Our way is Peace! – this is how this story began in 2004, a story of peace activism and reconciliation that has been nurtured by the Center for Peacebuilding Sanski Most (CIM). That peace is a path that connects all people in the same mission is an indicator of the area of activity of this Association. Thus, they create their activities where necessary, i.e., “Every corner of our planet where conflicts need to be resolved non-violently.” Peacekeeping is a mission, not a short-term operation, and guided by this line of action, CIM has been working on networking for years. Freedom is the key to propagating peace values and activism, which is why CIM is independent in determining its program goals and actions. Nevertheless, the peacekeeping mission is launched through a leader. CIM’s activities and struggles are driven and pushed by these “big stones” Mevludin Rahmanovic and Vahidin Omanovic, CIM peacekeepers who believe that peacebuilding is primarily improving ourselves and then the environment in which we live.
There are many definitions of peace building, and the closest to us is that we create positive peace in ourselves and around us through our way of life. Our values are love, respect, justice, learning, understanding, forgiveness, benevolence, solidarity, compassion, human rights, freedom, etc., said Mevludin and Vahidin.
Numerous CIM program activities testify to active work in the field of peacebuilding and reconciliation. That Peace is a way that requires constant walking, without passivity, is evidenced by the Peace Camp – a basic training on peacebuilding that CIM organizes every year in Sanski Most. In August 2020, CIM held the fourth Peace Camp, which brought together young people aged 18 to 30 from ten BiH cities. Despite the Covid19 pandemic, with all protection measures, the activity was successfully held. After seven days of active work on peacebuilding, participants return from the Peace Camp to their home cities/municipalities and work on local peace initiatives. The CIM is also working to establish an interfaith dialogue between religious leaders, as well as a collection of stories of survivors of the ’92 -95 conflict, and thus ensure the preservation of the culture of memory, as well as the prevention of future violent forms of communication.
For years, CIM has been implementing the International Peace Week, and through a series of workshops, films and other activities, it seeks to raise awareness of the importance of peacebuilding. This is followed by a five-day “Peace Caravan” during which the participants travel through a several BiH municipalities and cities by visiting cultural and religious sites, and learning about different identities and the consequences of historical (non)violence.
Volunteerism and networking of young generations, which will continue to nurture CIM’s peace values and build peace is part of the daily activities of the Volunteer Youth Club from Sanski Most, Children’s Theater “Life”, Eco-kids project on the importance of environmental protection, and Youth Clubs where youth activism in Krajina is strengthening.
Driven by the desire to become self-sustainable, but also to include environmental peacebuilding in their program, they decided to launch CIM’s Garden of Opportunities. The idea waited ten years for its realization. Four years ago, they managed to buy land in the vicinity of Sanski Most and since then they have been actively working on cultivation of permaculture vegetables and plants. With respect for the laws of nature, the diligent hands of the CIM team, the work of volunteers from all over Bosnia and Herzegovina and the world, the Garden of Opportunities is expanding and surviving. At the same time, it is a space for a “break” from work, making friendships, getting to know different cultures and healthy food growing. CIM’s Garden of Opportunities is the backbone of the Peace Farm, which should be the future Center for Peace-Environmental Research and Activism, and where the Peace Camp is held every year.
Vahidin and Mevludin, through their own work and the activities of the CIM, break the stereotypes of viewing peace as a mere phrase about the “absence of war” or peace exclusively as “fighting against any form of conflict.” Peace is much more than just the absence of war. This is only a small part, because peacekeepers work constantly to nurture their own values and learn affirmative behaviors from others. Working on non-violent communication, preserving the planet, resisting all forms of misogyny, patriarchy and/or any form of degradation of human being and its existence.
In our opinion, a peacemaker must first and foremost be at peace with himself/herself, and constantly learn about himself/herself, others, and the processes related to the living environment. Peacekeepers recognize the moments when it is necessary to roll up our sleeves and work to make us all better. Our message to everyone is that you are already building peace, because all the good you do to yourself, everything you do, and after which you feel good, is peacebuilding, and if you fulfill your obligations properly, you are already a great peacebuilder, said Vahidin and Mevludin.
And at end of this text, but not for the end of the way of peace that Vahidin and Mevludin, the CIM team, strive and walk for, the message is clear, each of us can give so much on the way of peace values. Perhaps, for a start, let’s head in the direction of Sanski Most and visit the CIM’s Garden of Opportunities and the Peace Farm, where you will discover all the charms of the Peace Route that each of us should strive for.
Vildana Dzekman, mr. iur. has been a longtime activist, feminist and women’s human rights activist. She has a master’s degree in law from the Faculty of Law, University of Sarajevo and currently works for the German organization Help – Hilfe zur Selbsthilfe e.V. BH. She considers writing to be part of her personal and public responsibility for changing social reality. Email: vildana.dzekman@gmail.com
