The OSCE Mission and University of Sarajevo join forces to turn human rights education into practice

SARAJEVO, 14 October 2026 – University of Sarajevo students will have the opportunity to learn directly from experts how to address real-life human rights challenges through a new partnership between the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Faculty of Political Sciences.

Formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding signed today, the partnership will introduce a semester-long programme for third-year students, scheduled to begin in early 2027. The programme is envisaged to be accredited for 10 ECTS credits and will combine classroom learning with practical experience and insights from professionals working in the field.

“Protecting human rights requires more than strong legal frameworks. It also requires professionals who understand how to apply these standards in practice. Through this partnership, we aim to connect academic knowledge with real-life challenges, equip students with practical skills, and contribute to stronger human rights protection in Bosnia and Herzegovina,” said Rick Holtzapple, Head of the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Sead Turčalo, Dean of the Faculty of Political Sciences, University of Sarajevo, emphasized that the signing of the Memorandum represents a strategic step in its continued efforts to enhance the quality of education. “Through interactive engagement with experts, work on real-life case studies and mentoring support, our students will acquire practical skills essential for their future professional careers. Our vision at the Faculty of Political Sciences is to educate young people who not only understand contemporary societal challenges but are also equipped with the practical skills needed to address them. This strong partnership with the OSCE Mission enables us to turn that vision into reality.”

The partnership will also open opportunities for students from other faculties and disciplines, including Political Science, Sociology, and Journalism and Communications, through expert lectures, workshops, case studies and joint research. The first year of the Memorandum’s implementation will focus on combating violence against women and domestic violence. Through this programme, students will have the opportunity to familiarize themselves with recent legislative developments and gain practical insight into the application of legal provisions and protective measures in this field.

By connecting students with practitioners, the initiative aims to prepare future professionals to better recognize, prevent and respond to human rights violations in Bosnia and Herzegovina.