From June 25 to July 1, 2010, CIM staff hosted a Global Youth Connect (GYC) delegation.  The delegation is taking three weeks to learn about human rights and ongoing peacebuilding processes in post-war Bosnia and Herzegovina.

To follow the group as they continue their travels check out the group's blog or explore the GYC website.

From May 29 to June 4, 2010, we conducted our annual peace camp.  This year 18 individuals participated in the camp.  Sixteen participants came from Bosnia, representing Bošnjaks, Croats, Serbs, Muslims, Catholics, and Orthodox Christians, while two participants came from the United States.

From May 17-18, 2010, CIM staff led a two day workshop with youth from Sanski Most's local high schools.  Students participated in activities that targeted communication, active listening, and non-violent action, while CIM staff encouraged youth to find ways to become more active in their local communities.  A follow up workshop will take place on Monday, June 14, 2010.

On May 13, 2010, CIM director Vahidin Omanović led a discussion on non-violent communication and conflict resolution with a women's organization in Trnova, a village outside Sanski Most.  The discussion introduced potential non-violence seminars with the organization.  CIM staff hope to continue working with this group starting in September 2010.

We at CIM want to thank all those who have been contributing financially to our organization.  Each mark, euro, or dollar makes a difference.  Over the last couple of months we have received several minor donations.  With this money we've been able to provide quality materials to students in our English classes and subsize the part-time salary of a local youth who cleans our office space and participates in workshops and languages classes.

Follow us on our newly created youtube channel.  At the moment we've uploaded video's of Sanski Most's mayor, Sanjin Halimović, and CIM's Director, Vahidin Omanović, speaking at the first public interrelgious meeting between Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, and Muslim leaders in Sanski Most.  In the future we'll post news and program updates.

On Wednesday, April 7 CIM staff organized an outing to the Hrustovačka Pećina (Hrustuvo Cave) for CIM members and volunteers.  Vahidin Omanović, a resident of Hrustuvo, led a hike in the cave, while explaining its history and importance in the life of the local community.

On Saturday, March 20 leaders from Sanski Most's different relgious communities spoke before a large group of local citizens to affirm their commitment to live together in Peace.  Fra Mijo Rajič (Catholic) spoke about Chrisitanity and resources for peacebuilding, Profesor Husein Ef. Kovačević (Muslim) on Islam and resources for peacebuilding, Protonamjesnik Slobodan Višekruna (Orthodox) on loving one's neighbor, and Pastor Damir Trbić (Protestant) on exercising humility before judgment.  This is the first in a series of public meetings between the four leaders.  Click on this link to view the entire event.

Early this week we received news that CIM has been accepted as a hosting, coordinating, and sending organization in European Voluntary Service's (EVS) Youth in Action Programme.  As a hosting and sending program we will both recieve volunteers from Europe and send local Bosnian youth abroad. 

This spring students from SIT (School for International Training) came to visit CIM.  Their educational focus is peace studies, and every semester students from this school come to Sanski Most to learn first-hand about peacebuilding processes in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Spring has arrived, and days are getting longer and warmer!  To celebrate the end of winter the CIM team has decided to organize a Kahva, Kafa, Kafa za Mir (Coffee for Peace) meeting.

Come join us on Wednesday, March 31 at 16:00 at our office (Otoke 8, Sanski Most) to enjoy cup of our domaći (homemade) brew in our yard by the beautiful Bliha River.