31 March 2022

Do you believe that the Ukraine conflict shows the importance of closer ties between the EU and the Western Balkans, Bosnia including? Do you want to learn more about the Bosnian war (1992-1995) resulting in a genocide on European soil at the turn of the 20^th and 21st century? And understand more about the role of NATO in international security, as well as the role of the UN-led Dutch battalion in the Srebrenica genocide? Do you want to experience Bosnia and Herzegovina's beautiful nature and landscape, and visit some of its historical cities?  

Join us on a 10-day tour to Sarajevo, Srebrenica and Mosta, from 8 June-17 June 2022!

You will hike Mount Trebrević, known for its view of Sarajevo, and one of the key positions, from which Sarajevo was held in a siege for almost four years. You'll bike the streets of Sarajevo, visit the old bazar, see the place where the first World War started, and visit the Tunnel of Hope, constructed during the siege of Sarajevo to connect the city with free territory.  

You'll visit the Memorial Centre Srebrenica, located in the former headquarters of the Dutch battalion at the Potočari compound. From here thousands of Bosniak men and boys were led to their deaths. If possible, we also visit Srebrenica itself and meet with the Mothers of Srebrenica.  

You'll also visit the beautiful town of Mostar in Herzegovina, including the historic stari most, old bridge, built in Ottoman times and destroyed during the Bosnian war. While the rebuilt bridge connects the two sides of the city again, Mostar remains an ethnically divided city, with segregated education and children being taught rival versions of the war. Back in Sarajevo you will meet with students and staff from the University of Sarajevo's Peace Pedagogy Hub whose mission is to teach peace in education in this and other post-conflict societies. 

Information meeting

An (online) information meeting will take place on Friday 8 April, 13.00-14.00, Kamerlingh Onnes Gebouw, Steenschuur 25, Leiden, room: B026. Please register by sending an email to n.sonneveld@law.leidenuniv.nl before or on 6 April.  

Travel fees

Tour price per person (based on a group of 10 people) = 394 euros (the final price may vary slightly, depending on the final number of participants).  

What is included in the price?  

• Transport during the tour  
• Accommodation during the tour  
• Entrance fees  
• City tours and other activities mentioned in the programme 

What is not included in the price? 

• Plane or bus ticket to Sarajevo and back 
• Own transport in Sarajevo, Srebrenica, and Mostar outside the program 
• Transportation to and from the airport
• Meals and drinks

Sign up

Sign up before or on Friday 15 April by sending an email to n.sonneveld@law.leidenuniv.nl, containing the following information: 

• Your name 
• Your field of study 
• Your academic position (BA student, MA student, PhD candidate, academic staff member, etc.) 
• Your preferred email address for correspondence 
• Whether you agree to share your email address with other participants 

2—Paying an advance payment of EUR 50 to NL27 INGB 0794 843530, in name of N. Sonneveld indicating: Bosnia and Herzegovina study tour/your name. 

 The maximum number of participants is 15. Your participation will become final once you pay the full travel fees. Full is full! 

For a detailed travel plan with dates and other useful information, please see the attached document or contact the tour coordinator: Nadia Sonneveld: n.sonneveld@law.leidenuniv.nl