Successfully held the first "Živinice Meet Up": The doors of Živinice open to all!
Significant number of participants
This two-hour meeting, organized as part of the Diaspora Days Manifestation, brought together just over twenty participants, including Živinice expatriates currently living in Germany, Austria, Slovenia, Switzerland and other, predominantly European, countries. However, in addition to the above, the meeting was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Human Rights and Refugees of Bosnia and Herzegovina, representatives of the i-platform, representatives of the Association "Most Živinice" as well as employees of the City Administration of Živinice.
At the beginning of this emotional evening, the mayor of Živinice, doc.dr.sci. Samir Kamenjaković, who expressed satisfaction with the fact that, despite the situation caused by the coronavirus, the above-mentioned Manifestation is being held for the fifth time in a row, as part of which two exhibitions have already been shown. Mr. Kamenjaković also pointed out that every following year, "Diaspora Days" will be opened by some new people and some new projects, in order to send a clear message - the doors of Živinice are open to all.
The significance of the Manifestation itself has been discussed on several occasions, so it was emphasized that two factories in this city were opened thanks to the Manifestation, i.e. the participation and connections that are being made in those days. Although the practice is to organize "Days of the Diaspora" in the winter days, the mayor of Živinice suggested, and the participants of the Meet Up enthusiastically supported, that the event be held in the summertime, particulary in the months when BiH expatriates most often visit their country, and for the coming year, July has been proposed as a possible option for the month in which the sixth "Days of the Diaspora" could be held.
At the first "Živinice Meet Up" online event, Mr. Haris Halilović spoke on behalf of the Association "Most Živinice" who called on all expatriates to contact representatives of this Association in order to continue to connect and integrate the current citizens of Živinice with Živinice residents who do not live in their hometown.
Mr. Kemo Sarač spoke on behalf of the Ministry of Human Rights and Refugees of Bosnia and Herzegovina and praised the work and commitment of Mr. Kamenjaković, saying that he had not met for a long time with such an innovative mayor who generously accepts expatriates as an important factor for the development of the city.. He added that the City of Živinice, led by the mayor, was actually the first to include funds for cooperation with the diaspora in the city budget, and said that the Ministry would certainly co-finance projects that emphasize cooperation with expatriates.
Also, the participants were addressed by representatives of the i-platform who are largely responsible for the very successful organization of last night's event, presented our activities and future plans, and emphized the importance of such meetings, noting that similar, "Kladanj Meet Up" has already produced excellent and really visible results.
Impressions of expatriates
However, the most emotional part of the meeting took place at the moment of the individual presentation of the expatriates. It is interesting that a large number of young people attended last night's event, which once again proved that young people from Bosnia and Herzegovina are really interested in the prosperity of their cities. Delighted, as they themselves pointed out, with the extraordinary organization of the Meet Up, they really did not hide their emotions last night. However, in addition to the younger ones, we were able to see a significant number of middle-aged people with different career profiles at the meeting. However, although there is a significant difference in age, they have one thing in common. All the expatriates from Živinice with whom we socialized last night are connected by longing for their hometown.
Lots of plans for the future
Joking that "love enters through the mouth", one of the proposals for future projects is the organization of a gastronomic meeting in Živinice, which would be fully, as pointed out, financed from the City budget, and would include preparation and tasting of culinary products from countries of residence of Živinice expatriates.
Also, one of the plans, and it concerns this City, is the potential construction of a heating plant. However, before the above, it is time for a feasibility study, which, according to Mr. Kamenjaković, will be completed in three months. In order for this potential project to pass in the best possible way, the mayor of Živinice invited all experts, especially expatriates, to express their opinion, contact the City and come to a solution together.
At the same time, investment in tourism as well as the construction of a science and technology park are proposals for the development of Živinice and Bosnia and Herzegovina in general, as well as the already mentioned summer organization of the "Diaspora Days".
These are just some of the projects proposed last night that would create not only an emotional, but also a technical connection between the citizens and expatriates of Živinice.
In the end, the participants of the Meet Up, happy that many things had already become concrete at the first meeting, were asked to send their project proposals by the next meeting, and to present in writing the ways of their realization.
After more than two hours of socializing, it was concluded that the organized Meet Up is an exceptional opportunity for networking that should definitely grow into practice.
The next meeting of this type is scheduled for the first month of next year.
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