OSCE Mission and Sarajevo Faculty of Political Sciences launch human rights partnership

Formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding signed today, the collaboration establishes a semester-long programme for third-year students, set to commence in early 2027. The course is envisaged to carry accreditation for 10 ECTS credits, blending academic instruction with practical training and guidance from seasoned professionals.

“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 Turcalo, Dean of the Faculty of Political Sciences at the University of Sarajevo, highlighted the agreement as a strategic step toward advancing the quality of higher 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,” Turcalo stated.

The initiative will extend opportunities to students across various academic tracks, including Political Science, Sociology, and Journalism and Communications, through specialized lectures, practical workshops, case study analysis, and collaborative research projects.

During its initial year of implementation, the programme will focus on tackling domestic violence and violence against women. Students will examine recent legislative updates while gaining practical understanding regarding the implementation of legal protections and preventive measures in the field.

By bridging academia with professional practice, the project seeks to equip the next generation of specialists to effectively identify, prevent, and respond to human rights breaches across Bosnia and Herzegovina.