On January 23-24, 2025, representatives from the International University of Sarajevo (IUS) participated in the kick-off meeting of the EU-funded project “Fostering Inclusion and Shared Values in Juvenile Justice through Correctional Pedagogy and Specialist Professionalization”, held at Luarasi University in Tirana, Albania.
IUS's involvement in this initiative is led by Dr. Orkun Aydın as Project Coordinator, with Dr. Pınar Ünal-Aydın and Senior Assistant Lejla Mustoo Başer serving as project researchers. The project, which commenced on January 1, 2025, will span 36 months, concluding on December 31, 2027.
This project aims to enhance the capacity of higher education institutions in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, and Serbia, equipping specialists with the expertise to implement innovative interventions that promote inclusion and shared values in correctional settings. By integrating education, research, and the labor market, the initiative seeks to reinforce democracy and the rule of law, redefining universities as lifelong learning hubs that serve both students and professionals.
A key milestone of the project is the introduction of two pioneering curricula in Correctional Pedagogy, marking the first of its kind in Europe. These programs will emphasize "pedagogy-first" interventions, providing holistic, multidisciplinary education that merges law, psychology, social sciences, and education to benefit children and youth in contact with the law.
The project will employ three key methodologies to ensure its success:
- DACUM Approach Workshops – Engaging employers and industry experts to identify essential competencies and future skill needs in correctional pedagogy.
- Structured Public Hearings – Bringing together civil society, researchers, and public authorities to establish five Balkan Research Centers for Correctional Pedagogy, which will be part of the "LiberateSkills" Pact for Skills.
- Peer Learning and Mentorship – Facilitating collaboration between higher education institutions in the Western Balkans, as well as Romania and Greece, to develop regionally relevant research and education tailored to the Balkan context.
This collaborative initiative is set to transform correctional education in the Balkans, fostering inclusive, research-driven, and skills-based approaches that contribute to the rehabilitation and empowerment of youth in contact with the justice system.
