This week, the Forgotten Children of War Association welcomed a group of high school students from Japan, who are visiting Bosnia and Herzegovina as part of their study tour and the Bosnia and Herzegovina 2026 Summer Training Program – 11 Days of Learning about Ethnic Divisions and Coexistence. The program is organized by WorldLIT Ltd. with the aim of providing young people with a deeper understanding of peacebuilding, dealing with the legacy of conflict, and the importance of coexistence in post-war societies.
During the visit, members of the Association’s team, Senedin Hrnjica and Eldin Buljubašić, introduced the students to the Association’s work, from its establishment to its ongoing efforts to promote and protect the human rights of children born of war in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The discussion highlighted the role of art as a powerful tool for raising social awareness, featuring the theatre performance “In the Name of the Father” and the “Breaking Free” exhibition, both of which continue to attract significant public interest in Bosnia and Herzegovina and internationally. The students also learned about the progress made in achieving legal recognition for children born of war, as well as the implementation of the Law on the Protection of Civilian Victims of War in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which recognizes children born of war as a distinct category and grants them a specific set of rights.
Project Coordinator Eldin Buljubašić also presented the Association’s current educational initiatives aimed at young people and educators. Particular attention was given to the program that includes training for history teachers on responsible approaches to teaching about war crimes in Bosnia and Herzegovina, model classroom lessons, and the Living Library initiative, which enables young people to engage in meaningful conversations with individuals whose personal stories foster a deeper understanding of human rights, discrimination, and the long-term consequences of war.
The Japanese students showed great interest in the topics discussed, noting that they had never before encountered these perspectives or experiences. They expressed their appreciation for the opportunity to hear these stories firsthand and to gain a better understanding of the challenges and ongoing processes shaping Bosnian and Herzegovinian society today.
Visits like this reaffirm the importance of dialogue, the exchange of experiences, and mutual understanding in building a society founded on respect for human rights, empathy, and lasting peace.
