Joint Programme

Horizontal Facility

In a powerful show of unity, representatives of religious communities, academia, civil society, media, and international organisations from across Bosnia and Herzegovina gathered on 10 May at the Orthodox Christian Žitomislić Monastery to champion interreligious dialogue and cooperation.

This dialogue session, part of an ongoing initiative by the Council of Europe and the European Union, served as a platform to share successful practices and explore new ways to promote mutual respect, tolerance, and understanding.

The event was organised in partnership with the Ministry of Human Rights and Refugees of Bosnia and Herzegovina, with additional support from the European Union and the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina. The organisers expressed particular gratitude to the Museum of the Žitomislić Monastery for hosting the dialogue sessions.

Religious leaders, given their influence and prominent role in society, have a vital opportunity to promote a language of peace, non-violence, and respect for human dignity. In this context, this activity builds on the findings of the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI), in its 2024 Report on Bosnia and Herzegovina, which particularly highlights the importance of interreligious dialogue.

In a series of sessions involving almost 50 representatives from the Islamic, Roman Catholic, Orthodox Christian, Evangelical Christian, and Jewish communities, participants consistently emphasised dialogue as a vital countermeasure against hatred. Dialogue enables people to see beyond labels and prejudice, uncovering common ground that strengthens unity.

The crucial role and responsibility of religious communities and leaders in preventing hatred and fostering cohesive, inclusive societies was repeatedly underscored. Dialogue, it was asserted, should not be viewed as optional, but as an obligation. Coexistence, likewise, should not merely entail living side by side in peace; rather, it should mean living together—bound by shared values of love, understanding, and mutual respect.

In this light, interfaith dialogue must not be regarded as a fixed path or rigid model. There can be no strict sequence of steps to follow. Dialogue is a living, dynamic process that requires nurturing. It may experience ups and downs, but it must remain relevant and open to as many people as possible—by also engaging with contemporary issues such as the environmental, mental health, and online harassment.

Participants observed that, despite numerous challenges, dialogue has remained alive in the years following the last war in Bosnia and Herzegovina, largely because goodness lies at the heart of all religions.

The discussion was part of the action “Towards an Equal, Inclusive and Tolerant Bosnia and Herzegovina”, implemented under the joint programme of the Council of Europe and the European Union, “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye”, as well as the Council of Europe project “Combating Discrimination, Hatred and Racism in Bosnia and Herzegovina”, funded through voluntary contributions.

See also: previous events

Role of religion in promoting human rights: how can religion and religious communities contribute to combating hate speech? (18 May 2024)

Human rights approach to religion: if we are all born equal, why don't we have equal rights?  (16 December 2023)