[Sarajevo, 26/05/2023] – The High School for Traffic and Communications in Sarajevo, together with the Technical School from Pirot, organized the Day of Sports and Culture, gathering close to 100 students and professors. The event was organized as part of the school-to-school exchange program called Superschools, which aims to support the processes of peacebuilding and reconciliation, intercultural learning, and dialogue between schools, students and their communities. The program is part of the multi-donor project “School Exchange Program in the Western Balkans” jointly financed by the European Union and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), and implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and the Regional Office for Youth Cooperation (RYCO).
During the Sports and Culture Day, students showed their talents and abilities by performing traditional folk dances and competing in games without borders. The schools which participated in the games were: host High School for Traffic and Communications, Technical School Pirot, First Gymnasium Sarajevo, Thirteenth Gymnasium Belgrade, High School Ivan Goran Kovačić Kiseljak, Center for Blind and Visually Impaired Children and Youth and High School Center “Nedžad Ibrišimović” Ilijaš.
During the official part of the event, the participants were greeted by the political adviser in the EU Delegation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Fermin Cordoba, the deputy ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany, Bernhard Abels, Head of the department of the sector for Education of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, Milijana Lale, and the Head of the Local Office of RYCO in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sandra Čule.
The Sports and Culture Day proved to be a noteworthy event, symbolizing the power of unity, cooperation, and the celebration of diverse cultures. This is exactly the essence of the Superschools project. Students from both schools shared their impressions about the project and the exchange they are participating.
“I’m glad that I got the opportunity to meet new friends, their traditions and culture, and thus overcome certain prejudices and stereotypes that we as a society may have.” The first impression was a certain trepidation and uncertainty, but already after getting to know her, I am happy that I have new friends. I would like to thank RYCO for making all of this possible for us,” said Lamija Fazlagić, a student at the High School for Traffic and Communications.
“This type of informal education is exactly what we young people lack so that we can better understand the importance of tolerance, peace, interculturality and break prejudices and stereotypes that are part of our everyday life. I am especially glad that I met new friends with whom we participated in various activities together and visited the sights of beautiful Sarajevo”, added student of Pirot Technical High School Mina Vučić.
Today is the last day of school exchange. Throughout the whole week schools have been engaged in different workshops, team-building activities, and cultural and fun tours around Sarajevo including cinema nights and visiting different historical museums. The High School for Traffic and Communications will visit Technical School in Pirot in September.
About the Superschools program
Superschools is a RYCO program for school exchanges in the region with the objectives to support the peacebuilding and reconciliation process and intercultural learning and dialogue among schools, students and their communities. The program is part of a multi-donor project “Western Balkans School Exchange Scheme” co-financed by the European Union and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) together with the Regional Youth Cooperation Office (RYCO).
About RYCO
The RYCO is an intergovernmental organization that stewards and promotes regional and intercultural cooperation of young people within and among Western Balkans societies. RYCO’s programs focus on creating opportunities for young people to engage in activities that build mutual understanding and reconciliation in the civic, social, educational, cultural, and sports domains. RYCO initiates and participates in policymaking and advocates for reform. It supports the development of a political and social environment that empowers and facilitates youth exchange.
