Thanks to the “EU and YOU” initiative of the Office of the EU Special Representative, in the last four months more than 500 undergraduate students from across Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) visited the EU HQ in Sarajevo and discussed the EU perspective of BiH with the EU officials, asked numerous questions and explored greater involvement in the European integration process.

Following the 12 half-day visits of students to the EU HQ, 22 students from the University of Mostar, University of Bihac, University of Banja Luka, University Džemal Bijedić in Mostar, University of Sarajevo, University of Tuzla, University of Zenica, University of East Sarajevo with the Medical Faculty of Foča, the University Centre in Bijeljina, the Faculty of Economics Brčko and International Burch University took part in the EU Debate Competition in Sarajevo, from June 3 to June 4, 2015.

During the first day of the competition, all 11 participating teams held presentations and competed on the topics related to the current social and economic situation in BiH and the position of youth in BiH. Throughout the second day, the six semi-final university/faculty teams, divided in affirmative and negation teams, debated on topics including the Compact for Growth and Jobs, Stabilization and Association Agreement, activity of the youth in the reform process and BIH in EU integration process.

Even though all students showed a high level of knowledge and commitment to the EU integration process, the adjudicators confirmed that the winners, as the best affirmative and negation teams, are University of Banja Luka and University Centre Bijeljina – University of Istočno Sarajevo.

Dr. Renzo Daviddi, Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to BIH, awarded certificates to all students participating in the EU Debate Competition. One of the winners, Dušan Kondić, student of the University of Banja Luka said: “It was a great opportunity to exchange our views about the EU integration process and youth status in BiH with peers. My colleague and I had the pleasure to be selected as the best debaters which make us, of course, very proud! ”

Following the EU Debate competition, 17 students who proved their significant knowledge of the EU integration process and ability to discuss it through arguments during the debate and in written essays travelled to Brussels on 15 June 2015. They had the opportunity to present their views and the conclusions of the EU debate competition to officials in the Directorate General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations. In order to encourage their personal development as debaters, a visit to the European Parliament is also part of their visit programme.

For further information, please visit the FB page EU i TI or the EU Special Representative/EU Delegation website www.europa.ba

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

Background:
The project ‘EU and YOU ‘ is implemented by Vesta Association and funded by the European Union, Office of the EU Special Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina. For more information, please contact: Amra Selesković +387 61 150 727.