April 16, 2019
Bridging Diversity: Art and Expression
Location: United Nations Headquarters, Vienna International Centre
In the third phase of “Bridging Diversity: Bosnia and Herzegovina” ICDO organized a two-week art exhibition and essays reading in the UN Headquarters in Vienna.
OBJECTIVE: Foster intercultural dialogue and provide a platform for freedom of expression and open communication between youth from three ethnicities in post-war Bosnia and Herzegovina through art and writing.
KEY STAKEHOLDERS: Youth from all three ethnicities (Bosnian, Croatian, Serbian), government officials, representatives from international organizations, students, educators and policymakers.
In collaboration with the VIC Art Club and its chairman Raymond Nader, “Bridging Diversity: Art & Expression” displays art pieces from high school students in Grude, Trebinje and Jablanica, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and from the Academy of Fine Arts Široki Brijeg. The exhibiting students are the winners of an ICDO Call for Art & Expression Contest.
“By learning facts and exploring artifacts the strange becomes familiar and less threatening. As we continue to make progress in this domain… I look forward to more cultural exchanges between VIC Art Club and ICDO.” – Raymond Nader, VIC Art Club Chairman.
ACTIVITY
During the opening event, the winning students of the writing contest presented their essays exploring the future of cultural diversity, strategies to overcome obstacles by closing cultural gaps, and the importance of the young generation.
“Bridging Diversity: Art & Expression’ has come to the United Nations because we want the powerful and extraordinary ideas of the youth on the future of their country to be heard. We want to encourage and award the young generation who is constructively contributing to society and cultural diversity worldwide. This the essence of our project ‘Bridging Diversity: Bosnia and Herzegovina.” – Josipa Palac, President of ICDO.
The speeches included a representative from the Bosnia and Herzegovina Embassy in Vienna, the Directors of the participating schools – Sabina Palic and Mladen Leko, who supported their students from the beginning of the project – and Stjepan Skoko, the Dean of the Academy of Fine Arts Široki Brijeg. The ICDO advisors, anthropologist and President of the Federation of Austrian-Foreign Societies Prof. Dr. Hermann Mückler (Vienna University), and media expert Dr. Anthony Löwstedt (Webster Vienna Private University) gave their impressions on the project “Bridging Diversity: Bosnia and Herzegovina”.
The opening event was accompanied by a musical performance featuring different styles from Bosnia and Herzegovina. During a tour of the Headquarters, the students discovered the United Nations Organisations. The evening concluded with a private opening ceremony in the VIC Art Club Exhibition Lounge.
ICDO hosted participants from Bosnia and Herzegovina, who visited cultural and historical sites and attractions in Vienna.
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