VII MEDITERRANEAN FORUM 2025
This year, building on the Mediterranean Forum, as its longstanding tradition, the University Sarajevo School of Science and Technology (SSST) was proud to take part in the Anna Lindh Forum 2025, which was held in Tirana under the theme "From Knowledge to Action: Redefining Dialogue in the Euro-Mediterranean Region."
As a member of the Anna Lindh Foundation’s national network, SSST is actively contributing to the Forum’s program. A session proposed by SSST was accepted and hosted by Prof. Maja Savić-Bojanić, Dean of the Department of Political Science and International Relations. Her session took place on June 18, 2025, in front of a 1000-member audience.
The session, titled "Art, Women, and Reconciliation: Transforming Trauma into Collective Healing," explored the transformative role of women in the arts as agents of healing and reconciliation in post-conflict societies. By bringing together practitioners from the fields of theatre, photography, film, and museum curation, the session highlighted how artistic expression fosters empathy, cultural justice, and connection across divided communities. This contribution reflects SSST’s ongoing commitment to social dialogue, inclusion, and peacebuilding, thus increasing the SSST Mediterranean forum's visibility in the wider Mediterranean region.
Additionally, two sessions of the Mediterranean Forum were held on the university's premises, under the EDIRE project. Opening remarks were delivered by the Rector of SSST University, Prof. Dr. Vjekoslav Domljan, who spoke about the importance of centres of excellence and how Horizon Europe projects contribute to building new ecosystems and spaces for innovation.
On this occasion, Prof. Dr. Domljan also signed and formalised a Cooperation Agreement with the University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne, setting the stage for continued collaboration, academic and administrative staff exchange, and the strengthening of research capacities between the institutions.
Special guests included representatives of the Embassies of Spain and Italy in Bosnia and Herzegovina:
- Mrs. Rosaria Rinaudo, Head of the Administrative Unit (Italy), and
- Ms. Sol Cabanas, Deputy Head of Mission at the Spanish Embassy,
Ms. Cabanas emphasized the importance of Spain’s support for Bosnia and Herzegovina, particularly in terms of foreign policy initiatives aligned with EDI principles and active participation in Horizon Europe projects.
The second session held on the university's premises was titled “Diversity in Responsible Research and Innovation: The Case of AI.”
This thought-provoking panel brought together distinguished experts in the field:
- Prof. Dr. Jasminka Hasić Telalović – Sarajevo School of Science and Technology
- Prof. Dr. Zahia Guessoum – University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne
- Prof. Dr. Juan Pavón – Complutense University of Madrid
Over the course of an engaging one-hour discussion, panelists explored the critical role that diversity plays in shaping ethical, inclusive, and socially responsible approaches to artificial intelligence research and innovation. They shared their perspectives on gender equality, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the societal impacts of AI within research environments.
The panel was moderated by Dalila Čamdžić, a student at the Sarajevo School of Science and Technology, who skillfully guided the conversation, ensuring a dynamic exchange of ideas between speakers and the audience.
This event made a significant contribution to the public dialogue on equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in science and innovation, particularly within the rapidly evolving domain of artificial intelligence. Through both the organization of the Mediterranean Forum and active participation in the Anna Lindh Forum, SSST reaffirms its commitment to fostering inclusive dialogue, academic excellence, and regional cooperation.
