Human Brotherhood and Sisterhood

On 24 May 2025, an international round table organised by the Human Fraternity Foundation and the Pan-European Union of Bosnia and Herzegovina took place in Novi Travnik, attended by prominent representatives of the political, religious, academic and civil sectors from Bosnia and Herzegovina and abroad on the topic of ‘Human Fraternity and Sisterhood’.

In his opening speech, the President of the Pan-European Union of Bosnia and Herzegovina and of the Foundation's Board of Directors, Franjo Topić, emphasised that "Bosnia and Herzegovina cannot survive without dialogue. Coexistence is not an alternative here - it is the only option. People of different faiths and nations do not live side by side, but together." Referring to the legacy of Pope Francis and the great Imam of Al-Azhar, he added: "The document on human brotherhood is not a piece of paper, but an invitation to live brotherhood. We in B&H can show that this is possible." He warned against passivity and pessimism, which paralyse society.

The President of the International Pan-European Union, Pavo Barišić, spoke about the idea of fraternity in the vision of Richard Codenhov-Kalergi, about the defence of human dignity in the work of the famous Renaissance humanist from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgius Benignus de Bosnia (Juraj Dragišić), and about Bosnia and Herzegovina as a ‘land of the generous’. He concluded with the following words: "I am deeply convinced that Europe and Bosnia and Herzegovina, as a mirror of European unity in diversity, will have a bright future if they remain true to their high values. And these are based on the vision of human brotherhood and sisterhood."

The Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Elders and co-author of the document on human brotherhood, Muhamed Abdelsalam, called for a deep personal and institutional responsibility: "This is not a crisis of religion or identity - this is a crisis of conscience. Fratellanza does not begin in declarations, but in hearts. Bosnia and Herzegovina can be a beacon. From a country that has suffered from division comes today a message of hope. The document on human fraternity is an action plan - for schools, institutions, but also for everyday relationships between people."

Academic Mirko Pejanović presented a sociological-historical cross-section of coexistence in Bosnia and Herzegovina and recalled the cultivation of tolerance over the centuries: "Interreligious and interethnic tolerance were the foundation of Bosnian society. Today, we need to rebuild them in education, legislation and public speech." He called for recognition of the role of parents, education, media and religious communities in promoting a culture of dialogue: "Without support for dialogue, there is no peace. The Foundation plays a key role in building a European, multicultural BiH."

Dževada Garić and Abbot Danilo Pavlović spoke about concrete forms of cooperation and interreligious dialogue.

Dubravko Turalija, member of the Council of the Human Brotherhood Foundation and moderator, pointed out: "How long one can tolerate unrest is the main question of modern man in the time of the Anthropocene, in which the role of man is overemphasised, but not in absolute terms, but in the present and current time... Care for the world and for each other can give birth to children of a more lasting peace who, when in doubt, will not resort to arms and division, but to dialogue and reconciliation."

The High Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Christian Schmidt, addressed the following words of support to those gathered: "I wholeheartedly support your continued efforts to strengthen interreligious dialogue and to spread the messages of peace, brotherhood and sisterhood, which are more important today than ever. This need was stressed by the late Pope Francis in the historic document on human fraternity for world peace and coexistence, which he signed with the great Imam Ahmed El-Tayeb on 4 February 2019."

Cardinal Vinko Puljić also supported the meeting in writing and said: "Human fraternity should be an integral part of our daily lives. I congratulate you on a courageous and necessary initiative."

The meeting was welcomed by: Džemila Skopljak, Chairperson of Novi Travnik Municipal Council, Branko Brkan, Deputy Mayor of Novi Travnik Municipality, Nerin Dizdar, Minister for Displaced Persons and Refugees of FBiH, Miroslav Landeka, President of HKD-Napredak Headquarters Mostar, Magdalena Stannczyk, OSCE Mission in Novi Travnik.

The round table concluded with a message of encouragement to all individuals and institutions to continue building bridges of understanding.

• Programme (EN) (PDF)