Scientific Debate on the Social Processes in Bosnia and Herzegovina on Its Path of EU Ascension Held

The University of Sarajevo and Editorial Board of the Pregled: Journal for Social Issues organized a scientific debate on the social processes in Bosnia and Herzegovina on its of integration into the European Union on Tuesday 22 April 2014.

The welcome addresses on the debate organized with the aim of providing scientific contributions to the overcoming of the current situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina were delivered by UNSA VICE-Rectors Prof. Dr. Ugo Vlaisavljevic and Prof. Dr. Faruk Mekic. Editor in Chief of Pregled Prof. Dr. Senadin Lavic addressed the participants afterwards.

In his discussion on the topic of social science and the interpretation of social phenomena Prof. Lavic pointed out that there was a noticeable exclusion or withdrawal of socio - scientific subjects in a when it was spoken about the current social reality that was filled with complex phenomena . “We do not currently possess a valid interpretation of social processes and phenomena from our own research on the basis of which one could draw some reasonable notice or knowledge for the orientation and taking the next step when it comes to the functioning of society. There are not even relevant analysis from the perspective of sociology, political science, culturology, anthropology, demography, economics and related sciences. The philosophical and scientific discourse on Bosnian reality is almost extinct. All analyzes and interpretations are coming from the outside of our public and; we are turning into parrots who repeat unconsciously somewhere else prepared points, thus do not developing our own interpretive position. This makes room for horrific manipulations" said Professor Lavic.

From various aspects - social, political, philosophical, legal, economic, religious and cultural, participants in discussion analyzed the current situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Prof. Dr. Enes Durmisevic talked about social processes in BiH. He commented the question of how to reach the state of consolidated democracy, saying that it could be achieved when an agreement on procedures how to install legitimate government was reached. He said that such government should be elected on general and free elections, and when that government had a real power to create a new political realm, whilst legislative, executive and judicial power should not have to share power with other bodies.

Prof. Dr. Mirko Pejanovic was speaking on the topic of Ideas to accelerate the integration of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the European Union. He said that the possibility of accelerating the integration of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the European Union has two assumptions.
“The first assumption is contained in a change of strategy by the EU institutions for the process of ascension of Bosnia and Herzegovina into the European Union. The second assumption is contained in shaping the political will of parties that after winning parliamentary elections in 2014 forms a cross-party coalition broad of the political project: European Bosnia and Herzegovina. This idea of a broad coalition of European Bosnia and Herzegovina would be a response to the demands and will of the citizens of their country to join the European Union“ said Professor Pejanovic.

In his presentation on the topic What kind of reforms and taken to Bosnia and Herzegovina accelerated path of integration into the European Union, Prof. Dr. Salih Foco said that many reforms had been undertaken in BiH, but they did not reached their goal. “The BH society requires different strategies of change offered as different or new to our terms of economic, social and public policy to leave the state of stagnation and embark on the path of reforms, programmed and desired to make positive outcome for social position and livelihood of citizens” said Professor Foco.

Prof. Dr. Lada Sadikovic and Prof. Dr. Hidajet Repovac were discussing the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights as a reference instrument for the ascension of state of B&H in the European Union. Prof. Dr. Hidajet Repovac commented the cultural aspects of the BH society in the process of integration into the European Union. The presentation by Prof. Dr. Fikret Causevic focused on the political economics of the transition of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the former Yugoslavia. Prof. Dr. Mile Babic presented the topic Nobody is not allowed to rule anyone.

Within the presentation on the topic of National state and minorities management: BH and aporia over  Sejdic – Finci Case,  Prof. Dr. Asim Mujkic questioned the implications of recent decisions from Brussels to leave aside for now the implementation of “Sejdic – Finci” ruling and focus on other aspects of the EU integration process.

Director of the Center for Cultural Dialogue in Sarajevo, Mrs. Sanja Vlaisavljevic said that speaking about  Bosnia and Herzegovina on the path of its integration into the EU meant to open the underlying problems of BH political life in which there were the least common points that connected different interests and political will.

" Outvoting , nonvoting, federalism, centralized Bosnia and Herzegovina, the true constituency of the constituent peoples, constitutional rights of minorities, the question of language, education, implementation of the Sejdic – Finci ruling and many other questions are open and without any indication how  to be resolved. At first glance, these problems are easily solvable or act even as superficial examples of discrepancies in political life, however unfortunately  it is about the key issues that affect BiH's path to European integration " stated Mrs. Vlaisavljevic .

Prof. Dr. Suad Kurtcehajic presented the topic Additional competencies as a mechanism of integration of Bosnia and Herzegovina. He  said that he found how the solution to the question of functioning of BiH had three modes. Namely, that the people through their representatives reach agreement is less likely, because it is obvious that everyone thinks and wants differently, at least when it comes to their representatives. “In a situation where we cannot find a consensus on the way how to get out of the crisis, there are two other ones. This is to get practically faster 'suction' by EU to itself and the NATO pact as well. This is because no member of NATO has ever been practically disintegrated. It is important because it would marginalize the forces that would like to disintegrate BiH. The third way, which I advocate and today introduce, is what needs to be done by the High Representative” said professor Kurtcehajic.

Mr. Adil Kulenovic at today's debate spoke about the importance of organizing such event, and commented on the current situation.

The papers delivered at the discussion will be published in a forthcoming issue of the Pregled, along with the already established fields, in order to make closer the journal to the general public and wider public and get it improved.