
Welcome to Electionville is a game created in Sweden that simulates the work of the city council. In Sweden, it is conducted in primary and secondary schools, and due to the unification of the democratic process, the game is applicable in other countries as well.
During the game, participants focus on improving their own democratic skills, strengthening their negotiating skills, but also learn about the importance of compromise, and reaching agreed solutions for the smooth operation of government bodies operating at the local and higher levels. In addition, by participating in the game Welcome to Electionville, young people strengthened their proactivity, inclusiveness and general awareness of the political processes in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The events were organized in partnership with the Swedish Embassy in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Local Democracy Agency Mostar, and special support for the organization of events in Banja Luka was provided by Zdravo da ste Association, which gathers individuals dedicated to helping and supporting the development of children, youth and adults.
