On Wednesday, April 23, 2025, members of the International University of Sarajevo (IUS) Art Club - Fahrettin Oduncuoğlu, Gamze Çoban, and Safa Afşar - together with Assoc. Prof. Dr. Almasa Mulalić, Dean of the Faculty of Education (FEDU), and Adjunct Instructor Emina Lagumdžija, organized a collaborative workshop with the ‘Vladimir Nazor’ Center for Education and Rehabilitation (C.E.R.).
The goal of the workshop was to promote inclusivity for children with disabilities, amplify their voices, and provide IUS students with practical experience in teaching diverse classrooms.
IUS student volunteers Halenur Hafsa Özcan and Laura Lucević, alongside English Language Teaching (ELT) staff, had the honor of facilitating the workshop. Students from the ‘Vladimir Nazor’ C.E.R. interacted with volunteers in Bosnian, Turkish, and English, and were encouraged to paint what brings them joy.
Throughout the vibrant session, children shared their aspirations, dreams, and daily challenges, while creating colorful artworks inspired by nature, family, and personal goals.
At the end of the workshop, volunteers distributed sweet treats and collected the students’ paintings, celebrating the children's authentic expressions.
The project reaffirmed that these young individuals are the "Unspoken Colors" of our society - vibrant, present, and vital, despite the obstacles they face.
This collaboration not only promoted academic engagement but also fostered empathy, understanding, and a stronger commitment to inclusive education. It offered IUS students a profound reminder of the importance of nurturing inclusive communities.
Furthermore, ongoing discussions between IUS staff and ‘Vladimir Nazor’ C.E.R. authorities aim to expand this initiative and establish long-term inter-institutional cooperation for future teaching practice programs.
We are deeply grateful to the ‘Vladimir Nazor’ Center for hosting us and look forward to strengthening our partnership through education, compassion, and inclusivity.
