The Political Science and International Relations (PSIR) study program at the International University of Sarajevo (IUS) recently welcomed PSIR alumna Ajna Mešić and incoming Fall 2026 PSIR student Sarah Ćato for an engaging and thought-provoking session held as part of Prof. Dr. Kaminski’s IR304 Security Studies course.
During the session, Ajna Mešić and Sarah Ćato presented their report for the Youth Initiative for Human Rights in Bosnia and Herzegovina, titled “Between Narrative and Reality: Life in Returnee Communities in BiH.” Their presentation offered students valuable insight into the everyday realities of returnee communities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, while opening important questions about the gap between dominant public narratives and the lived experiences of people on the ground.
Through an interactive lecture and discussion, the speakers addressed a range of important topics, including post-conflict social dynamics, security, discrimination, and the challenges faced by returnee populations in divided communities. By presenting the report’s findings and engaging directly with students, they encouraged critical reflection on the complexity of post-war life in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the social and political factors that continue to shape returnee experiences.
As part of the session, students also examined selected examples of media reporting related to these issues, using them as a basis for discussion and analysis. This part of the workshop encouraged participants to think critically about how narratives of reconciliation, coexistence, and security are constructed, how returnee communities are represented in public discourse, and how such narratives can influence both public opinion and policymaking in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The workshop created an important space for dialogue between researchers, activists, and students, further enriching the practical dimension of the PSIR program and encouraging active engagement with contemporary social and political issues in Bosnia and Herzegovina. By connecting academic discussion with field-based research and activism, the session offered students a meaningful opportunity to better understand the realities behind policy, narrative, and post-conflict governance.
The report is available at: Between Narrative and Reality: Life in Returnee Communities in BiH
