Marking International Migrants Day through education and culture

On the occasion of International Migrants Day, marked on 18 December, activities for children and young people on the move were organized in various centers of the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) in Bosnia and Herzegovina. These included Reception centre for unaccompanied minor asylum seekers and a vulnerable group of children, Day centre in Bihać, as well as the Temporary reception centres Lipa, Ušivak, and Blažuj.

A ceremonial programme was held at the International centre for children and youth in Sarajevo, in cooperation with the Sarajevo Secondary school of music and the Ballet school of the public institution centre for culture and youth of Centar municipality. Unaccompanied children and young people from Reception centre presented their own life stories through dance, drama, and musical performances, highlighting challenges, losses, and journeys, as well as the process of integration into Bosnian and Herzegovinian society. The programme was implemented with the professional support of JRS staff, drama pedagogue Alena Džebo, ballet pedagogue Jovana Milosavljević, academic conductor Tijana Vignjević, and scenographer Melisa Musić.

At the Day centre in Bihać, a presentation was held on the importance of migrants for society, the economy and culture, along with an overview of the work of JRS in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Beneficiaries shared their experiences and completed worksheets about their journeys and future plans. In addition, a shared christmas lunch was prepared, featuring local and international dishes, including the beneficiaries’ traditional specialties, such as Moroccan vegetable sauce.

At the Temporary reception centre Lipa, an exhibition was organized in cooperation with students of the Textile department of the Faculty of Engineering and the centre’s beneficiaries. Visitors had the opportunity to view the works of the beneficiaries and exhibition participants, and the event also included a social gathering during which various cultural expressions and experiences were presented. The exhibition provided an opportunity for dialogue and interaction between the beneficiaries and the wider community, highlighting the importance of creative expression and inclusion.

At the Temporary reception centre Ušivak, beneficiaries from Syria, Iran and Tunisia prepared traditional dishes such as lahmacun, couscous and meatballs, while music and folklore groups further enriched the programme with performances of Bosnian and international traditions. In addition to the culinary and musical activities, short workshops were organized during which beneficiaries shared stories about their culture, customs and traditions, further enhancing mutual understanding and familiarity with different cultural perspectives.

At the Temporary reception centre Blažuj, traditional dishes were prepared according to the beneficiaries’ countries of origin within the centre’s premises, highlighting cultural diversity and mutual learning. In addition to the culinary activities, beneficiaries participated in creative workshops and interactive games that contributed to strengthening team spirit and cooperation.

All activities highlighted the importance of inclusion, togetherness and cultural diversity, as well as the empowerment of children and young people on the move through education, art and social interactions. These initiatives also emphasize the significance of community support and institutional programmes in the integration process, providing young people with the opportunity to develop their talents, learn from each other and actively participate in society. In this way, the activities marking International Migrants Day contribute to strengthening the sense of belonging, self-confidence and social cohesion, creating a positive and inclusive environment for all participants.