IBAC 2013-SARAJEVO
3rd International Balkan Annual Conference (IBAC-2013) “Bosnia and Herzegovina: In Common History and Multicultural Atmosphere of the Balkans” held between October 10th and 13 in Sarajevo, the capital city of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Conference is organized by Istanbul University, in cooperation with International University of Sarajevo (IUS) and the University of Sarajevo.
At the opening program of the Conference, the first speech was given by the President of the Organizing Committee, Prof. Dr. Ahmet Yeşil, who stressed the importance of this Conference for the region. Stressing that Bosnia and Herzegovina has a past that shares many common cultural values and socio-economic life in the Balkans , the Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the conference prof. Dr. Ahmet Yesil said : ” Starting from the Illyrians, in this region lived and Slavs and Turks and others , which is not hard to notice the similarities between the Bosnian and Balkan history in general , and this stems from the similarity of multiculturalism and common history . This conference will give us an opportunity to know each other better , to establish and strengthen our network and inspire each other.”
On behalf of the organizers of the conference, the Rector of the International University of Sarajevo, Prof. Dr. Yücel Oğurlu welcomed all the participants and emphasized that the aim of the conference is to bring experts who study various aspects of the Balkan countries together, and expand cooperation and interaction among them.
Prof. Dr. Yücel Oğurlu , Rector of the International University of Sarajevo , said that the history of Bosnia and Herzegovina actually living history multiculture multireligije and mutual respect and understanding. “This conference is being held in the city in which both Eastern and Western civilizations. Sarajevo teaches us that the possible coexistence of different religions and ethnic groups , and that this will contribute to benefit the community , “said the rector Oğurlu .
The speakers at the opening of the conference were also the Rector of the University of Sarajevo, Prof. Dr. Muharem Avdispahić and the Rector of the Istanbul University, Prof. Dr. Yunus Söylet.
Remembering observations Susan Sontag , intellectuals of world renown , who said that on 20 the shortest life expectancy : life begin shots fired 1914th year of the Austrian Archduke Ferdinand in Sarajevo, and ended the siege of Sarajevo in 1992. year , prof. Dr. Muharram Avdispahić , University of Sarajevo , said : ” We are aware that the future of Bosnia and Herzegovina does not depend only on itself , but also on how Europe understands its identity . “
Prof. Dr. Yunus Söylet , Rector of the University of Istanbul , said that one of the most important goals of higher education educate young generations to understand each other and share the same values , and that the main purpose to strengthen intercultural relationships and educate young people whose hearts are open to other cultures .
As guests of honor were the Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mr. Željko Komšić and the President of the Council for Higher Education of the Republic of Turkey (YOK), Prof. Dr. Gökhan Çetinsaya. Prof. Cetinsaya stressed the need for the availability of a higher education to all people. The more people in a country that has higher education degrees, the higher the competitive edge in a country.
During his address, Mr. Zeljko Komsic , Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina , highlighted the importance of holding such a conference in Sarajevo, especially regarding this year’s theme. According to him, Bosnia and Herzegovina has always enjoyed celebrating its multiculturalism and diversity, but at the same time has shown to be capable of portraying itself at its worst and destroying this image that it has cultivated throughout its history. He also asserted that for Bosnia and Herzegovina to retain this positive image, it has no other alternative other than to advocate for a secular and civic state, and thus cannot be a nation-state.
The three-day conference on the Balkans gathered experts who explore various aspects of the Balkans and the need to expand cooperation and interaction among them as well as to establish space for discussion in the region from different perspectives.
The first IBAC Conference was held in Skopje, Macedonia in 2011, and the second IBAC Conference was held in Tirana, Albania in 2012.
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