During May and June an initiative of the Office of the EU Special Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina will take place in 15 cities across Bosnia and Herzegovina, aiming to promote public debate on socio- economic reforms. The initiative follows the publication of the ‘Compact for Growth and Jobs’ in July 2014 and the call for a reform agenda for Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Conclusions of the Council of the European Union from December 2014.

Through a series of one day events and promotional activities, attention will be focused on the most-needed reforms and the opportunities for all groups of BiH society. The events will include on each day:
•    a Public debate on the Compact in the morning
•    an Employment and Career Forum in the afternoon.

“The agenda of the Compact is an agenda for people who would like to see better quality of life in BiH, more jobs, increased investments and better perspectives for young people and all citizens of this country. That is why this initiative will bring EUSR representatives, EU Member States’ representatives together with local economic experts, local officials, businesses and educational institutions – but most importantly with local people, to discuss a common agenda:  economic opportunity for all,” said Andy McGuffie, EUSR/EU Delegation  Head of Communication and Spokesperson.

The first ‘ What does the Compact for Growth and Jobs mean?’ event, which is also the project launch, will be held in Tomislavgrad on 5 May and the second in Čapljina on 6 May.

After that, the initiative will visit a different municipality every week. Events will be held in Bihać on 20 May, Sanski Most 21 May, Prijedor 22 May, Istočno Sarajevo 28 May, Foča 29 May, Brčko 4 June, Bijeljina 5 June, Mostar 11 June, Trebinje 12 June, Travnik 18 June, Vitez 19 June, Doboj 25 June, Tuzla, 26 June.
 
For further information and a detailed outline of Compact for Growth and Jobs and ‘ What does the Compact for Growth and Jobs mean? project, please visit the https://www.facebook.com/EconForumBiH FB page Forum za prosperitet i zapošljavanje or https://www.facebook.com/europa.ba, FB page of EUD/ EUSR or visit website www.europa.ba

For media queries please contact the press office of the EUD/EUSR on +387 (0)33 560 821.

Media are cordially invited to cover the event in Tomislavgrad on 5 May in Centre for Culture and Information (Centar za Kulturu i informisanje) and in Čapljina on 6 May in Cinema Hall (Kino sala) with the same time schedule:

•    Start of the debate – photo/ camera opportunity at 11:00 and
•    Media statements – at 13:30pm  

Agenda:

Tomislavgrad  

Cultural Information Centre, Mijata Tomića bb
Photo/ camera opportunity at the beginning of the Debate

11:00 – 11:05    Public debate
                          Welcoming and short introduction by moderator, Adnan Hodžić, Assistant Director, KLAS
11:05 – 11:15    Introduction and opening remarks,  Mayor of Tomislavgrad, Mr. Ivan Vukadin and Head of the Belgium Embassy’s Diplomatic Bureau,  Mr. Jean-Pierre Biebuyck
11:15 – 11:25    Screening of the movie on Compact Growth and Jobs
11:25 – 11:40    Presentation of Compact for Growth and Jobs, Ole Hammer, EUSR Political advisor
11:40 –  13:25    Panellists:
                          Anto Domazet, Professor at School of Economics and Business University of Sarajevo,
                          Drago Gverić, Director of the Innovation centre Banja Luka (ICBL)
                          Emil Pranjić, president, Association of Entrepreneurs and Employers
13:30- 16:00     Employment and Career Forum
                          Media opportunity
 
Čapljina

Cinema Hall, Gojka Šuška bb
Photo/ camera opportunity at the beginning of the Debate

11:00 – 11: 05    Public debate
                           Welcoming and short introduction by moderator, Adnan Hodžić, Assistant Director, KLAS
11:05 – 11:15     Introduction and opening remarks, Mayor  of Čapljina, Mr. Smiljan Vidić and Deputy Head of Mission of Embassy of Kingdom of the Netherlands in BiH, Ms. Loes Lammerts
11:15 – 11:25     Screening of the movie on Compact Growth and Jobs
11:25 – 11:40     Presentation of Compact for Growth and Jobs, Ole Hammer, EUSR Political advisor
11:40 –  13:25    Public debate Panellists:
                           Anto Domazet, Professor at School of Economics and Business University of Sarajevo
                           Ranko Markuš, Team Leader of YEP (the Youth Employment Project)
                           Mladen Kostić, Director of INTERA Technology Park
                           Nikolina Jovanović, Deputy Director, Mlini d.o.o.
13:30- 16:00      Employment and Career Forum
                           Media opportunity