In the period October 28 – 29, 2011, a training “Combating Discrimination – Law, Practice and Society” was held in Banja Luka.

The training was held at the premises of the Rectorate of the University of Banja Luka, organized by the Association for Democratic Initiatives Sarajevo and the Youth Initiative for Human Rights in cooperation with ELSA Banja Luka, with the support of the OSCE BiH and the Institution of Human Rights Ombudsperson of BiH. These trainings were held with the financial assistance of the Civil Rights Defenders.

The training was attended by students of the Faculty of Law and the Faculty of Political Science in Banja Luka, who were active during lectures and discussions. Representatives of ELSA Banja Luka Adrejana Romić and Sonja Samardžija held a debate with participants on the topic of “Discrimination and Hate Speech in Local Communities”. They said it was a great pleasure that they had the opportunity to participate in this project and to contribute to the fight against discrimination.

Trainees also had the opportunity to hear speakers from the OSCE and the Ombudsperson Institution on the topics of “Hate Crimes and Punishment” and “The Role of the Ombudsperson in Bosnia and Herzegovina”. The OSCE Representatives Mr. Saša Bojanić and Ms. Violeta Kovačević informed all attendees to be free to invite them again whenever they need a lecture in the area of ​​competence and work of the OSCE. Also, a representative of the Ombudsperson Institution, Mr. Predrag Raosavljević offered the participants assistance in delivering a lecture on the presentation of the work of the Ombudsperson Institution, and expressed gratitude for the active participation of the students present at the training.

In addition to the lecturers, young activists Nina Šeremet, Adnan Kadribašić and Sanel Huskić also made an immense contribution to the quality of the training, with short lectures, debate and interactive exercises. The trainees worked with young and professional activists on topics such as: Adoption and Implementation of the Law on Prohibition of Discrimination in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Legislation and Discrimination: Harmonization of Laws with the Principles of Anti-Discrimination, Legal Mechanisms for Protection of Human Rights and Elimination of Discrimination, Public Advocacy and Human Rights : How to advocate change?, etc.

The training ended with the award of certificates to students who attended the training on both days.

This event was also had media coverage by BH Radio 1 from Sarajevo and Radio Herceg – Bosna from Mostar.