Right to Freedom of Religion of Belief for All, Non-Violent Communication, Mediation and Dialogue Training Course: Call for Applications

The four-day training course is designed for young professionals in Bosnia and Herzegovina working on, or with a potential to work on, issues related to the promotion of freedom of religion or belief and non-violent communication.

Participants will learn what the right to freedom of religion or belief entails and how it is interrelated with other human rights. They will gain practical skills in analysing and transforming conflict situations, focusing in particular on:

• creating a safe space for discussions on common problematic issues relevant to their context;  
• encouraging cross-community cooperation on one or more common problem(s)/issue(s);
• developing joint initiatives on practical, everyday challenges that will be implemented in the post-training phase with the support of ODIHR and the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The training will cover the following topics:

• Social identity formation;
• Prejudices and stereotypes;
• The right to freedom of religion or belief;
• Equality and non-discrimination in relation to the protection of freedom of religion or belief;
• National context and legal framework for the protection of freedom of religion or belief in Bosnia and Herzegovina;
• Conflict and non-violent communication;
• Conflict analysis and conflict transformation;
• Interactive work on developing joint activities.

The methodology is learner-centered and favours active learning within an experiential, interactive learning environment. The training course will encourage participants to reflect on their accepted values and norms and concrete experiences and critically assess them. New meaningful and authentic ways of understanding and behaving outside the learning environment will be discussed on that basis.

Participants are expected to join a follow-up meeting five- or six- months after the completion of the training course, in person or online, to reflect on the activities implemented and challenges faced, and to discuss opportunities for joint work.

Languages and other modalities

The training course will be held in Bosnian, Croatian and Serbian languages by experienced trainers with proven gender, cultural and religious sensitivity. Some training sessions will be conducted in English with interpretation to the tree local languages. Training materials, travel costs and full board accommodation will be covered by ODIHR.

After successful completion of the four-day course, participants will receive certificates.

Selection criteria

The participants will be selected according to the following criteria:

• Applicants are 18-35 years old and residents of Bosnia and Herzegovina;
• Proven motivation to work on issues related to freedom of religion or belief;
• Experience with religious or belief communities, human rights organizations, civil society organizations, media, the public sector (e.g., education or administration) or state authorities (at both state and municipal levels);
• Desired personal qualities and skills: open-minded, sensitive of gender and diversity, willing to learn, a positive communicator, a team player, innovative, resourceful and committed to initiate positive changes in one’s community;
• Demonstrated motivation to build equal, inclusive and cohesive societies;
• Availability during the entire training course and for the follow-up meeting;
• Fluent in Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian.

Application procedure

To apply, fill out the online Application Form available in Bosnian, Croatian and Serbian. Twenty participants will be selected in a competitive process according to the eligibility criteria above and demonstrated motivation in their application form submitted in the Bosnian, Serbian or Croatian language. ODIHR will strive to ensure a geographic, ethnic, religious or belief and gender balance among participants. Applications will be accepted until 10 April 2023, 23:59.

Successful candidates will be informed about the outcome of the selection process by 17 April 2023.

By taking part in the application process, you consent to the collection and use of the data for the selection process.

If you have further questions regarding the application process, please write to Arijana.Aganovic@odihr.pl