Međukulturno vijeće BiH na Stalnom vijeću OSCE-a u Beču
Po pozivu Misije OSCE-a u Bosni i Hercegovini, danas, 26. 3. 2025. godine Međukulturno vijeće Bosne i Hercegovine predstavilo je svoj rad prilikom redovnog zasjedanja Stalnog vijeća OSCE-a u sjedištu OSCE-a u Beču. Međukulturno vijeće, kao međuinstitucionalna koordinacija koju čine temeljne organizacije kulture naroda Bosne i Hercegovine – Bošnjačka zajednica kulture, Hrvatsko kulturno društvo „Napredak“, Srpsko prosvjetno i kulturno društvo „Prosvjeta“ i Jevrejsko kulturno-prosvjetno i humanitarno društvo „La Benevolencija“, i Misija OSCE-a u Bosni i Hercegovini posljednjih godina ostvaruju vrlo konstruktivnu saradnju, a poziv Međukulturnom vijeću za predstavljanje prilikom zasjedanja Stalnog vijeća kao glavnog tijela za donošenje odluka OSCE-a dodatno je priznanje OSCE-a za dosadašnji izrazito uspješan rad Međukulturnog vijeća i njegovih članica. Rad Međukulturnog vijeća Bosne i Hercegovine prilikom zasjedanja Stalnog vijeća OSCE-a predstavio je predsjednik Bošnjačke zajednice kulture prof. dr. Sanjin Kodrić, sažetak čijeg izlaganja donosimo u nastavku:
Your Excellencies, distinguished officials, ladies and gentlemen,
It is my exceptional honour and privilege to address this esteemed gathering on behalf of the Intercultural Council of Bosnia and Herzegovina. This Council represents an inter-institutional collaboration between the pivotal cultural organizations of Bosnia and Herzegovina's peoples – the Bosniak Community of Culture, the Croatian Cultural Society “Napredak,” the Serb Educational and Cultural Society “Prosvjeta” and the Jewish Cultural, Educational and Humanitarian Society “La Benevolencija.” These organizations, dedicated to the cultures of Bosniaks, Croats, Serbs and Jews in Bosnia and Herzegovina, boast traditions spanning over 120 years and stand among the oldest institutions in our country in general.
This occasion holds particular significance, especially given the current socio-political challenges facing Bosnia and Herzegovina. We are grappling with the most severe crisis since the Dayton Peace Agreement ended the war in 1995. This crisis, which extends beyond political dimensions, has a profound and negative impact on our society, undermining social cohesion, stability and even the hard-won peace we hold dear.
The mission of the Intercultural Council is rooted in fostering peace, stability and social cohesion, alongside trust and cooperation, and these principles closely align with the core objectives of the OSCE in general and, specifically, the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina. We deeply value the vital support that the OSCE Mission has provided to our Council over recent years – such assistance is indispensable in addressing the ongoing challenges of our post-conflict society, which remains internally divided with fragile cohesion and persistent tensions, exacerbated by the current socio-political turmoil.
Like the OSCE Mission, the Intercultural Council strives to play a constructive role within Bosnia and Herzegovina’s society. We work to bridge social conflicts and overcome the divisions that linger as remnants of the 1990s war and, through our cultural efforts, we contribute to easing tensions and building a sustainable peace across all regions and among all peoples and citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
We do this as undoubtedly authentic representatives of the culture and identity of our peoples, but also as equally authentic representatives of the totality of the culture and identity of Bosnia and Herzegovina as a complex, plural and polycentric whole. We achieve our mission through various activities in all areas of broadly understood culture, including the so-called living culture and cultural heritage. Our efforts encompass joint concerts and music as a universal language, exhibitions and other artistic practices, scientific research and publishing, public discussions on challenging issues of Bosnian and Herzegovinian society and much more. These initiatives address important social issues, promote coexistence, and foster mutual respect, and have a great reception and wide resonance among the public. However, above all, we strive to build full and genuine trust by embracing differences and celebrating shared values, which reinforces cooperation and renews social cohesion among the peoples of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The pivotal cultural organizations within our Council recognize that culture not only embodies the collective identity of a people but also serves as a powerful connector across communities. Our work emphasizes this dual role of culture – preserving unique identities while fostering bonds between them, and this principle is particularly vital given the complex, diverse nature of Bosnia and Herzegovina, both as a state and as a society.
Bosnia and Herzegovina is far more than a state or geographical area; it is a vibrant and unique cultural space with a history stretching back more than a thousand years. From its beginnings as a medieval state, Bosnia and Herzegovina has developed a distinct identity rooted in shared cultural values and history, rather than political boundaries. Its culture is simultaneously unified and diverse – a rich tapestry of interconnected traditions and influences.
This interconnectedness is why we describe Bosnian-Herzegovinian society as not merely multicultural but intercultural, where identities interact and create shared values. This dynamic fosters a sense of belonging to a common community while respecting diversity, and the essence of this intercultural character is at the heart of what we call the “Bosnian-Herzegovinian paradigm.” Promoting these values remains a central mission of the Intercultural Council, as we cultivate a “culture of cooperation and trust” as a foundation for the “politics of cooperation and trust” within Bosnia and Herzegovina.
From history and global examples, we understand that culture holds transformative power. It shapes values, bridges divides and fosters mutual understanding and cooperation. Within the context of European integration – where Bosnia and Herzegovina naturally belongs – culture plays a vital role in creating an inclusive society and reinforcing shared European values. For this reason, through cultural dialogue and collaborative initiatives, we strive to strengthen social cohesion, build bridges between people and lay the foundation for a stable and prosperous future.
Recognizing the strategic importance of the Intercultural Council and its members in the culture and society of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina, with its exceptional symbolic significance, has provided extremely important support to our work in recent years, which has been essential for our continued success. Highly appreciating this gesture, we express our deep gratitude to the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina and H. E. Ambassador Brian Aggeler and his associates for their commitment and wholehearted support, particularly their recognition of culture's constructive and productive role in complex societies like Bosnia and Herzegovina. Given the pressing need for such initiatives in Bosnia and Herzegovina, we strongly believe and hope this cooperation will continue and it could serve as an inspiration for similar efforts by OSCE missions in other participating states, especially in societies with complex social challenges.
The Latin proverb Inter arma Musae silent – When arms speak, the muses are silent – carries particular resonance in our context. It reminds us that the muses, as symbols of knowledge, art and dialogue, must always be heard, no matter the challenges of the times. Our commitment to cultural values and cooperation is a direct reflection of this belief and that is why the Intercultural Council of Bosnia and Herzegovina is dedicated to promoting openness, dialogue and unity, all in service of the common good and the advancement of our society as a whole. This is what culture specifically serves and should serve, especially in complex and challenging societies like Bosnia and Herzegovina, and this is our ultimate goal.
