As many as 239 students from four primary schools in the Ilijaš Municipality have learned how to recognize and oppose hate speech and discrimination through interactive workshops and lectures. This educational program, implemented by the Association “Education Builds Bosnia and Herzegovina – Jovan Divjak” in cooperation with the Municipality Ilijaš, supported by the European Union and the Council of Europe, aimed to help young people develop critical thinking about prejudices and stereotypes and become active advocates for tolerance in their community.

“The workshop was very useful because we learned that we must break stereotypes and prejudices about others and those who are different, as well as how to recognize hate speech,” said one of the participants, a student from the Primary School “Đulistan”. His colleague, a student from the Primary School “Stari Ilijaš”, emphasized how such education is important because we are often unaware of what discrimination is. “I’m happy when we have such educational programs that help us in our relationships with others,” she added.

The conclusion of the project activities included a one-day training for staff at the primary schools in Ilijaš Municipality, where, in addition to the theoretical framework, there was discussion about examples from everyday practice when working with students.

“The training was extremely useful because, through practical examples, we realized how, in our daily lives, we don’t think enough about this topic and don’t analyze our speech, behavior, and the content that reaches us,“ explained Elma Fejzović Agić, a pedagogue at the Primary School “Đulistan“.

Enisa Džakmić, a pedagogue at the Primary School “Stari Ilijaš“, emphasized the importance of such training, which remind us to view individuals as people rather than members of specific groups. “Reform processes and an inclusive approach in our schools promote equality, tolerance, and mutual respect. These types of education and training contribute to these educational processes because they help staff recognize harmful patterns of thought and behavior, “ Džakmić stressed.

The project, which represents an important step toward building a more inclusive and tolerant society in Ilijaš, was implemented with support from the action “Towards an equal, inclusive and tolerant Bosnia and Herzegovina”, which is part of the EU and Council of Europe’s joint programme “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye”.