Resilient Youth
Within the scope of Erasmus+ KA151 Youth Mobility supported by the Turkish National Agency, the project activity “Resilient Youth: Active Citizenship in the Digital Age” project activity was held in Srebrenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina. 41 young people from Turkey and Bosnia and Herzegovina participated in a series of workshops and trainings on social resilience, active citizenship and the impacts of the digital age.
Social Resilience and Active Citizenship in the Digital Age
One of the most important topics of the event was to increase the sensitivity of young people to social issues in the digital world and to ensure that they become conscious individuals. The workshops covered topics such as social media activism, combating disinformation, digital rights and ethical responsibilities.
Participants also worked in groups to explore ways to build a resilient society. It was emphasized that active citizenship in the digital age is a matter of consciousness that requires responsibility.
Meeting with Martyrs' Mothers: Witnesses of the Struggle for Justice
One of the most meaningful parts of the program was the meeting with the mothers of the martyrs who lost their relatives in the Srebrenica Massacre on 11 July 1995. The participants listened to the testimonies of these mothers who have been struggling for justice for years.
The sadness in their eyes was stronger than words, as the mothers described their lives in a pain that has not changed for years. “Those of us who have a tombstone here are the luckiest,” said one. “Some of us did not even reach a bone of their children.”
Understanding the Past, Building the Future
The visit to the cemetery was another important activity for young people. Walking among the white marbles, the young people realized that history is not only information to be read in books, but sometimes it can also be felt while standing on a piece of land and breathing. The visit to the Genocide Museum gave the participants a deeper understanding of what happened.
Volunteering, Cultural Ties and Solidarity
Another important part of the program was volunteering at the youth center built by IFS Emmaus. Young people participated in the landscaping and maintenance of the center.
In addition, handicraft workshops were organized to connect with the cultural heritage of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Young people learned traditional wood painting techniques and discovered how art functions as a carrier of cultural heritage.
Conscious Youth for a Resilient Society
At the end of the program, YouthPass certificates were presented to all participants, documenting the knowledge and skills they gained in the process. However, perhaps the most valuable gain was the sense of awareness and responsibility that the young people carried within themselves.
This event was an important step towards preserving the memory of the past and raising new generations as conscious individuals in the struggle for justice. When the young people left Srebrenica, they were not only coming to the end of a program; they were also taking with them a consciousness that they should carry with them responsibly.
