Bosnia and Herzegovina: UWC-IB initiative

The aim of this initiative, jointly supported by the United World Colleges and the IB, is to contribute to the integration of the three ethno-religious communities in the post-conflict development of Bosnia and Herzegovina through international education.

The initiative is supporting secondary schooling open to all three national (or ethnic) groups in three IB schools, thereby equipping young people with the knowledge, skills and international understanding necessary to bridge the persisting ethnic divides. The initiative is further delivering  in-service teacher trainings in student-centered teaching methodologies, giving them the confidence to become agents of change who could further spur educational reform.

“For me, UWC in Mostar was a vessel of hope. The heartwarming experience of studying alongside other students who, like me, have experienced living under the shadow of an ethnic conflict, and yet managed to overcome their prejudices and join their lives together for two years of education and recreation, gave me hope that living together in harmony is possible after all,” UWC-IB graduate, UWC in Mostar

Key outcomes for 2006-2008 include:

• The IB World Schools in Sarajevo, Banja Luka, and Mostar were supported
• A centre for the professional development of teachers was established
• 8 workshops were implemented and 4 study visits to IB schools in neighboring Slovenia organized
• 350 participants were trained from 62 cities throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina including nine Ministers of Education

For further information, visit the initiative's website uwc-ibo.org