The “Rethinking the Culture of Tolerance” Summer School Opened

The “Rethinking the Culture of Tolerance - The New Challenges of European Integration Process” Summer School has been made open today at the University of East Sarajevo. Thirty-six participants from fifteen countries will attend this school in the following six days.

Vice-Rector for International Cooperation and Quality Assurance at the University of East Sarajevo, Prof. Dr. Dejan Bokonjic said during his opening speech that the school was intended for students of master's and doctoral studies in the social sciences in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Italy, the countries of the region, EU and international students. Vice-Rector Bokonjic emphasized that the school, jointly organized by the Universities of Sarajevo, East Sarajevo and the University of Milano-Bicoca is a very important moment for the cooperation among all three universities. “The goal of this event is multiculturalism and tolerance that are very important issue, not only for the Western Balkans, but also for entire Europe. I am sure that we will reach, through discussions and work during these days, conclusions about some of the problems. Those conclusions will lead us to new things that shall be developed in upcoming editions of this school. This Summer School is only the beginning of a story that will be continued in Milano-Bicoca next year,” said Vice-Rector Bokonjic.
 
UNSA Vice-Rector for international Cooperation, Prof. Dr. Ugo Vlaisavljevic in his welcome speech said that Summer School would help Universities, participants, including lecturers to establish international co-operation, friendship and connection. He added that participation in organizing and event of such nature is very important for the University of Sarajevo.
“I expect that in days to come topics from philosophy, law, human rights, culture of tolerance, multiculturalism, culture, religion, education, post-war society and confidence building will be dealt with” said Vice-Rector Vlaisavljevic.

On behalf of the Rector of the University of Milano-Bicoca Prof. Dr. Cristina Messa, Professor Marina Calloni greeted the lecturers and school participants. She expressed her gratitude to the Universities of Sarajevo and East Sarajevo for their cooperation and investing efforts in this project. “We are honored for being able to support a project of this kind. I would like to remind you that the next Summer School will take place in Milano-Bicoca during the EXPO 2015 event,” said Professor Calloni.

Professor at the University of Milano-Bicoca, Tatjana Sekulic said that this was the first time that universities were entering into such project. “For us it is of highest importance to have cooperation among universities on various projects, including the exchange of professors and students,” said Professor Sekulic.
On behalf of the Italian Embassy in BiH that is the general sponsor of the Summer School’s first edition, H.E. E. Mr. Ruggero Corrias, Ambassador, addressed the participants. H.E. said that the theme of the Summer School was very current and interesting for the entire Europe, and especially for Bosnia and Herzegovina, which was undergoing the European integration process.
 
On the School’s first day, Prof. Ade Kearns from the University of Glasgow, Prof. Marina Calloni from the University of Milano Bicoca and Prof. Dino Abazovic from the University of Sarajevo delivered their lectures.