Across the world there are widespread violations of law, morality, and international order. Russia invaded Ukraine and is seizing territories, Israel is occupying Gaza and intends to settle it with its supporters; the United States says it will rule Venezuela and take its oil. We are living in an era of open displays of power and violence. Where do the youth of the region stand amidst all of this?
At the end of November and the beginning of December, a Peace Festival took place in Vitez, Bosnia and Herzegovina, where young people spoke about their views on a range of issues. Among them were extremism, fear, insecurity, and, above all, the need for peace. Of course, the show “Perspektiva” was there with them. We should listen to what Tara, Anastasija, and Iris have to say.
“I have noticed that violence and extremism have become mainstream, which is evident not only here, but also in many other countries.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfSZNedbRzE
“I think extremism has become fashionable. I can say that in Croatia, right-wing political parties are increasingly taking over the political discourse, and this is becoming a kind of trend. Apart from Croatia, this is also clearly visible in other EU member states, such as Germany.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfSZNedbRzE
Adem sees the problem in media that promote violence, while Tara points out that a vocal minority often drowns out the silent majority.
“We constantly witness through the media a certain kind of incitement of the people, a certain kind of propaganda that promotes violence and fuels this kind of war rhetoric.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHqOmZDof64
“Always, in essence, radical people, extremists, are a minority, but they are also the loudest. And if the rest of us remain silent, afraid to react, that can become very problematic.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfSZNedbRzE
Above all, everyone wants peace. Jelena, Aladin, Adin, and Iris share their views.
“For me, peace is tranquility, harmony, and security. It means a society in which everyone can be who they are, without judgment or stigma from their surroundings.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHqOmZDof64
“I believe the greatest threat to peace is politics.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHqOmZDof64
“War and unrest only exist in the minds of those who have experienced war.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHqOmZDof64
“Nothing systematic is being done when it comes to peace or any kind of peace-building policy. Everything is left to brave individuals who work on this issue, while the countries that took part in the conflicts of the 1990s have no coherent, long-term policies that actively advocate peace.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHqOmZDof64
Tara speaks about the confusion young people feel, while Azra says an escape can be found in music.
“We have no positive role models at all. How am I supposed to know what kind of life I should live? How can I know what I want when I have never seen an example of that in my own country? As long as I can remember, my world has been Sarajevo and East Sarajevo. I don’t know any better than that. So how am I supposed to know which way to go, what to ask for, and who to ask?“
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfSZNedbRzE
“I believe that music, for me and for my colleagues as well, is a kind of escape from reality. When the weight of this world and of life itself comes crashing down on our shoulders, we find peace in music.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bpGinzrY70
In a world of widespread loss of trust, mass manipulation, and media lies, young people are not the only ones who feel fear and withdraw into themselves. Both the young and the old are asking the same question: where is this ship headed?
