“You see a lot of human rights practices and norms under assault all over the world. In our region especially, we are witnessing the forces of nationalism and populism and there’s a growing perception that the US isn’t as engaged as a steward for human rights as it once was,” says Cooley.
The authorities did not take them seriously, but the youths’ persistence and courage, along with public pressure, resulted in the revocation of the decision to further segregate schools in Jajce.
Imagine living in a city where you’re not allowed to cross a certain street. Or attending a school that has a forbidden floor. This is not the plot of some suspense or a horror film, but a reality in Gornji Vakuf-Uskoplje – a city in central Bosnia that is divided along ethnic lines.
When it comes to establishing role models, schools are losing the battle with the media. Young athlete Emir Bekrić became the main topic of conversation when he won gold at the European Youth Championship in Tampere. Because of his young age, he is a relevant role model for this country’s youth.